A Slow Sunday in Sandbanks

The last weekend of January brought some solace to an otherwise gloomy month. Waking up on Sunday morning to find the room bathed in sunlight was just the motivation we needed to get out and explore somewhere other than the New Forest. I’ve said it before but I really do stand by the belief that spontaneous day trips like this are the most special. Freshly showered and wrapped in winter layers, we hopped in the car and drove towards Poole.

What greeted us was a stretch of golden sand and a satin sheet of blue sea as far back as the eye could observe. Footprints and paw prints marked the way to the gently lapping waves while Sunday strollers walked hand in hand, their furry companions waggling their tails. We perched on a bench to take in the scene before us and breathe. With the past month spent entirely within a five mile radius of home, it was refreshing to escape somewhere further out for the day.

Sandbanks is one of those childhood places that I’ve visited with family time and time again. The atmosphere here is so different in comparison to other beaches in Dorset. If it wasn’t for the rickety beach huts, fish and chips shop and lack of surfing, it could easily be mistaken for somewhere along the Californian coast. But this little corner of calm is right here in England, on a small peninsula surrounded by water, sandy beaches and plenty of traditionally British seaside touches. In summer, it thrives with sunbathers and children playing in the sand, ice-cream in every hand. Winter is more tranquil and unspoilt with a hint of solitude, something that I always evaded as a child. Now, in life full of noise and chaos, I embrace it.

 Days like this remind me of the beauty surrounding us and that we don’t need to venture far to find somewhere beautiful. England may be grey and miserable a lot of the time but it is also full of wonderful spots like this on our doorstep.

Is there somewhere tranquil and beautiful that you like to visit near you?

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