You may be familiar with Sandbanks for its millionaires, celebrities and Harry Redknapp talking to Sky Sports News from near his home – but my family have been going for more than a century and now, it seems, everyone else has caught us up.
Boasting an exclusive postcode that welcomes the rich and famous, Sandbanks has become well-known for having one of the most expensive land values in the world, but I’ve been going there all my life, so to me, it feels like home. I am the sixth generation of my family to go to Sandbanks, and my great-great-grandfather and his brothers built one of the first properties on what was once just sweeping sand dunes, which still stands there now 100 years later.
With the weather finally taking a turn for the better, I decided there was no better place to make the most of the sun than beautiful Sandbanks in Dorset. With long winding beaches, stunning scenery and at just over two hours outside of London, what’s not to love?
We’ve always thought of it as a welcome respite from the bustle of everyday life, as with Banks Road being the only way onto the beach from the mainland, Sandbanks works hard to be an idyllic and quiet haven for those who like a bit of luxury. However, in recent times, with new bars and restaurants opening up and the smattering of celebrities making Millionaires’ Row their home, it is quickly becoming known as the go-to place for Brits wanting sun and sand without going abroad.
This weekend was no exception thanks to the hot weather, and with just one road leading into the peninsula, expect a struggle to find a parking space and queues to get round the one way system, especially when the Swanage ferry unloads.
An early alarm clock is definitely recommended to make sure you’re in a good position. I’d also recommend getting a dinner booking in at the weekend, as places like Rick Stein’s and new restaurants The Tandy and Rockwater get filled up quickly.
After visiting cocktail bar Lazy Jack’s and The Tandy, it’s easy to see why Sandbanks is quickly earning itself a reputation as the ‘new Palm Beach’. The Tandy boasts a DJ behind the bar and a daily happy hour, and now seems like the place to be for people heading to the beach for the weekend, and I’ve regularly been turned away from Lazy Jack’s as they’ve been too packed.
To avoid the crowds, I stuck to the quieter side of Sandbanks where you can hire paddle boards and kayaks to sail around the luxury boats in the marina and soak up the sun next to the yacht club, with kayaks available for hire from £15 an hour.
No beach time is complete without a sunset walk, and in the evening I headed up past the iconic Millionaires’ Row, home to houses worth eight figures with stunning views and huge driveways, past the famous Haven Hotel, along the sandy beach with a stunning view of Old Harry Rocks in the distance. It was truly unbeatable.
There are plenty of gorgeous walks to embark on in Sandbanks, with Bournemouth just under four miles away, and the stunning Canford Cliffs around two miles, and for those who adore their lengthy walks, you can also head to the jaw-dropping Hengistbury Head along the beach, with the nine miles studded with different beach pit stops to quench your thirst and rest your legs.
But one of the best walks, and my personal favourite, is the walk along Shell Bay heading to Old Harry Rocks. You only need to complete the short journey on the chain ferry, which costs just £1 both ways, and walk along the peaceful, uninhabited beaches towards Swanage.
You get a stunning view of Sandbanks for your troubles, and you can also escape the crowds and ensure a stunning walk without worrying about tripping over someone’s towel.
As a regular visitor to Sandbanks, I am definitely biased, but for me, nothing tops the powdery sand of the award-winning beach and the show-stopping scenery, and when the weather is good, you certainly don’t need to travel to Italy or Spain for your dose of sea, sand and sun. My only complaint is that it seems you can never keep a good thing quiet, and what was once a hidden gem for a weekend break, is now a bustling and slightly expensive holiday destination.