Popular English seaside forced to close number of attractions this...

Popular English seaside forced to close number of attractions this summer

Published on March 27, 2025 at 01:58 PM

Exploring the UK’s Hidden Coastal Gems

SEASIDE attractions in Bournemouth are set to close this summer after a nearby landslide.

Parts of the promenade will be cordoned off during the summer season after sections of the cliff collapsed over the winter.

Bournemouth Beach, Dorset, with pier and many people. — Bournemouth Beach in Dorset is one of the best in the world, according to TripAdvisor

Rockfall debris at the base of a cliff. — Parts of Bournemouth Beach collapsed over the winter

According to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, some land trains will be unable to operate during the peak summer season because of the cordon.

The cordon will impact other seaside attractions, such as the Beach Shack Kiosk and West Cliff Lift.

West Cliff Lift won't be able to operate this summer, says Councillor Richard Herrett.

Mr Herrett told the BBC: “At West Cliff, a temporary pathway is in place on the beach due to promenade restrictions.

“At East Cliff, the promenade has been narrowed due to the cordon but remains open to visitors.”

Meanwhile, the land train at Hengistbury Head will operate as normal.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole plan to stabilise the cliff areas along the seafront.

While parts of the seaside promenade in Bournemouth will close this summer, its beach will remain open to visitors.

Earlier this year, Bournemouth Beach was named among the best in the world by TripAdvisor.

The seven-mile Dorset beach is known for its Instagrammable multi-coloured beach huts that line its promenade.

I visited the English Riviera and found delicious seafood festivals and hidden beaches

There are other attractions in the resort town, such as Bournemouth Pier, which is home to an arcade, a theatre, an indoor rock climbing wall and a zip line.

From the promenade, seaside visitors can also see the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills.

One happy beach-goer said: “We come here every single year, and I feel Bournemouth beach cannot be beaten.

“Its lovely fine sand and clear seas make you feel like you are abroad.”

Elsewhere in the UK, several seaside towns are at risk of losing their beaches altogether.

One of those is Covehithe Beach near Beccles in Suffolk.

Despite attempts to reduce the risk of erosion, there are fears the wild beach could be gone as soon as 2040.

And Southport, one of England's oldest seaside towns is at risk of losing its beach forever.

Bournemouth's unmissable spots according to locals

AS PART of the Sun's Best of British series, local shop owners Alison Dewey and Mark Battistini, pub landlord Dan Sullivan, deli owner Adam Richardson and taxi driver Hassan Quadir have shared their tips for visiting Bournemouth.

If you had a friend visit from abroad, what shouldn't they miss?

Alison: Obviously the beach! There’s a wide variety though, from the traditional pleasure beach in central Bournemouth, to the calm and natural Hengistbury Head nature reserve, with its wild grass dunes and wide variety of wildlife.

Then do some shopping, with Southbourne's traditional high street with independent shops, or the Avenue in Bournemouth for South Coast Makers Market that's full of local crafts and artists.

Bournemouth also has beautiful public gardens, that stretch up from the beach and finish at The Upside Gallery, which has a unique outdoor street art gallery, featuring artists from the graffiti and urban art scene.

Alison: Obviously the beach! There’s a wide variety though, from the traditional pleasure beach in central Bournemouth, to the calm and natural Hengistbury Head nature reserve, with its wild grass dunes wide variety of wildlife.

Then do some shopping, with Southbourne's traditional high street with independent shops, or the Avenue in Bournemouth for South Coast Makers Market that's full of local crafts and artists.

You can read more of their tips, here.

One woman has revealed how she swapped her fancy holidays abroad for staycations in the UK.

Laura Edwards and her family now holiday on the Isle of Wight once a month.