Spacious, Light 3 bedroom flat with secure free parking for two vehicles on site, directly opposite the entrance to Poole Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the World (only Sydney is bigger) and giving direct access to the safe golden beaches of Sandbanks, and, (via a 10 minute chain ferry, £1 return on foot) to four miles of uninterrupted NT beaches, heather and forest on Shell Bay and Studland.
Three king size bedrooms, one en suite, and a family bathroom. Open plan kitchen, dining and sitting area with commanding views over the entrance to Poole Harbour.
The whole of the Isle of Purbeck is accessible in 10 minutes by car, bus or on foot, via the chain ferry and the beginning of the UN World Heritage Jurassic Coast. Swanage, and the beautiful ancient Saxon towns of Corfe Castle and Wareham are within easy reach, as is the Etches Museum of Jurassic fossils at Kimmeridge, from which dramatic cliff walks stretch out both east and west. Historic Poole Quay and Bournemouth with its vibrant nightlife are both within 15 minutes by road. The Poole Lighthouse is home to the world renowned Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Brownsea Island (the largest of four in Poole harbour) can be accessed from Poole quay, and is entry is free to NT members. Red squirrels and a nature reserve covers most of the Island, 1 mile in length and home to the fist ever Scout Camp in 1907.
At Arne, on the far side of the harbour is a vast RSPB reserve, which runs over heather and woods to the harbour’s edge.
Purbeck is, for its size, perhaps the most geologically varied and interesting part of the UK.
Ferries run to Cherbourg in Normandy and the Channel Islands from Poole Quay.
The magnificent links Parkstone Golf course is just 11 minutes drive away, and the Isle of Purbeck course, just across the ferry, also has commanding views over the whole of Poole Harbour and the heaths, forests and rolling farmland of Purbeck.
Wind and kite surfing, paddle boarding and canoeing is possible from the shallow warm harbour waters which adjoin the harbour beach beside the Sandbanks road, five minutes drive from the flat.
Much of the year boat cruises are run from Poole Quay around the harbour, out down the cliffs of the Jurassic coast (wonderful for keen ornithologists in the nesting season) and also up the river to Wareham, on which the Humphrey Bogart film “The African Queen” was shot. Wareham has one of only 30 Anglo Saxon churches in England and the defensive earthworks built to repel Viking raiders, are intact and there is a walk around them. This begins at the ancient church which also contains some remarkably preserved medieval wall paintings and the magnificent stone carved effigy of Lawrence of Arabia, (who lived and died nearby) intended for but refused by, Westminster Abbey. Keys can be obtained from the butcher in Wareham High Street when the church is closed.
There is the largest collection of Tanks in the World at the museum in Bovington, (22 miles or 40 minutes drive away) and nearby is the world famous Durdle Door with its shingle beach, and also the internationally recognised research and primate rescue centre, Monkey World.
There are several restaurants and cafes within a short walking distance, including Rick Stein’s in Sandbanks.Just so much to do and see, I have had to list give here just a “taster” and will be happy to give more detailed information to any guests on request.
