There’s something so very British about a beach hut: those colourful rows lining the sand and shingle around the coast, a refuge from the British weather and a handy spot to stash your sandy beach gear and a kettle.
These days, even relatively simple beach huts come with a price tag which makes a fortnight in the Caribbean feel like a bargain though, and that’s before you get to the souped-up, styled-up versions. Which made the idea of getting to stay in one of the Bournemouth Beach Lodges extra tempting.
Set on Boscombe Beach, there are 24 lodges on a private raised deck: sitting just above the promenade, you can practically step on to the sand from your front door.
One of the quieter stretches of beach along this stretch of coast, Bournemouth itself is only a half hour stroll away, or you can hire bikes to cycle along the promenade.
If you’re expecting the classic beach hut where there’s barely room to swing a cat, you’d be wrong, although taller guests might need to duck occasionally on the second level.
The clever design means there’s room to sleep up to six (a maximum of four adults), with a double bed and single on the mezzanine floor plus two sofa beds on the ground floor, useful if you’ve got younger kids who might struggle with the stairs.
There are plenty more well thought-out touches, including reading lights by all the beds and seating areas, plenty of plugs so you’re not trying to charge every device on one socket, and blinds which close tightly on the bi-fold doors.
Another bonus is having plenty of storage space, with cupboards and drawers to ensure you’re not constantly falling over your suitcase. Even the shower room is surprisingly roomy, with a cabinet to stash toiletries, and fresh towels on the heated rail.
As you do have to carry all your belongings down the aptly named Zig Zag path, the hilly route down to the lodges, it does pay to pack light. There’s very limited access for vehicles to the beach huts (including one accessible lodge) for half an hour a day, otherwise there’s plenty of free parking at the top of the cliffs.
If you prefer to self-cater, there’s a kitchenette with everything you need to prepare a meal too: four-ring hob, microwave, toaster and a good-sized fridge, along with pots and pans, utensils, crockery and glassware. The only thing you don’t get is an oven, although (Covid restrictions permitting) there are communal barbecues.
And if you can’t think of anything worse than cooking on holiday, you’ll find restaurants a short stroll away near Boscombe Pier, with its art exhibitions and shops — Urban Reef has a seafront terrace and a great brunch menu, as well as fresh fish dishes. Continue on to Bournemouth itself and there’s even more choice, including kosher restaurants.
From the moment we arrived, even over the excited squeals of my boys announcing “I can see the sea!”, we could hear the relaxing crash of the waves, and my favourite spot very quickly became one of the deck chairs out on the private deck revelling in the chilled-out vibe. Throw the bi-fold doors open, and you get a panoramic view of the beach from the lodge too.
To the kids’ delight, there was also a TV with Netflix and Freeview channels, as well as WiFi, for after a busy day at the beach — or if you do tire of gazing out to the surfers on the breakers and people doing anything from volleyball to yoga on the beach.
Although with that powdery sand which stretches for miles and Boscombe’s own classic colourful beach huts along the promenade, I can’t imagine ever getting bored of that particular view.
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