Distance: 2 miles Duration: 45 mins
Opportunities to rest: plenty of benches all along the route
Out: Boscombe Chine Gardens – Boscombe seafront (0.8 miles/27 mins)
Back: Manor Steps - Boscombe Cliff Gardens – Sea Rd/The Marina – Boscombe Gardens (1.2 miles/18 mins)
I love to combine the experience of walking close to the sea, immersed in the sound of the rushing waves and sea birds, with climbing the cliff and then looking down on the amazing coastline, surrounded by the undulating grassy hillocks. The view is absolutely stunning on a clear day and really delivers that feeling of gratefulness to be alive.
This walk encompasses a real variety of environments, starting in Boscombe Chine Gardens, travelling down to and along the seafront, then up the cliff face, along the clifftop, via Boscombe Cliff Gardens and back down to Boscombe Pier, taking a different route on the way back through Boscombe Gardens. With bus stops at the starting point and plenty of side road parking in the area, it’s convenient to get to and from and ends nicely at a café, and a selection of park benches that are perfect to rest on with a flask.
Boscombe Chine Gardens
The gardens were first created in 1868 and have that Victorian feel – with winding paths and tall, mature pine trees. The route is simple – follow the path downhill and it will take you past the children’s play park and bring you out at Boscombe Pier.
Boscombe Pier and Promenade
Turn left at Boscombe Pier, towards Southbourne. You’ll pass the boulders on the left of the pier and the Neptune Pub and soon be on the wide pedestrianised promenade. After the Urban Reef restaurant and Sorted Surf Shop, there is a long row of beach huts – make sure you look up here to spot the goats grazing the cliff. Follow the prom until you come to a small kiosk on the left.
Manor Steps
You can either take the steps on the left or walk up the ramp on the right side of the ice-cream kiosk. Just follow the zigzag, which climbs the side of the cliff in a gentle incline. There’s a bench half-way if you need to rest.
Clifftop
At the top of the zigzag, you’ll see spectacular views of the coastline, stretching from Hengistbury Head and the Isle of Wight on the left to the Purbecks on the right. Once you have your breath back and you are ready to move on, take the path slightly upwards, turning left towards Boscombe Cliff Gardens.
Boscombe Cliff Gardens
The formality of Boscombe Cliff Gardens is a contrast to the wildness of the journey so far and feels like a hidden gem. It’s a quiet spot, overlooking the seafront, that winds left, along the clifftop, taking out to Michelgrove Road. You can either follow the road here, or look out for a pedestrianised path, running alongside the road, called The Marina, which will take you down to the car park behind The Neptune Pub at Boscombe Pier.
Boscombe Chine Gardens (treetop path)
As you return to the gardens, take the path that bears to the right – this is a gentle incline to get the heart pumping again and take you closer to the tree-tops. This little path is a great place to spot birds and squirrels and to stop and look down on the gardens below.
Follow the path just past the bridge on the left and then take the steps down to the main gardens, where you can find a spot to sip from your flask or visit the Squirrel Café for some well-deserved restoration.
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