Mudeford is easily one of the best beaches on the south coast, and it’s becoming more and more popular every year. My parents bought a beach hut on Mudeford beach 25 years ago, and I’ve stayed there every summer since I can remember. Now that I live in Southampton, I’m there all the time! I know the area inside out, which is why I’m the best person to tell you everything there is to know about this sun-kissed seaside spot, and the top 10 things to in Mudeford while you’re there.
Where is Mudeford beach?
But before I begin, where is Mudeford beach anyway?
Nestled between Bournemouth and the New Forest National Park, three miles from a small town called Christchurch, Mudeford beach is a sandy spit that juts out from the mainland, forming a barrier between the sea and Christchuch’s large natural harbour.
The beach is dusted with soft sand, and is lined with over 300 brightly coloured beach huts, now the most expensive in the UK! Mudeford beach is also overlooked by Hengistbury Head, a nature reserve and conservation area known for its signs of ancient settlement.
How to get to Mudeford beach
There are two ways to get to Mudeford beach: driving to Hengistbury Head (followed by a walk or a land train ride) or by ferry from Mudeford Quays.
If you’re taking the route from Hengistbury Head, simply put ‘Hiker Cafe’ into Google Maps and park in the designated pay and display car park. You can then either pay a small fare to take the land train to the beach, which takes approximately 15 minutes (it’s a slow and scenic ride) or choose one of the three walking routes down to the beach.
Either walk along the road (the same route the land train takes) to get a panoramic view of Mudeford harbour to your left and Hengistbury Head to your right. Half-way along the road, you can also dip down to take the second half of the walk along the harbourfront. This will take you about 30 minutes.
If you want to get toes-in-sand ASAP, walk along the beach from the Hiker Cafe (approx. 40 minutes), or for the most scenic journey, choose to walk over Hengistbury Head itself (this can take up to an hour depending on what route you take). The views definitely make it worthwhile!
Alternatively, you can park at Mudeford Quays and hop on the small ferry that’ll take you across to the other side of the Mudeford spit.
Top 10 things to do in mudeford: A Beach HUTTER’S GUIDE
1. Relax on the beach
This goes without saying really; with powder-soft sand and plenty of bays to choose from, one of the best things to do in Mudeford is put your feet up and take some well-deserved time out.
If the main beach (where all the beach huts are) is too busy for your liking, there’s always plenty of space along ‘Long Beach’, the strech of sand behind Hengistbury Head, although it’s worth noting that it’s generally windier here.
2. Grab something to eat at the Beach House
The Beach House has balooned in recent years. What ued to be a tiny shop selling sweets and ice cream is now a beach bar selling pizza, burgers, Pimms and tasty treats, accompanied by a hut selling ice cream, coffees and snacks.
The food and drink here is expensive, but it’s worth an occasional visit for the lively atmopshere and seating in the sun.
3. Take a dip in the sea
It may be freezing cold all year round, but the sea that swashes Mudeford shore is some of the cleanest along the south coast.
After an hour spent basking in the sun, run into the sea for an invigorating swim – I promise you don’t regret it! I used to hate doing this, but knowing the thrill it gives me after, I now try and take a dip whenever I’m there (and it’s not raining!)
There are cold showers by the toilets where you can rinse off, and hot showers for hutters.
4. Go crabbing
Crabbing by the harbourside, ankle-deep in oily sludge with a net in hand, was a huge part of my childhood at Mudeford beach. After catching a bucket full, I’d give them all names before putting them back where they came from (only to probably catch the same ones the following week).
The best place to search for crabs is either the marshland part of the harbour or Mudeford Quay. If you don’t have crabbing equipment, you can pick some up in a shop along Mudeford Quay or at the Hiker Cafe. You’ll need some sort of bait, crabbing lines, nets and a bucket.
5. Bodyboard down Long Beach
As I said before, Long Beach gets pretty windy. On weather days where many hutters are taking shelter in the warmth of their hut, there’s nothing better than taking a bodyboard into the crashing waves and feeling the force of Mother nature against you.
It’s also fun to bodyboard on calmer days too. The waves are always pretty good along Long Beach, whatever the weather. You can buy bodyboards at Hiker Cafe or online.
6. Take a walk
There are so many fantastic walks to take from Mudeford; from beach routes to clifftop trails, you really are spoilt for choice.
Hengistbury Head is a must-see. This gusty scenic headland is a nature reserve and conservation area known for its archeology, geology and signs of ancient settlement, and supports a diverse array of wildlife and rare species of plant. The views are stunning too, stretching towards the Isle of Wight on one side, and Christchurch harbour on theother.
7. Visit the Educational Centre
The Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre is a relatively new addition to Mudeford.
Opened by Chris Packham in 2014, it was created to help explain the area’s history, wildlife, archaeology and geology to visitors. Packed full of interactive displays, with lots of friendly volunteers on hand, it’s a wonderful way to see how our ancestors lived.
They even hold occasional craft sessions! I paid £10 to go to two pottery classes there once, and came away with a mishapen but beautifully glazed vase.
8. Cycle to Bournemouth along the promenade
Another one of the best things about Mudeford is its easy access to Boscombe, Bournemouth and Poole along the promenade.
I swear, there’s no better feeling than pootling down this scenic promenade on my bike, taking in the coastal scenery and feeling the wind whip through my hair.
In July and August you’re only allowed to cycle on the promenade before 10am and after 6pm (it can get super busy), but for the rest of the year you can cycle down whenever you want.
It’s about a 40-minute cycle from the beach huts to Bournemouth, and a further 20 minutes to Poole.
9. Try some watersports
Mudeford harbour’s calm and shallow waters are the perfect spot for practicing watersports, from kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding to sailing and windsurfing.
If you don’t have your own equipment, you can hire some from ShoreSports Watersports School, which is set right on the Quay. They also offer lessons in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding, if you’d like to be shown the ropes.
10. Visit Christchurch
The charming riverside town of Christchurch is another great day-trip spot. Just a 20-minute cycle from the beach huts, or an even shorter drive, this old market town is steeped in history.
A bustling high street (market day is Monday), a historic castle and a pretty harbour make this town a perfect place to stop for a bite to eat along the waterside.
The Kings Arms hotel is great for cocktails, as it the Captains Club Hotel, which overlooks the banks of the River Stour. I’d also recommend paying a trip to Christchurch Emporium, where you can find a number of unique, independent shopping stalls, all under one roof.
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