One day in August 2017, my husband and I found ourselves in Alum Chine. It happened quite by chance. We were driving back to London from Dorset. We hadn't booked anywhere to stay yet as the idea was to choose somewhere different, an unusual place, a place we hadn't heard of, a place that would make us stop, a place we'd want to stop to spend the night. Otherwise, we'd carry on driving.
When we stopped at a petrol station en-route to get some coffee, we liked the tall trees lining up by the road like tall sentinels of planet earth. The scenery had changed from city to country in a matter of fifteen minutes and the air when we stepped out into the car park was relaxed and beach-like.
We googled the area and found out that we were near Alum Chine. A few searches later, we had a room booked and within an hour of that coffee, we were exploring this beautiful nook of the southern English coast.
We googled the area and found out that we were near Alum Chine. A few searches later, we had a room booked and within an hour of that coffee, we were exploring this beautiful nook of the southern English coast.
Wild flowers carpeted the area around the car park. The flowers kept me busy for a long time: zooming in to capture their little details and zooming out to breathe in their spectacular show.
If you find yourself in Bournemouth, do stop by at Alum Chine. You'll be glad you did. And if you're wondering what the name Alum Chine means, here's an explanation from the Bournemouth tourism website:
"Chine is a steep sided dry river valley, Alum Chine is the largest of Bournemouth’s four Chines and got its name from the local alum mining industry in the 16th century."
"Chine is a steep sided dry river valley, Alum Chine is the largest of Bournemouth’s four Chines and got its name from the local alum mining industry in the 16th century."
Travel Tip: The place we stayed at is called Tiien and they serve amazing Thai food.
Their website is www.tiien.co.uk
and the address is:
55 West Cliff Road
Westbourne
Dorset BH4 8BA
Their website is www.tiien.co.uk
and the address is:
55 West Cliff Road
Westbourne
Dorset BH4 8BA
******
Have you ever come by a gem of a place by chance on your travels?
And did you go back to visit it?
Be kind to yourself today:)
and
Be here tomorrow for B.
