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.
Ho amazing is that you discovered and explored this quaint little place!! Love those colourful houses. Are they houses or cabins/rooms for tourists?
ReplyDelete5 Reasons Why Adventure Travel is Good For You #AtoZChallenge
Shilpa. Those are cabins people own. It's a perfect size to enjoy a day at the beach.
DeleteI feel I should know Alum Chine, living as I do just along the south coast - but I don't! Somewhere to go with my little tent this Summer perhaps! A delightful start to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteMy Friend Rosey - A
You'll like it Keith. Thank you for visiting:)
DeleteOh, I love serendipitous finds like this!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous stuff, ma'am!
(And yes, my "A" is now up. ;-p)
Cheers:) Hopping over to yours in a bit.
DeleteLooks wonderful! Love those colorful buildings and wow! the flowers! Sounds like a fabulous place to stay the night.
ReplyDeleteEmily In Ecuador | Almuerzo - Good Lunch Choice in Puerto Lopez
It was Emily. And the local pub grub was fabulous too:)
DeleteA little splutter to add maasi..just visited Bournemouth pier..its a beautiful little city.. every word of your blog is so true..
ReplyDeleteSo glad you enjoyed Bournemouth Manushi. If you ever go down there again, check out Alum Chine.
Deletethis place looks lovely. I like the field of flowers and those tiny houses(?), they look so colorful. this is a good place to visit and to relax.
ReplyDeletehave a lovely day.
Thank you lissa...yes, it's a perfect getaway.
DeleteWhat a perfectly wonderful invitation to the universe - to stop when you find a place that calls to you! And I'd call Alum Chine a lovely find indeed. Those colorful little cabins and the wildflowers are so cheery, I don't think one could help but smile. A wonderful start to April Arti!
ReplyDeleteCheers Deborah:)
DeleteThis is the way my husband and I explored Nova Scotia by motorcycle. We never made arrangements for overnight stops. We traveled until we came to somewhere that felt right and we wanted to experience. Loved this post! Thanks for visiting my post today.
ReplyDeleteMainely Write
Nova Scotia is on our list of coasts to explore. I'm sure it would've been a fabulous experience.
DeleteShall remember Alum Chine if we ever wander that way.... lovely pictures, especially of that carpet of flowers...
ReplyDeleteCheers Ketaki. The South Coast has so many beautiful gems--you'll be spoilt for choice.
DeleteLovely wildflower pictures! And I like all the colorful little doors :)
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary: Weird Things in Hungarian Folktales
Thank you:)
DeleteI've been in that area, but I've never heard of Alum Chine. I will definitely keep this in mind for the next time! They are odds that I go there again, as a good friend lives in.
ReplyDeleteIt's the first day this month that I have the time to visit some A to Z Challenge posts, yours among them. And I'm really enjoying them! The pictures are also very beautiful.
Thank you Eva.
DeleteYou'll love this nook. Hope you visit your friend soon:)
What a wonderful find! Loved those colourful cabins by the beautiful beach.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, in fact we stumbled upon this absolutely serene and gorgeous place in the hills near Masoori in India, called Dhanaulty. Way back in 1998, first of its hotels was being built and there were zero tourists around. No restaurants, just a rickety tea shop by the roadside. Just the hills and trees and birds for your company! Can never forget that wonderful experience :-)
Thank you for stopping by Ruchita. Dhanaulti is a gem. The last time I visited it was 18 years ago. Still remember the lazy day we spent on a hill--sprawled on dry pine needles, under the shade of tall pines.
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