If you want to make the most of your staycation or want to find a quiet stretch of beach to relax on – a recently updated app could be the answer.
The Beach Check app has been refreshed for the summer season and helps visitors and residents find Britain’s best beaches – in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole – without the crowds.
After a successful launch in 2020 followed by a national roll-out last summer, the app is back, ensuring south coast staycationers have a safe and enjoyable experience.
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Be beach ready with the Beach Check app
The Beach Check app is free and simple to use. Downloadable from Google Play or the Apple App store, it allows users to check individual beaches or view a map showing red (crowded), amber (less congested) and green (uncongested) beaches.
Containing no in-app purchases, the handy little programme for your mobile has had 72,789 downloads so far.
The traffic light system uses sophisticated technology and on-the-ground authorised users who assign a colour code to beaches according to the number of visitors and car park spaces, aiming to reduce overcrowding at popular coastal areas and encourage distancing.
Although the national Covid restrictions have now been fully lifted, it is likely holidaymakers will seek to avoid overcrowded locations into the future owing to the many benefits, both human and environmental, of quieter outdoor spaces. More space on the beach enables both people and wildlife to thrive.
15 miles of coast
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole boast an almost uninterrupted 15 miles of coast. The ‘Coast with the Most’ runs from Mudeford, Christchurch, to Hengistbury Head, Southbourne and Boscombe, Bournemouth and the Chines and on to the acclaimed Sandbanks peninsula.
And it’s not just the scenery which makes the area so attractive. From food, music and yoga festivals to sand polo and the UK dog surfing championships, there’s a host of events to look forward to this spring and summer too.
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Events in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Bournemouth
Beach Yoga Fest, June 17-19
With more than 70 Yoga classes across the weekend, Beach Yoga Fest is suitable for both beginners and experienced yoga practitioners. The first beach yoga festival in the UK, 2022 will be the third year the event takes place on Bournemouth beach.
As well as beach yoga, there’s a water sports and aerial yoga programme, plus a range of complimentary therapies, guest speakers, gong baths and sound healing. Tickets start from £18.70 per person.
Bourne Free: Pride on the Park 2022, July 8-9
2022 will be the first time in recent years that Bournemouth’s annual Pride weekend, will take place in Meyrick Park meaning the event will be bigger, better and more accessible than ever. Bourne Free will have a green theme and eco-friendly adaptations to the festival include eliminating single-use plastic and off-setting the carbon it produces.
Expect parades, fairground rides, food and drink stalls and a new sensory space. Entry to Bourne Free Family Night on Friday is free. Saturday tickets cost from £17.50 for adults and £5 per child and free for children under 14.
Christchurch
The Cheese & Chilli Festival, May 28-29
After a two-year hiatus, The Cheese and Chilli Festival returns to Christchurch in 2022. Now in its eighth year, the two-day family (and dog) friendly festival has an array of activities for cheese and chilli enthusiasts.
Try a selection of regional cheeses, talk to the producers, enjoy a masterclass by a local cheese expert or get involved in chilli eating competitions, hot food challenges or chilli sauce competitions.
Other activities include a beer festival, live music, children’s entertainment, crazy golf and craft stalls. For those wishing to stay the night, camping is available at £20 per pitch per night.
Festival tickets cost from £7 per adult and are free for children under 16.
Christchurch Food Festival, June 2-5
This year, the Christchurch Food Festival returns to Christchurch Quay for an extended, and free, four-day celebration over the Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend.
Try and buy from the best local producers, watch chef demonstrations, and sample delicious street food and craft drinks.
Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival, June 11-12
This free-to-attend celebration of local arts and artisans showcases regional food and drink as well as arts and crafts.
Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival takes place throughout the village centre and there will be two music stages, and a cookery theatre featuring celebrity chefs Jean-Christophe Novelli and Dorset-based Lesley Waters, along with Alex Aitken and the team from Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Jetty restaurant and Christchurch-born James Golding, chef director of the Pig Group of hotels.
Little ones can enjoy craft workshops, a treasure hunt and a ‘Grow Your Own’ tent.
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Poole
Poole’s Old Lifeboat Station Museum
Situated next to Fisherman's Dock in Poole Quay, Poole’s Old Lifeboat Station Museum has reopened to visitors after a full refurbishment. Historical curiosities to discover include Poole's first motorised lifeboat and new displays of crew bravery.
The central display is the Thomas Kirk Wright, one of Poole's historic lifeboats that dates to 1939 and was the first 'Little Ship' in the rescue flotilla at Dunkirk during World War II. The museum is free to enjoy and is open daily.
Poole Seafood Festival, June 3-5
Visit Poole Seafood Festival for three days of local seafood, produce and live music over the Platinum Jubilee Weekend.
The free-to-attend event has something for everyone - watch chef demonstrations on the Seafood Stage, indulge in the champagne and oyster bar or sing along to some live music while sipping on local cider.
Harry Paye Day Pirate Festival, June 18
Ahoy there! Organised by the Pirates of Poole (of course), this annual celebration of the town’s favourite pirate son, Harry Paye, includes a parade of pirates, live music, best dressed pirate competition, pirate games, children's rides, live history areas, cannons and plenty of other pirate-themed shenanigans.
Sandpolo, July 8-9
Bringing world-class polo to Sandbanks, Sandpolo (the British Beach Polo Championships) is the largest beach polo event in the world.
During the day, experience the thrill and excitement of horses galloping on the sand against the breath-taking backdrop of the English Channel, then in the evening, enjoy the glitz and glamour of the after party on the beach. Tickets from £30 per person.
Dogmasters, July 25
The UK’s only Dog Surfing Championships is a canine sensation. Watch the action unfold at Branksome Beach as four-legged friends ride the waves in solo surfs with prizes for style, longest wave, dismount, effort, tricks and most importantly, tail wagging.
Dogs can also accompany their owners aboard surfboards and paddleboards for tandem races in the sea.
With a fancy dress competition too (Scooby-Doo took to the waves last year), Dogmasters is as quirky and fun as it sounds! Tickets from £27.50 per adult and £4 per child.
For more information, visit Bournemouth Beach Check.
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