Sail of the century in Boscombe
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by Danny Boyle
I've only ever tried surfing once. Never again.
My ribs were left so badly battered and bruised by being whacked
against the board that I was in pain every time I moved for the
next fortnight.
That was in Byron Bay, the surfing capital of Australia. So I
sure as hell wasn't going to reunite myself with a board on a wet
and dreary morning in the Dorset seaside town of Boscombe.
But, as I battled the wind and rain on the promenade, I saw
to my amazement that dozens of people were learning to surf in the
freezing English Channel.
Water sports are big in Boscombe after the installation of
Europe's first artificial reef to enhance wave conditions two years
ago.
The £3 million structure has seen enthusiasts and curious
tourists flock to the town, just two miles along the coast from
Bournemouth.
This laid-back surfing culture can be found at the Urban Beach
Hotel (above left), where local hipsters sip cocktails in the
popular bar and bistro.
A hearty breakfast from the impressive buffet is a good way to
start a day by the seaside.
The hotel is just a five-minute walk to the beach and you can
reach Bournemouth - with its traditional seaside attractions
and trendy student vibe - in half-an-hour along the
seafront.
For a relaxing evening, return to Boscombe for dinner at Urban
Reef (above), a sister restaurant to Urban Beach Hotel just a few
minutes away on the promenade.
With stunning panoramic views over Bournemouth Bay, it's the
perfect place to enjoy delicious local food in a chilled-out
atmosphere.
Casually-dressed, friendly staff put you at ease as they serve
refreshingly well-sized portions of classic dishes with an
international twist.
I'd certainly return to Boscombe for a relaxing break, so long
as I don't have to surf!
Rooms at the Urban Beach Hotel start from £60 per night,
including breakfast. For more details, visit www.urbanbeach.co.uk or phone
01202 301509.
Urban Reef, on Boscombe Promenade, has a bar, cafe, deli and
restaurant. For more details, visit www.urbanreef.com or phone 01202
443960.
Boscombe is just a mile from the seaside resort of Bournemouth
and can be reached from London in less than two hours by rail or
road.
The location is ideal to explore the World Heritage Jurassic
coastline and New Forest. For more details, visit www.bournemouth.co.uk or www.visit-dorset.com.
Monday, October 03 2011
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