Recommend good places on the south coast

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:36:00 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]Why buy somewhere? [/quote] Mainly because managing my daughter's illness, there is a huge amount to be said for familiarity with the surroundings. Every time we stay anywhere that isn't home, we have to case the joint for hazards, check whether baby monitor is going to work, see if we can organise local childcare. It's a big hassle. So much easier just to have a home from home.

[quote user="mark packer"]Weymouth, my hometown[/quote]

Yes, been there a few times now. It's got some lovely architecture, I think. And its a very pretty bay. But I think the summer crowds would put me off buying there.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

mark packer — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 15:23:55 GMT

Weymouth, my hometown. Not as expensive as other parts of Dorset. Beach and a marina. Hosted the Olympics too. Decent houses from 170-180k.

Mark.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Neil Wheadon — Sat, 05 Oct 2013 16:44:34 GMT

Why buy somewhere? Looking at the photo and where you live, (Yeovilish?) then the North coast of Cornwall is achievable about 2-3 hours, and is where we go from near Frome. Sandymouth Bay has fabulous surf, lying near Kilkampton. The south coast has little surf so the body board purchase will be wasted there. You can rent a family room at a YHA for about £60/night and stay at all sorts of coastal locations in the South West. Elmscott YHA is close to Kilkampton. Treyarnon Bay - more surfing Tintagel - King Arthur Boscastle - right by the harbour. Coverack - water sports All achievable for a fraction of a mortgage payment and you can vary the scenery. We're going to the Gower on 'escape too' with a bunch if friends this Half Term, hiring a hostel for about £1600 for 30 people, not bad for a week. Neil

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

listhestar — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 18:09:13 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Anyone got any suggestions[/quote]

I was brought up on the edge of the new forest although now midlands based. Few options:

mudeford, hengistbury head, highcliffe, new Milton, lepe, Ringwood, fordingbridge, possibly cheaper areas: some areas of Marchwood, Dibden Purlieu

or look more inland to have both the new forest and the coast nearby: bealieu, cadnam, Lyndhurst, lymington (if you like boats, good old Ben ainsle!). Can always use http://www.checkmyarea.com/ to look at what the neighbourhoods are like.

Feel free to message me, I could talk all day about down south

Lisa

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 09:41:53 GMT

SW Wales I'mnot the least bit biased!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously-lots of places on the stretch from Pendine to Tenby would suit-and just down the M4 so not difficult for you to get to.

Wynne

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 17:47:12 GMT

Thanks for all the ideas everyone, lots of places to consider.

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Move to the Channel Islands. Save tax. [/quote]

That had crossed my mind, because my grandmother recently left us a house there, but we've built such a good life in Somerset, with such a good support network for our daughter, that it's a complete non-runner. But if anyone knows anyone looking for a house in Jersey, do put them my way!

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Kay Colquhoun — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 14:20:18 GMT

Having grown up in Wales I miss both the beauty of the west coast (some lovely places around The Gower - though many require a climb, like Three Cliffs Bay) and the house prices. But even closer to you - where my Mum lives now - south Devon, but not the too-pricey parts - good if you want to combine old fashion family fun and other activities with beach life - Shaldon is a gorgeous village with loads of pubs (some decent), a small beach on the river mouth (another that you get to by going through a tunnel inside the cliff - but might have access issues for you), a tiny zoo, and a cliff top pitch and putt course. Property more expensive than in nearby Teignmouth and Dawlish, but it is a lovely little village - and is probably still less costly than South Hams locations and Salcombe. Happy house hunting.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 19:39:41 GMT

If you like Jersey you'll love Guernsey. More beaches. Just lovely.

Move to the Channel Islands. Save tax.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Anthony Dennison — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 19:27:27 GMT

I would second south west wales. I've visited Llandudno (sp?) and it is beautiful there. Also consider the North Somerset coast (not near Weston obviously)

Have you considered looking 'oop north'? The Fylde coast is pretty grand, and only just over an hour from the Lake District if you fancy something different from the beach

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Bibs — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 18:03:32 GMT

I don't have vast knowledge of the south coast but I loved Bigbury-on-sea when I visited last summer. The place seemed a bit out of the way to drive to but therefore wasn't too busy. The beach was great and all types of board water sports seemed to be going on. At least somewhere worth visiting if you don't always want a big town and shops.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 16:54:41 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]just wanted to say the picture was brill [/quote] Thanks!

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"] image of you trying on wetsuits has made me laugh out loud![/quote]

Not as much, I suspect, as if I had uploaded a profile wetsuit photo

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 16:46:11 GMT

[quote user="bob lehner"]Oh well - I guess the manatees probably just thought you were a long-lost visiting relative ...?[/quote]

cheeky!

I was also at NAVC but was fortunate to be introduced to a friend-of-a-friend who was the vet for a 'local' (for America) wildlife sanctuary - he offered to let us swim with some of his longer term patients/residents. It was a fairly small, shallow lagoon they were in and we hand fed them some kind of grass-based kibble. We were warned not to stand on their tails though as it would lead to a flying lesson...!!!

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

bob lehner — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 15:49:04 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

you've just reminded me - I had the chance a few years ago of swimming with manatees in a sanctuary in Florida. Too good an opportunity to pass up, (and it was amazing) but unfortunately I was 5 months pregnant at the time.

[/quote]

Oh well - I guess the manatees probably just thought you were a long-lost visiting relative ...?

Yes - they are brilliant - I swam in the sea with them on a long-ago visit to the NAVC. Only half decent thing about Florida I'd say - ghastly place. Had to keep telling the idiots dressed up as Mickey Mouse in the hotels that where I come from we'd give them a dose of warfarin.

'Have a nice day'....grrrr!!

Re the original question - try S or W Wales - beautiful beaches and property as cheap as chips compared to S England.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Sandra Milburn — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:46:16 GMT

I live just outside of Bognor Regis and love it down here. The South Downs are just up the road, the sea is literally 5 minutes drive away. Middleton-on-Sea has got a pebble/ sand beach. Climping has got sandy beaches. I swim in the sea off Bognor quite regularly (yes, wetsuit as well) and we go kayaking whenever we have a few extra minutes to spare, pretty relaxing after a day at the office.
The Witterings are not too far away. Gorgeous long, sandy beach, but think its expensive to buy there.

There are lots of smaller villages in the area, that are not far from the sea or countryside. :)

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Bob Russell — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:13:21 GMT

Check out:

http://www.isleofwight.com/isle_of_wight_beaches.html

Not noticed too many steps to most beaches. Some steep hills to drive down!

Blackgang Chine has always been the boys favorite (until it falls into the sea!), steep but all available even for wheelchairs!

Worth a weekend away before making any big decision but I would still put the island on your list!

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:51:30 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]other than the embarrassment of buying the wetsuit, which involved trying to squeeze the pregnant stomach/manboobs into the suit[/quote]

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:42:40 GMT

The Witterings, Selsey - pebbley but nice, Hayling Island! Second Woolacombe but probably pricey!!

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:39:53 GMT

Fabulous photo by the way and your little girl looks just so cute!

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:39:12 GMT

My husband grew up in Woolacombe. You can reach the beach there -and it is a gorgeous beach- without going down steep steps. I don't know about the prices though, I'm afraid they are hideously high as well. I like the place though, it's a beautiful scenery and wonderful beaches in the area.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Niall Taylor — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:36:03 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

Can't suggest a location, with being 'up norf', but just wanted to say the picture was brill and the image of you trying on wetsuits has made me laugh out loud! Thanks for putting a smile on my face on a busy day!

[/quote]

Seconded - brilliant picture, no idea where would be best to buy a holiday home other than to say stay away from cliffs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-23273660

Cheers,

Niall

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Arlo Guthrie — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:31:36 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Look at prices on 'the island' (Isle of Wight)[/quote]

Thanks for reminding me. Someone else suggested the Isle of Wight to us. The only thing is that my wife's aunt has a house there, and others who have stayed there have told us that all the beaches are down steep steps. That would count it out with my daughter, unless I bought a small boat as well, I guess.

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Bob Russell — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:24:55 GMT

I doubt anywhere on the south coast will be particularly cheap. As I am based in the New Forest perhaps I am biased!

Look at prices on 'the island' (Isle of Wight). It is a truly amazing place and the short ferry journey makes it feel like an adventure in itself. We can 'go abroad' for one night if needed and feel we have travelled a million miles away (despite being able to see home!). Stacks for kids of all ages to do.

Property not that cheap but much more manageable than the mainland. Masses to do!

We will happily 'hire' the place for the odd weekend you are not there!!!

Re: Recommend good places on the south coast

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 12:16:44 GMT