Property Dream

treliac

On ITV now, though 2 years old, and a lifestyle most of us can only imagine. I was there a couple of weeks ago - only a short visit .....

http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/sandbanks-with-piers-morgan/

a playground to the rich and famous which, with properties on the market for up to £12 million pounds, has become known as Britain’s answer to Monte Carlo.

It's good to dream the idyll, but will rising sea levels drown it and other coastal retreats?

Davesnave

The best thing about Sandbanks is the chain ferry which, for under £1, will take folks across to Studland Bay's naturist beach, backed by the Heath, home to rare smooth snakes and sand lizards.

Alternatively, there's also the ferry which goes to a far more exclusive place than Sandbanks: Brownsea Island. That's a pleasant and tranquil day out, with very safe bathing for kids and the chance of seeing a red squirrel.

As for Sandbanks itself.....err..... When I stayed with about 70 kids in nearby Branksome Park, they were quick to spot that hardly anyone, other than themselves, was to be seen walking there. Even 20 years ago there were many gated 'communities.' "It's very posh" was the general consensus, "but we wouldn't like to live here."

michaels

Davesnave wrote: »

.... naturist beach, backed by the Heath, home to rare smooth snakes and sand lizards.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

treliac

Davesnave wrote: »

Alternatively, there's also the ferry which goes to a far more exclusive place than Sandbanks: Brownsea Island. That's a pleasant and tranquil day out, with very safe bathing for kids and the chance of seeing a red squirrel.

We drove along the coast towards Weymouth. Places like Worbarrow, Ringstead and Osmington Bays are little jewels in Dorset's crown and a million miles from the bling of Sandbanks properties.

Davesnave

michaels wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Harmless.....the snakes, that is:

Where will I see a Smooth Snake and is it dangerous?
These snakes are extremely rare and cautious, spending much of their time under ground. They are non-venomous and totally harmless.
The Smooth Snake has a restricted distribution in the UK. Now thought to be confined to the South East of Dorset, South West Hampshire and a small area of East Hampshire and West Surrey.

As is the Sand Lizard:

Where will I see a Sand Lizard?
Sand Lizards are extremely rare and secretive. At one time confined to a handful of sites in the UK.
The Sand Lizard occupies habitat very similiar to the Smooth Snake, all the sites that this lizard occupies in the UK are on heathland or adjacent to heathland.

(Not to be confused with the Lounge Lizard! )

PasturesNew

Dorset's high on my list of "places I would like to end up at".

It's a 3 hour drive from here. Probably longer by train. If I had a camper van I'd go today and take a look about.

I just checked, it's 6 hours by train. £120 for an off peak return, £268 for an anytime return. No wonder nobody uses public transport. That'd be about £50 return in petrol.

lostinrates

I just don't get the appeal of Sandbanks. It leaves me cold. Totally cold.

Davesnave

lostinrates wrote: »

I just don't get the appeal of Sandbanks. It leaves me cold. Totally cold.

I wouldn't want to garden on the soil there either!

sjcollett

Yes, but if you got a house on Shore road you could have a view of Poole harbour on one side and the beautiful golden beach on the other...as you slowly sink further and further into the quick sands of the earth...never to get back your £10 million pound "investment"