Boscombe Overcliff Gardens

The clifftop strip between Boscombe and Southbourne is where you'll find these gardens, and they're worth a proper look if you're staying anywhere near Christchurch. The Overcliff Gardens sit right on the edge with views straight out to sea - the sort of spot where you actually stop walking and just stand there for a minute.

It's a tidy, well-maintained space with formal beds, a decent selection of shrubs, and enough seating to have a sit-down without being jostled by crowds. The clifftop location means the planting has to earn its keep - wind-resistant stuff mostly, which is fine. You get the benefit of that exposure too: on a clear day the views along the coast are excellent, and at sunset it's genuinely lovely.

Really this is a walk-through rather than a destination in itself. Allow 20 minutes to an hour depending on whether you're the type to dawdle or power through. The path is flat and well-kept, so it suits families with buggies or anyone who wants an easier stroll. If you're staying at Meadowbank Holidays just down the road, it's an obvious add-on to your itinerary. Ditto if you're at Sandhills or Hoburne Park - all within easy reach of Christchurch.

Free to access, no entrance fee, and it works best on a decent day when you can actually see something rather than staring into sea mist. Couple it with the promenade walk or a fish and chips from one of the spots nearby, and you've got yourself a proper seaside afternoon.