Studland to Shell Bay Coast Path
Dorset Pictures
Tranquil and protected Studland Bay, at the far south end of 3 mile long Studland beaches, Dorset.
A typical sign on the southwest coast path.
Quiet little Studland beach.
The Bankes Arms, historic, romantic and going downhill.
The Bankes is Studland's favourite waterhole for walkers, sailors (parked in the bay) and residents though recent reviews suggest that overcrowding and lack of good management may have degraded some facilities such as the dining and accommodation side. The Bugcrew didn't care as the beer was cold, the barman didn't visibly spit at anything and the burgers were better than edible.
The Bankes Armes Hotel with beer garden to the left.
The bugcrew didn't try the beds or formal dining but TripAvisor reviews in 2011 were mostly catastrophic. Some extracts:
- £98 for an uncomfortable room, a cracked sink, a dinner menu where a large proportion of the items were 'sold out' and the cheapest instant coffee for breakfast suggests that someone is having a 'larf'!
- An eighties time capsule in need of a total internal revamp. Bedrooms were awful, breakfasts worse than a poor roadside cafe and the pub itself a sticky floored filth hole. The water ran out, staff were stroppy, and our seperate bathroom was shared with other people - against our prior understanding. For £90 a night it was outstandingly poor value...do not stay here, the owners need to be taught a lesson. However the Beer Festival over the road was great - well organised and great bands. What a shame that the pub was so poor in comparison.
- We visited today for a drink and a meal. The location is absolutely fabulous, fantastic views with the beach just a few steps away. There it stopped, the pub area was filthy sticky floor and bar dirty glasses (if you were lucky as plastic was given to some people). The staff were inconsiderate to everyone no one was spared.
Some poor chap was given a short sharp reprimand for missing the food only sign and tried ordering drinks as well. Outside was covered in cigarette ends and spilt drink ( not seen a pressure washer for some time). Once the meal arrived which was good, we were disturbed by a foulmouth group of people who we discoverd was the owner. Everyone that walked past received some comment about the way they were dressed, looked, spoke and the fact they had gone past the pub. Quite clearly the landlord likes entertaining rather than what sort of service his customers were not receiving. Expensive, dirty and bad mannered staff.
The Manor House Hotel.
Apart from renting a house on the hill Studland's main accommodation options are: the Bankes Arms as cheapest; 200m up the country road from the Bankes is the delightful but slightly spooky Manor House Hotel with tennis courts and immediate private access to the beach (4* TripA); the large and family-friendly Knoll House Hotel about half a mile up the coast, also has good beach access, pool, tennis and amazing views (4* TripA).
The final stretch of the Swanage walk, along 3 mile Studland beach to the chain ferry at the entrance to Poole Harbour. This shot was taken at 7.30pm in August. More Studland beach photos and map.
Map of Studland | Map of Southwest Dorset and coast path
Corfe Castle | Kimmeridge | Studland beaches
Weymouth | Lyme Regis | Bournemouth | Sandbanks
UK Tourist Map | England Guide | Dorset Pictures | South West Coast Path | England Pictures
