Hengistbury Head is a place of wild, ancient beauty and a stark lesson in conservation. For over 12,000 years, this headland has witnessed human activity, but its most dramatic scars are from the Victorian era. Between 1848 and 1870, industrial quarrying stripped the protective ironstone from its cliffs, causing the loss of a third of the land to the sea in just decades. Today, it’s a meticulously protected mosaic of heathland, grassland and coastline — an internationally significant Site of Special Scientific Interest where adders, skylarks and rare natterjack toads find refuge. Your first stop should be the Visitor Centre, where you can pick up a trail leaflet and learn to read the landscape’s hidden clues, from its deep archaeology to the ongoing work of the rangers who balance public access with preservation. For your visit, wear good shoes and prepare for spectacular, sweeping views over Christchurch Harbour, Bournemouth Bay and the Isle of Wight. You have two distinct experiences here: the rugged south-facing pebble beach beneath imposing clay cliffs, and the soft, sandy expanse of Mudeford Spit, famously lined with colourful beach huts. Hop on the charming land train from the Hiker Café for a gentle ride to the spit, where you can enjoy a café and more facilities.

Bournemouth Pier stands as a historic testament to the town’s Victorian-era origins as a seaside resort. While there has been a pier at Bournemouth since 1856, the structure that graces the shoreline today, stretching over 304 metres, was completed in the early 20th century. It remains the central focus of the beachfront, a grand and enduring symbol of traditional British coastal leisure. Today, the pier is all about action and great views. You can fuel up with a coffee and a pasty at the entrance before heading straight for the award-winning RockReef, an indoor adventure playground where you can tackle climbing walls or take a leap of faith. For the biggest rush, launch off the tower on the PierZip, the world's first pier-to-shore zip wire, soaring right over the waves. After all that, settle in at the Key West Bar & Restaurant at the pier's end. It’s the perfect spot to unwind with fantastic food, live music, and those unbeatable panoramic sea views.

...the creator of Father Christmas, Jenny Nyström, was born in Kalmar in 1854. ...Erik XIV had a secret escape route via the royal privy at Kalmar Castle. ...potato dumplings and Kalmar flounder are two well-known dishes from here. ...Gustav III had a royal distillery at Kalmar Castle. ...there are about 64,500 bolts in the Öland Bridge. ...Kalmar’s city arms are the Nordic region’s oldest. ...in Kalmar, there are two extremely rare handkerchief trees, that bloom in spring like fluttering white handkerchiefs. ...Kalmar has twice been awarded Europe’s finest architectural prize, Europa Nostra. ...you see only about one-third of the Öland Bridge. The remaining two-thirds was erected under the surface of the water. ...the Old Water Tower has been converted to attractive flats, which are somewhat difficult to furnish with their curved walls. ...'Kalmar' is an old Swedish word that means stony ground or stone embankment.