The first thing we did on arriving in Bournemouth was to find the street that shares my name.

After returning to the car, our humans loaded the luggage onto our festival trolley, including us, and transported us down the zigzag path to Boscombe Beach where the Beach Lodges are situated.

We were in lodge number 10; it took a little while for us to get up the steps.

The Lodges are situated up behind the traditional beach huts that run all along the beaches in Bournemouth.

There was a wonderful view of the sea from the terrace.

It is always very exciting going into holiday accomodation for the first time, especially as my human often selects ‘quirky’ places to stay!

At the rear of the lodge we found a very well equipped little kitchen.

The upstairs bedroom is situated on a mezzanine level accessed by some space saving stairs.

Although quite small, the lodges have quite a few cupboards built in to be useful storage areas.

We tried out the double bed, which had ample room for three small bears. There was also a single bed upstairs, plus downstairs the seating area could be converted into another 3 beds. We think the lodge may have been a bit crowded with 6 humans in!

Once unpacked it was time to relax in the early spring sunshine.

The humans cooked some pasta with salad for our supper.

The low bed was actually very comfortable and we didn’t take long to get to sleep.

The following morning we got up early to see the sunrise, but Growler was a bit slow so the sun was already up when we got down to the beach!

Boscombe Beach is a good place just to relax and look out to sea.

We wanted to build some sandcastles but didn’t bring any buckets. Fortunately the lovely staff at the Bournemouth Beach Lodges reception had some for us to borrow.

We had to work quickly as the tide was coming in.

Once finished we sat back in our chairs to watch the tide, and were hoping it would fill the moat (though we forgot to dig a channel going towards the sea). Unfortunately high tide passed and we were too far away, but at least our sandcastles didn’t get washed away.

Growler gets very tired legs sometimes and is an ‘ambulatory wheelchair user’. After our busy morning Growler’s legs were very tired so we took him for a ride along the sea front in his special little chair.

We were very pleased to see Llewellyn, one of the famous Bournemouth goats. LLewellyn has served with the Royal Welsh Regiment, part of the long tradition of regimental goats. He even met the Queen during his time in service. Llewellyn retired from his military career when one of his horns cracked and he now lives in Bournemouth along with some other goats.

After such a busy day we were very tired but happy and ready for an early night.

The alarm was set at 5.50am to make sure that we would all be up in time to see the sunrise.

On a clear day I like the way the sky goes all orange just before the sun appears, and you are never quite sure exactly where it will pop up.

There is something very special about witnessing the start of a fresh new day.

Three bears watching the sun rise at Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth

On returning to our gorgeous little beach lodge we found that the humans had prepared marmalade on toast for our breakfasts. Yum yum yum….

When it was time to go home we had a ride in one of the carts that belong to Bournemouth Beach Lodges. Many humans use these to bring their luggage down to the lodges from their cars.

We had a splendid time away, and recommend to humans to stay here if you like beach huts and being by the sea. The atmosphere was very calm and happy, a good place for a bear like me whoose mission is to make humans smile!

See more about Bournemouth Beach Lodges here: https://www.bournemouthbeachlodges.co.uk/

Horace the Alresford Bear 25/3/2026