Morebus March magic on Breezer 70

An action packed half-hour like no other!

Morebus crams more in than most others and it’s thirty minutes of breezy, fun-packed pleasure on the gem of a bus journey in deepest Dorset, from East Cliff in Bournemouth to Alum Chine – the Beach Breezer 70. With an amazing adult fare of only £2, it’s a trip that epitomises all that we love about Great Scenic Journeys – so many contrasts in such a short space of time and a perennial too – whatever the season, there’s a certain mesmerising ambience, starting with the views out to sea atop East Cliff and climaxing in suspension at charming Alum Chine, which represents Dorset bliss at its best. Oh and have we told you that Morebus just keep winning awards for excellent customer service?

The ultimate town of contrasts

With views eastwards towards Boscombe, elegant Victorian architecture gives way to lush scenery and lively streets as West Hill Road transforms into independent shops, cafes humming to the buzz of chatter and upmarket restaurants. The heart of Bournemouth appears as the bus soon makes its way on its journey and this is a town that is always eclectic at day with its thriving market scene, boutique shops, trendy restaurants, including our favourite – Harry Ramsden’s fish and chip shop on the sea front and pulsating by night, with the thronging sound of bouncing dance floors and pints being pulled never far away. The famous Pier with its more stylish arcades and entertainment than some of its peers along the coast, is nestled in summer beside a big 100 foot tall wheel, overlooking the Queens Gardens of table tennis and crazy golf, enveloped by tall trees and perfectly manicured floral displays.

Maybe before boarding in East Cliff, visit Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum (see photo above) which is housed in a stunning Victorian villa and showcases an impressive collection of art and artifacts from around the world, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. It provides a fascinating insight into the lives of its former residents, Sir Merton and Lady Annie Russell-Cotes. Another great place to peruse is Oceanarium which is on the seafront and delves deep below the sea with the chance to come face to face to a marvellous array of sea life, including West African Dwarf Crocodile, Stingrays, Blacktip Reef Shark and Penguins!

Pier, Priest and Papa don’t Preach

Bournemouth oozes with cultural magnificence as well as barnstorming entertainment and there’s plenty going on during March including a tribute night on the Pier to Madonna on 9th March through to Michael Ball in concert on 14th March with Judas Priest coming to the Bournemouth International Centre three days later and Simple Minds stopping off on their world tour at the same venue on 26th March! For even more frenetic fun and simple pleasures, on 24th March, there’s the famous Bournemouth Bay Run, a seven mile sprint, stroll or meander – depending on your mindset or ability – down the seven-mile stretch of golden sands! Then, Easter arrives, the clocks have gone forward and it’s sunnier later and starting from 30th March, what better than 2-4-1 cocktails, tasty food, spectacular sea views and live Saturday night music on the Pier? What a great time to be alive! To cap, it all Bournemouth’s really enjoying the high life too as the football season approaches its conclusion with AFC Bournemouth’s super successful team coasting to mid-table success in the Premier League and dumfounding those who said they couldn’t compete with the big guns in the top flight! Glorious times, for sure!

Retreat to the Chine!

Out of bustling Bournemouth the bus makes its way west of more pretty trees, hedges and parks against the backdrop of the sea – always clean, generally serene but sometimes, this time of year, of crashing waves. The final destination of Alum Chine approaches – the largest of four Chines in this fab town.

Suspense for scenic thrill seekers

Alum Chine is a gorgeous sandy beach, where folk can also devour the famous suspension bridge which spans the gorge and connects the beach to the nearby chime, providing a great spot for a leisurely walk or paddle in the sea. The bridge spans across a picturesque wooded ravine and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.

Customers can enjoy walking across the bridge and taking in the scenic views, as well as exploring the nearby Alum Chine Beach and tropical gardens, as well as the lovely coastal setting of quaint beach huts and on a good day, cloudless skies overlooking the sea. The bridge was originally built in the late 19th century and was recently restored to its former glory, making it a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in history, engineering, and architecture, as well as for those seeking a unique and memorable experience in Bournemouth.

A treasure trove of telescopes and true delights

There’s also the Treasure Island themed children’s play area, tropical garden on the cliff face, bowls and places to eat within the nearby clifftop Argyll Gardens. There’s always a relaxed vibe here, particularly in the tropical gardens, which date back to the 1920s and provide the ideal spot for a bit of contemplation.

The Alum Chine playground was refurbished to create an amazing play space inspired around ‘Treasure Island’ and features a number of adventurous play elements inspired by the famous novel whose author, Robert Louis Stevenson, lived at the top of Alum Chine between 1885 and 1887.

Play elements inspired by the novel include a beached, desert island ship wreck; spy glass hill lookout with a working telescope; a woodland trail which leads to an actual treasure chest and the skeleton of Captain Flint pointing the way to his buried treasure. Other features include water play pumps, as well as traditional playground items such as large double width slide and basket swings.

Breeze towards Summer with Morebus magic in March

With Easter a perfect denouement to a great month, there’s even more to look forward to in this part of the world as open top buses tend to find their way out of the bus depot to provide an extra treat to go with the great scenery and fab customer service as they breeze their way around the Jurassic Coast. Watch this space, but for now, plan your day around half hour of fun on the Breezer 70 by checking out…Beach Breezer 70 – Bournemouth East Cliff to Alum Chine | morebus