Sparkles and Shoes

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My Birthday Weekend in Dorset

| birthday, Dorset, England, Travel, United Kingdom

Dorset Weekend - London Travel Blogger at the Durdle Door in Dorset

Over the weekend I had a great time celebrating my birthday!  The actual day was Friday, the 27th but for weeks I had September 27th to September 29th blocked off on my calendar as “surprise birthday trip” and it was not until Friday at 8pm I finally found where we were going.  My boyfriend planned a great surprise trip and the location turned out to be Sandbanks in Dorset.  Depending on the traffic, Sandbanks is a 2.5 hour drive from London and is an adorable little peninsula on the edge of both Poole Harbour and the English Channel. 

We checked in to the Haven Hotel Sandbanks‎ late Friday night and got ready for a busy weekend ahead.  As the ferry, which usually connects Sandbanks to Studland, was out of commission we drove the long way around to Studland and Corfe Castle to kick off our Dorset weekend. We spent a very busy day exploring Corfe Castle and then driving down to the Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast.  Then it was off to The Cabin in Swanage for lunch and lastly further down the coast to take in the gorgeous views and some of the inhabitants (shheeeepppp). 

View from our Room at Haven Hotel Sandbanks‎Ruins of Corfe Castle in DorsetView Up to Corfe Castle in DorsetView of Corfe Castle in DorsetDorset Weekend - Travel Blogger Kelly at Corfe Castle in DorsetCliffs of the Jurassic Coast near Lulworth in Dorset, EnglandTravel Blogger Kelly Donlin at the Durdle Door in DorsetLunch at The Cabin in SwanageSheep at Pig on the Beach in Swanage
 
Saturday night we had dinner plans at a swanky spot on Sandbanks called Rick Steins so we got all dressed up.   The dinner was absolutely delicious – I had shiseido peppers while we split the appetizers of seared scallops with tomatoes and herbs and sashimi of bass, tuna, salmon, and scallop.  We enjoyed these dishes while we watched the light fade over the harbour though it was too gray of a night to see the sunset.   Then for the main I had  clams with linguine which tucked into as we split a wonderful bottle of Sancere.  (My only compliant was there was so many tasty options, I wanted to order half of the dishes – you can find the full menu here).  Take a look including my amazing peanut butter cheesecake: 
 
Wine at our Room at Haven Hotel Sandbanks‎Outfit for Dinner at Rick Stein SandbanksDinner at Rick Stein SandbanksSelfie Before Dinner at Rick Stein SandbanksDessert at Rick Stein Sandbanks
Sunday it was raining on and off all day but that did not stop us from spending the morning swimming in the hotel’s outdoor pool and then exploring.  We started by heading to Christchurch where we walked around the Christchurch Priory (an 11th century church), the Great Tower, the Christchurch Castle and the Norman House.  Like Corfe Castle they were definitely in disrepair and not quite like the German Castles which you can tour, but still gorgeous!  By then we had worked up an appetite and enjoyed a Sunday Roast at the Kings Arms before exploring more.   We then headed down to Mudeford Quay before taking the long way back to London via the New Forest.  You can read all about my last trip to the New Forest here but it really is a very quaint place and I love the wild horses!  See more from our Dorset weekend: 

The Pier at Haven Hotel Sandbanks‎The Christchurch Castle and Norman HouseIn the Ruins of Christchurch Castle and Norman HouseSwan at the Christchurch PrioryIsle of White From Mudeford QuayAntiques in the New ForestTravel Blogger Kelly Donlin with Wild Horses in the New ForestWild Horse in the New ForestNew Forest Horse Selfie

All in all, a great birthday weekend! 
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Comments

  2. Looks like that you had an awesome romantic birthday weekend. I love those red bottom heels with the white blazer. When I visit the UK in the future I will have to have boyfriend add this to the bucket list.

  3. Happy birthday Kelly.

    I have been reading your blog for years so I know what a id deal your birthday is or should I say birthday month. Looks like this one was done in style. So happy that you had a lovely weekend.

    Cheers

  4. So nice of that swan to pose perfectly for your photo.

    Wonderful way to spend your birthday and glad that someone is spoiling you a bit with that wonderful surprise getaway.

    Very touching and nice photos of your visit.

  5. You are such a lucky girl. Great way to spend your birthday and have a whole weekend to celebrate it. Those horses, I can’t believe they let them just walk around like that,

    The castles looked awesome too as well as the weather, the food and the sheep. You really were in the country. Looks like the White Cliffs of Dover too, were they close to you?

    Cheers.

  6. Thanks for sharing your birthday adventure! Your boyfriend planned a very nice way to make you feel special!

    Wish I could transport myself to that cliff-top looking down on that beautiful water and rock arch. How incredible.

  7. How romantic…I wish my boyfriend could get some lessons from your boyfriend.

    The room views are terrific and those castles.

    Happy birthday.

  8. Finally, I get to see a pic of the “boyfriend”! Handsome!! Your birthday weekend looks like it was totally amazing. Health and Happiness only this year!

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