I love the sea. There’s something quite regenerating about looking out at it, in its seemingly endless glory. I particularly love it on extreme weather days – in glorious, scorching sunshine or wave-crashing winds. Recently, I was in need of a pick-me-up so what better place to go than the beach. It was one of those heatwave days, we’ve been blessed with of late so, with my mum and dad, and Otto, in tow, we headed to Swanage on the Dorset coast so I could beat a track along the National Trust South West Coast Path to Studland Bay – where they would be waiting with a good old-fashioned 99 and flake!

The path is fantastic. From Swanage to Studland, allow about an hour – more if you want to pause, sit and enjoy the views from Harry’s Rocks. The path name is a giveaway, but the views and sounds of the sea are continuous. Climbing high up above Swanage, look back for impressive views of the town, then head forward for the gentle sweep of Studland, where the clean sands and warm waters welcome even the most reserved on hot day, and in true National Trust style, there’s a generous cafe and variety of locally-made Purbeck ice cream.

National Trust