A day in Sandbanks

Leather Jacket: Diesel / Sunglasses: Saint Laurent

It has been called England’s answer to Malibu. But that’s a bit like calling Hugh Grant England’s answer to Brad Pitt. A nonsense. Nevertheless, it’s not hard to see why the analogy sprang up.

Sandwiched between the seaside towns of Bournemouth and Poole on England’s South coast the Sandbanks peninsula juts like a pointed finger about a mile out to sea. It is so narrow at one section that you can see the waves lapping along the edge of both of its sides from the road.

People pay a high price for the awesome views out across one of the world’s largest natural harbours, taking in the golden dunes of Studland nature reserve on the opposite shore and then out over the English Channel to the Isle of Wight. In fact, it is said to be one of the most expensive places on earth per square metre to buy a home and the property price tags have given it a reputation as a seaside playground for the ultra rich.

There are a few fantasyland lairs, from which Bentleys and Porches glide in and out, but if you come here hoping to spend a few days living the millionaire lifestyle you will be largely disappointed.

Think instead of wide stretches of golden coastline where kids fish for crabs in the rock pools, as Dad finishes off the sandcastle development they started earlier. Both desert their pursuits in a flash when the ice-cream boat arrives. The real Sandbanks is the traditional British seaside resort of yesteryear.