About the Sandbanks area of Poole Harbour in Dorset
(For a list of all the prime waterside properties sold in Sandbanks recently, scroll down to the bottom of this page)

The Sandbanks peninsula is connected to the mainland by an isthmian road and sandy beach, which give properties along it spectacular views of Poole harbour on one side and Bournemouth bay and distant Isle of White on the other.

Sandbanks is the home of the Royal Motor Yacht Club. One of the leading powerboat clubs in the world, which has the Duke of Edinburgh as its Admiral. The RMYC today is very friendly, but at one time it was basically for the aristocracy.

On the pages of its membership are the names of Lord Mountbatten, the Duke of Westminster, the Marquis of Milford Haven, The Marquis Camden, Earl Howe and Lord Iliffe. From the business world come household names: Worthington Brickwood and Dale, all brewers; Lyle, Palethorpe, Fox and Cadbury representing food and confectionery; W.L. Stephenson of Woolworth fame; Madame Schiaparelli, and Lois de Rothschild.

Col. Walter Bersey, the most autocratic of all the Commodores, reigned from 1933-48. The Colonel, who is reputed to have tried to stop a man who had almost drowned off the club jetty, from being brought into the clubhouse because he was not a member, was a stickler for protocol. He insisted on a ceremonial flag-raising each morning, and it was band leader Billy Cotton who once substituted the Ensign, and to the anger of Col. Betsey, the flag that broke out at the masthead was a Russian Red flag complete with Hammer and Sickle.

Another resident of Sandbanks with sporting connections was Mrs. Louise Dingwall who trained her racehorses on the sands. She was one of the first women to hold a Trainers license, and was still working when she was over ninety years old.

Sandbanks, because it is linked with the Studland shore by a chain ferry has become known as the Gateway to the Purbecks.

History of Sandbanks

The Sandbanks peninsula was once a shanty town at the entrance to Poole Harbour, . Many of the shanties and old converted railway carriages, some without drainage and water, were residences and summer homes for people who had set them up soon after the turn of the century, and the last of these eyesores disappeared in the 1960s. The whole of Sandbanks, now worth 100's of millions was once offered for sale by the Guest family who then owned it, for £200 and there were no takers.

Sandbanks Today

Today a house at Sandbanks can cost over £3,000,000 and every square inch of the peninsula has been utilized for blocks of expensive flats and luxury style houses, many with gardens reaching down to the sandy shore.

Sandbanks is diverse - The recently up-graded Haven Hotel, Le Cafe, Crazy Golf, the Ferry, the beach cafe, and the many new developments give Sandbanks a growing desirability as a place to Live, Retire or a Holiday place in the sun that gives you fast access to Poole harbour, the second largest natural harbour on the planet.

Only 10 minutes drive from Bournemouth, with its many bars, restaurants and less salubrious flesh pots of the capital of Dorset. There are several cinemas, indoor/outdoor tennis, five star hotels and a traditional English sea side pier, also one of the longest promenades that will stretch the legs of the most enthusiastic walker, In fact you can walk or stroll all the way from Sandbanks to Bournemouth Centre and beyond.

The New Forest is half an hour drive, and on a good day West London in 2.00 Hrs in the car and 2.20 Hrs on the train. All in all Sandbanks is a very special place to live

The Areas in Summary:

Sandbanks
Stunning views over to the Isle of Wight, Shell Bay and Brownsea Island • Luxury waterside property with moorings • Holiday homes, property and apartments • Boat trips • Mediterranean style restaurants and brasseries • Contemporary hotels • Golden sandy beaches • Royal Motor Yatch Club • Chapel of St Nicolas • Sandbanks was the subject of a recent television series • Luscombe valley nature reserve • Weekly firework displays in summer • Famous windsurfing beach in Poole Bay.

Lilliput & Canford Cliffs
Parkstone Golf Course • Compton Acres • prestigious property • contemporary property • Salterns Marina, with berthing for boats upto 75ft • Quiet Restaurants • Parkstone Yatch Club • Modern wine bars • Canford Cliffs library • Church of The Transfiguration.

Branksome Park & Branksone Dene Chine
Modern beachside restaurants • Golden sandy beaches • Vast properties set in a minimum of three quarters of an acre • Branksome Park Bowling Club • Tree lined roads • Substantial secluded properties • Windsurfing from the beach • Tennis club • Wine bars.

Poole
Historic town house properties • Listed buildings • Boat trips • Water sports centres • Morriconium Quay Development and Marina • Sunseeker International • Lighthouse Arts Centre & Theatre • Charter Angling • Harbourside cafes & restauants • Continental market • Yacht charter • Landmarks of historical interest • Poole Pottery • Weekly firework displays in summer.

SCHOOLS

Canford School
Canford Magna, Wimborne Dorset, BH21 3AD. Tel: 01202 841254

Castle Court School
Knoll Lane, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3RF. Tel: 01202 694438

Clayesmore Prep School
Iwerne Minster, Blandford Forum Dorset, DT11 8LL. Tel: 01747 811707

Dumpton School
Deans Grove House, Deans Grove, Wimborne Dorset, BH21 7AF. Tel: 01202 883818

Talbot Heath School
Rothesay Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH4 9NJ. Tel: 01202 761881

Talbot House Preparatory School
8, Firs Glen Rd, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 2LR. Tel: 01202 510348

HOTELS

Local Hotels The Haven Hotel Sandbanks (on the waters edge)

Sandbanks Hotel (on the beach)

Harbour Heights Canford Cliffs (panoramic views) Sandbanks

PRESTIGIOUS SANDBANKS PROPERTIES SOLD IN RECENT TIMES

The Brink, Old Coastguard Road, Sandbanks - (2005);
Acquired by Sands Home Search for a private client for £undisclosed sum

108, Panorama Road, Poole - (2005) - Price £4.65m

Sea Orchard, 55A Elms Avenue, Lilliput - (2004) - Price £3.86m

The Moorings, Panorama Road, Sandbanks Peninsula - (2005) - Price £3.75m

112A Panorama Road, Sandbanks Peninsula - (2003) - Price £3.5m

16 Old CoastGuard Road, Sandbanks Peninsula - (2005) - Price £3.1m

120 & 122 Panorama Road, Sandbanks Peninsula - (2001) - Price £3m

9 The BeachHouse, The Horseshoe, Poole. BH13 7RW - (2006) - Price £3m

40 Pearce Avenue, Lilliput - (2004) - Price £2.6m

The Moorings, Panorama Road, Sandbanks Peninsula - (2001) - Price £2.5m

56 Pearce Avenue, Lilliput - (2004) - Price £2.4m

Berkeley Towers, Branksome Park - (2006);
Acquired by Sands Home Search for a private client for £undisclosed sum

....£ per sq ft, voted the 4th most expensive place in the world to purchase real estate!!

For property search assistance, please contact Sands Home Search.

Sands are independent buying consultants specialising in finding and acquiring prime country houses & estates, farm & equestrian property and waterside homes for retained private & corporate clients.

For further information about our service please visit www.sandshomesearch.com or use the menu at the top of this page.

If your enquiry is urgent or you require impartial advice on acquiring a prime property in SANDBANKS please contact one of our Directors on
01425 462 549