Walkingtalks

Walkingtalks Circular guided walks that explore the history and hidden secrets of the Bournemouth area. Walks are about one-and-three-quarter hours unless otherwise stated.

Hattie Miles' walkingtalks are circular guided walks that explore the history and hidden secrets of the Bournemouth area. They aim to be fun and informative and usually start/finish near a nice cafe or hotel where you can get refreshments. walkingtalks cost £6 unless otherwise stated.

Thank you everyone who came to my Murder at Villa Madeira talks over the past week. Last night (Monday 12th May) at the ...
12/05/2026

Thank you everyone who came to my Murder at Villa Madeira talks over the past week. Last night (Monday 12th May) at the Bournemouth History Association evening at the West Cliff Hotel, all went very well with a very engaged and lively audience.
Last Wednesday I was in Wimborne for the same talk for East Dorset Heratage Trust at their lovely HQ in Allendale House and last Tuesday I was speaking for a Ladies Luncheon Club at the Marsham Court Hotel.
All three talks were great and resulted in some new information and leads to some new reseach and images. Thank you everyone and all the venues who were helpful and marvellous.

If you're free on Monday evening (11th May) do come along to my Bournemouth History Association talk "Murder at Villa Ma...
06/05/2026

If you're free on Monday evening (11th May) do come along to my Bournemouth History Association talk "Murder at Villa Madeira - the story of the Rattenburys".
Starts 7.25pm and finishes before 9 0'clock at the West Cliff Hotel, BH2 5JS ...
If you've ever been on my 'Darker Side of the East Cliff' walk, when we walked past the house where the murder was committed, you will know the bare bones of the story. This talk tells much much more. It's a fascinating tale!
£5 visitors (£3 students) ... you don't need to book ... :-)

Thank you everyone who came on my Literary Bournemouth history walk today as part of the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festiv...
26/04/2026

Thank you everyone who came on my Literary Bournemouth history walk today as part of the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival (26.4.26) ... it was a perfect weather day and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Thank you Miramar Hotel Bournemouth for being so welcoming, and Dominic Wong and the Bournemouth Writing Festival, especially David who accompanied us on the walk.
The Bournemouth Writing Festival has, once again, brought lovely people to the town - the whole place was buzzing!!

Bournemouth Writing Festival starts today!!(Friday 24th April). Fun to be in the Echo publicity setting off on last year...
23/04/2026

Bournemouth Writing Festival starts today!!(Friday 24th April). Fun to be in the Echo publicity setting off on last year's Literary Bournemouth walk. I'll be leading another on Sunday and, gratifyingly, my walk has sold out again!!
Do support the festival. It brings many very nice people to the town.

Bournemouth Writing Festival officially starts on Friday (24th April) ... do support the festival. It brings interesting...
20/04/2026

Bournemouth Writing Festival officially starts on Friday (24th April) ... do support the festival. It brings interesting authors and participants from all over the country and even further afield.
The festival has excellent workshops designed to encourage established and aspiring writers of all genres. There are also various free events. Go to bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk for details.
Excellent news that my Literary Walk of Bournemouth on Sunday is sold out again :-)

Do go to the new special exhibition at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. 'Enchantment by the Sea' shows Cicely Mar...
17/04/2026

Do go to the new special exhibition at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. 'Enchantment by the Sea' shows Cicely Mary Barker’s Flower Fairies paintings.
These beautifully made watercolours, the original artworks from the Flower Fairies books, are exhibited alongside her preparatory sketches, personal sketchbooks and beautiful landscapes inspired by Dorset.
There are also hidden flower fairies in the gardens and galleries. Its a lovely exhibition for all ages.
This is the Almond Blossom Fairy painted in 1940 by Cicely Mary Barker (1895–1973).

Happy 4th Birthday Otis Jay Blues Band ... to celebrate, the band are playing at the historic Pokesdown & Southbourne Ex...
14/04/2026

Happy 4th Birthday Otis Jay Blues Band ... to celebrate, the band are playing at the historic Pokesdown & Southbourne Ex Servicemen's Club in Stamford Rd on Thursday evening (16th April) ... starts 8pm.
It's the first venue they appeared at back in 2022.

01/03/2026

Apologies for my delay in starting my walks ... a few difficulties that will be ironed out soon!!!! :-)
Not long now for information about Hattie's Spring 2026 walks

It's the final week of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum exhibition 'Artist as Witness: The Impact of War' This is...
01/03/2026

It's the final week of the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum exhibition 'Artist as Witness: The Impact of War'
This is an absorbing exhibition and well worth seeing (I've been several times!) ... ends 8th March.
This painting 'School Shelter Golders Green' 1940 by (Helen) Dorothy Copsey shows pupils sheltering in their school air raid shelter. It reminded me of taking photographs of Dame Shirley Williams opening the refurbished air raid shelter in the grounds of Talbot Heath School in Rothesay Road when I was working on the Echo. She had been a pupil at the school and remembered using the shelter during her time there from 1943. She sat with pupils in the shelter and described what it was like to sit there during an air raid. It was fascinating to hear her recollections.
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum

Of course, there's lots more to see at the Russell-Cotes, and a very nice cafe too ...
All highly recommended

Don't miss the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum exhibition 'Artist as Witness: The Impact of War' There are some fabu...
08/01/2026

Don't miss the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum exhibition 'Artist as Witness: The Impact of War'
There are some fabulous works on show ... here are four: 'A British Restaurant at Wi******er' by Leonard Daniels, 'A.T.S. on the Beach at Bournemouth' by Edward Ardizzone, 'Hospital Train' by Sven Berlin and 'The Darkened Bus Station' by Eustace Nash. Of course it's always better to see the paintings for real ... so much better than a Facebook snap ... do go ... this exhibition runs until 8th March ...
Of course, there's lots more to see at the Russell-Cotes, and a very nice cafe too ...
All highly recommended

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