Mudeford harbour is a great location providing safe sailing. The harbour is only shoulder deep in most places so is great for beach starts and learning to water start. The only difficult part is threading through the moored boats on your way out / back in. There's plenty of grass for rigging.
Avon Beach is just outside the harbour wall - best to rig on the beach if you want to sail here.
Works best in a Westerly / Southerly wind. Doesn't really work in an Easterly
Take the M3 and then the M27 turn off to Bournemouth.
Pick up the A31 and then the A338 towards Bournemouth. Follow the A338 down towards Christchurch, after about 5 miles turn left down Hurn Road (dont worry if you miss it, carry on to the roundabout and turn left there!). At the end of the road turn left at the roundabout down Fountain Way, straight on at the next roundabout.
At the large Christchurch roundabout, take the third exit down Purewell Cross Road. Keep going straight on towards Mudeford. Just after you catch a climpse of the harbour, there's a right turn sign-posted as parking. Take this and you're there.
We park up next to the grassy rigging area - go right round the cark park and pick your space.
Plenty of parking, but get there early on summer weekends - it's popular with tourists too. It's about £6.50 a day to park, and the machines take credit cards.
Safe harbour location providing sailing flat water sailing for all. Stay away from the harbour mouth as the currents can be quite strong. Oh and try to avoid the ferry too.
Toilets, pub and cafes all within a short walk
Christchurch