Hattie Miles: “I very much enjoy telling people about the interesting and often colourful history of our town."
Published: June 1, 2023 | Updated: 2nd June 2023
When it comes to knowing Bournemouth and its fascinating history few can match Hattie Miles.
The freelance photographer has grown to love the town since moving to Dorset with her writer husband, Jeremy, 37 years ago.
And through her work, including 24 years with the Bournemouth Daily Echo where she was the first woman photographer, Hattie has got to know many of the stories behind events and incidents in the area.
A decade ago, the keen walker came up with the idea of circular guided walks.
Two years later she launched what has since become a flourishing business.
walkingtalks aims to be fun, informative and socially active with walks mainly exploring Bournemouth.
Invariably they usually start and finish at a nice café.
Hattie leading the way on a walk created for the inaugural Bournemouth Writing Festival. Picture: Jon Ball.
Hattie said: “Since moving here in 1986, I have enjoyed exploring the multitude of footpaths, scenic seaside routes, the historic gardens and fascinating cemeteries.
“Although I was doing quite well as a freelance photographer I wanted to do something new and I realised that Bournemouth lacked a good tour guide.
“I had worked on Bournemouth-based newspapers for nearly 30 years.
“In that time I had discovered, despite frequent comments about the town having no history, that actually Bournemouth’s past is packed with interesting stories about famous residents and visitors.
“It has fascinating architecture, an amazing war history and has many hidden secrets.
“In recent decades I had met the rich, the famous and sometimes the infamous giving me personal insights and some unique anecdotes.
“Bournemouth has been home to authors, artists, musicians and scientists.
“Many have found inspiration here, others have come seeking the help from our health-giving climate.
“Since Victorian times Bournemouth has attracted really interesting people who have made our town so much more than just a tourist destination.
“It seemed to me that much of its history has been forgotten and that nobody seemed to be shouting about it.
“I also realised that after more than two decades on the local paper I’d acquired, almost without realising it, a massive amount of quirky knowledge about the town.
“This has formed the basis of my history walks and talks.”
Hattie now has several hundred people on her mailing list.
Her walks include:
New this year is ‘Bournemouth’s Literary Connections’, a walk created especially for the inaugural Bournemouth Writing Festival that proved to be a big hit with participants.
Hattie mentions more than 30 writers with links to the town and includes stories about Robert Louis Stevenson, JRR Tolkien, Radclyffe Hall, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, Bill Bryson and more.
Other walks coming up this year include Bournemouth East Cemetery, Bournemouth’s European Connections, After the Storm, a walk exploring Poole Park and ‘The ABC of Boscombe’, telling of art, bohemians and the Cherries.
Details and dates are posted on walkingtalks.wordpress.com and the walkingtalks Facebook page.
Hattie’s ‘no need to book, just turn up’ circular guided walks cost £6 (over 70s and students £5).
All can be booked on a private basis at a minimum cost of £60 per group.
As if the walks weren’t enough, Hattie also gives illustrated talks to a number of local clubs and societies and has bookings to mid 2024.
It all adds up to a busy and enjoyable life.
Hattie said: “I very much enjoy telling people about the interesting and often colourful history of our town.
“I am also amazed at how little people seem to know about the area.
“It is great that my walkers enjoy discovering new things about Bournemouth.”
