Three beach huts worth £350,000 each have risen from the ashes after they were set alight and destroyed in an arson attack this year.
The trio of luxury wooden cabins, which sit side-by-side at Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, have undergone a complete transformation and been repaired after they were torched by thugs in February this year amid a spate of burglaries and arson attacks in the region.
Sitting just a stone’s throw away from Hengistbury Head Beach in Bournemouth, one of the renovated huts can sleep six people, with four beds in the loft area of the cabin and two more in the lounge.
The solar panels provide power to the fridge, plug sockets, and cooker.
The three beach huts (left after renovation and right before) worth £350,000, which sit side-by-side at Mudeford Spit in Christchurch, Dorset, have undergone a complete transformation
In February, a string of arson attacks and targeted burglaries led to the destruction of wooden buildings.
David Thomas, a carpenter, repaired one of the huts that can accommodate six persons (left after repairs and after being set alight).
Mudeford Spit is the home of some of Britain’s most costly beach huts.
Offering uninterrupted views of the Isle of Wight, the cabins are among 360 huts along the Mudeford sandbank.
The local authority normally prohibits any renovations to Mudeford’s beach huts during busy summer months. However, an exception was made by the owner of fire-ravaged huts.
Carpenter David Thomas worked on one cabin and turned it into an elegant luxury hideaway.
According to the hut’s owner (who has not been identified), Thomas was an excellent craftsman and did a fantastic job.
According to them, “It was our dream to buy the beach hut years ago. So it was quite a shock to be contacted to tell us that it had been damaged by fire.”
We visited the spot a few more days later and saw a blackened shell with everything inside. This was an awful sight.
“The beach hut community was extremely supportive. We received messages within days from other owners of huts offering to let us use their huts while we replaced ours. The council also granted permission to build during summer, which isn’t usually permitted.
“It had an impact on our neighbor’s peace and tranquility, but they were very positive about it.
“Dave was a master craftsman and did an amazing job with our new hut. He’s a true craftsman.
Just a stones throw away from Hengistbury Head Beach are the renovated huts. They’re among 360 huts on the Mudeford sandybank. Pictured are the three restored huts (left), and their cabins shortly after being destroyed by an arson attack.
Stepping inside the Mudeford Spit’s renovated huts will reveal a seating area and kitchen, as well as stairs that lead to the loft.
The luxury cabin, which was among the fire ravaged cabins, comes with a stove, sink and a number of cupboards. You can use the solar panels on this cabin to generate electricity, power for your fridge or plug sockets. There is also a stove and sink that you can connect to a gas tank.
Although renovations to Mudeford’s beach huts are prohibited by the local authorities during busy summer months, an exception was granted for those who had been burned. Pictured: Before and after the arson attack on their cabins (left).
Carpenter David Thomas worked on one the cabins, which was left before and after renovation. He said that he made it into a luxurious bolthole.
Over the summer, it was renovated and is now able to sleep six and has solar panels.
It is prohibited to drive on the Mudeford Spit. The huts do not have running water so the owners can share a common shower block. Photo: This is the view from one of the newly renovated huts
The Mudeford Spit is closed to cars. It can be reached only by walking for 30 minutes, riding on a novelty train, or crossing a ferry.
The huts do not have running water and the owners use a shared shower block.
You can sleep in your huts only from March through October. However, you are welcome to visit anytime of the year.
Residents were shocked when three Dorset beach houses were set on fire in February. Thirty-one other Dorset beach homes were also broken into during a series of arson and targeted burglaries.
Dorset Police was alerted by the fire brigade on February 6, to reports that three beach houses were in flames at 2.40am.
At the time, Detective Inspector Andrew Kennard of Bournemouth CID stated: “There was considerable damage to many beach huts. I want to assure the community that our detailed investigations are ongoing into this incident.
‘I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and either witnessed what happened or saw any suspicious activity to please get in touch.’
In connection to the fire, two teens were taken into police custody and are currently being held on bail.