Phil (@philc84 on TikTok) recently took a close look at Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset — an area famously known as once being the UK’s most expensive street. While the location still demands “mega money” to live there, Phil had mixed feelings about what makes Sandbanks truly special.
Describing the neighborhood, Phil pointed out it’s exclusively for the supremely successful. Yet, despite soaring property prices, he suggests that you don’t need billionaire fortunes to buy in — a modest lottery win might just get you a foot in the door.
Sandbanks itself is modest in size, featuring just a single road, with a hotel at each end, a harbor, a beach, a few restaurants, a yacht club, and numerous pricey homes and apartments.
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One key complaint was the lack of privacy. Phil explained that the beach’s large car park, the frequent open-top tourist buses, and constant traffic caused by the ferry make it hard to enjoy peace and quiet. In fact, he named the ferry traffic as the biggest hassle, creating constant congestion.
While the sunny days highlight Sandbanks’ beauty, rainy weather can make the area feel bleak. Phil noted that despite its wealth, the area lacks the ostentation of typical celebrity hotspots — no screaming supercars or visible security guards, just a very expensive road by the English Channel.
He also humorously noted that the local beach attracts “scamps” from nearby Poole, who come mainly to cause mischief, something local residents readily acknowledge.
Sandbanks gained fame when John Lennon bought a house there for his aunt, making it a magnet for millionaires in southern England for decades. However, Phil feels that in today’s globalized luxury lifestyle — where the ultra-rich hop between major cities worldwide — paying a premium to live by this beach feels a bit old-fashioned.
Still, he appreciates that the area caters more to millionaires than billionaires, fostering a sense of community not found in ultra-exclusive enclaves. This “achievable wealth” makes Sandbanks accessible for those who’ve had a few good years in business or won the lottery, rather than only the ultra-wealthy elite.
Yet, Phil concluded with a poignant observation: spending millions on a home only to have tourists gawking through the windows every half hour might force anyone to question the true meaning of success.