A Chaplin sidequest

While I was in Christchurch in September 2026, my Airbnb host pointed me in the direction of Chaplin's Bar and Modern Times restaurant in Boscombe. Obviously, once they'd told me about the place, and even given me their tote bag, I had to take a closer look.

It was well worth a visit, and I took rather a lot of photos. So enjoy this little GIF, which is still only a fraction of its delights.

It also got me thinking that I might have accidentally started another sidequest. I've written chapters for Taschen's The Charlie Chaplin Archives, talked about him on a BBC World Service podcast and have a long-standing ambition to visit Chaplin's World in Switzerland and the nearby Modern Times Hotel. So perhaps every time I come across another Chaplin-themed café, restaurant or bar, I should add it to the collection.

For now, Boscombe can join  in the archive. These photos were taken in [YEAR].

An easy one to add to the collection would be a return visit to Chaplins Little Shake Shop in Selsey. The café changed ownership last year, so that would give me an excuse to see what has changed, while the rather atmospheric abandoned theatre it once sat alongside, Selsey Pavilion, is now being lovingly restored. When it reopens, I'm sure I'll be a regular.

And if I'm going back to Selsey anyway, I might as well take some more photos.

Once I've added two or three more Chaplin cafés, bars or restaurants to the collection, though, has the sidequest quietly become another bucket list?