Enjoy a walk along the beach at any time of year

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Dorset Beaches

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Highlights

Looking for a fantastic beach break but feel your only option is to go abroad? Think again, because Dorset has many beautiful beaches along our 100 miles of coastline. So it won’t cost the earth (or break the bank) to feel soft sand and clear blue sea gently lap over your feet.

The huge variety of beaches makes Dorset’s coastline one of the most inspiring and spectacular stretches of coast found anywhere in the UK.

Fabulous beaches

Every beach has its own unique charm and character to explore - from miles of sweeping golden sand to secluded private coves and everything in between.

Build sandcastles, take a swim, walk the stunning coast path or just sit back and enjoy the views - we know you'll have a great day out.

Lyme Regis lies on the Dorset and Devon border and continues to be enjoyed by all ages. Home to glorious golden sand, stunning scenery and safe bathing waters protected by the famous Cobb, Lyme Regis makes for a wonderful day at the seaside.

Eagle eyed visitors to West Bay may recognise it as the setting for ITV’s award winning drama Broadchurch. With its iconic cliffs, West Bay provides a breath-taking backdrop for a wonderful day at the beach.

Family friendly

Dorset is the place to come for award winning beaches. The county boasts 25 Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches.

Soft golden sands and safe bathing waters make Weymouth a fabulous family holiday destination. With a number of beaches to choose from, Weymouth with its Georgian architecture along the esplanade really is a slice of the traditional British seaside. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade, donkey rides on the beach or watch a Punch and Judy show to entertain young and old.

Swanage beach with its large stretches of golden sand and sheltered bay is known for its clear water and family-friendly designated swimming areas. This traditional seaside resort has been enjoyed by families since Victorian times and features a beautifully restored pier and promenade.

In the east of the county, the famous sandy beaches of Poole and Bournemouth are nestled beneath a magnificent cliff line. Stretching along the coastline for 10 golden miles, all the way from Sandbanks to Hengistbury Head. From the headland, you can hop on a foot passenger ferry across Christchurch Harbour to Mudeford and Highcliffe beaches or travel on one of the land trains or boat trips and enjoy the views.

Discover Dorset's less visited beaches

If you are looking to avoid the crowds, there are many lesser known beaches to visit along our coastline. Because they are more secluded, you won't find beachside cafes, shops or showers and you may need to walk a little further to get there, but it will definitely be worth the effort.

Because these beaches are less visited, there may not be any litter or recycling bins, so remember to take any rubbish away with you at the end of the day.

Find the perfect beach for you with our beach guide - a full list of all Dorset's beaches and what facilities they have to offer.

Have fun & stay safe

We encourage everyone to enjoy the spectacular coastline and beaches in Dorset safely.

We have teamed up with the wonderful SafeWise charity and the Dorset Coast Forum who have created an animation to promote coastal safety in a fun way to children called CoastWise - check it out and remember to share these helpful tips with your family and friends.

Book a beach hut

What is more traditional than a beach hut at the British seaside. Did you know some of the earliest beach huts to be built in the UK were at Bournemouth - built either side of Bournemouth Pier in 1909?

Beach huts can be hired by the day or for the duration of your stay.

Dorset beach hut locations include: Swanage, Lyme Regis, Avon Beach, Mudeford, Poole, Bournemouth, Boscombe and Southbourne.

Luxury beach huts where you can stay overnight are located near Boscombe Pier and at Mudeford Sandbank.

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Number of results: 39

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4066 reviews
Durdle Door

Type

Type:

Beach

WEST LULWORTH

Durdle Door is an extremely popular beauty spot. To access the beach there is a 15 minute walk down a steep path, plus a further 143 steps down onto the beach. There is only one set of steps to access the beach, therefore you may have to queue to…

Free
Weymouth Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

WEYMOUTH

Weymouth’s sheltered bay, gradual sloping seabed and exquisite waters offer swimmers, bathers and water sports enthusiast’s idyllic and safe conditions to enjoy. The internationally recognised beach is a frequent host to festivals, sporting…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4066 reviews
Lulworth Cove

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

WEST LULWORTH

The pebble beach and blue waters of Lulworth Cove make it an extremely popular destination. The Cove and surrounding coastline are part of the world famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Low tide reveals wonderful rock pools teeming with sea…

Free
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1326 reviews
Studland Bay

Type

Type:

Beach

STUDLAND

The National Trust car parks are open at Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach from 8.30am to 6pm. There are limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another time. Toilets are open at Shell Bay, Knoll Beach and…

Free
Lyme Regis Beaches

Type

Type:

Beach

LYME REGIS

The beaches in Lyme Regis are a mixture of sand and pebbles. Monmouth beach is very pebbly and shelves. The Front beach is a flat, sandy beach, as is Cobb Gate.
Swanage Beach Huts

Type

Type:

Beach

SWANAGE

Swanage Beach huts are let daily, weekly or longer term. Hire a beach hut, and your trips to the beach are made easier without having to take all your towels, swimwear and children’s toys down to the beach every day!
Ringstead Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

OSMINGTON

The car park at Ringstead Bay is open. There are limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another time. A protected shingle beach overlooking Weymouth Bay.

Free
Mudeford Sandbank

Type

Type:

Beach

Mudeford, CHRISTCHURCH

A unique sand spit which adjoins the ancient headland of Hengistbury Head and forms a natural barrier between Christchurch Harbour and the open sea. The area is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI).

Free
Canford Cliffs Beach

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Beach

Canford Cliffs, POOLE

Canford Cliffs is a natural and tranquil area, situated between Shore Road Beach and Branksome Chine Beach.
Avon Beach

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Beach

Mudeford, CHRISTCHURCH

Avon Beach is great for families with small children and people with disabilities as it has it's own car park level with the beach.

Free
Southbourne Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Award winning Southbourne Beach is one of Bournemouth's most popular beaches, loved by the locals for its wide, clean, sandy and shingle beaches located east of Boscombe Pier and the town centre. Southbourne beach can be accessed directly from…
Hengistbury Head

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

Bournemouth

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs.
Durley Chine Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

The Blue Flag award winning Durley Chine is one of Bournemouth's most popular beaches, loved for its clean, sandy and shingle beaches located west of Bournemouth Pier.
Burton Bradstock (Hive Beach)

Type

Type:

Beach

Burton Bradstock, BRIDPORT

The National Trust car parks at Hive Beach (Burton Bradstock) and Cogden Beach are now open. Spaces are limited, so if the car parks are full please come back another time. A shelving shingle beach, close to the village of Burton Bradstock. On a…

Free
West Bexington Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

A shingle beach that shelves steeply. Walking is popular around this area and like many of the other beaches in the vicinity, views to the East and West are superb.
Hengistbury Head Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Southbourne, BOURNEMOUTH

The beach at Hengistbury Head has a south-facing pebble beach, with imposing cliffs, as well as a sandy beach situated at the Mudeford spit, with colourful beach huts.
Worbarrow Bay

Type

Type:

Beach

Tyneham, EAST LULWORTH

Worbarrow Bay is found 1 mile (20 minute walk) from Tyneham village. The Bay and village are now managed by the Ministry of Defence and access is limited.

Free
Shore Road Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Sandbanks, POOLE

Fine, golden sand, gradual sloping beach and clean, safe water make Shore Road beach an ideal place to visit.
Abbotsbury Beach - Chesil Bank and Fleet Lagoon

Type

Type:

Beach

Nr Weymouth

A shelving beach made up of pebbles and shingle, popular with both local anglers and families for mackerel fishing.
Boscombe Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Boscombe's gentle shelving beach, convenient facilities and activities on offer makes it a perfect family day out. You can reach Boscombe Beach using the Land Train (not operating until further notice) or walking along the promenade from Bournemouth…

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Dorset Beaches

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Highlights

Fabulous beaches

Family friendly

Discover Dorset's less visited beaches

Have fun & stay safe

Book a beach hut

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