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Dorset Beaches

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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.

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: 37

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4014 reviews
Lulworth Cove

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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
4014 reviews
Durdle Door

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Type:

Beach

WEST LULWORTH

Durdle Door is an extremely popular beauty spot. To access the beach there is a 20 minute steep downhill 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
Lyme Regis Beaches

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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.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1317 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. Toilets are open at Shell Bay, Knoll Beach and Middle Beach. There are limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back…

Free
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!
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…
Highcliffe Castle Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

HIGHCLIFFE, Christchurch

A beautiful, shingle and sand beach set against tree-lined cliffs.

Free
Mudeford Sandbank

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Beach

Mudeford, CHRISTCHURCH

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

Free
Burton Bradstock (Hive Beach)

Type

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Beach

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
Highcliffe Beach

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Beach

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

Highcliffe Beach is just a few minutes walk from the village centre and has excellent cliff top parking.

Free
Eype Beach

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Beach

BRIDPORT

Less well known than some of the beaches found along the South West Coast Path Eype Beach offers peaceful seclusion away from the more popular beaches located at Lyme Regis and West Bay.
Branksome Chine Beach

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Beach

Poole

Branksome Chine offers great sandy beaches and stunning views across the coastline. Its Blue Flag status attracts both locals and visitors.
Durley Chine Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Durley Chine Beach is one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches situated further to the West of Bournemouth, away from the hustle and…
Canford Cliffs Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Poole

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

Type

Type:

Beach

SWANAGE

Swanage has a gently sloping white sand beach which is sheltered and generally calm. The award winning beach is well served by local businesses providing refreshments and services.
Kimmeridge Bay

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

Kimmeridge, WAREHAM

Kimmeridge Bay lies within a marine Special Area of Conservation and boasts the best rockpooling and safest snorkelling site in Dorset.

Free
West Bay Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

BRIDPORT

Featured in The Good Beach Guide, West Bay has two beaches, East Beach and West Beach. East Beach is a sloping, shingle beach backed by magnificent sandstone cliffs. West Beach is a smaller, quieter beach popular with young families, the protective…
Boscombe Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Start your adventure on Boscombe exciting, activity packed stretch of award-winning Blue Flag beach - the perfect family playground.
Friars Cliff Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Friars Cliff, CHRISTCHURCH

This shingle and sand beach is an ideal spot for a family trip to the seaside. Beach huts line the promenade which is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Free
Bournemouth Beaches

Type

Type:

Beach

BOURNEMOUTH

The beaches at Bournemouth stretch for 10 miles between the coastal town of Poole and Hengistbury Head near Christchurch.
All of the beaches are soft sand and very family friendly. They are some of the safest beaches in the UK with RNLI…

Free

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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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