Enjoy a walk along Sandbanks Beach at any time of year
Views from Friars Cliff Beach towards Mudeford Quay
Studland Bay and beaches

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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.

View our fantastic Dorset Beach & Coast video - we’re sure you’ll be inspired to visit.

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.

Check out our blog with 6 beautiful beaches to discover.

Have fun & stay safe

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

We have has 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 in Bournemouth and Mudeford.

Number of results:

Number of results: 37

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4005 reviews
Durdle Door

Type

Type:

Beach

WEST LULWORTH

Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular beauty spot.

Free
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1315 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 9am to 5pm. 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 another…

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…
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!
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
4005 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
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…
Cogden Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

BRIDPORT

The National Trust car parks at Cogden Beach and Hive Beach are now open. Spaces are limited, so if the car parks are full please come back another time.
Owned by the National Trust, Cogden Beach, the steep shelving, single beach is located on the…

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.
Southbourne Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Southbourne 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…
Boscombe Beach

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Beach

Bournemouth

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

Type

Type:

Beach

Tyneham, EAST LULWORTH

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

Free
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…
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.
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.
Bournemouth Beaches

Type

Type:

Beach

BOURNEMOUTH

The beaches at Bournemouth stretch for 7 miles between the coastal towns of Poole and Christchurch.
All of the beaches are soft sand and very family friendly. They are some of the safest beaches in the UK with RNLI Lifeguards based there…

Free
Alum Chine Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

Bournemouth

Alum Chine Beach is probably 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…
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
Highcliffe Castle Beach

Type

Type:

Beach

HIGHCLIFFE, Christchurch

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

Free
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
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.

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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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