18 Beaches to Explore in Dorset
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Beaches to Explore in Dorset
Alum Chine BeachAlum 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 hustle and bustle of Bournemouth Pier and the town centre.
Bournemouth BeachThe 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 between 30 April and 30 September. Nestled beneath a magnificent cliff line, the bay enjoys its own micro-climate, some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK and stunning views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks.
Bowleaze CoveBowleaze Cove is a sand and pebble beach just over two miles northeast from Weymouth. In summer the beach is popular with families as well as jet-ski enthusiasts and the water is zoned for the safety of bathers. Children might enjoy paddling in the shallow waters of the cove or in the River Jordan which enters the sea at the beach. A short pier leading out from the beach makes a good spot for fishing and the views towards Portland on a clear evening are quite spectacular.
Charmouth BeachCharmouth is a delightful unspoiled seaside village set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with a fantastic beach world-renowned for its fossils. The large shingle beach and the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre on the seafront are a must-visit for those interested in fossils and local natural history. It is great for the family – lots of sand especially at low tide, safe swimming, picnic areas, cafes, and beach shops.
Church Ope CoveChurch Ope Cove is located on the Isle of Portland near Weymouth. The beach consists of soft limestone pebbles and is surrounded by cliffs on three sides which provide shelter from the often strong breeze in the area. Being surrounded three-ways by cliffs, often shelters the strong winds that tend to blow over Portland. You’ll also notice an array of vintage-style beach huts on the hill.
Dancing LedgeDancing Ledge is one of the south coast’s best wild swimming spots. It’s not an easy place to reach. Dancing Ledge is so called because at certain stages of the tide when the waves wash over the horizontal surface, the surface undulations cause the water to bob about making the ledge appear to dance.
Greenhill BeachGreenhill is a suburb to the northeast of Weymouth in Dorset, England, with a sand and shingle beach. Most of the beach is pebbles rather than sand but on the shoreline between tides, there’s plenty of sand for the sandcastle building. The entire beach is bordered by a pleasant promenade, take a lookout for the renovated Victorian lamp stands these were originally the lighting on the main Esplanade.
Hengistbury Head BeachHengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs. It is a fascinating place not only for its wide variety of habitats but also for its internationally important archaeology and geology.
Isle of PurbeckThe Isle of Purbeck is a peninsula located in south Dorset. The area is home to some of the country’s most well-loved towns and landmarks including Swanage, Lulworth Cove, Corfe Castle, and Durdle Door. One of the unique attractions in this area and it is a nice place to Relax on the beach, explore the South West Coast Path, hunt for dinosaur fossils, or just sit back and enjoy the views of the world-famous Jurassic Coast.
Lulworth CoveLulworth Cove is world-famous for its unique geology and landforms including the Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole. The pebble beach and blue waters of Lulworth Cove make it an extremely popular destination. The Cove and surrounding countryside are hugely popular with walkers. You can walk to the cove along the South West Coast Path national trail.
Monmouth BeachMonmouth Beach is a pebble and rock beach which was located just outside the town of Lyme Regis, and stretches from the famous Cobb for about one mile, to Pinhey Beach. This beach is so named because the Duke of Monmouth landed here in 1685 in an attempt to wrest the crown from King James II. One of the family-friendly beach and is apt for a swim and bath.
MudefordMudeford Quay is situated at the entrance of Christchurch Harbour and South of Mudeford village center. The Quay comprises of The Haven Inn public house, a number of ex-fishermans' cottages, and a large car park, it is still used by local fishing boats as well as being a base for many water sports. A short walk from Mudeford Quay is the family-friendly, sandy beaches of Gundimore, Avon Beach, and Friars Cliff. There are beachside cafes, toilets, and beach huts for hire.
Poole HarbourPoole is Europe's largest natural harbor and a stunning location for all types of watersports fringed with unspoilt woodland and coastal walks. It is made up of many different habitats, which in turn provides a stunning variety of birdlife throughout the entire year. It is one of several which lay claim to the title of "second largest natural harbour in the world".
Sandbanks BeachSandbanks is a small peninsula crossing the mouth of Poole Harbour. It is of the highest quality with fine golden sand and sparkling clean waters, perfect for a family day out at the seaside. One of the iconic location for a day out with family and also you can spend some nice time there.
Southbourne BeachSouthbourne Beach is one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy shore. The beach is popular with young families due to convenient facilities such as toilets with baby changing facilities, lost children centres, RNLI lifeguard stations, pubs and ice cream kiosks.
The EsplanadeThe Esplanade is a wide walkway and street on the seafront at Weymouth, Dorset on the south coast of England. The Esplanade is immediately next to the sandy Weymouth Beach, It is the section of the Legacy Trail that joins wildlife sites in the Lorton Valley Nature Park to Radipole Lake reserve. To the south at the end of the Esplanade are Weymouth Pier,the Condor Ferries terminal for ferry service to the Channel Islands and the Pavilion Theatre.
Weymouth BeachWeymouth Beach is a curving arc of golden sand adjacent to the town centre, with Weymouth pier at the southern end. Weymouth has had a strong tourism tradition since the 18th century and the beach remains a busy place, home to a sand sculptor, a Punch and Judy show, a helter-skelter, swing boats and donkey rides. One of the family friendly beach in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.