Beaches and Coast

Shipstal Beach Arne

A secluded and often undiscovered haven in the RSPB Nature reserve. A beautiful walk from Arne will lead you to this gorgeous sweep of sand that bleeds into the trees behind, takes you through some classic English woodland, past ponds that teem with frogs and newts, and to a hide from which you can watch the birds that have made their home here.

Dogs are welcome but, must be kept on a lead at all times.

Studland Beaches

Rated Britain’s fourth top beach by Which? magazine, Studland comprises three miles of golden sand owned and managed by the National Trust. The area is a haven for rare birds and native wildlife and includes not only two national nature reserves but the National Trust’s only designated nudist beach.A ferry connects Sandbanks to Studland

Shell Bay and South Beach. Dogs allowed 1st Oct – 30th Apr, on leads at other times.
Knoll beach and Middle beach. Dogs allowed 1 st Oct – 30th Apr on leads. No dogs 1st July – 7th Sept.

Old Harry Rocks Walk

A five-mile coastal walk from the National Trust car park at South Beach, Studland takes in Old Harry, one of the most famous landmarks on the South Coast. Old Harry Rocks are a pair of chalk stacks created through thousands of years of erosion by the sea. Originally part of the chalk ridgeline that runs across the south coast joining up with the Needles on the Isle of Wight. Spectacular sea views over Poole Harbour and as far as the Isle of Wight await you along with a hidden heathland valley. Return via the Agglestone, a striking rock formation with a place in local legend.

Swanage Beach

The beach is one of the main attractions of the town with thousands flocking to Swanage every summer to relax on the sand. The waters are clean, and the beach has won many European Blue Flag Awards, as well as the Encams Quality Coast Award. Swanage beach has a well earned reputation for being a good place to soak up the sun and play in the sand and sea. Swanage beach runs the length of the town and is backed by a promenade lined with amusements and attractions.

No dogs May – end Sept.

Kimmeridge Bay

Kimmeridge Bay is part of the Jurassic Coast and its geology is world-renowned. Rocky shale and comentstone reefs make the area a key habitat and the bay is a designated Marine Nature Reserve. Although there are no sandy beaches the sheltered bay is good for swimming, diving, surfing and windsurfing. Large ledges act as natural jetties for wandering along to explore marine wildlife. It is one of the best places in the country to go rock pooling.

Dogs allowed all year.

Worbarrow Bay (Tyneham Village)

Worbarrow Bay is a wide shingle beach just along the coast from Lulworth. The beach is flanked by the headland of Worbarrow Tout to the east and the tall sloping cliffs of Flower’s Barrow to the west.

Dogs allowed all year.

Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is a very sheltered pebble beach in a remarkable, horse-shoe shaped cove, formed ten thousand years ago by erosion from the sea. There is ample parking, a cafe, toilets and boat trips in summer to Durdle Door and Mupe Bay.

If you’re feeling energetic why not take the coastal path to Durdle Door, a real natural beauty that will quite literally take your breath away!

Dogs allowed all year

Durdle Door

Famous for the Durdle Door Arch this beach is a narrow strand of mixed shingle gravel and sand. The eastern end (Durdle Door Cove) is protected by the arch, while the rest of the

beach is partially sheltered by a submerged offshore reef. Durdle Door and Man ‘O’ War beaches are part of the Lulworth Estate. Shingle beaches which are only accessible on foot via a steep path and steps over the hill from Lulworth Cove or down from Durdle Door Car Park

Dogs allowed all year.