Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

With around 36 Dorset beaches, there&#8217;s one for everyone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-bucket-and-spade-families-bournemouth">Best for bucket and spade families: Bournemouth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1124" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor.jpg" alt="Bournemouth beaches by Tiia Monto Wiki Commons" class="wp-image-83725" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor-800x599.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor-400x300.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor-768x575.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/00-Bournemouth_Beach_2018_Fotor-701x525.jpg 701w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bournemouth beaches by Tiia Monto Wiki Commons</figcaption></figure>



Seven miles of golden sands with five Blue Flag beaches:&nbsp; Alum Chine (near the Tropical Gardens and pirate playground), Durley Chine (a trad pub and cafe on the prom), the quieter Fisherman’s Walk and Manor Steps (near Boscombe) and Southbourne (especially good for young families) – and its own micro climate.&nbsp;



What to do: Pier-to-shore zip wire, climbing wall, high ropes obstacle course at <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/rockreef-pier-zip-bournemouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RockReef &amp; PierZip</a> on Bournemouth Pier. Volleyball on the beach at Bosombe. Ride on Victorian funicular railways from the beach up to the top of the cliffs or land trains along the promenade. Get a bird’s eye view of everything from the Bournemouth Big Wheel. Walk on the ceiling at the Upside Down House. See penguins, sharks and stingrays at the <a href="https://www.oceanarium.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceanarium.</a> Culture fix: <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/russell-cotes-art-gallery-and-museum-bournemouth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell-Cotes Art Gallery &amp; Museum</a>.



Eat: Lobster – or fish and chips – at seafood restaurant <a href="https://west-beach.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West Beach</a>, near the pier. Brunches, coffee, cocktails and live music at the outdoor <a href="https://www.picnicparkdeli.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Picnic Park Deli</a> in Westover Gardens. Eclectic all day dining in (with kids’ menu) and wood-fired pizza to take away at <a href="https://www.urbanreef.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urban Reef</a> on the Boscombe promenade. 



Sundowner: Cocktails, fizz, tapas and fire pits at beach club <a href="https://www.wbeach.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">W Beach</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-fossil-hunting-lyme-regis">Best for fossil hunting: Lyme Regis</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-2.png" alt="fossil on lyme regis beach dorset" class="wp-image-95726" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-2.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-2-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-2-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-2-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



You might not discover a complete ichthyosaur, like 12-year-old Mary Anning did back around 1812, but you might find fool’s gold (iron pyrites), ammonites and bullet-shaped belemnites in the rook pools and the shingle at Lyme Regis, especially on Monmouth Beach. Cobb Gate and Front Beach are both sandy and safe for swimming. 



What to do: Search for fossils, on your own or on <a href="http://www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk/events/category/walks/fossil-walks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a guided fossil walk </a>with an expert from the Lyme Regis Museum. Walk along The Cobb, an old stone harbour made famous by Meryl Streep in The French Lieutenant’s Woman and also seen in Wonka with Timothee Chamalet. Go paddleboarding with <a href="https://www.jurassicsupfitness.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jurassic SUP &amp; Fitness.</a> Zip round the bay on a rib (inflatable boat) with <a href="https://www.lymeribrides.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lyme Rib Rides.</a> Catch some mackerel on a boat trip with <a href="https://mackerelfishinglymeregis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harry May.</a>



Eat: Mitch Tonks&#8217; <a href="https://therockfish.co.uk/pages/lyme-regis-seafood-restaurant" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rockfish </a>on the hillside overlooking the harbour. Fresh fish and local grub at <a href="https://www.thelymebay.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lyme Bay</a> café and bar overlooking the bay. Pub lunch at <a href="https://thepilotboat.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pilot Boat</a> on the edge of the beach. Asian street food at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redpandalyme/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Red Panda</a>.



Sundowner: Cocktails, wine, beer and nice nosh beach-front bar and café <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/swim-lyme-regis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swim </a>right on Marine Parade, overlooking the beach, The Cobb and Lyme Bay beyond.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-escapism-chesil-beach">Best for escapism: Chesil Beach</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image.png" alt="CHESIL BEACH WALKWAY DORSET" class="wp-image-95724" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



No beach huts, sandcastles or kiss me quick hats at this iconic landmark, just a vast sweep of some 180 billion pebbles, running 18 miles from West Bay near Bridport (where the pebbles are pea-sized) all the way to Weymouth (where they’re the size of your fist). When the sky is a brilliant blue, the sunlight bouncing off the sea and the pale shingle creates a unique, almost otherworldly atmosphere. Keep to the shore; it’s dangerous to swim.



What to do: Walk. Visit the swans at <a href="https://abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/swannery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abbotsbury Swannery</a> on the freshwater Fleet Lagoon, a Designated Site of Special Interest for wildlife, and only colony of nesting mute swans in the world (cynets hatch from mid-May to end June). Take your fishing gear to catch mackerel from the shore. Read On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan.



Eat: Breakfast at <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-hive-beach-cafe-burton-bradstock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Hive Beach Cafe</a> at Burton Bradstock. Lunch at <a href="https://www.theclubhousewestbexington.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Club House </a>at West Bexington on Chesil Beach (you’ll be able to land your helicopters on the lawn later in the year – handy). Afternoon tea at the super family-friendly <a href="https://www.moonfleetmanorhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moonfleet Manor </a>hotel near the Fleet Lagoon. Supper at the <a href="https://crabhousecafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crab House Cafe </a>near Weymouth. 



Sundowner: Watch the sun go down by the fire of your beach barbeque or head back up along the beach and up the cliffs to the <a href="https://theseasideboardinghouse.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Seaside Boarding House</a> at Burton Bradstock.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-an-all-over-tan-studland-bay">Best for an all over tan: Studland Bay</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-1.png" alt="Studland bay beach dorset" class="wp-image-95725" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-1.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-1-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-1-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-1-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Four miles of gorgeous, gently shelved, sandy beaches on the Studland peninsula stretching from chalk sea stacks Old Harry Rocks near Swanage to Shell Bay and owned by the National Trust. Head for South Beach (popular with locals), Middle Beach backed by low cliffs, or the sandunes and spacious sands of Knoll Beach and at one end, the (clearly marked) naturist area.



What to do: Water sports – kayaking, paddleboarding – pedaloes and boat trips at Knoll and Middle Beach. Get your kit off on the naturist part of Knoll Beach. Build sandcastles on them all. Follow nature trails behind the beach. Take a ferry over to see the rare red squirrels on <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownsea-island" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brownsea Island.</a>



Eat: Coffee, snacks and ice cream at the Knoll Beach cafe. Pub lunch at <a href="https://www.bankesarms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bankes Arms</a>, a 16th century stone pub with views over Studland Bay from their large gardens and beer from the Purbeck Brewery next door (get there early, it’s first-come-first served).



Sundowner: It has to be cocktails at the super cool <a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/the-pig-on-the-beach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pig-on the beach</a> made with basil, pelegonium and strawberry infused vodkas, garden chilli infused rum, kaffir lime infused gin, all created with botanicals from their own kitchen garden.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-for-beach-huts-mudeford-sandbanks">Best for beach huts: Mudeford Sandbanks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-3.png" alt="Mudeord beach huts" class="wp-image-95727" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-3.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-3-800x534.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-3-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2024/05/image-3-768x512.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



A sand spit creating a natural barrier between Christchurch harbour and made up of beach after golden beach, separated by breakwaters. Running east from Hengistbury Head towards Mudeford Quay, the beach is edged by around 300 colourful – and expensive – beach huts (one sold for around £300k last year).



What to do: On the harbour side, all the usual <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shoresports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water sports</a>. On the beach side, building sandcastles and swimming in the sea. Explore the <a href="https://www.visithengistburyhead.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hengistbury Head</a> nature reserve. 



Eat:Takeaway breakfasts, salads, paninis, burgers from the beachside <a href="https://beachhousecafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beach House Cafe </a>with views across Christchurch harbour. At the Hengistbury Head end, the <a href="https://hikercafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hiker Cafe</a> offers a similar fare.



Sundowner: Head back over to Christchurch harbour for drinks, delicious seafood and stunning views from <a href="https://www.harbourhotels.co.uk/christchurch/eat-and-drink/the-jetty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Jetty</a>.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/best-pubs-gardens-dorset-somerset/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20+ local pubs with cool gardens</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-the-old-granary-wareham-dorset/">Review: The Old Granary, Wareham</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/walks-near-me/walks-with-pubs-dorset-somerset/">Here comes the sun: 8 wonderful walks in Dorset &amp; Somerset – with pitstops</a></li>
</ul>



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Five of the best Dorset beaches

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