Beaches

Below is a listing of local beaches. Download the document at the bottom of this page for a quick reference guide to beach facilities in Purbeck.

Studland

Photo: Shell Bay Sandy beaches (Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach) owned and managed by the National Trust (external link). There is a naturist area on Knoll Beach and swimming only zones are found in the summer at Knoll and South beaches.

The easiest access from Poole and Bournemouth is via the Sandbanks Ferry (external link). Shell Bay is the start of the 630 mile South West Coast Path national trail. The Jurassic Coast ends at Old Harry Rocks near South Beach.

Dogs are not allowed on Middle and Knoll beaches (from Red-end point to training bank) between early July and early September. Dogs are allowed on Shell Bay and South Beach all year provided they are on a lead and that owners clean up after them.

Toilet facilities are found in or near to all main car parks with disabled facilities at Knoll and Middle Beach. Refreshments are available from various outlets and there is a shop run by the National Trust at the Knoll Beach Car Park selling various items and beach goods. Watersport hire is available and there is a designated area for kite surfing (permit required). A slipway is available for use (charge payable). Wilts and Dorset bus No 50 stops at Shell Bay, Knoll Beach and Studland village (short walk to Middle Beach and South Beach).

Swanage

image: Swanage Beach Dorset A sandy beach with all the facilities of a seaside town. Various boat trips and boat hire available. Watersports also available. Dogs are not allowed between May 1st and September 30th. Wilts and Dorset buses 50, 40 and 44 provide links from Worth Matravers, Wareham, Poole and Bournemouth. The Swanage Steam Railway (external link) operates between Norden Park & Ride, Corfe Castle, Harman's Cross and Swanage with plenty of room for bikes, pushchairs, buckets and spades etc.

Kimmeridge

image: Kimmeridge Bay Dorset Kimmeridge Bay is part of the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and is made up of shale which runs out to sea in smooth ledges (Kimmeridge Ledges). These ledges are an ideal spot to sit when the tide is out although rock pools and wet areas can be very slippery. The Kimmeridge cliffs are extremely unstable and should not be climbed. The top part of the beach is loose shale. Swimming is possible but the beach is most popular for its shoreline and the wildlife to be found in the rock pools. Dorset Wildlife Trust (external link) runs the Fine Foundation Marine Centre found on the beach, which contains information about the Marine Reserve. Weather permitting, under water camera viewing of sealife is available at the Centre.

Access is via a toll road and there is a large cliff top car park. Toilet facilities are available in the car park. Dogs are allowed.
There is a slipway available for small boats (charge payable).

Worbarrow Bay

Photo: Worbarrow Bay Dorset A pebble beach owned and managed by The Ministry of Defence. The beach is only open at weekends, during Bank Holidays and in the summer, although the MOD reserve the right to close it at any time - visit the Dorset For You website for opening times.The beach shelves steeply and the safest part for swimming is the end next to Worbarrow Tout. Dogs are allowed. No refreshments available. Parking and toilets are available in Tyneham Village approximately 1 mile inland from the beach.

Lulworth Cove

Photo: Lulworth Cove Dorset Found in West Lulworth, there is a shingle beach which shelves steeply, although some parts are reasonably safe for swimming. Dogs are allowed on the beach. The Cove offers a variety of places to eat and there is a large car park (fee payable). There are toilets with disabled and baby changing facilities. Boat trips are available. Lulworth Cove is part of the Weld Estate (external link).

Durdle Door

Photo: Durdle Door A shingle beach which is only accessible on foot via a steep path and steps over the hill from Lulworth Cove or down from Durdle Door Caravan Park where parking is available (fee payable). The beach shelves steeply in places but it is possible to swim in some parts. Dogs are allowed. A shop and toilets (including facilities for disabled people) can be found in the caravan car park. Durdle Door is part of the Weld Estate (external link).

The coast between Swanage and Kimmeridge

This area of coastline is very rugged and is only directly accessible on foot. It is possible to walk the whole of the cliff top on the Coastal Path and there are several points where access to the shoreline is possible although the paths to these areas are often very steep and it is not safe for swimming. These include:

Dancing Ledge

image: Dancing Ledge Dorset The nearest access is from Langton Matravers where there is a small walkers car park off Durnford Drove. Wilts and Dorset buses 40 and 44 provide links from Swanage, Worth Matravers and Wareham to Langton Matravers.

Winspit and Seacombe

Photo: Views at Seacombe Dorset The nearest access is from Worth Matravers where there is a public car park with toilet facilities. Wilts and Dorset bus No 44 provide links from Swanage and Langton Matravers to Worth Matravers.