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A quick guide to Bournemouth’s beaches – with everything you need to know to plan a visit!
The seven-mile-long sweep of soft, golden sand along Poole Bay is probably one of the most beautiful (and popular) beaches on the south coast! It’s divided into several separate beaches, each with its own car park and facilities.
This guide gives a quick overview of each one, with all the info you need to know about visiting – including a quick list of any facilities and nearby attractions.
All Beaches in Bournemouth
Top Tip: Download the Beach Check app to see how crowded a beach is before visiting. All the beaches in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are on there.
Bournemouth Beach
The “main” beach – closest to town centre.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Bath Road Car Parks, Pavilion Car Park, or BIC or BH2 Leisure Centre
Lifeguards on Duty: From early April to late September.
Toilets: Several public toilets along the promenade.
Popularity: Very busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Several options nearby, including on the promenade.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Pier with amusement arcade and other attractions.
- Land train.
- Walking distance of the town centre.
- Lower Gardens park.
- Beach Hut hire available
- Deckchairs and watersports equipment available to hire.
FYI: Bournemouth Beach gets incredibly busy on hot summer days. Consider one of the nearby beaches below as an alternative, or check out these quieter beaches nearby.
Alum Chine Beach
The westernmost beach (before entering Poole), usually a little quieter than the “main” beach.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Alum Chine Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From late May to early September.
Toilets: Alum Chine public toilets (near car park).
Popularity: Generally not too busy.
Dogs Allowed: Designated dog area (clearly marked)
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosk and at least one restaurant.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Tropical Gardens on cliffs above beach.
- Pirate-themed children’s play area.
Durley Chine Beach
Family-friendly beach with plenty of facilities – east of Bournemouth Pier.
Beach Type: Sand and shingle.
Nearest Parking: Durley Chine Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From late May to early September.
Toilets: On promenade.
Popularity: Generally less busy than the “main” beach.
Dogs Allowed: Designated dog area (clearly marked)
Food & Drink: Pub, cafes, and refreshment kiosks on promenade.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Beach huts to rent.
- Durley Environmental Hub.
Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth
West of Bournemouth Pier, Boscombe has its own (smaller) pier and several amenities.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Boscombe Undercliff Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From early April to late September.
Toilets: Several public toilets along the promenade.
Popularity: Generally not too busy.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: A few restaurants and kiosks on promenade.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Boscombe Pier (free entry).
- Mini golf.
- Sunbeds, deck chairs, windbreaks and parasols to hire.
Southbourne Beach, Bournemouth
Sandy beach popular with local families.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Warren Edge Car Park or Solent Beach Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From late May to early September.
Toilets: Several public toilets along the promenade.
Popularity: Generally not too busy.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September except in the designated dog area at Fishermans Walk Beach.
Food & Drink: A few restaurants, pubs, and refreshment kiosks.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Beach huts available to hire.
- Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift (to reach the top of the cliffs).
- Fisherman’s Walk nature trail on the cliffs above the beach.
Hengistbury Head Beach
Remote beach next to a low headland at the westernmost end of the bay.
Beach Type: Sand and shingle.
Nearest Parking: Hengistbury Head car Park.
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park and at the Visitor Centre.
Popularity: Usually much quieter than Bournemouth’s other beaches.
Dogs Allowed: All year (must be kept on leads inside the nature reserve)
Food & Drink: Café next to the car park.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre.
- Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve.
- Great views from the top of the headland.
Mudeford Sandbank (Mudeford Spit)
A narrow strip of white sandy beach with water on both sides.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Mudeford Quay (you’ll need to take the passenger ferry) or Hengistbury Head Car Park.
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Public toilets between the beach huts.
Popularity: Generally not too busy.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead.
Food & Drink: Cafe & takeaway on the beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Land Train (in summer).
- Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre.
- Hengistbury Head Nature reserve.
FYI: The sandbank can only be reached by walking about one mile from Hengistbury Head (or there’s a land train in summer) – or you can take a passenger ferry across the harbour from Mudeford Quay.
Beaches in Bournemouth: Map
- Alum Chine Beach: Sand.
- Durley Chine Beach: Sand and shingle.
- Bournemouth Beach: Sand. The “main” beach, closest to town centre.
- Boscombe Beach: Sand.
- Southbourne Beach: Sand.
- Hengistbury Head Beach: Sand and shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Mudeford Sandbank: Sand. (Can only be reached by ferry from Mudeford Quay, or by 1-mile walk (or land train) from Hengistbury Head Car Park).
More Nearby
READ MORE: 9 Quiet Beaches near Bournemouth to Escape the Crowds
- Branksome Chine Beach, Poole: Sand.
- Canford Cliffs Beach, Poole: Sand.
- Sandbanks Beach, Poole: Sand.
- Studland Bay Beaches, Isle of Purbeck: Sand
- Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch: Sand and shingle.
- Avon Beach, Christchurch: Sand.
Hope this guide to the beaches in Bournemouth helps you plan your next seaside trip!
