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A quick guide to the beaches in Christchurch, Dorset – with everything you need to know to plan a visit!
Lined with a string of excellent beaches, the wide stretch of Christchurch Bay lies at the easternmost end of Dorset’s coast. The gently shelving beaches here are ideal for swimming, and the sea is often calm, making these seaside spots perfect for families.
Between the clifftop village of Highcliffe in the east, with its impressive castle, and Christchurch’s charming harbour, there are several beaches, with both sandy and shingle options to choose from. 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 Christchurch
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.
Avon Beach
A favourite with local families, with views of the Isle of Wight in the distance!
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Avon Beach Car Park or Mudeford Quay Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: During school summer holidays.
Toilets: On the Promenade and at Mudeford Quay.
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Cafe, shop, and restaurant on beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Beach huts for hire.
- Designated watersports area (directly in front of the car park).
- Water sports equipment hire and lessons.
- Saltwater Sauna.
- Mudeford Quay.
- Christchurch Harbour.
- Passenger ferry to Mudeford sandbank.
FYI: Safer swimming is towards the middle and eastern parts of Avon Beach. The westernmost area nearest the harbour mouth (sometimes called Gundimore Beach) has strong currents and moving sand bars.
Highcliffe Beach
Tranquil, family-friendly beach with a wild feel at the foot of low cliffs.
Beach Type: Sand and shingle (mainly shingle)
Nearest Parking: Highcliffe Cliff Top Car Park (a short walk to the beach)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park.
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead (except between groynes H4 and H8 from 1 May to 30 September).
Food & Drink: Restaurant in car park.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Highcliffe High Street in walking distance.
- Clifftop walking trail.
Highcliffe Castle Beach
Peaceful beach below the cliffs where an impressive 19th-century castle stands!
Beach Type: Sand and shingle (mainly sand)
Nearest Parking: Highcliffe Castle car park (on clifftop, a short walk to the beach)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None on the beach. Cafe/tearoom in Highcliffe Castle gardens.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Highcliffe Castle (read more in our guide to Dorset’s castles)
- Steamer Point Nature Reserve
- Highcliffe Castle Golf Club
Friars Cliff Beach
A quieter area to the east of Avon Beach.
Beach Type: Sand and shingle
Nearest Parking: Steamer Point Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From late July to early September
Toilets: On promenade.
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September
Food & Drink: Cafe on promenade.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Designated water sports area at the eastern end of the beach.
- Steamer Point Nature Reserve.
- Short walk to Mudeford Quay.
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 beach 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.
Christchurch Beaches: Map
- Highcliffe Beach: Sand and shingle.
- Highcliffe Castle Beach: Sand and shingle.
- Friars Cliff Beach: Sand and shingle.
- Avon Beach: Sand.
- 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
- Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth: Sand. Read more in our Bournemouth Beaches Guide.
- Alum Chine Beach, Bournemouth: Sand.
- Durley Chine Beach, Bournemouth: Sand and shingle.
- Boscombe Beach, Bournemouth: Sand.
- Southbourne Beach, Bournemouth: Sand.
- Hengistbury Head Beach, Bournemouth: Sand and shingle. Dog-friendly all year
- Branksome Chine Beach, Poole: Sand. Read more in our Poole Beaches Guide.
- Canford Cliffs Beach, Poole: Sand.
- Sandbanks Beach, Poole: Sand.
Hope this guide to the beaches in Christchurch helps you plan your next seaside trip!
