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A quick guide to Poole’s beaches – with everything you need to know to plan a visit!
Just like better-known Bournemouth next door, Poole is home to its fair share of idyllic sandy beaches. Sandbanks is the standout, frequently called one of Britain’s best beaches – but it often attracts hordes of visitors in summer. Thankfully, many of Poole’s seaside spots are much less popular, often only visited by locals and those in the know.
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 Poole
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.
Sandbanks
Famously beautiful Blue Flag beach on one of Dorset’s most exclusive peninsulas.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Sandbanks Surface Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From early April to late September.
Toilets: Next to the car park and behind the beach office.
Popularity: Very busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: Designated dog area at western end (near chain ferry).
Food & Drink: Several cafes and restaurants nearby.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Children’s Play Area
- Mini Golf
- Deck chairs, sun umbrellas, and watersports equipment for hire.
- Beach hut hire available.
- Saltwater Sauna
Shore Road Beach
The eastern end of Sandbanks beach – equally beautiful as the main beach.
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Shore Road Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From late July to early September
Toilets: On Shore Rd
Popularity: Usually fairly busy.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Several cafes and restaurants nearby, refreshment kiosk on the beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Watersports equipment hire and lessons
- Sailing vessel parking
Canford Cliffs Beach
Quiet sands at the less-visited end of Poole Bay!
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Western Road Car Park or Beach Road Surface Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: On promenade.
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosk
Facilities & Attractions:
- Beach huts for hire
- Volleyball Nets (seasonal)
- Treasure Island play area
Branksome Dene & Branksome Chine
A wide, sandy beach with safe swimming and great views!
Beach Type: Sand
Nearest Parking: Branksome Chine Surface Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From late May to early September.
Toilets: In car park and on promenade.
Popularity: Generally not too busy
Dogs Allowed: Designated dog area between Branksome Dene and the Alum Chine Beach Office.
Food & Drink: Cafe
Facilities & Attractions:
- Beach shop
- Beach huts for hire
- Branksome Dene Woodlands
- Branksome Chine Gardens
Hamworthy Park Beach
Family-friendly beach on Poole Harbour next to a large park.
Beach Type: Sand and shingle
Nearest Parking: Hamworthy Park Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Next to cafe.
Popularity: Generally not too busy.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead.
Food & Drink: Cafe in the park
Facilities & Attractions:
- Hamworthy Park – with children’s play area and seasonal paddling pool
- Watersports equipment hire and lessons
Poole Beaches: Map
- Branksome Chine Beach (aka Branksome Dene): Sand.
- Canford Cliffs Beach: Sand.
- Sandbanks Beach: Sand.
- Hamworthy Park Beach: Sand and shingle.
More Nearby
- Studland Bay Beaches, Isle of Purbeck: Sand
- 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.
- Mudeford Sandbank, Bournemouth: Sand. (Can only be reached by ferry from Mudeford Quay, or by 1-mile walk (or land train) from Hengistbury Head Car Park).
Hope this guide to the beaches in Poole helps you plan your next seaside trip!
