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A quick guide to the beaches in Swanage, Studland, and around the Isle of Purbeck…
Although not really an island, the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset is surrounded by water on three sides. Which means there’s a lot of coastline to enjoy here! From Swanage’s family-friendly sands to remote coves that can only be reached by walking, there are some seriously beautiful seaside spots. This guide gives a quick overview of each one, with all the info you need to know about visiting…
Beaches in Swanage
Swanage Beach (Main)
Family-friendly beach with safe swimming and plenty of amenities.
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Main Beach Car Park (Victoria Avenue)
Lifeguards on Duty: From late May to early September
Toilets: Plenty of public toilets along the seafront
Popularity: Busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosks along promenade, plenty of shops and restaurants nearby.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Amusement arcades
- Mini golf
- Beach huts for hire
- Rent deck chairs, sun beds, pedaloes, and kayaks.
- Swanage Bay Sauna
- Swanage Steam Railway
Top Tip: Park at nearby Norden and take the Swanage Railway steam train into Swanage (for fantastic views of Corfe Castle). The station is a few minutes’ walk from the beach!
Swanage Beach (North)
The middle to northern end of Swanage Beach – usually a little quieter!
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: North Beach Car Park (De Moulham Road)
Lifeguards on Duty: Only on the central section of the beach
Toilets: North Beach Car Park and Burlington Chine
Popularity: Generally less busy than the main beach
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosks on promenade
Facilities & Attractions:
- Beach huts for hire
- Coast Path walks
Pier Beach (aka Monkey Beach)
Small, dog-friendly beach between the Victorian pier and the old stone Quay.
Beach Type: Sand and shingle
Nearest Parking: Broad Road Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Next to Swanage Museum
Popularity: Usually less busy than the main beach
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Several restaurants nearby
Facilities & Attractions:
- Swanage Pier (restored Victorian pier)
- Boat tours
- Swanage Museum
- Amusement arcade
- Dive Shop
Studland Bay Beaches
FYI: Swimming is generally safe along Studland Bay as the water is often calm. However, there are no lifeguards on duty so extra care should be taken.
Shell Bay
White sandy beach backed by dunes and a wildlife-rich heath.
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Shell Bay Car Park (National Trust)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Fairly busy near the car park
Dogs Allowed: Yes (but must be kept on a lead from 1 May – 30 September)
Food & Drink: Seafood restaurant (near car park)
Facilities & Attractions:
- Car & passenger ferry to Studland
- Studland and Godlingston Heath Nature Reserve
Knoll Beach
Long, sandy beach with safe swimming and stunning views!
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Knoll Beach Car Park (National Trust)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: At Knoll Beach Visitor Centre
Popularity: Can be busy near the car park – quieter the further north you walk
Dogs Allowed: Yes (but must be kept on a lead from 1 May – 30 September)
Food & Drink: Cafe and shop at Visitor Centre.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Knoll Beach Visitor Centre
- Studland and Godlingston Heath Nature Reserve
FYI: There is a 900m “clothing optional” section to the north of the beach, around 30 minutes walk from the car park. Read more here.
Middle Beach
The smallest and quietest of the Studland Bay beaches.
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Middle Beach Car Park (National Trust)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park.
Popularity: Generally quieter than the other beaches.
Dogs Allowed: Yes (but must be kept on a lead from 1 May – 30 September)
Food & Drink: Cafe in car park.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Fort Henry – WWII fort where Churchill watched the D-Day preparations.
- Watesports equipment rental and lessons/tours.
South Beach
Sheltered cove near Studland village – with views of Old Harry Rocks!
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: South Beach Car Park (National Trust)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: At the end of Manor Road
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer
Dogs Allowed: Yes (but must be kept on a lead from 1 May – 30 September)
Food & Drink: Beach cafe, plus several pubs and restaurants in Studland Village.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Old Harry Rocks
- Studland Village nearby
Bramble Bush Bay
The “secret” Studland beach with views of Brownsea Island!
Beach Type: Sand and shingle
Nearest Parking: Shell Bay Car Park. There is also limited free road parking along Ferry Road.
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In Shell Bay Car Park
Popularity: Usually very quiet.
Dogs Allowed: On lead, all year.
Food & Drink: None
Facilities & Attractions:
- Car & passenger ferry
- Studland and Godlingston Heath Nature Reserve
Purbeck Beaches
Dancing Ledge
A man-made tidal swimming pool on a cliff edge.
Beach Type: Rock (not technically a beach)
Nearest Parking: Spyway Car Park (National Trust) in Langton Matravers (approx 1 mile walk).
*You can also walk from Durlston Country Park or Worth Matravers Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: None
Popularity: Generally quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year (but keep them away from the cliff edges)
Food & Drink: None nearby
FYI: Dancing Ledge is a 2.5m climb/drop down a rock face and there are no steps. Also, only the tidal pool is safe for bathing, swimming in the sea is not advised.
Chapman’s Pool
Remote, secluded cove that can only be reached by walking – great for fossils!
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Renscombe Car Park, Worth Matravers (approx 1 mile walk)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: None
Popularity: Usually very quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None nearby (closest options are in Worth Matravers)
Facilities & Attractions:
- Good rockpooling
- Look out for ammonites, reptiles and shell fossils (avoid the base of cliffs)
- Several great coast walks nearby: check out our Chapman’s Pool Walk!
Kimmeridge Bay
Rocky, wildlife-rich cove great for snorkelling and rockpooling.
Beach Type: Rock
Nearest Parking: Kimmeridge Bay Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Near Wild Seas Centre
Popularity: Usually fairly quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None nearby
Facilities & Attractions:
- Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre
- Clavell Tower
- Underwater nature trail for snorkellers (see Wild Seas Centre for info)
- The Etches Collection Museum of Jurassic Marine Life (nearby fossil museum)
Swanage, Studland and Purbeck Beaches: Map
- Swanage Beach (Main): Sand.
- Swanage Beach (North): Sand.
- Pier Beach (aka Monkey Beach): Sand and shingle.
- Shell Bay, Studland: Sand.
- Knoll Beach: Sand.
- Middle Beach: Sand.
- South Beach: Sand.
- Bramble Bush Bay: Sand and shingle.
- Dancing Ledge: Clifftop tidal swimming pool. Can only be reached by walking.
- Chapman’s Pool: Shingle. Can only be reached by walking.
- Kimmeridge Bay: Rock.
Hope this guide to the beaches in Swanage, Studland and the Isle of Purbeck helps you plan your holiday! Feel free to ask questions in the comments below!
