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A quick guide to the beaches along the Jurassic Coast in West Dorset (between Weymouth and Lyme Regis).
Running west from Weymouth, the coastline becomes a little wilder. It’s largely taken up by the 18-mile stretch of Chesil Beach, a shingle tombolo (a narrow strip of land connecting the Isle of Portland with the mainland).
Steeply shelving and not always safe for bathing, the rugged western end of Chesil Beach is dotted with tiny coastal villages and “secret” beaches, where locals go to escape the tourist crowds. There are also several more popular beaches in towns like West Bay and Lyme Regis. This guide gives a quick overview of each one, with all the info you need to know about visiting…
West Dorset Beaches (Heading West from Weymouth)
Safety First: Many of the beaches along this coast shelve steeply into the sea (meaning the water gets deep fast). The currents can be strong, and the waves are often large. Extra care should always be taken, especially on beaches where no lifeguards are on duty. Don’t enter the water if the conditions look bad, or you’re unsure.
Abbotsbury Beach (Chesil Beach West)
The 18-mile-long Chesil Beach gets quieter and wilder as you move towards its western end.
Beach Type: Pebble
Nearest Parking: Abbotsbury Car Park (DT3 4LA)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Not usually too busy
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead (as far as the Dragon’s Teeth)
Food & Drink: Beach cafe (next to car park)
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
- Abbotsbury Swannery, Abbotsbury Gardens and the village of Abbotsbury are all nearby.
West Bexington Beach
Coastal village with one of the quietest sections of Chesil Beach – popular with anglers.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: West Bexington Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In car park
Popularity: Fairly quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: One restaurant next to the beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
Cogden Beach
A wild, remote section of Chesil Beach, managed by the National Trust.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Cogden Beach National Trust Car Park (5-10 minute walk)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: None
Popularity: Usually quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Nothing nearby
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
Hive Beach, Burton Bradstock
Popular shingle beach with a much-loved seaside cafe.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Hive Beach Car Park (National Trust)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: In Hive Beach café
Popularity: Fairly busy (but rarely crowded)
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed on main beach (in front of cafe) from 1 June to 30 September. Year-round dog area east of the wooden chalet. Read more here.
Food & Drink: Hive Beach Cafe (highly recommend)
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
Freshwater Beach (private)
Private beach in front of Freshwater Beach Holiday Park.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Freshwater Beach Holiday Park’s car park is for customers only, so the beach here can only be reached by walking the coast path from West Bay.
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: No
Popularity: Usually fairly quiet – especially moving east or west from the holiday park.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Bar and restaurant in the holiday park.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Indoor swimming pool (inside the holiday park)
- Bowling Alley (inside the holiday park)
East Beach, West Bay
Beautiful shingle beach, overlooked by towering golden sandstone cliffs.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: East Beach Car Park, West Bay Road Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: From mid-July to early September.
Toilets: In West Bay Road Car Park
Popularity: Usually not too busy
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Several cafes, restaurants, and pubs close to the beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- West Bay Cliffs – iconic red sandstone cliffs (featured in the popular TV series Broadchurch)
- West Bay Harbour and Pier
- West Bay Discovery Centre
- Large children’s play park (next to West Bay Road Car Park)
West Beach, West Bay
Quieter beach on the opposite side of the harbour, with shallow waters perfect for paddling.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Esplanade Car Park (small)
Lifeguards on Duty: No (only on East Beach)
Toilets: In West Bay Road Car Park
Popularity: Usually not too busy
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed on main part of beach from 1 May to 30 September. Designated dog area for year-round use.
Food & Drink: Several cafes, restaurants, and pubs close to the beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- West Bay Harbour
- Promenade for beach walks
Eype Beach
Remote, “secret” beach surrounded by dramatic cliffs.
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Eype Beach Car Park (FYI – access is via a narrow single track lane)
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: None
Popularity: Fairly quiet
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: None on beach (there is a cafe in nearby Eype Beach Holiday Park)
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
Seatown Beach
A local favourite: a tiny coastal hamlet with a beachfront pub!
Beach Type: Pebble & shingle
Nearest Parking: Seatown Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Next to beach (end of Sea Hill Lane)
Popularity: Somewhat busy in summer
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September
Food & Drink: Refreshment kiosk and a very popular pub next to beach.
Facilities & Attractions:
- None on beach
Charmouth Beach East
Family-friendly beach on the mouth of the River Char, with stunning views.
Beach Type: Sand and pebble
Nearest Parking: Foreshore Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Behind Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: All year, off lead
Food & Drink: Beach cafe on West Beach
Facilities & Attractions:
- Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
- River Char
- Golden Cap (the highest point on the south coast). See our Golden Cap 4-Mile Circular Walking Route.
Charmouth Beach West
Famous for fossils – keep an eye out for ammonites in the pebbles.
Beach Type: Sand and pebble
Nearest Parking: Foreshore Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Behind Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer.
Dogs Allowed: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Food & Drink: Beach cafe.
Facilities & Attractions:
- Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
- Good beach for fossil hunting – the Heritage Centre runs guided fossil hunting walks.
FYI: Steer clear of the base of cliffs, which can be unstable.
READ MORE: 8 of the Best Fossil Beaches in Dorset
Lyme Regis Beaches
Read more about all of the below beaches (including a list of facilities, parking info, and more) in our Lyme Regis Beach Guide.
- East Cliff Beach (aka Back Beach): Pebble. Dog-friendly all year.
- Church Cliff Beach: Sand and pebble. Dog-friendly all year.
- Front Beach: Shingle and pebble.
- Sandy Beach: Sand.
- Monmouth Beach: Pebble. Dog-friendly all year.
West Dorset Beaches: Map
- Chesil Beach West (Abbotsbury Beach): Pebble. Dog-friendly all year.
- West Bexington Beach: Shingle.
- Cogden Beach: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Hive Beach: Shingle.
- Freshwater Beach (in front of Freshwater Beach Holiday Park): Shingle.
- East Beach, West Bay: Shingle.
- West Beach, West Bay: Shingle.
- Eype Beach: Shingle. Dog-friendly all year.
- Seatown Beach: Pebble and shingle.
- Charmouth Beach East: Sand and pebble. Dog-friendly all year.
- Charmouth Beach West: Sand and shingle
More Nearby
Remember – don’t enter the water if you’re not sure of conditions, and take extra care on beaches without lifeguards.
Got a question about any of these West Dorset beaches? Leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you!
