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Your guide to the best kid-friendly beaches in Dorset for families this summer!
Looking for the perfect spot for your next summer beach day with the kids? Dorset is home to dozens of beautiful beaches, from quiet coves to bustling seaside resorts packed with tourist attractions.
The beaches on this list all have calm waters for swimming, toilets, car parks within walking distance, and plenty of amenities nearby – making them ideal for families. Most are lifeguarded seasonally, but always check the RNLI website for the latest info and safety advice.
Best Beaches in Dorset for Families
In a hurry? There’s a map and a quick version of this list at the bottom of the page.
Weymouth Beach
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Pavilion Car Park, Swannery Car Park – plus multiple town car parks.
Lifeguards on Duty: Various dates between early April and late September.
Toilets: At the King’s Statue and Pier Bandstand.
Popularity: Very busy in summer.
Dogs: Clearly marked dog area near the Pavilion.
Facilities: Plenty of shops, restaurants and refreshment kiosks. Deck chairs, pedaloes, and watersports equipment available for hire.
Weymouth‘s award-winning beach regularly receives Blue Flag status. The wide, sheltered bay and gradual sloping seabed make the beach very safe for swimming. There’s Punch and Judy, donkey rides, amusement arcades, and funfair rides – plus several nearby attractions like the Weymouth SEALIFE Centre aquarium.
RELATED POST: Best Sandy Beaches in Dorset
Bournemouth Beach
Beach Type: Sandy
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: Designated dog area between Middle Chine and Durley Chine.
Facilities: Plenty of shops, restaurants and refreshment kiosks. Beach Hut hire available. Deckchairs and watersports equipment available to hire.
Bournemouth‘s beach is a seven-mile-long sweep of white sand with plenty of fun attractions nearby. There’s Bournemouth Pier (home to an amusement arcade, zip line, and more), a large garden, an aquarium, and a pastel blue Land Train running along the promenade – to name a few!
Swanage Beach
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Main Beach (Victoria Avenue), North Beach (De Moulham Road), Broad Road
Lifeguards on Duty: From late May to early September.
Toilets: Plenty of public toilets along the seafront.
Popularity: Generally busy in summer.
Dogs: Designated dog area at Monkey Beach.
Facilities: Plenty of shops, restaurants and refreshment kiosks. Beach huts for hire. Rent deck chairs, sun beds, pedaloes, and kayaks.
With its colourful beach huts, white sands, and sheltered bay that’s perfect for swimming and paddleboarding, Swanage is a fantastic beach destination for families. For a truly traditional seaside day out, park at nearby Norden or Corfe Castle and take the Swanage Railway steam train into Swanage – the station is a few minutes’ walk from the beach!
Sandbanks Beach, Poole
Beach Type: Sandy
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: Designated dog area at western end (near chain ferry)
Facilities: Shops and restaurants nearby. Beach hut hire available. Deck chairs, sun umbrellas, and watersports equipment for hire.
Sandbanks Beach is a long, white sand beach that runs along the edge of a small peninsula on the edge of Poole Harbour. Often called the best beach in Britain, Sandbanks has won the prestigious Blue Flag Award every year since the scheme began in 1987! There’s a small play area and a crazy golf course nearby, and plenty of amenities close to the beach.
Avon Beach, Christchurch
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Avon Beach Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: During school summer holidays.
Toilets: On the Promenade and at Mudeford Quay.
Popularity: Fairly busy in summer.
Dogs: Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September.
Facilities: Café, restaurant and beach shop. Beach huts for hire.
Avon Beach is a favourite with local families thanks to its white sand, pastel-painted beach huts, and views of the Isle of Wight in the distance. It’s usually a little quieter than the other beaches around Bournemouth and Christchurch, but can get busy in summer.
Lyme Regis Beaches
Beach Type: Sand and shingle
Nearest Parking: Monmouth Beach Car Park. Charmouth Road is larger but a 10-minute walk away – in summer, there is a Park & Ride service (read more here).
Lifeguards on Duty: From mid-July to early September.
Toilets: On Marine Parade and at Monmouth Beach Car Park.
Popularity: Generally very busy in summer.
Dogs: Permitted all year on East Cliff Beach, Church Cliff Beach and Monmouth Beach.
Facilities: Plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. Watersports equipment available for hire.
Lyme Regis is a picturesque seaside village famous as a prime fossil-hunting destination. The town’s long harbour wall provides sheltered water for swimming, and the beaches are backed by amusement arcades, mini golf, and other attractions – so it’s a perfect spot for families.
Alum Chine Beach, Bournemouth
Beach Type: Sandy
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: Designated dog area (clearly marked)
Facilities: Refreshment kiosk and at least one restaurant.
Bournemouth’s 7-mile beach is divided into several sections, each with its own car park and amenities. Alum Chine is one of the best spots for families and is usually a little quieter than the “main” beach. There’s a large pirate-themed play area next to the beach, and the cliffs above are home to a picturesque tropical garden which is free to explore.
Lulworth Cove
Beach Type: Pebble
Nearest Parking: Lulworth Cove Car Park*
Lifeguards on Duty: No.
Toilets: Near the cove and at the Visitor Centre.
Popularity: Usually not too busy.
Dogs: Permitted on the left-hand side of the slipway.
Facilities: Cafes and refreshment kiosks near beach entrance. Watersports equipment for hire.
Lulworth Cove feels a little more remote than many of the other beaches on this list, but the calm bay and picturesque fishing village are still a big hit with families. This perfectly semi-circular cove has a long pebble beach backed by white chalk cliffs. The water in the cove is usually very calm, but there are no lifeguards on duty, so extra care is advised. Stay away from the base of the cliffs, as rockfalls are not uncommon.
*FYI: Lulworth Cove Car Park is privately owned and the charge increased to £20 a day this year.
West Bay Beaches
Beach Type: Shingle
Nearest Parking: Esplanade Car Park, 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: Designated dog area on West Beach.
Facilities: Shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance.
The filming location for the popular TV series Broadchurch, West Bay is known for its towering golden sandstone cliffs. There are two beaches here: East Beach is lifeguarded, closest to the main car park, and has more amenities nearby. West Beach (on the other side of the small harbour) is usually a little quieter, and the shallow waters here are perfect for paddling.
Castle Cove, Weymouth
Beach Type: Sandy
Nearest Parking: Nothe Car Park (one mile walk) or road parking on Belle Vue Road and surrounds.
Lifeguards on Duty: No.
Toilets: In Sandsfoot Gardens.
Popularity: Generally fairly quiet.
Dogs: Yes
Facilities: Cafe in Sandsfoot Gardens (uphill from the beach).
Castle Cove is a small, sandy cove that’s popular with local families looking to escape the tourists on Weymouth Beach! It’s overlooked by the 16th-century ruins of Sandsfoot Castle, which is free to visit. The bay is usually very calm thanks to Portland Harbour’s natural protection – but there are no lifeguards on duty, so extra care is advised.
Knoll Beach, Studland
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 parks – but there are usually quiet spots.
Dogs: Yes (but must be kept on a lead from 1 May – 30 September)
Facilities: Cafe, shop, and visitor centre at Knoll Beach.
Studland Bay is home to a stunning stretch of white sandy beach and a lowland heath nature reserve, all managed by the National Trust. While the entire bay is lovely, Knoll Beach is probably the best for families, as it has more amenities nearby. The gently shelving beach and sheltered waters are usually safe for swimming, but there are no lifeguards on duty so extra care is advised.
FYI: The area further north of Knoll Beach is a naturist beach.
Charmouth Beaches
Beach Type: Sand and pebble
Nearest Parking: Foreshore Car Park
Lifeguards on Duty: No
Toilets: Next to Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre
Popularity: Usually not too busy
Dogs: On East Beach (east of the River Char)
Facilities: Beach cafe and shop.
Just down the road from Lyme Regis, Charmouth is a tiny seaside village with two beaches on either side of the River Char – the river’s mouth is also a popular swimming spot, depending on conditions. Charmouth’s West Beach (heading towards Lyme Regis) is also known as a good fossil-hunting spot, and there are many on display at the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. There are no lifeguards on duty, so extra care is advised.
Family-Friendly Beaches in Dorset: Map & Quick List
- Weymouth Beach (sandy)
- Bournemouth Beach (sandy)
- Swanage Beach (sandy)
- Sandbanks, Poole (sandy)
- Avon Beach, Christchurch (sandy)
- Lyme Regis (sand and shingle)
- Alum Chine, Bournemouth (sandy)
- Lulworth Cove (pebble)
- West Bay (shingle)
- Castle Cove, Weymouth (sandy)
- Knoll Beach, Studland (sandy)
- Charmouth (sand and pebble)
Where are your favourite family-friendly beaches in Dorset? Scroll down to share in the comments!
