Bournemouth Beach | Explore Bournemouth's Beautiful Beaches

Sunset at Bournemouth Pier
Romantic walks along Bournemouth Beach

Welcome to seven miles of award-winning beaches!

Nestled beneath a magnificent cliff line, the bay enjoys its own micro-climate, some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK, and stunning views of the Isle of Wight and the Purbecks. Whatever you want from a day at the beach, you’ll find it all here.

Whether it’s chilling with the sand between your toes, strolling along the pier, relaxing in with an ice cream, building sandcastles, enjoying tasty food, or just admiring miles of breath-taking coast line, Bournemouth Beach is the ideal location, whatever the weather or time of year. Every section of Bournemouth’s beach offers a different experience, so try out one of many superb water sports or enjoy plenty of family attractions at Pier Approach. There is a bit of the beach with your name on it!

Bournemouth has been ranked as the NUMBER ONE beach in the UK by TripAdvisor in 2024. Among the many voters comments, praising the golden sand, brilliant walks, cleanliness, and stunning views, was this from visitor Daisy700 that sums it up perfectly: 'Couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. Honestly, felt like being abroad. Nice clean sand, clear blue skies, and blue water'.

If that wasn't enough, it also ranks amongst some of the best beaches in Europe, ranked 20th in the 2024 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards for Beaches.

Bournemouth has a number of Blue Flag beaches such as Alum Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Manor Steps, and Southbourne.

Beach Safety

We want you to enjoy your time at the beach safely, so if you're heading to our coast, please follow @RNLI's beach safety messages:

Choose a lifeguarded beach and swim between the red and yellow flags
Check the weather and tide times before you go
If you get caught in a rip current, don’t swim against it; instead, relax and float until you are free from the rip, then swim to safety
If you find yourself in danger in the water, relax and float.

RNLI Beach Safety: https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Dogs on Beaches

Dogs are allowed on all beaches from 1 October to 30 April. At all times, you must clean up after your dog. Failure to comply risks a fine of up to £1000.

From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are not allowed on any of our Blue Flag or Seaside Award beaches, and dogs must be kept on the lead on all promenades, piers, zig zags, and footpaths at all times.

The beaches that can be used for dog walking all year round are:

Bournemouth beaches

Western side of the Alum Chine Beach Office to Branksome Chine Beach Office, Poole
Middle Chine to Durley Chine
East of Fisherman’s Walk beach to Southbourne
Hengistbury Head

Christchurch beaches

Mudeford Sandbank
Gundimore Beach 
Friars Cliff Beach (only between the wave wall and Groyne H4 at Highcliffe Beach)
Highcliffe Beach (no dogs between groynes H4 and H8 from 1 May to 30 September)

Poole beaches

Eastern side of Branksome Chine beach office to the Western side of the Alum Chine Beach Office, Bournemouth
Western end of Sandbanks promenade to Haven Point by the chain ferry
Hamworthy beach

Download our dog-friendly beach map for Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch.

Guide dogs  

Guide dogs are allowed on all our beaches all year round, but only when working, in a harness, and controlled by a lead. 

Beach hut hire

You can sit back and relax in one of Bournemouth's many beach huts available to hire for 4 week periods throughout the year, for more information please visit the beach hut hire page.

KidZone

Free to all visitors and residents, the KidZone is a beach safety scheme which protects and reunites lost children and vulnerable adults with their families or guardians during the busy summer months by the sea. The KidZone scheme runs from 14 July up to (and including) 3 September.

Stay in touch – Stay together – Stay safe

Grab a free wristband from the KidZone, BCP Seafront Staff or RNLI Lifeguard Towers
Write a parent or guardian’s mobile number on the wristband of your child or vulnerable adult
Agree on a safe meeting place in case you get split up, like the RNLI Lifeguard Towers
Stay close, and don’t let your child go near the sea without you

Bournemouth ranked amongst the child-friendly beaches in England

New research from Twinkl found that Bournemouth was the most child-friendly beach for families in England, as featured in Twinkl’s Family Day at the Beach and Out and About summer initiatives.

Looking for accommodation in Bournemouth… a perfect place to stay by the sea…

Bournemouth is well known for its great variety of hotels, guest houses, B&Bs and self catering options situated along our stunning coastline. You’ll find luxury international hotel groups, national chains, beautiful boutique hotels, independent and family friendly hotels and guest houses, budget friendly hotels, a great choice of self catering options and caravan and camping parks along our neighbouring coastline and countryside.

Bournemouth Beach tops TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards Best Beaches 2019

WOOOO! THANK YOU ALL! Bournemouth Beach tops the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2019 for Best Beaches AGAIN! Voted #1 in the UK, #6 in Europe & #20 Worldwide!!🌍#LoveBournemouth🏆🌊☀️🤩 www.bournemouth.co.uk

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Manor Steps Beach

Boscombe, Bournemouth

Manor Steps is a Blue Flag beach in a delightful, quieter location on Bournemouth's seafront. An ideal family choice for a day or a stay at the beach, Manor Steps is close to amenities and restaurants.
This area is home to 'Bournemouth Beach…
Accessible Beach Huts

Boscombe

Introducing the UK’s first purpose designed fully disabled accessible beach huts – available for hire at Bournemouth’s multi-award winning Boscombe seafront. The huts incorporate high quality design, visual flair and unique function. The inside of…
Mudeford Spit Beach

Christchurch, Bournemouth

Enjoy sandy, quiet beaches, tranquil views and famous beach huts at Mudeford Spit beach.
Boscombe Pier

Bournemouth

Boscombe Pier is the perfect vantage point to watch volleyball, table tennis and swingball on the beach. If you are feeling adventurous, try scaling the nearby, purpose built boulders next to the pier or have a go at slacklining!
Beach Pods

Bournemouth

Book a modern, stylish beachside base and relax with fantastic views over the beautiful bay. With electricity and your own kitchenette try a little luxury on Bournemouth’s award-winning seafront.
Fisherman's Walk Beach

Bournemouth

Fisherman's walk beach is arguably the best of a fine set of beaches that collectively make up the Bournemouth beaches
Hengistbury Head

Bournemouth

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt and south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs.
Bournemouth Beach

Bournemouth

Buckets and spades at the ready... welcome to seven miles of award-winning beaches
Hengistbury Head Beach

Christchurch, Bournemouth

Hengistbury Head is a relatively unspoilt beach, consistently featuring in the annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice® awards for Beaches. It has a south-facing pebble beach, with imposing clay and ironstone cliffs, and soft, sandy beaches at…
Dog Friendly Zones

Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole

Here in Bournemouth, we love to see dogs enjoying our spectacular stretch of coastline, whether getting plenty of fresh air on a clifftop walk or playing at the water’s edge in our designated dog zones. Here’s some information about where your…
West Cliff Lift

Bournemouth

The West Cliff Lift was built in 1908
Durley Chine Beach

Bournemouth

Durley Chine Beach is one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches.
The Bournemouth Big Wheel

Bournemouth

Summer fun beside the sea as the big wheel returns to Bournemouth seafront.
West Cliff Beach

Bournemouth

West Cliff Beach is a vibrant beach close to Bournemouth Town Centre and often referred to as 'Bournemouth Beach' due to its popularity with visitors. It is located to the west of Bournemouth Pier and over a mile long.
There are numerous beach…
Boscombe Beach

Bournemouth

Boscombe's gently shelving Blue Flag beach provides a perfect family playground.
Bournemouth Pier

Bournemouth

Set in the middle of ten miles of golden sand, Bournemouth Pier is the destination of choice for thousands of families every year.
As well as stunning views across the bay, framed by the Isle of Wight on one side and the Purbeck hills on the…
Alum Chine Play Park

Bournemouth

The Alum Chine playground is an amazing play space inspired around ‘Treasure Island’ and features a number of adventurous play elements.
Alum Chine Beach

Bournemouth

Enjoy sandy beaches, amazing views and the cool sea breeze on your skin when visiting Alum Chine Beach

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Bournemouth Beaches

Dogs on Beaches

Bournemouth beaches

Christchurch beaches

Poole beaches

Guide dogs

Beach hut hire

KidZone

Bournemouth ranked amongst the child-friendly beaches in England

Looking for accommodation in Bournemouth… a perfect place to stay by the sea…

Bournemouth Beach tops TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards Best Beaches 2019

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