15 Stunning Dorset Beaches you have to visit

Looking for the best beaches in Dorest? Use our guide to discover a gorgeous selection of Dorset beaches along 100 miles of coastline, each one with its own unique charm and character!

Vast sandy expanses, fascinating natural landmarks and ancient fossils are just some of the things you will find when exploring the best beaches in Dorset. No matter who you’re looking to visit with, there are Dorset beaches just perfect for families, friends, dogs and more.

Discover 15 of the best Dorset beaches below…

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Jump ahead to:

Bournemouth Beaches
Weymouth Beaches
Lulworth Beaches
Lyme Regis Beaches
Christchurch Beaches

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Bournemouth Beaches

1. Bournemouth Beach

Forming part of the vast stretch of sand hugging the Dorset coast and centred by a charming traditional pier, Bournemouth Beach promises traditional English family fun!

A fantastic dog exercise area is available for your four-legged friend at Bournemouth Beach, which allows day trippers of all types to escape to the coast.

There are many amenities and facilities nearby, including Bournemouth Pier, which has a cinema, arcade, and amusement arcade. We’ve even put together our Bournemouth travel guide to help you plan your trip to this Dorset beach!

With so much to see and do, it’s little wonder that it made the best beaches in England guide!

Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes – open from 9am-6pm
Postcode: BH2 5AA

2. Swanage Beach

Swanage Beach is ideal for a family day at the beach, with safe swimming waters, seasonal lifeguard coverage, and views of the surrounding white chalk cliffs. Between October and April, your canine companions are welcome, and you can even hire boats and pedalos for a bit of an adventure!

The town’s plentiful facilities rest just a stone’s throw from Swanage Beach, as well as its stunning Victorian pier with its intriguing museum and exhibition centre. Take a look at our very own Swanage travel guide to ensure that your visit is one to remember. This wonderful Dorset beach is also the end point of one of the best dog walks in Dorset, perfect for those looking for adventures with their pooch.

Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH19 1NS

3. South Beach, Studland

This beautiful stretch of sloping golden sands runs along the Studland Peninsula, with shallow waters ideal for children to paddle. The ability to hire a beach hut makes South Beach ideal for a full day soaking up the rays!

Admire views out to the picturesque Old Harry Rocks and enjoy a network of scenic paths and trails close to this stunning dog-friendly Dorset beach. Explore the Dorest coastline further with your canine in tow with one of the many dog-friendly walks in Dorset!

Afterwards, linger over a pint with your four-legged friend at The Old Granary in Wareham, one of the best dog-friendly pubs in Dorset.

Type of beach: Sandy
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: No – closest is at Watery Lane
Postcode: BH19 3AU

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Weymouth Beaches

4. Weymouth Beach

Next on our list of Dorset beaches is Weymouth Beach. This is an expanse of soft golden sand and offers activities and attractions for all types of holidaymakers to take advantage of.

A trip to this bustling Dorset beach can involve everything from arcade amusements, traditional donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows to safe swimming or simply taking in your magnificent surroundings. All of this and more make this one of the best beaches in the UK.

Use our Weymouth travel guide for all your holiday inspiration, or perhaps discover a range of other family-friendly days out in Dorset.

Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: DT4 7AX

5. Chesil Beach 

Chesil Beach, or Chesil Bank, spans an impressive 18 miles from Portland to West Bay, containing an estimated 180 million pebbles. This magnificent Dorset beach is now also an important conservation area, offering a unique place for spotting both flora and fauna.

For one of Dorset’s most iconic views, climb to the summit of Abbotsbury Hill and let the breath-taking beauty of Chesil Beach sink in.

Type of beach: Pebble
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: DT5 1AL

6. West Bay

This small yet glorious shingle beach marks the western point of the unique Chesil Bank stretch, running towards the Isle of Portland. Broadchurch fans among you may recognise West Bay as one of the filming locations throughout the hit series, with the dramatic East Cliff being an iconic sight.

Explorers will be in their element on a visit to West Bay East Beach! This designated Site of Special Scientific Interest has much to offer from ancient fossils to a number of scenic walking paths.

See this magnificent sight for yourself and use our West Bay travel guide for ideas on the best things to see and do in the area.

Type of beach: Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: DT6 4EN

7. Bowleaze Cove

Bring the whole family together to enjoy the range of activities and coastal scenery surrounding Bowleaze Cove near Weymouth. With safe bathing, shallow waters and ideal conditions for jet-skiing, this stunning Dorset beach has something for everybody!

Enjoy some refreshments in a choice of delightful eateries, or make your visit even more fun-packed by spending some time at the Fantasy Island amusement park. Use our Dorset walking guide to discover the finest paths and trails within a stone’s throw.

Type of beach: Sandy/Pebble
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year round
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: DT3 6PR

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Lulworth Beaches

8. Durdle Door

Undoubtedly one of the most iconic sights in Dorset, Durdle Door is simply unmissable if you’re seeking a Dorset beach. Admire the beauty of one of the UK’s most idyllic natural landmarks while your dogs and children make the most of this sand and shingle beach.

The crystal clear waters are popular with snorkelers and swimmers, making this one of the best Dorset beaches without a shadow of a doubt. Browse our guide to Durdle Door to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year
Car park: Yes
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH20 5PU

9. Lulworth Cove

Lulworth Cove is known as being one of the best Dorset beaches simply for its unique semi-circular shape, created by sea erosion over 10,000 years ago. The surrounding high cliffs make this a beautiful beach in Dorset for all to enjoy.

From Lulworth Cove, you can even enjoy boat trips to the remarkable Durdle Door during the summer months! Make use of our Lulworth travel guide, offering recommendations on places to stay, things to do and how to get to Lulworth.

Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH20 5RH

10. Man O’War Beach

If you’re looking for one of the most beautiful Dorset beaches around, you’re in luck! Resting within close proximity to the renowned Durdle Door, Man O’War Bay offers a quieter Dorset beach for those looking to escape the crowds.

Lined by narrow rocks, Man O’War Beach, sometimes known as Durdle Door East, offers a shaded spot in the afternoon as well as promising calm waters for all the family to make the most of.

Snorkellers, divers and surfers flock to this popular Dorset beach throughout the summer, making this a beautiful spot to get that adrenaline pumping.

Type of beach: Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH20 5PU

11. Kimmeridge Bay

Not your conventionally soft and sandy Dorset beach, Kimmeridge Bay is a rocky beach proving to be a hit with keen water sports enthusiasts.

With warm and shallow waters, snorkelling and diving are both popular activities. Kimmeridge Bay is also a hot spot for spotting wildlife and admiring coastal scenery. The unique Kimmeridge Bay is undoubtedly one of the best hidden gems in Dorset.

Type of beach: Rocky
Dog-friendly: Yes, all year
Car park: Yes
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH20 5PF

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Lyme Regis Beaches

12. Cobb Beach

Find this charming Dorset beach next to the 14th-century harbour in Lyme Regis, perhaps recognised as one of the filming locations for ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’. Being small in size and providing seasonal lifeguard cover, Cobb Beach is the perfect Dorset beach for families.

Be spoilt for choice with pubs and eateries in abundance nearby, as well as a range of scenic walks throughout the Dorset AONB. Make full use of our handy Lyme Regis travel guide for all the holiday inspiration you’re looking for.

Type of beach: Sandy/Pebble
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: DT7 3JH

13. Charmouth Beach

Ancient fossils are one of the things that Dorset is famous for, and there is no place better to find them than Charmouth Beach, a stretch of Heritage Coast bursting with history and enveloped in magnificent views.

Set up camp for the day in a charming beach hut and get searching for those Ammonites and Belemnites.

The quaint coastal village of Charmouth provides a handful of shops and eateries to make the most of, while astounding natural beauty can be uncovered by travelling along the coast in either direction.

Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: DT6 6LS

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Christchurch Beaches

14. Fisherman’s Walk

Located between Southbourne and Boscombe Beach, Fishermans Walk beach offers a break from the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth, but still with Blue Flag Beach status.

With the exception of a few shingles, the beach is mostly golden sands and easily accessible via Southbourne Overcliffe Drive, which offers ample on-road parking.

Fisherman’s Walk Zig Zag is an iconic feature of the beach and provides a family-friendly walk on a gentle gradient. Cafe Riva is located at the top of the Zig Zag and is the perfect spot to enjoy a refreshing beverage as you look out to the swaying seas.

Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, roadside
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH5 2EL

15. Southbourne Beach

Last on our list of Dorset beaches is Southbourne Beach, a beautiful, golden beach where you can soak up the sun! Just to the east of Bournemouth, this spot offers a spectacular view of the setting sun over the Isle of Wight’s Needles.

Here, you can enjoy an abundance of animals and wildlife in the woodland on your strolls.

Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle
Dog-friendly: Yes, between October-April
Car park: Yes, for a charge
Public toilets: Yes
Postcode: BH6 4AY

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Are you inspired to visit some of these magnificent Dorset beaches? Book a coastal cottage in Dorset to experience the seaside splendour up close! 

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Image Credits: Manuel Martin – (CC BY 2.0); Herry Lawford – (CC BY 2.0); Jim Champion – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Frank Shepherd – (CC BY-SA 2.0), Chris Downer – (CC BY-SA 2.0)