Beaches in Dorset
45 designated bathing beaches in Dorset, ranked by the Environment Agency's official water-quality rating — 39 are rated Excellent. Choose a beach to see places to stay within walking distance, things to do nearby and how to get there by train.
Excellent
Bournemouth Alum ChineBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth Boscombe PierBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth Durley ChineBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth Fisherman`s WalkBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth Hengistbury WestBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth Manor StepsBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth PierBournemouth
Excellent
Bournemouth SouthbourneBournemouth
Excellent
Charmouth WestLyme Regis
Excellent
Christchurch Avon BeachBournemouth
Excellent
Christchurch BayBournemouth
Excellent
Christchurch Friar`s CliffBournemouth
Excellent
Christchurch Highcliffe CastleBournemouth
Excellent
Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank EastBournemouth
Excellent
Church Ope CoveWeymouth
Excellent
Durdle Door East
Excellent
Durdle Door West
Excellent
EypemouthLyme Regis
Excellent
HighcliffeBournemouth
Excellent
HiveLyme Regis
Excellent
Kimmeridge BaySwanage
Excellent
Lulworth Cove
Excellent
Milford-on-seaBournemouth
Excellent
Poole Branksome ChineBournemouth
Excellent
Poole Canford Cliffs ChineBournemouth
Excellent
Poole Harbour LakePoole
Excellent
Poole Harbour Rockley SandsPoole
Excellent
Poole Sandbanks PeninsularPoole
Excellent
Poole Shore Road BeachBournemouth
Excellent
Portland Harbour Castle CoveWeymouth
Excellent
Portland Harbour Sandsfoot CastleWeymouth
Excellent
Ringstead BayWeymouth
Excellent
Seaton (Devon)Lyme Regis
Excellent
SeatownLyme Regis
Excellent
Shell Bay NorthPoole
Excellent
Studland Knoll HouseSwanage
Excellent
Swanage CentralSwanage
Excellent
West Bay (West)Lyme Regis
Excellent
Weymouth LodmoorWeymouth
Good
Bowleaze CoveWeymouth
Good
Weymouth CentralWeymouth
Poor
Lyme Regis Church Cliff BeachLyme Regis
Poor
River Avon at FordingbridgeBournemouth
Unrated
East Beach at West BayLyme Regis
Dog-friendly stays in Dorset
For beach days with the dog — check each beach's seasonal dog rules with the local council before you go.
Andrewshayes Holiday Park
✓ Free heated swimming pool included for all guests
Axminster, South West England
£335 per break
Check availabilityHoburne Park
✓ First Hoburne park to open, on the Dorset coast
🏖️ 0.69 miles from Christchurch Friar`s Cliff (Excellent water quality)
Bournemouth
The Bull Hotel
✓ 16th century coaching inn with 19 boutique bedrooms
🏖️ 1.6 miles from West Bay (West) (Excellent water quality)
Bridport