BritStays

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.

Bournemouth Alum Chine beach Excellent Bournemouth Alum ChineBournemouth Bournemouth Boscombe Pier beach Excellent Bournemouth Boscombe PierBournemouth Bournemouth Durley Chine beach Excellent Bournemouth Durley ChineBournemouth Bournemouth Fisherman`s Walk beach Excellent Bournemouth Fisherman`s WalkBournemouth Bournemouth Hengistbury West beach Excellent Bournemouth Hengistbury WestBournemouth Bournemouth Manor Steps beach Excellent Bournemouth Manor StepsBournemouth Bournemouth Pier beach Excellent Bournemouth PierBournemouth Bournemouth Southbourne beach Excellent Bournemouth SouthbourneBournemouth Charmouth West beach Excellent Charmouth WestLyme Regis Christchurch Avon Beach beach Excellent Christchurch Avon BeachBournemouth Christchurch Bay beach Excellent Christchurch BayBournemouth Christchurch Friar`s Cliff beach Excellent Christchurch Friar`s CliffBournemouth Christchurch Highcliffe Castle beach Excellent Christchurch Highcliffe CastleBournemouth Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank East beach Excellent Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank EastBournemouth Church Ope Cove beach Excellent Church Ope CoveWeymouth Durdle Door East beach Excellent Durdle Door East Durdle Door West beach Excellent Durdle Door West Eypemouth beach Excellent EypemouthLyme Regis Highcliffe beach Excellent HighcliffeBournemouth Hive beach Excellent HiveLyme Regis Kimmeridge Bay beach Excellent Kimmeridge BaySwanage Lulworth Cove beach Excellent Lulworth Cove Milford-on-sea beach Excellent Milford-on-seaBournemouth Poole Branksome Chine beach Excellent Poole Branksome ChineBournemouth Poole Canford Cliffs Chine beach Excellent Poole Canford Cliffs ChineBournemouth Poole Harbour Lake beach Excellent Poole Harbour LakePoole Poole Harbour Rockley Sands beach Excellent Poole Harbour Rockley SandsPoole Poole Sandbanks Peninsular beach Excellent Poole Sandbanks PeninsularPoole Poole Shore Road Beach beach Excellent Poole Shore Road BeachBournemouth Portland Harbour Castle Cove beach Excellent Portland Harbour Castle CoveWeymouth Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle beach Excellent Portland Harbour Sandsfoot CastleWeymouth Ringstead Bay beach Excellent Ringstead BayWeymouth Seaton (Devon) beach Excellent Seaton (Devon)Lyme Regis Seatown beach Excellent SeatownLyme Regis Shell Bay North beach Excellent Shell Bay NorthPoole Studland Knoll House beach Excellent Studland Knoll HouseSwanage Swanage Central beach Excellent Swanage CentralSwanage West Bay (West) beach Excellent West Bay (West)Lyme Regis Weymouth Lodmoor beach Excellent Weymouth LodmoorWeymouth Bowleaze Cove beach Good Bowleaze CoveWeymouth Lyme Regis Front Beach beach Good Lyme Regis Front BeachLyme Regis Weymouth Central beach Good Weymouth CentralWeymouth Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach beach Poor Lyme Regis Church Cliff BeachLyme Regis River Avon at Fordingbridge beach Poor River Avon at FordingbridgeBournemouth East Beach at West Bay beach 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.

Hoburne Park

Hoburne 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

The Bull Hotel

✓ 16th century coaching inn with 19 boutique bedrooms

🏖️ 1.6 miles from West Bay (West) (Excellent water quality)

Bridport