Beaches
A trip to our part of Dorset wouldn't be complete without a trip to the beach. There is a whole range of options on your doorstep and some a little further afield. The Dorset coastline can be beautiful in its ruggedness and, we personally feel, that a day by the sea in the bracing British weather is just as fortifying as relaxing on sunnier, warmer days. We have listed a selection of our faves here but there are many options to consider.
Weymouth is an old-fashioned seaside town. Nice Georgian architecture along the sea front. With lots of entertainment from Punch and Judy, a helter-skelter, donkey ride, sand sculptor and much more. Head west along the beach to get to Greenhill which is a pebble beach and idea for swimming.
Apparently one of Britain's natural wonders - a unique shingle ridge stretching 17 miles from West Bay to Portland Harbour. Access and parking is at various points along its route. Swimming isn't advised - beware of steeply shelving shingle, strong currents and treacherous seas.
.jpg)
Around 700 yards of shingle beach with uncovered sand once the tide goes out. There are also rock pools at the western end and an offshore reef that is uncovered by the tide down towards the bay. There is a new café by the entrance to the beach and a carpark close to the beach but there is a charge. Swimming is safe but it does get deep very quickly so be mindful of little ones.
Lyme is an old-fashioned seaside town, famous for fossil hunting, with narrow winding streets and lots of little shops and cafes. The main beach is sandy and flat. Parking can be tricky in high season and on weekends.
Charmouth has a sheltered beach which is a mixture of shingle with an expanse of sand when the tide is out. There are cafes and the Heritage Coast Centre which is fabulous for fossil enthusiasts.
Seatown is a quiet, steep shingle beach set in a bay with just one pub (The Anchor). From the beach, you can climb Golden Cap which at 191 meters above sea level is the highest point along the Jurassic Coast.
West Bay is a busy little harbour with a wide shingle beach split by the harbour entrance and more recently of "Broadchurch" fame. You can climb East or West Cliff for stunning views or stroll around the harbour and watch the fishing boats and yachts. There are plenty of eateries and shops around the harbour and beach.
Hive Beach is a long, sandy/shingle beach (part of Chesil Beach) that can be benign in the summer or ferocious in the winter. There is a large National Trust carpark and dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. The highly recommended Hive Beach Café is right on the beach. The water is clean for swimming but but beware of strong tides and currents and of being cut off by tides.
World-renowned geological site. The bay is a designated Marine Nature Reserve. Although there are no sandy beaches, the sheltered bay is good for swimming, diving and windsurfing. Large ledges act as natural jetties for wandering along to explore marine wildlife. It is one of the best places in the country to go rock pooling. There is a Marine Centre open every day in the summer.
Just around the headland from Swanage is Studland Bay which stretches for 3 miles and comprises Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach. They are all popular sandy beaches owned by the National Trust. There is a wealth of excellent eateries including, the Pig On the Beach and Shell Bay. Sand dunes can be explored via a signposted National Trust trail.
A stretch of family-orientated beach two miles west of Weymouth. Pebbly but sand exposed when the tide goes out. Popular for water sports with its own jet-ski designated area. Dogs welcome.
Lulworth Cove is an almost perfectly circular bay with pebble shores flanked by high cliffs. There is a pay and display car park when you get there, you need to get there early as it does get very busy in high season. Swimming in the Cove is safe and there are rock pools to explore when the tide goes out. Take a walk around to Durdle Door via the cliff path.