9 of the best beaches in Dorset

If you’re dreaming of a beach break this summer but don’t fancy the uncertainty of the traffic light system, there are plenty of seductive staycation options in the UK.

Dorset should be a top contender for a seaside escape closer to home. With almost 100 miles of coastline and a range of beach types – from fossil hunting territory and swathes of golden sand to TV locations – you could spend an entire holiday hopping between Dorset’s seaside stretches and still not make it to them all.

To help you to narrow down your options, here we detail nine of the best beaches in Dorset.

1. Durdle Door

Best for: Photographers

Durdle Door’s limestone arch is Dorset’s poster-child – so don’t forget to bring your camera to capture the beauty spot for yourself. Part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, the unique rock formation has been created by sea erosion.

Make sure you are wearing sensible shoes for your visit as, to reach the beach, you’ll have to take a steep downhill path, plus 143 steps. But your hard work will be well worth it when you’re staring dreamily out to sea from the pebbly cove that’s backed by soaring cliffs.

2. Weymouth Beach

Best for: Seaside fun

This sunny spot at the heart of the Jurassic Coast has been attracting tourists since the late 1700s when King George III was a regular visitor. Weymouth Beach’s shallow waters, sheltered bay and golden sands make it an ideal place for families and there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained too, from Punch and Judy shows and watching sandcastle sculptors to pedalo rides.

For a memorable visit, combine beach time with a wander around Weymouth’s historic harbour, and top your day off with fresh seafood in one of its restaurants.

3. Charmouth Beach

Best for: Fossil hunting

Just up the coast from Lyme Regis, Charmouth Beach is one of the best spots in Dorset to hunt for fossils. For a helping hand, book a summer fossil hunting walk with the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre or head to its visitor centre for a look at its impressive fossil collection, which includes an ichthyosaur that was in the BBC documentary, Attenborough and the Sea Dragon.

The beach here is split into two sections by the River Char, with rock-pooling and paddling opportunities on the more pebbly West Beach.

4. Chapman’s Pool

Best for: Off-the-beaten-track adventures

Only the most dedicated beachgoers make it to Chapman’s Pool as its nearest car park is around a mile away in Worth Matravers, and it can be a challenging – albeit scenic – walk to reach the serene horse-shoe shaped cove. You’ll feel smug when you’ve given the crowds the slip, though.

Make a day of it after all that effort by packing a picnic and snorkelling gear, and keep an eye out for fossils. As the beach is stony, it may be wise to take some beach shoes too.

5. Studland Bay

Best for: Views

Studland Bay in Purbeck is owned by The National Trust and is split into four beaches – Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach. All have golden sands and fantastic sea views to the Isle of Wight and Old Harry Rocks.

Head into the sand dunes for a circular walk to spot wildlife including the Dartford warbler, find wooden sculptures and to reach the highest part of the ridge where you can admire your surroundings from a wooden viewing platform.

To avoid blushes, it’s worth noting that Knoll Beach is home to one of the best-known naturist beaches in Britain.

6. West Bay

Best for: TV buffs

Fans of the ITV crime drama, Broadchurch, will instantly recognise West Bay’s towering sandstone cliffs as the spot where series one opened.

Walk down East Beach with the cliffs behind you to pretend you’re DI Hardy or DS Miller then paddle in the shallow waters at West Beach followed by fish and chips. If you’d like to tick off more on-screen sights, explore West Bay’s harbour and town where you’ll find the police station (which is actually a building called the Folly) and DI Hardy’s blue beach chalet home, which is on the banks of the River Brit.

7. Bournemouth Beach

Best for: Families

Recently crowned as the fifth best beach in Europe in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, beating spots in Greece and the Balearic Islands, Bournemouth’s seven miles of sand are popular for good reason.

Backed by cliffs, the bay enjoys its own micro-climate and has some of the warmest sea temperatures in the UK – perfect for little toes. To give families peace of mind, there’s also a wristband scheme to help reunite missing children.

Visit Bournemouth’s central beaches to enjoy having seaside attractions, such as Bournemouth Pier, nearby or take the land train to Alum Chine for a quieter spot with a Treasure Island themed adventure playground and tropical gardens.

8. Lulworth Cove

Best for: A geology lesson

East of Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove is hot on the heels of its neighbour as Dorset’s most photographed spot. While the aquamarine waters, rock-pooling opportunities and excellent facilities near the horseshoe shaped cove are reason enough to visit, it’s also a fascinating spot for those interested in rock formations.

To the west of the cove is Stair Hole, where you’ll see caves, arches, stacks and stumps formed by nature over millions of years. Lulworth’s Rangers also offer coasteering adventures in the area if you’re after something more active.

9. Swanage Beach

Best for: Activities galore

You could happily spend a day lazing in a deckchair on Swanage Beach, occasionally stirring to dip a toe into its calm, twinkling water. But there’s also sailing, paddleboarding and kayaking on offer.

For a day trip, book a journey on a Swanage Railway heritage train to Corfe Castle or take to the sea on a sightseeing cruise. And enjoy a lungful of sea air as you walk to the end of Swanage’s Victorian pier, the underneath of which is a popular spot for divers.