Best beaches in Dorset
Below are a list of the top 10 beaches in Dorset as selected by the users of the Beach Guide website.
The current most popular beach in Dorset is Chapman's Pool. If you would like to have your say on which are the best beaches in Dorset just follow the link to the beach and vote by clicking the star ratings at the top right of the page.
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© Jim Champion | BY-SA
1. Chapman's Pool Beach
Chapman's Pool sits in the lee of St Aldhelm's Head on Dorset's Isle of Purbeck (not an island at all!). Backed by high cliffs this quiet little cove does present something of a challenge to get to. The nearest parking is a fair walk away…
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© Ivan Hall | BY-SA
2. Chesil Cove
Chesil Cove is the southern extremity of the twenty-nine kilometer pebble bank known as Chesil Beach. The Cove is very popular with scuba divers, especially those with less experience, as the waters are shallow, with little tidal current.…
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© Sue Hogben | BY-SA
3. Greenhill Beach (Weymouth)
The mainly pebble beach of Greenhill lies in Weymouth Bay and is less crowded than the sandier beaches in the area. The beach is backed by a promenade which actually forms a section of the South West Coast Path. There are some lovely beach…
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© Nigel Mykura | BY-SA
4. White Nothe Beach
White Nothe is an imposing 450 feet (160 m) tall white chalk headland on the edge of Ringstead Bay. At the foot of the western side of the headland is a small, rarely visited beach. Access to the beach is somewhat challenging. Apart from…
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© Nigel Chadwick | BY-SA
5. Swanage Beach (North)
The clean, white sands combined with sheltered, clear waters of the bay make Swanage beach an ideal destination for a bucket and spade excursion. The bay is flanked by magnificent chalk headlands on either side, and views out over the…
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© Nigel Mykura | BY-SA
6. South Beach (Studland)
South Beach, on the Studland Peninsula is a sheltered cove where a 2km stretch of sand slopes gently into the sea. It is popular with families with young children as the waters of the bay are relatively shallow. South Beach faces north…
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© Roy Hughes | BY-SA
7. Sandbanks Beach (Poole)
Sandbanks is a spit of golden sand that crosses the mouth of Poole harbour and continues all the way to Bournemouth, a distance of around five kilometers. Dubbed Britain's Palm Beach, because of astronomical land prices, Sandbanks is well-served…
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© Keith Edkins | BY-SA
8. Bournemouth Beach (Pier)
Bournemouth's main beach has been catering for beach-goers since Victorian times, yet remains one of Britain's favourite beaches. It is easy to see the attraction; a huge swathe of fine golden sand set on the doorstep of this vibrant coastal…
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© Nigel Mykura | BY-SA
9. Chesil Beach
Chesil beach is one of the most unusual beaches you will find anywhere in Britain. Stretching nearly 17 miles from Portland to West Bay the beach is comprised of a huge bank of pebbles. The beach is unnaturally straight and consistent…
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© Ivan Hall | BY-SA
10. Church Ope Cove
Church Ope Cove is located on the Isle of Portland near Weymouth. The beach consists of soft limestone pebbles and is surrounded by cliffs on three sideswhich provide shelter from the often strong breeze in the area. As the beach faces…