Beaches in Wareham, Dorset

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The beach guide has 6 beaches listed in and around the town of Wareham. We have arranged these beaches in order of closest to the town first (distance in brackets).

  • Shipstal Beach (3.6 miles)

    Shipstal Beach © Phil Champion | BY-SA

    Set in the lovely setting of the RSPB nature reserve of Arne is Shipstal beach. Despite being within the confines of the busy Poole harbour and a stone's throw from Dorset's most populous town, you may not meet another soul on the beach here. The beach at Shipstal is accessed via paths and wooden walkways…

  • Rockley Sands Beach (3.7 miles)

    Rockley Sands © Eugene Birchall | BY-SA

    Rockley Sands is a small beach, just 150 meters long, next to Rockley Park, a large caravan park and Rockley Boat Park, near the town of Hamworthy. The beach has a view over Poole harbour and the Purbecks. It is a sandy beach with tidal mud flats towards low tide. Swimming is not recommended because…

  • Kimmeridge Bay (5.3 miles)

    Kimmeridge Bay ©

    If you're interested in marine wildlife, Kimmeridge Bay is one of the best destinations in the country. The beach here is the best place to access the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve. With an absence of sand the water visibility at Kimmeridge is excellent making it understandably popular with snorkelers and divers.

    You don't have…

  • Harbour Lake Beach (4.1 miles)

    Harbour Lake © Helen L Cave | BY-SA

    Harbour Lake is a sheltered, sandy beach not far from Poole town centre. The beach is surrounded by a nature reserve and seals are often seen swimming in the harbour. Popular for fishing, swimming and sailing.

  • Chapman's Pool Beach (6.8 miles)

    Chapman's Pool © Jim Champion

    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 in the direction of Worth Matravers and it is still…

  • Worbarrow Bay (5.9 miles)

    Worbarrow Bay © Roman Grac

    Worbarrow Bay is situated in the middle of Dorset's Purbeck coast about a mile from the deserted village of Tyneham. This is the closest parking to the beach and you'll have to walk the rest of the way, which involves traversing Ministry of Defence land. Access is therefore somewhat limited (mainly weekends only) as the…

Wareham beaches map

Map featuring Wareham beaches. Click on pins to view beach details