Discover Dorset

Fine sandy beaches and the Jurassic Coast!

Dorset is in the South West of England on the English Channel coast and is famous for the amazing stretches of fine, sandy beaches and varied shorelines that yield up such treasures as the Jurassic Coast!

There are wide chalk downs here as well as low valleys and beautiful coves and islands. Ports at Portland, Poole and Weymouth as well as an international airport, make it easy to reach and there is a wide variety of accommodation to suit every budget.

There are many historic houses, theatres, art galleries, shopping towns, festivals and events and 185 million years of earth's history in the ninety five miles of coastline making up the Jurassic Coast - a great spot for fossil hunting and beach combing!

If you love walking, Dorset is for you. In fact, cyclists, hikers, climbers, holiday makers, travellers, students, kite flyers, peace seekers, windsurfers, anglers, golf enthusiasts and horse riders rate Dorset as one the United Kingdom's best holiday spots!


Why not check beaches nearby as we have 56 beaches in Dorset, or have a look at our list of Dorset dog friendly beaches, or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.

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Dorset Coast Search Bar

Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:

Want some ideas on where to visit?

Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:

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    Bournemouth Air Festival

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    20th August 2020
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    23rd August 2020
    The Bournemouth Air Festival is 4 days of varied flying programme, entertainment, live music and evening fireworks.  
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    Food Rocks

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    5th September 2020
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    6th September 2020
    The Food Rocks festival was started by top chef Mark Hix with the main aim of promoting the produce of the local area around Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast. The festival welcomes top chefs, exhibitors, locals and visitors to Lyme Regis, the main stage showcase offers a mix of interactive cookery demonstrations, talks and tastings across the 2 days. The money raised goes to good causes split between the RNLI and the Fishermen’s Mission.
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    Shipstal Beach

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    Shipstal Beach is set within the Arne Nature Reserve that lies to the East of Poole Harbour. The beach is a mix of sand and shingle and is located in a beautiful woodland setting within the harbour. Parking and cafe available in the Arne reserve car park with paths and wooden walkways taking you through the trees to the beach.
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    Bournemouth Eye Ballon

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    The Bournemouth Eye Balloon rises to 500ft (150m) over the City of Bournemouth with panoramic views of the Bournemouth and Poole coast, Isle of Wight and the New Forest inland. Riders can see the surrounding area for up to 20 miles from what is the highest public observation point in Bournemouth.
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    White Mill

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    The White Mill is a corn mill with original 18th-century wooden machinery located in a peaceful riverside setting, nice walks and picnics on the banks of the River Stour.
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    Overcome Furzy Cliff Beach

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    Overcome beach lies to the north eastern end of Weymouth Bay under Furzy Cliff, and is also known as Furzy Cliff beach. Popular beach for watersports, kayaking, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Car parking available.
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    Southbourne Beach

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    Southbourne beach is a sandy beach with some shingle and is popular with families. Like most Bournemouth beaches the seafront is backed by a steep cliff. Facilities include lifeguards in summer months, kids zone, toilets, parking, cafe, shops, restaurant
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    Highcliffe Castle Beach

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    Highcliffe Castle beach is a sand and shingle beach backed by woods and Highcliffe Castle. Limited facilities: parking, toilets and cafe in the grounds of Highcliffe Castle. Note that the parking in the woods at Highcliffe Castle can fill up early in good weather. You can park on Highcliffe cliff-top and follow the Coastal Path to the Castle and then onto the beach.
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    Poole lifeboat station

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    Poole lifeboat station was founded in the mid 1800s and currently operates inshore and all weather lifeboats. Station open by appointment only and shop at the The Old Lifeboat Museum Weekend 10-4 – Weekdays 11-4 based on volunteer availability.
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    Boscombe Pier

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    Boscombe Pier is not a traditional seaside pier. During the 1950s the original pier showed signs of decay and it was redesigned and built in a modern way. A screen runs down the centre of the pier deck against which deckchairs can be placed. This is a positive indication that British seaside resorts can be successfully revamped and modernised. Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, took on this challenge along with the Overstrand building, a distinctive double-decker block of beach huts.
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    Church Cliff Beach

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    Church Cliff beach is sandy in places and at low tide there is a rock ledge with rock pools. The River Lym flows into the bay on this part of the beach and the beach disappears at high tide. To the east edge of the beach you have Broad Ledge, a shale and limestone ledge that extends out into the English Channel. At low tide, it’s a popular rock pooling spot, where you can find mollusks, crustaceans and fish. You can also walk further way from Lyme Regis to East Beach where you have more rock formations to explore. You have access to all facilities within Lyme Regis.
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    Greenhill Beach

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    Greenhill beach is a mixture mainly pebble with some sand and the beach sits in the middle of Weymouth Bay. Much quieter than the stretches near Weymouth town centre but you still have the Esplanade along the back of the beach. Seasonal lifeguards.
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    Castle Cove Portland Harbour Beach

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    Castle Cove beach in Portland Harbour is just a five minute walk from Weymouth Town Centre. The beach is sand, rockpools and seaweed and is so different from the golden sand of Weymouth’s main beach. Cafe offers hot and cold snacks, ice creams, homemade cakes and is fully licensed.
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    Durley Chine Beach

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    Durley Chine beach (west cliff) is a good family sandy beach. Water activities include sailing, windsurfing and canoeing and are zoned to allow for safe bathing. Facilities include parking, pub, beach hut and deck chair hire, lifeguards in the summer months, kids zones, toilets, pedalos for hire.

Some more locations in Dorset