The 10 Best Beaches in Dorset

No list of Dorset beaches would be complete without Durdle Door. The natural limestone arch — formed over 10,000 years of coastal erosion — is one of the most photographed sights in England. The shingle beach beneath it is dog-friendly all year and the swimming, while brisk, is spectacular. The 15-minute cliff walk down (and back up) is part of the experience.

Four miles of soft, golden sand managed by the National Trust — Studland Bay is the finest sandy beach in Dorset and one of the best in England. The water is shallow and calm, making it ideal for young children. Knoll Beach in the centre has a brilliant café, toilets, and equipment hire for kayaking and paddleboarding. The dunes behind the beach are a nature reserve in their own right.

Charmouth is the fossil hunting capital of the Jurassic Coast. The cliffs here are packed with 190-million-year-old marine fossils — ammonites, belemnites, and ichthyosaur bones have all been found on this beach. After a storm or high tide, the foreshore is littered with fresh finds. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre runs free guided fossil walks and is one of the best visitor centres on the entire coast.

Weymouth is the quintessential British seaside experience. Three miles of fine, golden sand backed by a beautiful Georgian esplanade — it's been a favourite since King George III made it fashionable in the 1780s. The beach is consistently awarded Blue Flag status for water quality. Donkey rides, Punch and Judy, and a traditional pier complete the picture. The town centre is a five-minute walk from the beach.

Lulworth Cove is a geological masterpiece — an almost perfectly circular pebble bay formed when the sea breached the Portland limestone and carved into the softer rock behind. The sheltered waters are usually calm and clear, and the surrounding cliffs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The village of West Lulworth has good pubs and a heritage centre explaining the cove's remarkable formation.

Kimmeridge is Dorset's best-kept secret for underwater enthusiasts. Part of a Marine Conservation Zone, the sheltered rocky bay has a dedicated snorkel trail with underwater markers identifying the marine life you'll encounter — from sea anemones and wrasse to cuttlefish and spider crabs. The Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve runs a Fine Foundation Wild Seas Centre right on the beach with equipment hire and expert advice.

Worbarrow Bay is one of the most dramatic and unspoilt beaches on the entire Jurassic Coast. Accessible only by a one-mile walk from the ghost village of Tyneham (itself worth visiting), the bay is a wide, wild arc of shingle and sand with crystal-clear water and towering chalk cliffs. The MOD restricts access when the firing range is in use, which only adds to its wild, remote character.

Sandbanks consistently ranks among the top beaches in Britain for water quality and sand. The fine, pale sand and shallow, sheltered waters make it one of the safest and most pleasant swimming beaches in Dorset. The peninsula is also home to some of the most expensive real estate in the world — the contrast between the exclusive surroundings and the free, public beach is a very Dorset experience.

If you're looking for a sandy beach where dogs are welcome all year round, Bowleaze Cove is the answer. Just east of Weymouth, this sheltered sandy cove has rock pools at low tide and a relaxed, local vibe. The Riviera Hotel on the clifftop has a café and bar with sea views, and there's free roadside parking along Bowleaze Coveway if you arrive early enough.

Swanage is the most complete beach town in Dorset. The sandy bay is framed by a handsome Victorian pier, and the town behind it has excellent independent restaurants, ice cream shops, and a steam railway that runs to Corfe Castle. The Blue Flag waters are calm and clear, and the town has a genuinely friendly, community feel that sets it apart from the larger resorts.