Activities
Barton on Sea
BH25 7DU
A stony beach with sandy areas as the tide goes out, and a great spot to do some fossil hunting. The cliffs are subject to considerable coastal erosion and at times parts of the beach can be cordoned off. The Beachcomber Café on the cliff top is one of the most popular cafés in the region. Plenty of parking in car parks along the cliff top as well as on-road parking.
Boscombe
BH5 1BN
Boscombe is a popular family beach with plenty of sand, and a small pier with extensive facilities including a children’s play area, several seafront shops and cafés, crazy golf, plenty of parking and a safe traffic free area perfect for cycling and scooters.
Bournemouth
BH2 5AA
One of England’s most busy traditional beach resorts. Plenty of sand, a pier with amusement arcades, shops and restaurants. Also an IMAX cinema and Oceanarium. Disabled facilities and access. Parking can be tricky as it’s always busy, but being close to the town centre, parking can usually be found 10 mins walk away. The beach is also easily accessible on foot and bike.
Highcliffe Castle
BH23 5JE
A picturesque, tree-lined beach of shingle, and sand at low tide. Good facilities on the cliff top including an excellent tea room, award winning public toilets, baby change and a children’s play area in the Castle gardens. Plenty of parking, but there is no disabled access and quite a few steps to get down to the beach. Lifeguard cover from July to Sept. No dogs allowed.
Lepe Country Park
SO45 1AD
Some of the best views of the Solent can be enjoyed from over a mile of beach and pine fringed cliffs. Historic D-Day remains, wildflower meadows and children's play area. Beach front car park.
Milford on Sea
S041 0PY
A beautiful shingle beach with pretty painted beach huts, plenty of parking, and excellent coastal walks along Hurst spit to Hurst Castle with clear views of the Isle of Wight and needles. The superb Marine Bar and Restaurant is worth a visit with its Art deco style and roof terrace. You can also walk across the wildlife marshes to Keyhaven harbour and (in season) take the boat to Hurst Castle or the Isle of Wight.
Mudeford Sandbank
BH6 4EW
This is one of the most scenic of New Forest beaches. Lined with some of the most picturesque and expensive beach huts in the country! There’s no parking next to the beach, as it’s a traffic-free zone, but there’s pay and display parking at Hengistbury Head from where you can catch a little train to the sandbank, and Mudeford Quay which runs a small ferry (5 mins) over to the sandbank. Can also be reached on foot and by bicycle.
New Forest Centre
BH19 3AX
A stunning piece of natural coastline featuring a four-mile stretch of sandy beach and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight. Ideal for water sports, sandcastles and wildlife safari. Designated trails through the sand dunes and woodlands, allow for spotting of deer, insects, birds and a vast array of wild flowers. There’s a local café/bistro and a mobile refreshment van, but this is also the most picturesque place for a picnic.