Most of the Dorset coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ‘Jurassic Coast’ in Dorset runs from/to Lyme Regis to/from the headland around Swanage Bay and Studland Bay and is awesome.
The beaches are different to those of Cornwall and Devon. For one, there’s a lot less sand and a lot more shingle. A similarity is their popularity. We travel around the UK a lot, especially when the weather’s good, and most Dorset beaches are heaving with visitors when the sun’s out.
To help you discover this coastline, we’ve put together a list of top 10 beaches in Dorset. If you have others, pls add them in the comments or @picturetheuk on Twitter. We provide further info, geolocate beaches on Google Maps and publish as many photos as we can of the beaches on PictureTheUK …
1. West Bay Beach - a shingle beach beneath dramatic cliffs which turn intense orange when the sun sets. Easy access to the cliff tops and the South West Coast Path.
2. Lyme Regis Beach - one of the few sandy beaches on the Dorset Jurassic Coast (others include: Weymouth Beach, Swanage Beach and Studland Bay Beaches). Backs onto Lyme Regis promenade and is close to The Cobb. To the east are the splendid Spittles and Black Ven Beaches which are popular with fossil hunters!
3. Chesil Beach - possibly the most famous beach in Dorset and one of the most famous in the UK.
4. Swanage Beach - an exceptionally popular beach in east Dorset close to Corfe Castle. Lots of people, lots of shops and places to eat, lots of views.
5. Studland Bay Beaches - a collection of beaches within Studland Bay. It’s possible to catch a ferry from the north of the bay to …
6. Sandbanks Beach (Poole) - probably best known as the beach in front of some of the most expensive real estate in the UK!
7. Durdle Door Beach - located beneath some pretty impressive cliffs with a fine view of Durdle Door. Lulworth Cove is a brisk walk to the east.
8. Bournemouth Beach - a big beach stretching out in front of this popular tourist destination.
9. Charmouth Beach - Lyme Regis to the west, Golden Cap to the east. A wonderful shingle beach beneath yet more dramtic cliffs.
10. The Spittles and Black Ven Beaches (Lyme Regis) – not your typical beach, granted, but it’s one of the best we’ve come across for fossil hunting, exploring rock pools, acting like a 5yr old.
