Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

It can get pretty busy on Bournemouth beach. So busy in fact, that it hits capacity very quickly.

Luckily that isn’t a huge problem. We are spoilt for choice with the number of beaches close to Bournemouth.

If you are looking for a quiet beach near Bournemouth. Then here we give you the Bournemouth GO choice of The Top 10 Quiet Beaches near Bournemouth.

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1. Alume Chine Beach, Bournemouth – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 7 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on certain parts of the beach throughout the year

Barbeques: Disposable barbeques are allowed

Parking: There is a car park

Food and drink: There are cafes and restaurants

Toilets: There are toilets and changing facilities near the children’s playground

A favourite with many Bournemouth locals is Alum Chine Beach. With its award-winning Blue Flag beaches and super soft sand.

Alum Chine Beach is near enough to Bournemouth to not have to stress about the distance. But just far enough away not to have to deal with the crowds.

This beach is very clean. It’s well looked after all year round. Because it doesn’t get as busy as Bournemouth beach, it maintains its pristine image.

Very popular with families due to it having its own children’s adventure playground, family toilets, ice cream kiosks, changing facilities and lost children centres.

It’s very geared around children and their safety. There are RNLI stations on this beach keeping an eye out. And for the adults there are pubs!

A lovely thing to see at this beach is the land train which goes past on its way to and from Bournemouth Pier.

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2. Hengistbury Head Beach, Christchurch – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 18 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed all year round

Barbeques: Not permitted anywhere on Hengistbury Head including the beach

Parking: There is a car park. It closes at 10 pm and opens at 5 pm

Food and drink: There is a cafe at the entrance near the car park

Toilets: Public toilets can be found at the main car park near the Hiker Cafe

Hengistbury Head beach is a little bit special. Not only is it a stunning beach, it’s also historic.

This is a rustic, unspoiled beach that due to its historic significance has been left to its own devices. It hasn’t been subjected to the commercialism the other Beaches have.

The beach is very clean and has an interesting habitat. In summer it’s not unusual to see a Seal sitting on the beach resting.

Hengistbury Head is part of the Jurassic Coast. Many fossils from the Jurassic period have been found on Hengistbury Head. Hence its historic significance.

Its habitat is unique too. The whole of Hengistbury Head is a ‘designated Nature Reserve’ and a ‘site of Scientific Interest’.

There are some stunning views over to Old Harry Rocks and the Needles and on a clear day, you can see The Isle of Wight.

This beach is mainly sandy with some areas of shingle.

There is a cafe at the entrance of Hengistbury head and a car park. There is a land train in the summer which can take you to Mudeford beach and quay.

For those interested in the natural habitat there is a Visitor Centre where you can learn about the history of Hengistbury Head and its plant life. The Visitor Centre is full of interactive displays and is run by knowledgeable volunteers.

Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. See our list of Dog Friendly Beaches Bournemouth.

It is important to note: It is prohibited to go near or touch any seals or other mammals you find resting on the beach. Dogs are also to be kept away and be put on a lead. You can be prosecuted if you are seen to ‘worry’ the mammal.

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3. Highcliffe Beach, Christchurch – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 26 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round

Barbeques: Not allowed on Highcliffe Beach

Parking: There is a car park. The car park is free in the Winter months

Food and drink: There is a cafe next to the car park

Toilets: Public toilets and baby changing near the Cliffe Hanger Cafe next to the car park.

Highcliffe beach is another one of those beaches which are of Scientific Interest and is not subjected to, the same commercialism the other beaches are.

The cliffs are home to many species of endangered birds, reptiles and insects. The dry nature of the cliffs means they are very vulnerable to catching fire in the summer months. Open fires or fire pits are not allowed on or anywhere near the beach.

The beach is mostly shingle but there is one side of the beach which is soft sand.

Highcliffe beach is popular with walkers and their dogs as dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.

Highcliffe is a lovely seaside town with many cafes and pubs a COOP and a Tesco. Highcliffe is also home to a castle called Highcliffe Castle.

To see a video of Highcliffe Beach and to read why it’s great go to our Get the lowdown on Bournemouth Beach page.

4. Sandbanks Beach, Poole – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 13 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on an area of the beach near the ferry terminal.

Barbeques: Disposable barbeques are allowed between 6 pm and 10 pm only

Parking: There is a car park. In the summer months, there is a Park and Ride system

Food and drink: There is Haven Ferry Cafe

Toilets: Public toilets can be found next to Haven Ferry Cafe

Sandbanks Beach is another award-winning beach and has Blue Flag waters

Sandbanks is famous for its high property prices and its row of houses called ‘millionaires row’. It’s also well known for the yearly SandPolo Beach event.

Many celebrities live in Sandbanks. Sandbanks is one of the most expensive places in the world to live.

They all come for the miles of golden sandy beach.

Sandbanks beach isn’t private, it’s open to everyone and is maintained by the local council. There is no fee to pay to go on the beach.

In the summer there is a Park and Ride which is put on by the council. This is to prevent over parking as the beach hits capacity very quickly.

Sandbanks beach has 3 miles of golden sand, Blue Flag waters and stunning views.

To find out more about Sandbanks beach here to our Sandbanks Beach guide.

5. Avon Beach, Mudeford, Christchurch – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 23 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the beach in the winter months

Barbeques: Not allowed on the beach or surrounding areas

Parking: There is a car park. The car park is free in the winter months

Food and drink: There is a cafe, restaurant and beach shop

Toilets: Public toilets are next to the Noisy Lobster Cafe which is next to the car park

Avon beach is perfect for anyone with mobility issues as it has a level car park to walk straight out onto the sand.

This beach is a ‘designated bathing beach’. With the area directly in front of the car park being for watersports.

Another one of Bournemouth’s beaches of Scientific Interest. Endangered birds, reptiles and insects make their home there.

This beach is perfect for families and disabled people. There are lifeguard patrols in the summer months.

Because of the dry nature of the cliffs fires are not permitted on the beach or surrounding areas.

The beach is sandy the majority of the time. But there are days when it’s full of shingles. It depends on the tide and how the sea has pushed in the shingle.

6. Boscombe Beach, Boscombe – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 9 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the beach at Fisherman’s Walk all year round. All other areas of the beach dogs are permitted in the winter months only.

Barbeques: Charcoal and gas BBQs are allowed after 6 pm

Parking: There is a car park on Undercliff Drive. Park and Ride is available in the summer months

Food and drink: There are cafes and restaurants

Toilets: The Overstand building on Boscombe beach near the car park has toilets and changing facilities

Boscombe Beach is an award-winning Blue Flag beach. The beach is free to enter and goes for miles left and right from the Boscombe Pier.

Patrolled by RNLI lifeguards in the summer, this is a great beach for families.

Boscombe beach gets very busy in the summer months and reaches capacity quickly. This is why in the summer months a Park and Ride is available.

There is a mini-golf for the kids and kiosks dotted along the beach for refreshments and food.

For those who like to go fishing, permits are available to fish. The permits can be obtained from the beach office which is near the Overcliffe car park.

To save you bringing your sun lounges, windbreaks, parasols and deck chairs to the beach. They can be hired from the beach office.

Something new is the Beach Pods. these can be hired and come with a kitchenette, table seating and balcony with sea views.

Mobi-Mats are available in the Summer months for those with disabilities.

7. Shell Bay Beach, Studland – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 34 minutes by car, you can also take a ferry

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, in the summer months they must be on a lead

Barbeques: Permitted at any time of day

Parking: There is a car park

Food and drink: There are cafes and restaurants

Toilets: Toilets can be found at the car park

Shell Bay beach is a sandy beach near Poole. Set on the top of the Studland Pennensuila there are two ways to reach it, either by ferry or to drive from Sandbanks.

The beach has a wild feel and is covered in sand dunes. In the winter it is quiet but in the summer it becomes very busy. Lots of people come over to Studland from the Sandbanks ferry.

The beach is good for families. BUT it might be of interest to know that between Shell Bay and Knol bay is a designated nudist area.

Shell Bay has lovely views over to Poole harbour and across the bay. There is the Shell Bay Restaurant a renowned Michelin Star Restaurant.

8 Studland Beach, Studland – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 34 minutes by car, you can also take a ferry

Dogs: Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, in the summer months they must be on a lead

Barbeques: Permitted at any time of day

Parking: There is a car park

Food and drink: There are cafes and restaurants

Toilets: Toilets can be found at the car park

Just like Shell beach. Studland Beach can be reached by either catching the ferry over from Poole or driving around.

Studland Beach or Studland Bay as it is also called. Stretches round from Old Harry Rocks to its pinnacle at Shell Bay Beach.

There is a section of this beach that is a designated nudist beach so that is something to be aware of.

Studland Beach is great for all activities. Whether that be a family day out, watersports or walking.

The beach is rather rustic and is covered in sand dunes. You can catch the ferry here to either Poole or Bournemouth. The area of the beach called Sand Beach is the most popular area with locals. The Middle Beach is sheltered by cliffs. While Knoll beach is open to the elements and has a 1km designated nudist area.

9. Southbourne Beach, Southbourne – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 14 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed all year round at the dog’s section which is below Fishermans Walk

Barbeques: Permitted after 6 pm. There is a designated Barbeque Zone. For Barbeques over 30 people, a permit must be acquired from the council offices

Parking: There is a car park

Food and drink: There are cafes and restaurants

Toilets: Toilets can be found at the car park

Southbourne Beach is a lovely family-friendly beach. Miles of soft sand and is one of Bournemouth’s most popular beaches.

This beach is popular with families due to its facilities such as toilets and baby changing. There are RNLI lifeguards and lost children centres. there are also many kiosks to buy ice cream.

For the adults, there are quite a few pubs lining the seafront.

Southbourne beach is a Blue Flag award-winning beach. It has many beach huts lining the promenade. It has a lovely atmosphere and is a clear competitor for Bournemouth Beach in the summer months.

The beach is also great for swimming and paddling in as it has no shelves, rip currents or sharp drops.

To keep the kids safe. There are Kid Zones and child safety wrist bands available to buy from the beach office.

This beach does get very busy in the summer. Especially around the Bistro on the Beach cafe area.

10. Highcliffe Castle Beach, Highcliffe, Christchurch – Quiet Beaches Near Bournemouth

Distance to Bournemouth Pier: 24 minutes by car

Dogs: Dogs are allowed all year round

Barbeques: Not permitted

Parking: There is a car park on the grounds of Highcliffe Castle

Food and drink: There are cafes on the grounds

Toilets: Toilets can be found on the grounds of the castle

Highcliffe Castle Beach Is (not surprisingly) set behind Highcliffe Castle in the small seaside town of Highcliffe in Christchurch.

The beach is only a short walk from the castle so you could start the day walking around the Castle grounds (which are free to go on) and then go onto the beach for the afternoon.

Dogs are allowed on Highcliffe Castle grounds as well as the beach all year round, so it’s a perfect day out for all the family.

There is a cafe on the castle grounds which serve some lovely cooked and uncooked food. They do great sandwiches and a nice cream tea.

The beach is part sand, part shingle. It really depends on how the tide has been that day, and whether it has pulled the stones onto the shore or not.

The beach is easily accessible for wheelchair goers and those with mobility issues. It is reached by a slope that goes down in a zig-zag.

Just like Highcliffe beach you get some great views from here of the Isle of White and the needles/Old Harry Rocks.

This beach is a lot quieter in the summer than many of the other beaches.