By Parkdean Resorts on 25/07/2023
When you come to stay in Poole, you'll be spoiled for choice at action-packed Sandford Holiday Park. Do you stay in the park and enjoy all of our brilliant on park activities and facilities, or do you head out to the wider Poole area to check out what else is on offer?
Or, do you just go to the beach? But then again, which of Poole's beaches should you try first? There’s plenty of them and they have all their own unique charms, so to help you choose, here’s our guide to the best beaches in Poole.
What to expect at Branksome Chine Beach
- Type of beach: Sand & shingle
- Lifeguard service Yes
- Dog friendly: No dogs in the main area between 1st May - 30th Sept
- Parking: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
- Accessible from car park/road: Yes
- Activities: Swimming/bathing, windsurfing, kite surfing
Branksome Chine Beach is a great traditional English seaside resort beach, made up mostly of sand with some shingles. Complete with a promenade behind it offering places to get food and drinks, as well as all of your beach essentials. Beach huts are also for hire at Branksome Chine Beach, but even if you don’t choose to use them, they certainly add to the visual charm of the beach. It’s a Blue Flag beach with plenty of space for everyone, meaning (apart from on the very busiest of days) that families have room to play while everyone else can relax without worrying about getting hit by a ball! With toilets available and a ramp for accessibility, it’s a beach for everyone. Residents should note, dogs aren’t allowed in the summer months on the main section of the beach.
What to expect at Canford Cliffs Beach
- Type of beach: Sandy
- Lifeguard service Yes
- Dog friendly: No dogs before 6 pm between 1st May and 30th September
- Parking: Limited on-street parking nearby
- Toilets: Yes
- Accessible from car park/road: Accessible parking spaces are available, however, access to the beach is via steps
- Activities: Swimming/bathing
If you’re looking for one of the quieter Poole beaches you might want to give Canford Cliffs Beach a try. It’s less busy and generally has a slower pace of life than most of the others in the area, but still manages to offer almost everything you can find at those beaches in terms of facilities, including cafes, beach huts and lifeguards. With Blue Flag status and a broad sandy beach to explore, it’s a great place for building sandcastles or playing sports - there’s even a beach football pitch that gets used by the England Beach Soccer Team! With sandy cliffs and green spaces, it’s one of the most picturesque beaches in the area.
What to expect at Harbour Lake Beach
- Type of beach: Sand and mud
- Lifeguard service No
- Dog friendly: Yes
- Parking: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
- Accessible from car park/road: Yes
- Activities: Fishing, sailing, swimming/bathing, windsurfing
One of the wilder and more rugged beaches near Poole, Harbour Lake Beach offers a sandy and muddy shore that isn’t far from the town centre but feels very different from the other beaches in the area. For one thing, it’s surrounded by an SSSI nature reserve, giving it a natural sheltered feeling. The shallow waters are ideal for paddling (though there aren’t any lifeguards on duty) while further out there’s good conditions for sailing and windsurfing. It’s also a popular destination for sea fishing. Keep your eyes on the water, Harbour Lake is a local hotspot for seal spotting.
What to expect at Shore Road Beach
- Type of beach: Sandy
- Lifeguard service Yes
- Dog friendly: No dogs allowed between 1st May and 30th September
- Parking: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
- Accessible from car park/road: Yes
- Activities: Jet skiing, sailing, swimming/bathing, windsurfing
Sandbanks Beach, is a much quieter option that still offers the same beautiful sand, impressive views and clean water with plenty of facilities on the promenade, as well as beach huts for hire. You can enjoy watersports in the sea with a safe swimming area marked out, and there’s jet skis for hire for those who want some high-octane fun on the water.
What to expect at Sandbanks Beach
- Type of beach: Sandy
- Lifeguard service Yes
- Dog friendly: No
- Parking: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
- Accessible from car park/road: Yes
- Activities: Fishing, sailing, windsurfing, crazy golf
One of Britain’s best-loved beaches, Sandbanks sits in front of one of the country’s most affluent and expensive places to live. It’s a beautiful sandy beach with stunning views and a Blue Flag award (which it has held for more than 30 years) and is perfect for a family day out at the seaside, whether you’re building sandcastles or splashing in the clear blue waters. There’s also plenty for kids to do just off the beach, with a crazy golf and mini golf course, as well as a children's play area with sand diggers. For older kids and adults there’s watersports equipment for hire and you can also play volleyball and table tennis. Or you can just find a quieter spot to kick back and relax on the golden sands.