Best Beaches in Bournemouth

When summer hits with warm weather and school holidays abound, many people flock to seaside towns to see the best of the British coastline. Few coastal cities are as popular as Bournemouth; a quintessential British seaside town, boasting 11 miles of coastline and award-winning Blue Flag accessible beaches. If you’re planning on taking a train to Bournemouth station but unsure of where to find the best sandy beaches to visit, here are CrossCountry’s favourite Bournemouth beaches.

Travel to Bournemouth’s Beaches with CrossCountry

If you’re planning a trip to Bournemouth’s sandy beaches and blue waters, make sure to book in advance with CrossCountry. For extra ideas on how to spend a day in Bournemouth, check out our Bournemouth blogs.

Bournemouth Beach

By far the busiest beach in Bournemouth is its namesake, situated directly on the seafront below the town centre. With restaurants, bars, and shops close by, it’s the perfect place for tourists to step straight off the train and have sandy feet within minutes!

Bournemouth Beach has all the amenities you could need to enjoy a full day on the sand, including conveniently located toilets, cafes, and restaurants. But most importantly, you can enjoy building sandcastles, dipping your toes in the sea, riding on the Bournemouth Big Wheel, visiting the Oceanarium, and strolling through the gardens. With so much to do, this is surely one of Bournemouth’s best beaches.

How to get there: From Bournemouth station, Bournemouth Beach is just a 20-minute walk. 

Durley Chine Beach

Just a kilometre away from Bournemouth Beach you can find one of Bournemouth’s quieter beaches; Durley Chine. This beach is Blue Flag awarded, dog-friendly, and monitored regularly by RNLI lifeguards, so it’s a particularly good spot to choose if you have any accessibility or safety requirements. On top of this, the excellent facilities, including baby changing toilets and lost children centres, make it an ideal place for a secure family day out.

This quiet beach spot has something for everyone. With plenty of pubs and restaurants, Durley Chine is perfect for a late-evening stroll to watch the sunset coupled with a delightful meal. If you’re on a romantic staycation, what could be better than golden sand and a calm sea?

How to get there: From the station, you can hop on a number of buses towards Durley Chine, taking around 25 minutes.

Canford Cliffs beach

Situated just outside of the hustle and bustle of Bournemouth town centre and seafront, Canford Cliffs is the perfect quiet beach for relaxing. In fact, it’s one of Bournemouth’s best kept secrets (so don’t tell anyone we told you!). It is a little bit tricker to reach on foot than some of the other beaches, but trust us, it’s worth the journey. Simply follow the path through a ravine and on the steps. 

Canford Cliffs is beloved for its golden sand and blue water, along with designated safe swim zones and excellent toilet facilities.

How to get there: Either take the scenic route on foot or take a 40-minute bus journey from Bournemouth station.

Shore Road Beach

If you like your beaches with a little more activity than topping up your tan, then Shore Road is calling your name. With fantastic water sports and swimming opportunities, Shore Road beach’s shallow waters make it the perfect place to try your hand at wind and kite surfing. 

If you’re travelling with someone who isn’t quite so adventurous, never fear! You can swim safely, build sandcastles, enjoy a picnic, or lay back with a book if that’s more your speed! Whether you’re getting involved in the sporty activities or relaxing, make sure to check out Shore Road’s excellent coffee shops and restaurants to recharge.

If you’re planning a visit to Bournemouth’s best beaches, don’t forget to book an Advance ticket via our website or the CrossCountry app. If you need more information, you can contact us here.