Dorset’s coastline is packed with beautiful spots that are perfect for a family day out. Think golden sands, safe swimming, rock pools to explore, and plenty of space for picnics and games. Whether your kids love building sandcastles, hunting for fossils, or just splashing in the sea, you’ll find much to enjoy here.
To get you started, we’ve compiled the best family beaches Dorset has to offer. And from our luxury homes in Christchurch and West Moors, you’re just a short drive from some of the county’s seaside treasures. Your next family beach adventure starts here.
What Makes Dorset Beaches Perfect for Family Holidays?
Dorset has a beach for every kind of family day out. You’ll find wide sandy bays, pebbly shores, and dramatic cliffs with stunning views. Many beaches have shallow water and gentle slopes, perfect for little ones to paddle and play safely.
The Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, adds an extra touch. Kids can hunt for fossils and learn a little something about life long ago. Plus, most beaches have handy facilities like toilets, cafés, and lifeguards, making your day easy and enjoyable.
Top Sandy Beaches for Families in Dorset
Looking for soft sand, safe waters, and plenty to keep the kids entertained? These family-friendly sandy beaches in Dorset tick all the boxes.
Weymouth Beach
Weymouth Beach is the quintessential British seaside destination. Its long stretch of golden sand and shallow waters is perfect for little paddlers. Children will delight in traditional donkey rides, Punch and Judy shows, and building sandcastles on this award-winning beach. The bustling promenade offers ample food options, while the nearby SEA LIFE Centre provides entertainment if the weather turns.
The beach’s shelving shore makes it particularly safe for younger swimmers, and RNLI lifeguards patrol during summer. After a day on the sand, take a family stroll around Weymouth’s picturesque harbour for ice cream or fish and chips.
Studland Bay
Studland Bay, managed by the National Trust, offers four miles of pristine sandy beach with views toward Old Harry Rocks. The sheltered bay provides calm waters perfect for family swimming, while the backing dunes create natural play areas for adventurous children.
Studland’s main beach, Knoll Beach, offers excellent facilities, including a café, shop, and toilets. Nature-loving families can explore the diverse habitats behind the beach, home to rare birds and sand lizards. The National Trust runs family activities during school holidays, including guided walks and rockpool rambles.
Avon Beach
Located in Christchurch, Avon Beach is just a stone’s throw from our Quay House and Quay Corner properties. It’s sheltered and features colourful beach huts, clear waters, and stunning views of the Isle of Wight.
The beach slopes gently into the sea, creating safe paddling areas. The nearby Noisy Lobster restaurant serves family-friendly meals with spectacular sea views. With easy parking and excellent facilities, Avon Beach makes for a hassle-free family day out.
Sandbanks Beach
Frequently named among Britain’s best beaches, Sandbanks has earned the prestigious Blue Flag award more times than any other UK resort. The peninsula boasts soft sand and excellent water quality, with facilities catering to families.
Children will love the beachside play areas, crazy golf course, and volleyball courts. The calm waters are perfect for swimming and watersports, with equipment hire available nearby. Sandbanks offers everything needed for a perfect family beach day, including cafés, toilets, and lifeguard coverage.
Where Can Families Enjoy Coastal Adventures?
Ready for a beach day with a bit more adventure? These Dorset spots offer more than just sun and sand.
Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis offers four distinct beaches and is the jewel of the Jurassic Coast for fossil enthusiasts. The town beach provides sandy shores perfect for traditional beach activities, while Monmouth Beach to the west is renowned for its ammonite fossils.
Beyond fossil hunting, families can enjoy the Marine Aquarium, boat trips, or crabbing from the famous Cobb harbour wall. The town offers charming shops, museums, and plenty of places to refuel after a day of coastal exploration.
West Bay
Made famous as the backdrop for the TV drama Broadchurch, West Bay combines striking cliffs with a bustling harbour atmosphere. Children will love crabbing from the harbour walls, exploring the shingle beach, or simply watching fishing boats come and go.
There are grassy picnic areas, and the harbour boasts seafood kiosks serving the freshest local catch. Active families can follow the South West Coast Path for spectacular views, while the nearby play area provides additional entertainment for younger visitors.
Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door
These iconic limestone formations provide a magical setting for family beach adventures. The perfectly curved Lulworth Cove offers sheltered swimming and rock pools teeming with marine life. A short walk along the cliff path leads to Durdle Door, where the stone arch rises from the sea.
While the pebble beaches require appropriate footwear, the scenery and waters make these spots unmissable. The Lulworth Estate visitor centre offers educational displays about the area’s unique geology.
Which Dorset Beach Offers the Best Facilities?
This Dorset beach has great facilities, from playgrounds and cafés to lifeguards and clean loos.
Alum Chine Beach
Quieter than neighbouring Bournemouth beaches, Alum Chine has facilities including toilets, lifeguards, and lost children services. The pirate-themed playground adjacent to the beach provides entertainment beyond sandcastle building, and the tropical gardens offer shaded relaxation.
The beach itself boasts soft sand and clean, safe swimming waters. Regular land train services connect Alum Chine to Bournemouth Pier, adding extra excitement for younger visitors.
How to Make the Most of Your Dorset Beach Holiday
Beach safety is paramount. This means checking tide times, swimming between the flags on lifeguarded beaches, and being aware of cliff fall risks. Most Dorset beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, so check before bringing four-legged family members.
For fossil hunting, beaches around Charmouth and Lyme Regis offer the best opportunities. Remember to only collect loose fossils and never dig into cliffs, which can be dangerous.
Your Perfect Base for Dorset Beach Exploration
Our luxury Dorset homes are the ideal base for exploring the county’s stunning coastline. Stay at The Quays in Christchurch and you’ll be just minutes from Avon Beach and the harbour. Or choose Galtons Cottage in West Moors for easy access to the coast and inland spots.
After a fun-filled day of sun, sand, and sea air, head back to a space where the whole family can unwind in comfort. Ready to start your Dorset escape? Book your stay with Short Stay Homes or contact us with any queries.
