Albion Guide
Menu
Map

Areas

Protected landscapesCountry estatesNature reservesCountry parksCoastlineIslands

Routes

TrailsWaterways

Natural spots

Hills & peaksLakes & lochsWaterfallsBeaches & swimmingViewpointsCavesSSSIs

Historic places

Castles & strongholdsAbbeys & prioriesAncient stonesRoman sitesBattlefieldsChalk figuresNational Trust

Villages & landmarks

Villages & townsPubs & restaurantsChurchesHouses & gardensFarms, vineyards & producersWindmillsLighthousesOther sightsAttractionsFolliesOutdoor saunas

Near you

By townBy countyBy station
Saved
Photo of Durdle Door, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.

Durdle DoorPhoto Belinda Fewings / Unsplash

Beaches & swimming in DorsetDorset, England

44 beaches and swimming spots in the Albion Guide across Dorset — see the full beaches and swimming spots directory, or everything to explore in Dorset.

Photo of Durdle Door, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.Iconic

Durdle Door

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Osmington

The limestone sea arch that defines the Jurassic Coast.

Photo of Lulworth Cove, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.Iconic

Lulworth Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Osmington

Near-perfect circular bay scooped from folded limestone.

Photo of Chapman's Pool, a cove near Worth Matravers, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

Chapman's Pool

Cove near Worth Matravers

A remote horseshoe cove ringed by high, fossil-rich cliffs on the wild south Purbeck coast, reached only on foot.

Photo of Worbarrow Bay, a beach near Kingston, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

Worbarrow Bay

Beach near Kingston

A wide, empty crescent of shingle and cliff below the abandoned Tyneham valley, open only when the Lulworth ranges are quiet.

Photo of Mupe Bay, a cove near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

Mupe Bay

Cove near Osmington

A hidden cove of jagged rocks and rockpools east of Lulworth, reached over the cliffs past the fossil forest.

Photo of Kimmeridge Bay, a swimming spot near Kingston, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

Kimmeridge Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Kingston

Dark ledges below the clifftop Clavell Tower.

Photo of Man O' War Cove, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

Man O' War Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Osmington

Sheltered swimming cove beside Durdle Door, screened by the Man O' War rocks.

Photo of Shell Bay North, a swimming spot near Bournemouth, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

Shell Bay North

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

Long dune-backed sands facing Old Harry.

Photo of West Bay, a swimming spot near Bridport, Dorset, south west England.Highlight

West Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bridport

Sheer golden sandstone cliffs of Broadchurch fame.

Photo of Hive Beach, a swimming spot near Burton Bradstock, Dorset, south west England.

Hive Beach

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Burton Bradstock

A shingle strand below crumbly golden sandstone cliffs, with a clifftop seafood cafe.

Photo of Bournemouth Alum Chine, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Alum Chine

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bournemouth Boscombe Pier, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Boscombe Pier

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bournemouth Durley Chine, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Durley Chine

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bournemouth Fisherman`s Walk, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Fisherman`s Walk

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bournemouth Hengistbury West, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Hengistbury West

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bournemouth Pier, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Pier

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bournemouth Southbourne, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Bournemouth Southbourne

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Bowleaze Cove, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.

Bowleaze Cove

Coastal | Good ★★ near Osmington

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Christchurch Avon Beach, a swimming spot near Milford on Sea, Dorset, south west England.

Christchurch Avon Beach

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Milford on Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Christchurch Friar`s Cliff, a swimming spot near Milford on Sea, Dorset, south west England.

Christchurch Friar`s Cliff

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Milford on Sea

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Christchurch Highcliffe Castle, a swimming spot near Milford on Sea, Dorset, south west England.

Christchurch Highcliffe Castle

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Milford on Sea

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank East, a swimming spot near Bournemouth, Dorset, south west England.

Christchurch Mudeford Sandbank East

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Church Ope Cove, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.

Church Ope Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Osmington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of East Beach at West Bay, a swimming spot near Bridport, Dorset, south west England.

East Beach at West Bay

Beach near Bridport

A coastal swimming spot in Dorset.

Photo of Highcliffe, a swimming spot near Milford on Sea, Dorset, south west England.

Highcliffe

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Milford on Sea

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Lyme Regis Church Cliff Beach

Coastal | Poor near Lyme Regis

A coastal swimming spot, currently rated poor for water quality.

Photo of Lyme Regis Front Beach, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Lyme Regis Front Beach

Coastal | Good ★★ near Lyme Regis

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Poole Branksome Chine, a swimming spot near Bournemouth, Dorset, south west England.

Poole Branksome Chine

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Poole Canford Cliffs Chine, a swimming spot near Bournemouth, Dorset, south west England.

Poole Canford Cliffs Chine

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Poole Harbour Lake, a swimming spot near Wareham, Dorset, south west England.

Poole Harbour Lake

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Wareham

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Poole Harbour Rockley Sands, a swimming spot near Wareham, Dorset, south west England.

Poole Harbour Rockley Sands

Estuary | Excellent ★★★ near Wareham

A tidal estuary swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Poole Sandbanks Peninsular, a swimming spot near Bournemouth, Dorset, south west England.

Poole Sandbanks Peninsular

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Poole Shore Road Beach, a swimming spot near Bournemouth, Dorset, south west England.

Poole Shore Road Beach

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Portland Harbour Castle Cove, a swimming spot near Upwey, Dorset, south west England.

Portland Harbour Castle Cove

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Upwey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle, a swimming spot near Upwey, Dorset, south west England.

Portland Harbour Sandsfoot Castle

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Upwey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Ringstead Bay, a swimming spot near Osmington, Dorset, south west England.

Ringstead Bay

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Osmington

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Seatown, a swimming spot near Bridport, Dorset, south west England.

Seatown

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bridport

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Studland Knoll House, a swimming spot near Swanage, Dorset, south west England.

Studland Knoll House

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Swanage

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Swanage Central, a swimming spot in Dorset, south west England.

Swanage Central

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Swanage

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Photo of Weymouth Central, a swimming spot near Upwey, Dorset, south west England.

Weymouth Central

Coastal | Good ★★ near Upwey

A coastal swimming spot rated good for water quality.

Photo of Weymouth Lodmoor, a swimming spot near Upwey, Dorset, south west England.

Weymouth Lodmoor

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Upwey

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Bournemouth Manor Steps

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bournemouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Charmouth West

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Charmouth

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.

Eypemouth

Coastal | Excellent ★★★ near Bridport

A coastal swimming spot with excellent water quality.