Studland
Local highlightFour miles of soft Dorset sand between Old Harry Rocks and Poole Harbour, with wild heath and dunes at its back
Open accessNational Trust land — free to wander
Studland gives you a proper long beach, four miles of it curving from the chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks in the south round to the mouth of Poole Harbour in the north. The sand shelves gently, which makes it kind for paddling, and behind it lies one of southern England’s best patches of lowland heath, home to all six of Britain’s native reptiles. Well-marked trails thread the dunes and woods if you fancy a walk away from the water, and the South West Coast Path carries on to Old Harry at the southern end.
One thing worth knowing before you spread the towels: part of the shore, around Knoll in the middle, is a long-standing naturist stretch and clearly signed, so you can pick your spot to suit the family. Access to the beach is free, though the car parks charge. The tide and currents near the harbour mouth at the north end can be strong, so keep children in the shallows there and follow any lifeguard flags during the season.
