Cool Places
Studland Bay
Purbeck Estate Office Studland BH19 3AX
One of England’s best beaches stretches for four miles from the Sandbanks ferry terminal at Shell Bay to the base of the Old Harry Rocks. These soft sands, backed by dunes and heathland make up an important National Trust-owned nature reserve, and also mark the start of the South West Coast Path. Parking is largely restricted to the National Trust’s car parks, and the areas near these can get packed in high summer, but it doesn’t take much effort to walk to more secluded areas (including one section that is naturist). Swimming is generally safe except for the area near the chain ferry at Shell Bay. Bear in mind though that the beach here can get choked with pongy seaweed at certain times of the year.
