Studland Bay offers four miles of stunning golden sand beaches backed by heathland and dunes, creating one of Dorset’s finest coastal destinations. This National Trust managed area features four distinct beaches: South Beach (busier, facilities, water sports), Middle Beach (family-friendly, quieter), Knoll Beach (main beach, cafés, water sports), and Shell Bay (remote, peaceful, naturist section). The pristine sands, crystal-clear waters, and spectacular views to Old Harry Rocks and across to the Isle of Wight create exceptional seaside beauty. Behind the beaches, Studland Heath supports rare wildlife including all six British reptiles (smooth snakes, sand lizards, adders, etc.), Dartford warblers, and diverse insects. Nature trails wind through heathland, woodland, and dunes. The beaches offer excellent swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and windsurfing. Fossil hunting, rock pooling, and sandcastle building delight children. The South West Coast Path provides spectacular clifftop walks. Studland combines pristine natural beauty, excellent facilities, and wildlife interest.
Photo by Malc McDonald from Geograph, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Studland Bay & Beach
Location
Photo Gallery
Gallery images from Geograph Britain and Ireland, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Hover over images to see photographer credits.
Nearby Attractions
Explore more places within 10km
Studland Bay
Four miles of golden beaches with sheltered waters, rare wildlife, and Old Harry Rocks views.
Old Harry Rocks
Iconic white chalk sea stacks at the Jurassic Coast's eastern end - Dorset's most photographed…
Purbeck Stone Museum
Museum celebrating Swanage's stone quarrying heritage and famous Purbeck marble.
Swanage Railway
Heritage steam railway through spectacular Purbeck scenery from Swanage to Corfe Castle.
Swanage Pier
Restored Victorian pier for fishing, promenading, and boat trips with heritage visitor center.
Constitution Hill Viewpoint, Swanage
Accessible hilltop offering spectacular 360-degree views of Swanage Bay and Jurassic Coast.
