The Peninsula’s Hidden Gem
While the main stretch of Sandbanks Beach draws visitors from all over the world, those in the know head slightly further west. Situated between the bustling main beach and the iconic Haven Point chain ferry, Cubs Beach (often referred to locally as Midway Beach) is a tranquil haven.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to read a book, a safe place for a morning swim, or somewhere to let the dog run off the lead in the height of summer, this beautiful, sheltered stretch of coastline is the perfect choice.
A Paradise for Dog Walkers
If you are visiting Sandbanks with your furry friend between May 1st and September 30th, Cubs Beach will be your absolute go-to destination. It serves as the peninsula’s designated, all-year-round dog beach. With a gently shelving shoreline and incredibly calm, clear waters, it is exceptionally safe for dogs to swim and paddle. Don’t forget to make use of the handy dog-wash stations located just up the promenade after a long day of sandy paws!
Watching the World Float By
One of the greatest appeals of Cubs Beach is its prime location. Nestled right near the mouth of Poole Harbour—the second-largest natural harbour in the world—the beach provides front-row seats to a constant parade of maritime activity.
Spread out your picnic blanket and watch Sunseeker yachts, traditional sailboats, and paddleboarders glide through the water. You also get a fantastic vantage point of the Sandbanks Chain Ferry as it makes its continuous, historic crossing over to the Isle of Purbeck.
Seamlessly Connected
Despite feeling like a secluded, hidden retreat, Cubs Beach is exceptionally well-connected. A short, five-minute walk east along the seafront promenade takes you straight into the heart of the main Sandbanks resort, giving you instant access to the mini-golf course, sensory play area, and beachfront dining whenever you need it.
Discover the Heart of BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth Beach is the vibrant, beating heart of the South Coast. Stretching for seven glorious miles, this unbroken expanse of premium, pebble-free sand is widely regarded as one of the best beaches in the UK.
Backed by dramatic, pine-clad cliffs and enjoying its own unique microclimate, Bournemouth offers some of the warmest sea temperatures in Britain. Whether you are arriving for a quintessential family bucket-and-spade holiday, a high-octane watersports weekend, or simply a sunset stroll along the promenade, this world-class resort delivers on every front.
While Sandbanks offers an exclusive, laid-back peninsula retreat, Bournemouth is where the action happens. The beach is seamlessly connected to a bustling promenade packed with cafes, ice cream parlours, and attractions, making it the ultimate destination for visitors who want everything right on their doorstep.
Beyond the Sand: Cliff Walks & Entertainment
If you want to stretch your legs, skip the promenade and take to the sky! The East Cliff and West Cliff walks run directly above the beach. These paved, accessible clifftop paths offer spectacular, sweeping views stretching from the Isle of Wight all the way across to the Purbeck Hills. If you don’t fancy the steep walk up, you can ride the historic funicular Cliff Lifts (operating during the summer months) to effortlessly reach the top.
Unbeatable Proximity to Attractions
Bournemouth Beach is uniquely situated right on the edge of world-class entertainment. Just a two-minute walk up from the sand is the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). This premier venue hosts major arena tours, comedians, and exhibitions year-round, making the beach the perfect place to relax before catching an evening show.
Seamlessly Connected to the Town
One of the best things about Bournemouth Beach is how effortlessly it connects to the vibrant town centre. You can walk straight off the sand, past the beachfront Oceanarium, through the lush Lower Gardens, and be in the heart of the town’s shopping and dining district in under ten minutes.
Welcome to Sandbanks Beach: Britain’s Ultimate Coastal Escape
Sandbanks has one of the UK’s most iconic shorelines, and the name alone is synonymous with luxury, beauty, and relaxation. Widely considered one of the most visited tourist sites in Britain and a top destination in Dorset, Sandbanks Beach is the crown jewel of the South Coast.
From the moment you step out onto the soft, golden sand and look out over the beautiful blue ocean, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean. It really is one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in Britain, offering a premium seaside experience that simply cannot be matched.
Unrivaled Water Quality & Safety
Get up early and take a tranquil stroll along the famous shoreline, or dive into the crystal-clear water for an invigorating morning swim. The beach boasts a gently shelving shoreline, meaning the waist-height waters are calm, safe, and perfect for a relaxing dip.
Sandbanks Beach is nationally known as one of the finest and cleanest in the country. In fact, it holds the prestigious Blue Flag award and has done so for over three consecutive decades—holding more consecutive awards than almost any other UK resort! With a team of highly trained RNLI lifeguards on duty throughout the summer season (May to September), Sandbanks is the ultimate spot for safe bathing and a worry-free family holiday.
Endless Family Fun & Beach Activities
There’s something here to keep the whole family entertained all day. You can relax on the pebble-free sand while the children have fun building sandcastles with their buckets and spades. Lie back and listen to the melodic sounds of the waves as they continuously roll onto the shore and back out again.
Looking for a little friendly competition? Challenge the kids to an 18-hole crazy golf tournament at the course situated just behind the beach, or let the little ones burn off some energy at the sensory children’s play area!
If you are feeling more energetic, Sandbanks Beach is an absolute mecca for sports enthusiasts. There is a massive area of the beach set aside specifically for beach volleyball, and the calm waters of Whitley Lake (on the harbour side) are famous for watersports. Rent some paddleboards or kayaks and glide across the smooth, clear waters of Poole Bay, or book a kitesurfing lesson with one of the local schools!
Stunning Views & The Jurassic Coast
Sandbanks Beach stretches from Canford Cliffs beach at Shore Road some one and a half miles westward, incorporating Cubs Beach where it joins the Sandbanks Ferry, linking the peninsula with Studland on the Isle of Purbeck.
The visual backdrop here is nothing short of spectacular. On the south side of the peninsula, you can look out over the English Channel toward the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline and the Purbeck Hills. On a clear day, you can even spot the Isle of Wight! On the north side, you are treated to views of luxury yachts sailing through Poole Harbour toward Brownsea Island.
World-Class Facilities & Beachside Dining
Because of its premium reputation, the facilities adjacent to Sandbanks beach are second to none. The promenade is completely level, offering excellent accessibility (including Mobi-Mat beach access and beach wheelchair hires available from the beach office).
After a long day in the sun, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at one of the many cafés, kiosks, or premium beachside restaurants right on the promenade. If you prefer to cook your own dinner, Sandbanks allows evening beach BBQs (after 6:00 PM), making it the perfect place to watch the sunset with a burger in hand.
Location & Getting Here
With its proximity to a wide range of premium hotels and holiday apartments in Poole and Bournemouth, Sandbanks is incredibly easy to access.
If you are in your car, the main Sandbanks surface car park is located within 50 metres of the sand. However, because it is so popular, it fills up quickly! Thankfully, there are regular open-top bus services (like the Purbeck Breezer) running from Poole and Bournemouth directly to the beach, so you can leave your car where you’re staying and have a hassle-free day enjoying the coast!
A Jam-Packed Animal Timetable
The heart of Farmer Palmer’s is the animals. Rather than just walking past enclosures, children are actively encouraged to get involved. The park runs a brilliant timetable of events every half hour. Your little ones can hand-feed the sheep and goats in the Big Barn, gently hold a guinea pig, watch a live cow-milking demonstration, and even cheer on their favorite during the hilarious daily Pig and Goat Racing!
Indoor and Outdoor Play
This is a true “whatever the weather” attraction. Outside, kids can tackle the bumpy (and highly entertaining) Tractor Trailer ride, dig in the sand, or brave the slides of Straw Mountain. If the heavens open, head straight into the Little Farmer’s Fun Barn. It features a massive, multi-level soft play area to tire them out, alongside a charming Wendy House Village where toddlers can let their imaginations run wild.
The World of Dinosaur Roar
As if farm animals weren’t enough, the park has teamed up with The Natural History Museum to create the World of Dinosaur Roar Discovery Trail. Tucked away in a peaceful woodland walk alongside the river, children can hunt for engaging dinosaur displays and interactive activities. It’s a brilliant way to break up the day and enjoy some fresh air away from the main play zones.
The Hen House Restaurant
You don’t need to pack a picnic (although you are welcome to use their outdoor benches if you do). The Hen House Restaurant is famous for serving genuinely good, home-cooked food. Rather than standard fast food, you’ll find freshly prepared lasagnes, jacket potatoes, and children’s picnic boxes. They cater excellently to dietary requirements, have a fantastic array of homemade cakes for the adults, and provide everything a parent could need to make mealtime stress-free.
Thrills for the Adrenaline Junkies
Splashdown is famous for its high-octane flumes. If you are feeling brave, step up to the Screamer—a high-speed, near-vertical drop that takes you from the top of the tower to the bottom in under five seconds. For a disorientating thrill, the Spacebowl drops you into a massive watery funnel where you spin like a coin before plunging into the plunge pool below. Meanwhile, the Infinity bowl features laser lights and music that you select yourself before you slide!
Fun for the Little Ones
You don’t have to be a teenager to enjoy the water. Splashdown caters brilliantly to younger children. Ricky’s Reef is a dedicated, shallow toddler pool designed specifically for children under the age of 7. It features interactive water play areas, mini-slides, and a 3D reef effect. Just next to it is the Buccaneer SplashZone, an interactive water playground with tipping buckets and water cannons that is perfect for slightly older kids building up their confidence before hitting the big tower.
The Tower Park Complex
The best thing about Splashdown is its location. It is the anchor attraction of the Tower Park Leisure Complex. Once your swimming session is over, you don’t even need to move your car to keep the family entertained. You can walk straight out of the waterpark and into a massive Cineworld multiplex, challenge the kids to a game at Hollywood Bowl, or grab a meal at one of the many family-friendly chain restaurants like Nando’s, Pizza Express, or TGI Fridays located right on the piazza.
A Century of History Under One Roof
The scale of The Tank Museum is staggering. The collection is spread across several massive, hangar-like halls, each dedicated to a different era. The layout guides you chronologically, starting with the very first tanks designed during World War I—including ‘Little Willie,’ the world’s first prototype tank. As you walk through the decades, the machines grow in size and complexity, culminating in the sleek, modern Challenger 2 tanks used by the British Army today.
The Trench Experience
One of the most impactful exhibits is the immersive World War I Trench Experience. Visitors walk through a meticulously recreated life-size trench, complete with the sounds, sights, and even the smells of the Western Front in 1916. It culminates in a dramatic diorama of a Mark I tank looming over the trench edge, giving you a very real sense of what soldiers experienced over a century ago.
Meet the Famous Tiger 131
For history buffs and movie fans, the absolute star of the show is Tiger 131. Captured in the North African desert in 1943, it is the only fully functioning German Tiger I tank left anywhere in the world. It is so famous that it was actually loaned to a Hollywood studio to star alongside Brad Pitt in the 2014 movie Fury. Seeing it up close in the World War II hall is a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Built for Families
While the subject matter is serious, the museum is brilliantly designed to keep children engaged. Every hall features interactive consoles, dressing-up stations, and hands-on exhibits. There is a fantastic indoor soft-play area right next to the café—allowing parents to grab a much-needed coffee while the kids burn off some energy—as well as a massive outdoor tank-themed playground. During the summer, you can even buy tickets to ride in a real tracked vehicle around the outdoor arena!