Knoll Beach is purpose-built for a stress-free day by the sea. The water here is famously calm and shallow, warming up nicely in the summer sun and providing a safe environment for young children to splash and swim. With a fantastic café, a well-stocked National Trust shop (in case you forgot your sunscreen or bucket), and clean shower facilities right on the edge of the sand, parents can truly relax while the kids play.
If you prefer a more active day out, Knoll Beach is the premier spot for water sports in the bay. During the summer, you can hire kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and pedalos directly from the beach. Because the bay is sheltered from the prevailing winds by the Purbeck Hills and Old Harry Rocks, the water is often as flat as a lake, making it the perfect place for beginners to find their balance on a paddleboard.
It is important for visitors to know that the northern end of Knoll Beach (walking left as you face the sea, heading towards Shell Bay) is one of the most famous and historic designated naturist beaches in the UK. It has been an official clothing-optional area since the 1920s. The area is very clearly signposted on the beach and through the dunes, so you will not wander into it accidentally! It is a peaceful, highly respected section of the beach managed perfectly in harmony with the surrounding family areas.
Don’t just stick to the sand! Immediately behind Knoll Beach lies a stunning mature pine woodland and the vast expanse of the Studland heathland. You can follow marked trails directly from the visitor centre to explore this rare habitat, keeping an eye out for Dartford warblers, sand lizards, and perhaps even a grazing Sika deer.
The moment you step off the Sandbanks Chain Ferry, Shell Bay welcomes you to the Isle of Purbeck. Unlike the highly developed promenades of Bournemouth and Poole, Shell Bay is completely natural. The beach is composed of incredibly fine, white sand that shelves very gently into the sea, making it a safe and relaxing environment for paddling and swimming.
Because Shell Bay forms the southern lip of the Poole Harbour entrance, it offers a front-row seat to one of the busiest and most glamorous waterways in Europe. Beachgoers can relax on the sand while massive Brittany Ferries, sleek luxury yachts built across the water at Sunseeker, and fleets of dinghies navigate the narrow channel. Look directly across the water, and you will see the multi-million-pound mansions of the Sandbanks peninsula from a completely new perspective.
The beach is backed by a vast system of undulating sand dunes, which are protected by the National Trust. These dunes are a dynamic, ever-changing environment bound together by marram grass. They provide fantastic, sheltered sun traps on windy days, but visitors are asked to stick to the designated paths to protect the fragile nesting sites of local seabirds and the rare sand lizards that call the dunes home.
While the beach itself is wild, luxury isn’t far away. Located right at the edge of the beach by the ferry terminal is the highly acclaimed Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant. Known as one of the best dining spots in Dorset, you can sit on the terrace, enjoy locally caught Purbeck seafood, and look out over the very waters your dinner was caught in.
Studland Bay isn’t just one beach; it is a four-mile stretch divided into four distinct areas. Whether you want a bustling family day out with ice creams and water sports, or a quiet retreat surrounded by nature, Studland has a spot for you.
Shell Bay: The very first beach you reach after stepping off the Sandbanks ferry. Backed by towering dunes, it offers spectacular views right back across the water to your accommodation.
Knoll Beach: The vibrant heart of Studland Bay. This is the largest beach, featuring the main National Trust visitor centre, a fantastic café, water sports hire, and safe, shallow waters perfect for children. (Note: The far end of Knoll Beach is a designated naturist area).
Middle Beach: Slightly more sheltered and framed by low cliffs, Middle Beach is a favorite for kayakers, paddleboarders, and those looking to escape the busiest crowds.
South Beach: The smallest and most intimate of the four. Popular with locals, this narrow, sandy cove is closest to Studland village and the famous Bankes Arms pub.
Behind the golden sands lies the Studland National Nature Reserve, a vast expanse of lowland heath. This is one of the few places in Britain where you can find all six native species of British reptiles, including the rare sand lizard and smooth snake. The dunes themselves are a delicate, shifting ecosystem home to rare wildflowers and insects, making the bay a paradise for nature photographers.
Old Harry Rocks is geologically fascinating. These towering stacks of chalk are actually part of a long seam of rock that once stretched continuously across the sea to the Isle of Wight. Over thousands of years, the relentless pounding of the waves eroded the softer rock, leaving behind these dramatic standalone pillars. On a clear day, look east across the water—you can still see Old Harry’s matching chalk counterparts, The Needles, standing on the Isle of Wight.
How did these rocks get their name? Local legend offers two very different stories. The most popular tale claims the rocks were named after Harry Paye, an infamous pirate and smuggler from nearby Poole, who used the hidden coves around the stacks to stash his contraband. The second, slightly more sinister legend suggests that “Old Harry” is a traditional nickname for the Devil, who supposedly took a nap on the rocks.
Historically, there was also another stack known as “Old Harry’s Wife,” but she unfortunately collapsed into the sea during a fierce storm in 1896, leaving Old Harry standing alone.
The journey to the rocks is just as enjoyable as the destination itself. Setting off from Studland village, the trail leads you briefly through a shaded, atmospheric woodland tunnel before opening out onto the sweeping, grassy clifftops. As you walk, you are treated to panoramic views on both sides. To your right, the vast expanse of the English Channel; to your left, spectacular views looking right back across Studland Bay to the Sandbanks peninsula and Bournemouth.
Because the cliffs are undisturbed by development, they are a thriving habitat for local wildlife. The chalk face is home to nesting seabirds, including cormorants and guillemots. If you are very lucky and keep a sharp eye out, you might even spot a peregrine falcon hunting along the coastline or a pod of bottlenose dolphins playing in the surf far below.
Corfe Castle is not your typical “preserved” castle. Its distinctive, jagged appearance is the result of “slighting”—an intentional demolition ordered by Parliament after the Civil War to ensure the fortress could never be used again. Walking through the ruins today, you can see massive blocks of stone, some the size of small houses, that were blasted from the walls centuries ago.
As you climb the castle mound, you’ll discover the remnants of the Great Tower, which once stood as a symbol of royal power. Kids and history buffs alike will love finding the “Murder Holes”—openings in the gatehouse ceiling used to drop stones or hot liquids on invaders. The site is dotted with informative plaques that tell the story of the brave Lady Bankes, who famously defended the castle during a three-year siege.
At the foot of the castle lies the village of Corfe Castle, which is just as historic as the ruins themselves. Built almost entirely from the local grey Purbeck Limestone, the village feels like a movie set.
The Model Village: Located in the heart of the village, this 1/50th scale model shows you exactly what the castle looked like before it was destroyed.
Local Fare: After your climb, head to the Greyhound Inn or the Corfe Castle Tea Rooms for a traditional Dorset Cream Tea or a local Purbeck ale.
From the top of the castle ruins, the view is staggering. On a clear day, you can look north across the Poole Harbour towards Sandbanks, south towards the sea at Swanage, and east across the rolling Purbeck Hills. It is a 360-degree vantage point that reminds you exactly why this spot was chosen for a royal fortress over 1,000 years ago.
If you ask a Sandbanks local where to find the best view in the area, they won’t point you toward the beach—they’ll point you toward Evening Hill. This iconic viewpoint sits on a gentle ridge overlooking the entrance to the Sandbanks peninsula, providing a 180-degree vista that captures the very best of the Dorset coast.
Photographers from across the South Coast flock here to capture the “perfect sunset.” From this elevated position, you can see the entire expanse of Poole Harbour, with Brownsea Island sitting proudly in the center and the silhouette of the Purbeck Hills in the far distance. During the late afternoon, the light hits the water at a perfect angle, creating a shimmering “path of gold” that is a dream to capture on camera.
Evening Hill isn’t just a place for quiet reflection; it’s a front-row seat to the activity of the harbour. On a windy day, the waters below are filled with the vibrant colors of kitesurfers and windsurfers performing stunts in the shallow waters of Whitley Lake. You’ll also see the massive Channel Island ferries and sleek Sunseeker yachts gliding through the main shipping channel, making it a fascinating spot for boat-watchers of all ages.
The hill features a large, well-maintained grassy slope that is perfect for spreading out a blanket. Many visitors pick up fish and chips from nearby Lilliput or a fresh coffee from the Sandbanks kiosks and head here to enjoy their meal with a view that no restaurant can beat. It is a dog-friendly area, so it’s a common sight to see locals enjoying an evening walk with their pets while the sun goes down.
Just a stone’s throw from the luxury yachts and bustling beaches of the Sandbanks peninsula lies a completely different world. Stepping off the ferry onto Brownsea Island feels like stepping back in time. With 500 acres of pine woodland, heathland, and saltwater lagoons to explore, this car-free sanctuary is the ultimate antidote to the busy mainland.
Because the island is isolated from the mainland, it has become one of the most important nature reserves in southern England. The absolute highlight for most visitors is the thriving population of native Red Squirrels. Protected from the grey squirrels that dominate the rest of the UK, these rare, tufted-eared acrobats are frequently seen darting up the Scots pines or foraging on the woodland floor.
But the wildlife doesn’t stop in the trees. As you explore the island, keep your camera ready for:
Sika Deer: A shy but beautiful herd roams freely through the island’s clearings and heathland.
Free-Roaming Peacocks: Usually found strutting around the historic church and visitor centre near the quay, adding a splash of vibrant color to the green landscape.
The Lagoon Flock: The northern part of the island features a protected saltwater lagoon with dedicated viewing hides. Depending on the season, it is a spectacular spot to watch huge flocks of Avocets, Spoonbills, and Terns feeding in the shallows.
Beyond its natural beauty, Brownsea Island holds a unique place in global history. In August 1907, Lord Baden-Powell brought 20 boys from diverse backgrounds to camp on the island, testing his ideas for a new youth movement. This experimental trip became the birthplace of the worldwide Scout and Guide movement. Today, you can visit the very spot where they pitched their tents and view the commemorative stone that marks this historic site.
As you arrive, you will also be greeted by the striking sight of Brownsea Castle. Originally built by Henry VIII to protect Poole Harbour, the castle is now leased to the John Lewis Partnership. While the interior is not open to the public, its imposing exterior makes for a fantastic photo backdrop against the sparkling harbour waters.
Whether you are looking for a gentle post-lunch stroll or a full afternoon hike, Brownsea caters to every energy level. The island features a network of clearly marked, color-coded walking trails ranging from one to three miles.
Follow the coastal path for sweeping, panoramic views across the water to the Purbeck Hills and the Sandbanks peninsula.
Venture deeper into the pine and oak woodlands to find quiet, shaded clearings that are perfect for a peaceful picnic away from the main visitor hubs.