South Beach is Studland’s best-kept secret—a small, crescent-shaped cove that feels a world away from the busy main beaches.
Because it is less commercialized and requires a short walk from the village, it rarely gets overcrowded, even in the height of summer. Surrounded by low, tree-lined cliffs and dotted with traditional beach huts, it offers a deeply nostalgic seaside experience right on the edge of the Purbeck Hills.
Unlike the other beaches, South Beach does not have its own dedicated beachside car park, which is exactly why it remains so peaceful.
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By Car: Drive right through Studland Village to the National Trust South Beach Car Park (located opposite the Bankes Arms pub).
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The Walk: From the car park, it is a very short, scenic walk down a steep, leafy lane directly onto the sand.
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By Bus: The Purbeck Breezer drops you off in the village, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach path.
South Beach is highly tidal, meaning the beach dramatically changes size throughout the day.
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Low Tide: The absolute best time to visit. The receding water reveals a wide expanse of firm sand and fantastic rock pools at the southern edge.
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High Tide: The beach becomes very narrow, often right up to the sea wall and beach huts, making it less ideal for spreading out a large picnic.
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Evening: A spectacular spot for an evening swim followed by a pint in the pub garden above.
Because of its hidden nature, South Beach is the least accessible of the Studland beaches.
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The Path: Access from the village involves walking down a fairly steep, sometimes uneven paved lane.
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Facilities: There are no toilets or facilities directly on the beach. The nearest public toilets are located back up the hill in the National Trust car park.
The cove is open 24 hours a day, year-round.
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Joe’s Café: A legendary local spot! This tiny, rustic café located right on the beach path operates on seasonal hours (usually daytime in summer) and serves fantastic crab sandwiches and ice cream.
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The Bankes Arms: The famous pub at the top of the path is open daily, serving lunch and dinner with a sprawling beer garden overlooking the sea.
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Map Directions
A Local’s Hideaway
While visitors flock to the vast expanses of Knoll and Shell Bay, locals usually head straight for South Beach. It has a distinctly traditional, almost “Enid Blyton” feel to it. The beach is lined with a row of colorful, privately owned beach huts tucked under the trees, and the sand is perfect for building castles. Because the water here is so sheltered by the curve of the bay and the looming chalk cliffs of Old Harry, it is incredibly calm and safe for young children to paddle.
The Best Rock Pooling in the Bay
If you have kids who love to explore, timing your visit for low tide is a must. As the water pulls back, the southern end of the beach (where the sand meets the chalky base of the cliffs) reveals a fantastic network of rock pools. Armed with a net and a bucket, you can spend hours hunting for shore crabs, anemones, and small fish trapped in the tidal pools.
The Perfect Hike and Pint Combo
South Beach is arguably the best basecamp for exploring the wider Purbeck area. The path that leads down to the sand is the very same path that continues up the hill to the world-famous Old Harry Rocks. A classic Studland day out involves parking in the village, hiking up to the spectacular white cliffs, wandering back down for a cooling swim at South Beach, and finishing the day with a well-earned meal in the beer garden of the Bankes Arms pub, which offers panoramic views over the sea you just swam in.
Joe’s Café: A Studland Institution
You can’t talk about South Beach without mentioning Joe’s Café. Tucked away under the trees on the path down to the beach, this tiny, unassuming wooden hut has been serving beachgoers for generations. It is entirely off-grid and famous for its simple, high-quality local fare. Grabbing a fresh crab sandwich or a locally made ice cream from Joe’s before heading down to the sand is a beloved Studland tradition.
