Dorset Beaches Hive and Knoll Make UK Top 50

Dorset's coastline has received some major national recognition, with Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock and Knoll Beach in Studland both making it into the UK's top 50 beaches for 2026. This annual guide, compiled by Chris Haslam for The Times and Sunday Times, uses a strict 11-point checklist to evaluate everything from water quality and cleanliness to accessibility and dog-friendliness. To even be considered, mainland beaches had to secure an "excellent" water quality rating from national environment agencies. Alongside these two standouts, other local spots like Man O'War beach in Lulworth and Middle Beach in Studland also made the top 50, while Southbourne Beach right here in Bournemouth was named south England's beach of the year.

Hive Beach, located at Beach Road in Burton Bradstock (DT6 4RF), is a National Trust site situated between West Bay and West Bexington. Known for its golden shingle shoreline and high sandstone cliffs, it forms part of Chesil Beach and the wider Jurassic Coast. The beach has a bit of history too, having been used for training by British Commandos and US Rangers before the 1943 Normandy landings. If you visit, you can find toilets and the Hive Beach Café, which serves locally sourced seafood like fresh crab sandwiches and spicy squid. Parking is available at the National Trust car park, where members park for free and others can pay via cash, contactless, or the JustPark app. Keep in mind there is no lifeguard service here, and the shelving beach is known for strong currents and unstable cliffs. Dogs are welcome, though restrictions apply from June to October.

Further east, Knoll Beach in Studland offers a different vibe with its 900-metre stretch of shallow, golden sand. Also managed by the National Trust, this beach is highly popular with families and includes a designated, clearly marked naturist area. The facilities here are extensive, featuring a beach shop, a licensed café and restaurant with outdoor seating, toilets, and a watersports centre where you can hire paddleboards, kayaks, and sailing dinghies. The large on-site car park (SAT NAV: BH19 3AH) is free for National Trust members, while non-members pay daily rates ranging from £6 for two hours up to £16 for the whole day, payable via cash or the JustPark app. Dogs are allowed, though they must be kept on a leash during specific periods of the year.

Beyond these top-rated spots, our local area continues to hold a high standard for coastal quality. As of 2025, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council holds nine Blue Flag awards and ten Seaside Awards. This includes popular spots like Sandbanks, Shore Road, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Alum Chine, Southbourne, Friars Cliff, and Manor Steps. Whether you are looking for the active surf culture at Boscombe Beach, the quiet nature reserve feel of Mudeford Spit, or the classic sands of West Cliff, there is plenty of variety along the coast this summer.