Photo: Malc McDonald / Geograph, CC BY-SA 2.0
Branksome Chine Beach
A Blue Flag sandy beach at Branksome Chine with a car park beside it, a restaurant, electric barbecues, a ramp to the sand and a dog ban in summer.
At a Glance
Beach Type
sandy
Dogs
Seasonal restrictions
Lifeguard
Yes (seasonal)
Parking
Available
Access
Easy access
Swimming
Swim with caution
Facilities
Activities
A chine beach with a car park beside it
Branksome Chine is one of the chine beaches on the western, Poole side of the BCP seafront. The beach is sandy and holds Blue Flag status, which draws locals and visitors alike. What sets it apart is the car park right next to the sand, with a ramp giving beach access. A beach office, beach shops and restaurants stand on the seafront, with drinking water and a dog wash.
Lifeguards and swimming
RNLI lifeguards are on duty from late May to early September, and the council’s lifeguard page has this year’s dates. Swim in the red and yellow flagged area, treat the sea with caution, and check the dates in force.
Dogs
Dogs are not allowed on the main beach from 1 May to 30 September. On the promenade, paths and zig zags they must be kept on a lead at all times. The year-round dog-friendly areas lie east of the beach office, towards Alum Chine. Check the council’s Branksome Chine page before you travel.
Parking and facilities
The Branksome Chine surface car park sits next to the beach. Facilities include toilets, an accessible toilet, drinking water and electric barbecue hotplates, including wheelchair-accessible ones. Open fires and camping are not permitted on any BCP beach at any time.
Access
A ramp leads onto the beach. A beach wheelchair can be borrowed from the beach office, first come, first served from May to September, against a refundable cash deposit.
Along the coast
East is Alum Chine Beach, with a children’s play area. To the west, Canford Cliffs Beach is quieter, and the council warns it can be hard to reach from the car park.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a car park at Branksome Chine?
- Yes. The Branksome Chine surface car park is next to the beach. Check the council's page for charges.
- Where can dogs go?
- From 1 May to 30 September dogs are not allowed on the main beach. The year-round dog-friendly areas lie east of the beach office, towards Alum Chine.
- Are there lifeguards?
- RNLI lifeguards are on duty from late May to early September. The dates change each year, so check the council's lifeguard page.
- Can I use electric barbecues?
- Electric barbecue hotplates are available here, including wheelchair-accessible ones. Open fires are not permitted on any BCP beach.