Canford Cliffs Beach

A quiet stretch of the coast

Canford Cliffs is a natural and tranquil area between Shore Road and Branksome Chine, with sandy cliffs and wooden huts. It is on the Poole side of the seafront and within walking distance of Canford Cliffs village, which has restaurants and local shops. The beach itself has little built behind it: toilets, drinking water and, in season, volleyball nets. It holds Blue Flag status.

Lifeguards and swimming

RNLI lifeguards are listed here, but cover dates for Canford Cliffs are not published on the council’s lifeguard page, so check with the council before you rely on cover. Treat the sea with caution at all times.

Dogs

From 1 May to 30 September dogs are not allowed on Canford Cliffs beach. On the promenade and paths they must be on a lead, and owners must clean up. Check the council’s Canford Cliffs page before you set out.

Parking and access

The nearest car park is Western Road. The council warns: “You may have difficulty reaching Canford Cliffs beach from the car park.” If that is a worry, it suggests Sandbanks, Shore Road or Branksome Chine as easier choices. The beach has toilets, but no accessible toilet is listed. Open fires and camping are not permitted on any BCP beach.

What to bring

With so little on the beach itself, pack what you need for the day. There is drinking water and there are toilets at the beach, and the village shops and restaurants are a walk away rather than on the sand.

Along the coast

East along the seafront, Branksome Chine Beach has a car park beside the sand and a ramp to the beach. Further along the coast, Sandbanks Beach is the larger beach at the mouth of Poole Harbour.