Southbourne Beach

Away from the pier

Southbourne is the quieter beach in the Bournemouth sequence. It is one of Bournemouth’s Blue Flag award winning beaches, with wide, clean sand and shingle away from the pier and the town centre. The seafront here is plain by comparison with its western neighbours: a pub, a kiosk selling refreshments and ice cream, and toilets. If you want the pier, the amusements and the activities, Boscombe Beach is the next stretch west.

Lifeguards and swimming

RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach. On the council’s lifeguard page Southbourne is covered from late May to early September. Patrolled areas are marked with red and yellow flags. Treat swimming with caution and check the dates before you travel.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on Southbourne beach from 1 May to 30 September. At all times of year they must be on a lead on the promenade, paths and zig zags, and owners are asked to clean up. Check the council’s Southbourne page for the rule in force.

Parking and facilities

The nearest car parks are Warren Edge and Solent Beach. Facilities are toilets, an accessible toilet, a pub and a kiosk. Accessible toilets are at Gordon’s Steps, about 100 metres west of Gordon’s zig zag, and near the Bistro on the Beach in Southbourne.

Access

Zig zag paths and Gordon’s Steps link the promenade to the sand, and you can reach the beach directly from Southbourne high street through Fisherman’s Walk. The council lists no step-free route to the sand, so check its page before you plan a visit if access matters.

Along the coast

East of Southbourne the beach runs towards Hengistbury Head, where Hengistbury Head Beach has its own page.