Canford Cliffs Beach, Poole

Description:

Canford Cliffs beach nestles between Branksome and Flaghead Chines. Parking is available at Ravine Road with 59 spaces or roadside parking at the top of the Chines. The summer season is very popular along this stretch of beach and an early start is a good idea.

This is a Conservation area and is very well looked after by the council and local people.

Canford Cliffs is a wide fine sandy beach with a Blue Flag award and shares its facilities with neighbouring Branksome and Sandbanks. There is a safe swimming zone and beach stationed RNLI life guards. The lost children KidZone scheme operates here.

There are kiosks for ice-creams and refreshments and toilet facilities at regular intervals along the beach. Access is either via steps from the cliff top or a pretty stroll through the tree-lined Chine down to the beach. This would be the wheelchair or pushchair access to this beach, although quite steep on the way back up. But do not despair there are plenty of benches well kept and provided by Poole council. If using the steps there are stopping points where you can enjoy the view surrounded by beautifully planted garden areas.

There are beach huts to hire and some fine listed ones to see dating back to1927.

Wilts and Dorset run a bus service, the 151 running every hour Monday to Saturday stopping at the Canford Cliffs Parade of shops. Yellow buses open-topped service number 12 runs through Canford Cliffs on its way to Sandbanks.

Dogs are not permitted on the beach between May 1 to September 30.

Places to visit on a rainy day are:-

Compton Acres, Canford Cliffs. Ten acres of beautiful gardens known as one of the finest in Europe. Open all year, craft sbop and garden products, cafe, brasserie, new railway exhibition, deer sanctuary, free parking.  See our article on Guide2Dorset info.

Dolphin Swimming Pool  near Poole bus station. Swimming and diving , gym sauna and spar and a cafe.  Tel:-  01202 677217.