Sandbanks Beach, Poole

Description:

Sandbanks is Poole's  premier Blue Flag Beach and is without doubt one of the finest beaches in Europe. It is located along the Sandbanks peninsula in Poole Bay around three miles from the town centre. Follow the sandcastles painted on the B3369 from Poole Civic Centre. There is ample Parking for 550 or so vehicles and limited parking on the road, although in peak season the advice has to be, arrive early.

Sandbanks is set among five kilometres of fine golden sand. It has flown the European Blue Flag more times than any other British resort spanning twenty years, and was rated among the top five beaches in the country by a Tidy Britain Group resort survey.

The Blue Flag Award is an International benchmark for the best beaches worldwide. It has very strict criteria for bathing water, beach safety and supervision, good beach management and clear information for the public. It was also awarded to neighbouring beaches Shore Road, Canford Cliffs Chine  and Branksome.

A safe for swimmers only zone is set aside marked out in the sea, and there are endless things to do if you are looking beyond digging sandcastles and paddling. The gradual slope of the beach makes it safe for children. There are a wide selection of water sports available including pedalos, catamarans and windsurfing. Volleyball nets and posts can be hired locally. Barbecues are allowed after 6pm - seven days notice is required from the council. Every Thursday in August, Shore Road's beach party, Summer time in the south, culminates in a spectacular firework finale at 10pm.

 There is a beach office, RNLI beach rescue lifeguards, deckchairs and beach huts available and a KidZone scheme for lost children.

The facilities are good with a large cafe, ice cream kiosks, plus shops just across the road. Beach wheelchairs are available. For children there is a putting green, volleyball, windsurfing, sailing and fishing and one of the U.K's best 18-hole crazy golf courses.

Toilets are available on the promenade, facilities for the disabled and for baby changing in the ladies. At The Haven Hotel  (harbour mouth) there are men's and ladies facilities for the disabled, but not baby changing.

Wilts and Dorset buses from Poole are open-top on most of the number152 buses, which run daily until late September. There is also a number 150 from Bournemouth and Swanage. Yellow Buses open-top service 12 runs through here on its way to Sandbanks.

Dogs are not permitted on the main beach from May 1 to September 30, but there is a designated dog beach.

Other points of note are Shell Bay across from Sandbanks  which can be reached by chain ferry that takes vehicles and pedestrians. There is a ferry also to Brownsea Island, the home of the red squirrel and a John Lewis Partnership Hotel  and restaurant serving meals and Dorset Cream Teas. The three mile Evening Hill Discovery Trail runs adjacent to the beach.

Places to visit on a rainy day are:-

Poole Town Centre, three miles away with all main shops plus a department store. There is a museum, swimming pool, sports centre, library, cafes, restaurants, bars, amusements, road train and new Pottery Experience.

Poole Stadium, off Wimborne Road. Greyhound racing every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings. Trackside restaurant bars. Entrance £5, children under 16 go free. Wednesday night is Poole Speedway.