Studland Beach, Poole

Description:

Studland is owned by the National Trust and is made up of Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach. They are all popular sandy beaches and a marked section is reserved for nudists. Studland can be reached by taking the chain link ferry from Sandbanks  along to the car parks or follow the B3351 signs from Corfe Castle  and look out for the road signs. Parking is not a problem as there are more than 2,500 spaces at four National Trust car parks.

The beaches are wide sweeping and sandy, great for swimming, water sports, sailing and diving. The quality of the water is good. Building sandcastles is another popular sport as the sand is fine and good for this purpose. Why not picnic in the sand dunes or even take the nature trail through the woodland. Studland Study Centre  at Knoll car park is open for pre bookable events and visits all year round.

Public toilets are available with disabled and baby changing facilities on all of the beaches.

There is a shop and cafe at both Knoll and Middle beach and a cafe at Shell Bay and South Beach.

Wilts and Dorset bus number 150 open top service runs daily from Bournemouth  and Sandbanks  to Studland  and Swanage  between late May and mid September, hourly from 9am to 7pm.

Dogs are not permitted on Knoll and Middle Beach during the Summer season. Shell bay and South beach allow dogs on leads all year round.

Places to viset on a rainy day are:-

St. Nicholas Church, Studland. See the grave of Sergeant Lawrence who fought at Waterloo and later became landlord or the Bankes' arms public house.

Corfe Castle, one of Britain's most majestic ruins, the castle was an important stronghold from the time of William the Conqueror. It is owned by the National trust and open all year round. Tel:  01929 481294.