Studland Bay

Planning a day at the beach? Studland Bay is one of the best places in Purbeck for sandy beaches, sheltered water, coastal walks and beautiful views.

Around 30–35 minutes by car from West Lulworth, Studland makes a lovely day trip if you fancy swapping the cliffs of the Jurassic Coast for a traditional sandy beach.

The bay stretches for around four miles, with several different beaches to choose from, backed by dunes, heathland and countryside.

Why visit Studland Bay?

Studland feels very different from Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.

Instead of steep cliffs and rocky coves, you’ll find long stretches of golden sand and relatively sheltered water, making it particularly popular with families, swimmers, paddleboarders and walkers.

The area is managed by the National Trust and also includes Studland and Godlingston Heath, an important area of lowland heathland with a rich variety of wildlife.

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Getting to Studland from Lulworth

Studland is around 15 miles from West Lulworth, with a journey time of roughly 30–35 minutes depending on traffic.

The usual route is via Corfe Castle and Swanage, following the B3351 towards Studland.

The sat nav postcode for Knoll Beach in Studland, Dorset, is BH19 3AH

Get directions to Studland Bay

You can also reach Studland via the Sandbanks chain ferry, which connects the peninsula with Sandbanks and Poole. The ferry carries cars, bicycles and pedestrians.

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Which Studland beach should you visit?

There are several beaches around the bay, and each has a slightly different character.

Knoll Beach

Knoll Beach is probably the easiest choice for a first visit.

There is a large National Trust car park close to the beach, along with toilets, a café, shop and visitor facilities. The beach has gently shelving water and plenty of space for families and beach games.

Knoll Beach is also where you’ll find the main accessible facilities, including beach wheelchairs and an all-terrain electric wheelchair available for free hire.

Middle Beach

Middle Beach is a little quieter and is a good option if you want to combine a beach visit with a walk.

There are toilets and parking nearby, and the beach is popular for swimming, kayaking and snorkelling.

South Beach

South Beach is close to Studland village and is particularly convenient if you’re planning to walk towards Old Harry Rocks.

The National Trust’s Old Harry Rocks walk starts from the South Beach car park.

Shell Bay

At the northern end of Studland, Shell Bay looks across Poole Harbour towards Sandbanks and Bournemouth.

It’s also where the Sandbanks chain ferry arrives, so it’s an interesting option if you’re approaching Studland from the Poole side.

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Old Harry Rocks

One of the best reasons to visit Studland is its proximity to Old Harry Rocks.

These dramatic chalk stacks mark the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast and offer spectacular views across the sea towards the Isle of Wight.

The walk from Studland village towards Old Harry Rocks is relatively straightforward, although there are steep cliff edges and you should keep well back from the edge.

If you’re staying in Lulworth and haven’t already visited Old Harry Rocks, it’s an excellent way to see a completely different part of the Jurassic Coast.

Our Tip: Grab refreshments at the end of your walk is the dog friendly Bankes Arms, Studland, a pub reputedly dating back to 1549 which has wonderful views of the coast from the garden.

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Walking at Studland

You don’t have to spend the whole day on the beach.

There are walks along the shoreline and through the surrounding dunes and heathland, with routes ranging from easy beach strolls to longer countryside walks.

The South West Coast Path passes through Studland, while the wider area includes Studland and Godlingston Heath, one of Dorset’s important lowland heath habitats.

For a longer walk, you can combine Studland with Old Harry Rocks and continue towards Swanage.

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Watersports

The sheltered waters of Studland Bay are popular for kayaking, paddleboarding and other watersports.

Knoll Beach and Middle Beach are particularly suitable areas for getting onto the water, with equipment hire available locally at Knoll Beach.

As always, check local conditions before heading onto the water and be aware of tides, currents and other water users.

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Parking at Studland

There are National Trust car parks at Knoll Beach, Middle Beach, South Beach and Shell Bay.

Parking is paid using payment machines or the JustPark app, with National Trust members able to park free when using the appropriate member check-in.

During warm weekends and school holidays, Studland can become extremely busy, so arriving early is well worth it.

Overnight parking and camping are not permitted in the National Trust car parks.

Check current Studland parking information

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Dogs at Studland

Studland is a popular destination for dog owners, but there are seasonal restrictions.

Dogs are welcome on the beaches all year round, but between 1 May and 30 September they must be kept on a lead of less than 2 metres on the beach. There are also seasonal restrictions on the surrounding heathland and dunes to protect ground-nesting birds.

If you’re visiting with a dog, check the current National Trust guidance before setting off, as restrictions can change.

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A note about the naturist beach

Studland is home to a long-established naturist area on part of Knoll Beach.

The designated area is clearly marked, and clothing is optional within that section. If you’d prefer to avoid it, the National Trust recommends using the Heather Walk through the dunes.

There’s no need for this to put you off visiting Studland — there are several miles of beach and plenty of other areas to choose from.

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Accessibility

Knoll Beach is the best choice if accessibility is important.

There is designated accessible parking, level access to the café, shop and toilets, and beach wheelchairs and an all-terrain electric wheelchair are available. A Changing Places facility is also available at Knoll Beach.

Other areas of Studland have more uneven terrain, so check the National Trust accessibility information before choosing your route.

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Our tip

Go early on a sunny summer day.

Studland is hugely popular when the weather is good, and parking can become difficult later in the morning.

If you arrive early, you can enjoy the beach before the busiest part of the day and then walk towards Old Harry Rocks or explore the heathland afterwards.

Alternatively, visit later in the afternoon when many day-trippers start heading home.

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