The quiet beach hardly anyone knows about, offering amazing views and peaceful woodland
- UK Hidden Gems
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Tucked between the historic Dorset town of Christchurch and the village of Highcliffe-on-Sea is a quiet treasure: a sheltered beach wrapped in thick woodland and rolling sand dunes.
This beach, which proudly holds Blue Flag status, is a lovely place to unwind, whether you’re heading there for a quick day out or a peaceful summer break.
Sitting on the Dorset-Hampshire border, it offers amazing views across to the Isle of Wight and the Needles, making it popular with holidaymakers and locals.
The beach mixes shingle with soft sand, creating a great spot for a relaxing day in the sun. It’s especially loved by swimmers and surfers, so don’t forget to bring a bodyboard if you have one.
If you enjoy walking, there’s a gentle 2.5-mile route along the shoreline that takes you to Mudeford Quay.
From there, you can catch a ferry to Mudeford Sandbank, or keep going on to Hengistbury Head, before following the long promenade all the way to Bournemouth Pier.
Dogs are welcome at Highcliffe Beach, but Visit South East England notes that pets are not allowed between groynes H8 and H11 from May 1 to September 30.
Outside of that area, dogs on leads are allowed all year round, reports the Express.
People who have visited the beach describe it as a “wonderful stretch of coastline” with “amazing views”. ECC wrote on Tripadvisor: “Wonderful stretch of coastline. Incredible views.
No roads in sight once down by the sea. Nice cliff top cafe/restaurant. Public toilets. No showers. Beach is a lovely mix of sand, stones, small boulders. Paddle boarders, surfers, swimmers even in freezing weather! Dog heaven.”
Anna agreed: “A very lovely place. We were able to walk even with our daughter who is a wheelchair user.
Amazing view, great parking (accepts only coins) and lovely cafe and ice cream van. On the right side it’s a rocky beach and on the left side it’s sandy (dog friendly) so everyone can find something lovely.”
Tracey added: “An absolutely stunning beach with soft silky sand making it perfect to gently stroll along, or to just sit peacefully with your family for a great day of fun with or without a tasty picnic.”
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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