The 23 best beaches in and around Ringwood

Fantastic beach especially for dogs, as there’s plenty of space for them to run around. There’s lots of space for yourself which is great if you hate crowded beaches. It’s also a good place for a walk as the beach is big. The beach is half pebbly half sandy. Alternatively, there’s also a cliff walk.

Hengistbury Head has it all! Beautiful beach, Gorgeous views - even to the Isle, Rich floral, Fascinating landmarks etched in history, And a hike to cap it all. It does not get better than this!

This is a wonderful place saved by my Dad. When he was alive he designed the coastal defence against this place being destroyed. The groynes and the dredging of sand to help protect the beaches. Couldn't be more proud of him for this. His ashes are at the top overlooking the Isle of Wight. God bless you Dad you were the best. Please if anything make the parking cheaper or free and remember it would not be there if it wasn't for my brilliant father.

We recently visited Head beach and it was an absolutely breathtaking experience! The beach boasts pristine, soft sand that feels wonderful underfoot and stretches as far as the eye can see. The water is an inviting shade of turquoise, perfect for swimming or simply soaking up the sun. The scenery is stunning, with waves lapping at the shore. Whether you're looking to relax with a book, enjoy water sports, or take a leisurely walk along the shoreline, this beach has it all. Amenities are conveniently located, including clean restrooms, and lovely outdoor and indoor dining options nearby for a refreshing bite or a cool drink.

This was such a beautiful place to visit, with panoramic views over to The Isle of Wight and Avon Beach.

The beaches in Bournemouth are brilliant that I cannot favour one over the other. It’s a sandy beach along the cliff. There’s a good stretch of grasslands cliff side to walk. Those who don’t prefer walking, can just hit the beach from the closest car park which is about 5-7 minute walk. There is a paid parking and 1 hr free parking as well, watch out for timings. There are cafe and toilet facilities as well

This is a wild and beautiful spot which is at its finest out of season, when the wind blows and the surf is up. There's a large car park and lots of walkers enjoying the headland and the beaches. The headland can be blustery and exhilarating but down on the lagoon side it is more sheltered.

Highcliffe was brilliant, what a fantastic place to go! Every bit of it took my breath away, I couldn’t stop saying wow look at that. The zig zag to the beach was easy for anyone to use, the beach was amazing. When I went it was hot and sunny. No benches to sit on only big rocks or the beach. Can’t wait to go again and walk to the light house!!!

Got in at 1.15pm, and inside of castle tour was at 1.30pm. For only £3 extra was able to go into rooms not available to the public normally and get a really good storytelling volunteer guide named Sue. Very interesting and engaging. Exploring after that the grounds and eating cake were a plus. Love how its dog friendly for the cafe and their selection of food. Quite a historic place, very happy to have randomly found it on the map and making a detour.

Highcliffe Castle was built between 1831 and 1836 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. Vast quantities of medieval French masonry was shipped across the channel and used in its construction, making it appear older than it actually is. Kings, Queens and the rich and famous have all stayed here over the years. The castle interior was destroyed by fire in the 60s but grants from Heritage and Lottery funding have been used in its restoration. It's a truly beautiful building with so much history! There's a lovely walk down to Highcliffe Beach as well.

Highcliffe Castle is a beautifully restored building located just back from the seafront on the Dorset Coast. Well worth a visit. Plenty of open space for children and dogs to run about. There are tours inside the house if you wish to pay for a ticket and explore the rooms. There is a lovely café/restaurant on site with outdoor and indoor seating. Very clean well maintained toilets too. I should imagine it can get very busy at peak times, although there is a good amount of parking space. A short walk to the nearby beach is available. Usually very quiet, and dog friendly as it is away from nearby Mudeford and Christchurch.

Looks magnificent on the outside but a bit disappointing on the inside in my opinion. Has been restored post 2 fires in the 60's but not quite back to its former glory, I don't mind the brick wall etc.but the modern style staircase just doesn't suit the style.

Amazing! Before you start your journey you can watch a very short informational video. Only issue I had was there was no reset for the video. Very friendly and helpful staff!

Really impressive castle right next to the beach. I didn’t have the opportunity to go inside but it is free to walk all around the castle. You can have a lovely walk around the garden and access the cafe + castle shop at the rear of the castle. The castle is in walking distance of the beach where you can either take the stairs or an accessible route - the “zig-zag path” which is really convenient if you don’t want to tire yourself out by taking the stairs! There is parking on site.

Beautiful beach. One of my favorites in Bournemouth as well as Sandbanks beach. There are places for food, drinks, icecream, coffee etc There are toilets available and parking as well, if parking is full, there are spaces on Studland road free road parking. There is also kids playground behind Vesuvio restaurant.

Great beach, easy access from car park, and plenty of things to do with kids. This is dog free beach in summer time, which is great. Also there is a life guards on duty from 10am to 6pm. Make sure you go there before 9:30am to get a parking spot otherwise there is no way to park in the car park. Toilets are clean, not much but they could be cleaner. There is not any drinking water spot as other beaches like sandbanks.

Really like the beach. It was crowded, but overall a good experience. The kids had fun, and we really want to go again.

Came here for to spend the day at a friend's beach hut. The weather was perfect, sea was choppy but still went in for a swim. Easy to get to on Breezer bus from Poole, as cheaper than paying to park. Had a lovely day was lucky with September weather, no rain 😆😁

Beautiful sandy beach. Toilets close by. Play park next to beach. Cafe, ice cream close by.

Quieter than the beach near by pier and mostly kids and families.

Lovely Sandy Beach!! It’s so beautiful and scenic, you can just get lost by its beauty. You can swim here, enjoy a long walk and can spend a good amount of time. There’s parking close by and public toilets too! In winter the cafes are closed, so suggest you rather pack a snack. The rocks and shell collections are amazing!! You could spot hermit crabs too!!! Can never get tired of this

Amazing place for a morning stroll or even a day at beach ⛱️ very well organised as many paths for walk, parts of beach that allow dogs, a place for a coffee or a breakfast, ice cream and toilets but what impressed me the most was the cleanliness! A lot of rubbish bins but also, nice people caring for this beautiful place. Every time I come here, it makes my day!

Beautiful beach, largely sand, nice & clean. Great views. Gentle sloping sea (albeit pretty rough when we were there). Quiet with a few surfers, families, couples & the odd dog. Dog friendly. Car park right at the top of the cliff with a fairly easy short walk / slope / steps options to the beach below. Restaurant & toilets available. Really enjoyed

Great beach, clean sand with parking toilets and snacks on hand ! Nice walks across to the Isle of Wight.

The beach is beautiful and fairly quiet. Pebbly beach with sand at low tide. Food vendors available in the car park. Car parking itself is reasonably priced, and the beach is literally just behind it

Awesome location for a day out. Large car park with plenty of parking.

Excellent, offering easy access to Highcliffe Beach for coastal walks and relaxation, as well as proximity to Highcliffe Castle. It's also a good base for exploring the New Forest. And very tidy too!

Very beautiful location and not too difficult to go back up the stairs. Food vans located at the top and bottom. If you’re wanting a scenic walk this is your place.

Peaceful and Beautiful Beach Southbourne Beach is a hidden gem — clean, quiet, and far less crowded than the main Bournemouth beach. The views are stunning, and the water is clear and refreshing. It’s perfect for families or anyone wanting a more relaxed seaside experience. There are good walking paths, a lovely café, and easy access via the cliff lift. Highly recommend for a calm and scenic beach day!

Beautiful beach. I prefer to go closer to Hengistbury Head as it’s a little more peaceful and nicer - the main beach in Southbourne is very crowded and busy. The sand dunes are great for dogs to run around. The water is a nice blue colour and the beach is lovely to spend time on a sunny day, or just a walk on a cloudy day.

First time on Bournemouth Beach and it was incredible! Perfect weather, I like seeing other people because it adds more meaning. It was not too crowded at that time so it was alright. We were in SOBO area so drinks, food and toilets were accessible!

Best beach ever. Quiter than the mainstream pier, absolutely amazing for a walk and chill

Great place. Not crowded. Toilets near by

Groovy Nice Clean There were some foreigners watching me inappropriately, a very heavy feeling came over for a moment. I looked up and there was a br. man staring at me. It was not good I walked on and got on with my solo beach trip

It was windy the day we went but we had so much fun playing with our dog there 🐶

Love, love, love this place 🥰 Gorgeous sandy beaches, you can walk in from Hengestbury Head which is a beautiful walk or take a ferry boat from Mudeford or Christchurch. Such a great day out with all the beach amenities you could want. Drinks, food and toilets or even hire a beach hut. Highly recommend for a family day out or relaxing couples weekend ❤️

What an amazing place, unspoilt, clean white pristine sand, beautiful! Took short ferry from Mudeford Quay which is also a really interesting place.

Beautiful scenery, clean beach and surrounding area, lots of space to walk, guarded beach, everything you need for the day! Just take water shoes, there is plenty of stones, but water today was delightful!

Beautiful beach with sand. Great place for a holiday with family.

We jumped on the ferry and walked the beach, so so pretty

This place is like a hidden sand beach jewel, after a stunning view on the Hengistbury Head cliff. A tiny spot with such a beautiful landscape. It is possible to rent a beach hut, but walking there and spending the day is already magic.

Stunning, just stunning ... Don't Forget a ride on the noddy/land train at the head. Massive car park available at Hengisbury head, plenty of parking have never failed to get a spot. Pay at machine or use the online app which i always use as you can top up your parking if you are going to be longer than expected, and you will be 😊 There are toilets at Hengisbury Head or on Mudeford sand bank. lots of lovely cafes that serve really nice quality food....you can spend the whole day here the beaches ⛱️ are clean and the waves are small and gentle so ideal if you have small children. One of my favourite places in all the world . You wont be dissapointed x

Nice, big beach. Perfect for a relaxing day or long walks.

Mixture of pebbles & sand (more sand when the tide is out). Gentle sloping beach with regular wooden groynes. Rows of beach huts behind wide promenade. Ice creams, lunches, drinks, etc., all catered for at nearby bars/booths. Good for kids. Nice, safe, quiet surroundings. Access to beach from nearby car parks.

It's a beautiful place for a day out at the beach. You got all the necessary stuff to enjoy the beach. Restaurants, takeaways, bakery ice cream. You name it... Very fun to go .

Absolutely lovely area away from the main tourist area sorry Bournemouth is not even close

We were there on August 12. We liked the beach. There are small sandy places on almost every beach, your feet don't hurt as much there as on a shallow stone. The sea was cool, but you get used to it quickly. The children couldn't be pulled out of the water. There is a public toilet, shower, parking, cafe to eat and buy ice cream. Very good!

Beautiful landscape, clean, great area to relax. My favourite beach so far.

Our happy place. We usually park in Highcliffe and walk the promonade through to Avon Beach to Mudeford quay. Always stop in the middle of Avon Beach for a cup of tea and fabulous fish and chips. Lots of pretty beach huts.

Great place to park up and have a beach walk or picnic. Fantastic children's play area and cafe. Interesting d day info further along the beach

This place makes for a great day out, with a vast beach, views stretching over to the IOW and a modern cafe available to suit most tastes it’s a great spot to relax. An easy car park makes access a breeze.

Lovely circular walk through the countryside and along the coast. Really easy 2hr walk. Only downside with dogs is there's a lot of barbed wire fences, my Springer Spaniel got a cut on her back, luckily nothing serious.

This is a lovely park along the Solent. There is the beach (shingle), a sensory garden, paths through the woods, and a café (very clean, small shop). There is a car park (administered by Hampshire County Council = expensive)

Really nice place to spend the day! You have a few little beaches, multiple parks, a cafe and somewhere to get ice creams and a good amount of fields to set up! Highly recommend for the family

We would have given more than 5 stars if we could. The first thing we noticed was how clean it was, no litter anywhere. We visited the cafe and found the food to be of good quality and very reasonably priced, it is also dog friendly.

Did, the Lepe loop walk which was lovely. Coastal, fields and woods. Had a lunch on the beech and then decided to go other direction to do "Dunkirk" walk. Amazed to find out what went from there to France as part of D day landing. Highly recommend both walks.

Lovely small museum about the founding of the 900 year old New Forest and key components of its history and life, such as Roman and World War II involvement, Alice in Wonderland connections, a small cob house replica, and why there are roaming horses (to name a few of the topics). Museum is free though donations are very appreciated. They also have a nice gift shop and cafe on site. Toilets adequate and free. Car park immediately next to it is from the city and costs a small fee.

I made a short stop in this small town on my way north, and visited the Heritage Centre. There was not that much to see, although the few displays were interesting enough. I guess the centre is more useful as an information centre than a museum.

Great museum, donations welcome. Set within the carpark. Cafe is relaxing with music in the background. Plenty of cakes for Gluten free diets and something for vegans. Both cakes In photos are gluten and dairy free. Top marks for the caramel one. Lots of choices for food and drinks. Prices are average for the area.

A small museum depicting life in The New Forest for its residents. The museum is free with a card point asking for a voluntary donation. There’s a cafe & shop within the centre. Doesn’t take long to go around the exhibits but is a nice way to see forest life.

This is a centre with a cafe, gift shop and a small museum about the New Forest. It's really interesting and explain a lot about the past and present of the forest. It's quite small but you can easily spend 30 minutes inside. Definitely worth the visit if you're in the village.

Excellent visitor centre for those wishing to find out more about the New Forest and its history. Upstairs is a long tapestry created by local people showing key events.

Lovely food great staff, had a lovely staff member called belle looking after us all. Great food, lovely setting. Thank you.

This is a great country park for the great various activities and facilities the park offers. Although it had a good picnic area, I would recommend you definitely bring your own food, the cafe is absolutely extortionate and so overpriced. I ordered their fish fingers and chips for my son and was given 8 chips and 1 fish finger, which is ridiculous. Thankfully, we also bought a picnic from home, but as it was a cold day, my son wanted something hot, thus the cafe order. With that said, the park itself was brilliant. The little steam train was a joy to ride for all ages. The playground was enjoyed by the kids from the 2m5 Yr old to a 7 year old. The little 'beach' was fun, and we collected shells and pebbles. The grounds were clean, and we had wished we had bought bikes as it seems like a lovely country park to explore on foot and bike. I would return and recommend this park. However, I definitely would also recommend bringing your own food. The only 'food' that was worth its value was the Jude's ucecream on offer, and we were impressed by the range of vegan options.

Went to see The Lost World of Dinosaurs. They were good and some really great and huge dinosaurs to make kids happy. They were placed in woods so it was better. But they can do more by having more and better condition dinosaurs rather than worn out ones. Not much options to buy food other than burgers, chips and ice cream and drinks. Huge area for picnic and roaming.

Great park! The view of Soton Docks is not the best but the park and its amenities make it a great choice for a day out and get fresh air. Visited the dinosaur exposition there yesterday which is now closed, and it was great. The park should have more events like this!

Great park by the seashore with lots of history behind it. Nice restaurant within the park and a small railway around the park for the family to enjoy. Highly recommend visit if you’re in Southampton or near by.

Fab place, loads to see, great for relaxing. Lots of parking spread about. Miniature railway for £1.75 is a bargain.. Great grounds to play ball or have a picnic. Sea views where you can watch the world float by...

Lovely park over looking Southampton water, lots to do for family's, large areas to have picnics, a lovely woodland walk too, well worth visiting in the spring when there are bluebells on show. Lovely area where there's a tea room too

Beautiful place to visit! Plenty of parking (but don’t forget to pay), good toilet facilities and nice little cafe!

Bournemouth Beach is a really lovely place to visit. The beach is clean, wide, and great for walking or just relaxing by the sea. In summer, the weather is usually warm and pleasant, which makes the whole area feel cozy and welcoming. The surroundings are beautiful, with nice cafes, gardens, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view. It’s also a great spot for families—kids can have lots of fun playing in the sand, paddling in the water, or visiting the nearby attractions. Overall, it’s a peaceful and enjoyable place for people of all ages. If you’re looking for a relaxing day out by the sea, Bournemouth Beach is definitely worth a visit.

Awesome! Forever sand, ideal tides with long shallow beach for extended periods of sea swimming and ideal promenade for speed walking or cycling. Great to see use of public art and well located facilities to take a break from the sunshine.

Bournemouth Beach is absolutely stunning! The golden sands are clean and soft, the water is clear, and the views are breathtaking. It’s perfect for families, couples, or a relaxing solo day. The promenade is lively with great cafés, ice cream stalls, and friendly locals. Sunsets here are magical — you can just sit and watch the sky change colors over the sea. It’s one of the best beaches in the UK and always leaves me feeling refreshed and happy. Highly recommend visiting for a perfect seaside escape! 🌊☀️

Nice sandy beach. It could be cleaner. Lots of space to sit and enjoy the beachfront with your family. Kids loves playing in the sand and making sand castles. The seagulls do ruin the experience but that can’t be helped especially as so many people leave food lying around and other rubbish shattered everywhere. Overall a nice family friendly experience.

Amazing beach with easy access to restaurants, ice cream vendors and toilets. Visible information/warning signs. Surprised brits travel outside for similar experiences 😅

Bournemouth Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the United Kingdom, combining natural beauty, clear seas, and the charm of a relaxed British atmosphere. The beach stretches along a long stretch of soft, golden sand, gently lapped by the sea, creating a picturesque landscape that is both relaxing and soothing.Simply put, Bournemouth Beach is a place that combines natural beauty and relaxation, and is worth a visit for those looking for a unique seaside experience in the heart of England.

Beautiful sandy beach – perfect for families Bournemouth Beach is a fantastic sandy beach with beautiful views and a relaxing atmosphere. It’s a great place to spend quality time with family or even plan a picnic by the sea. There’s parking available right in front of the beach, which is very convenient. I paid £6 for 2 hours. If you’re planning to stay longer, I recommend looking for nearby council car parks—they’re usually cheaper and just a short walk away. Highly recommended for a family day out! 🏖️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Perfect sand beach for sun bathing, swimming and relaxing..Real quiet and non commercial - though has good toilet facilities and couple kiosks for grabbing a bite; Can walk through the promenade to find a spot of choice; There are electronic barbecue for public use; One of the best beaches in uk; highly recommended, specially for swimming; Overcliff garden walk is a good option to enjoy the sea view;

One of the best sandy beaches on the southern cost. Very clean good for family outings. Parking is easy to find. Only short coming is only two showers available so on a busy sunny day bit of waiting will be required highly recommended

I enjoy the beach, the Prom Diner & the Boscombe Pier & sometimes an ice cream. The Route 69 bus goes to & from Boscombe to the beach every half hour in the summer

Not a traditional Pier. Butt plenty of sand. Shame about the ticket machines either nit working... cash ..or nit issuing a ticket after paying. Was up on overcliffs area. Pleasant hour spent after the storm.

Lovely place with great views and it’s a perfect place for a night walk as the alley is nicely illuminated at night.

A lovely beach, connected to, and a short walk from the main Bournemouth beach. Clean and tidy with a nice walk along the front of the sands, and as an added bonus, there is a load of parking for £1 an hour right on the seafront.

Beautiful even if its off season. The wind and the waves shows you the power of nature. Magnificent! The dogs enjoyed chasing the seagulls.

Really nice sandy beach. During summer, it is really crowded. There are multiple beaches nearby, I guess it is one of the best in Bournemouth. Nearby car parks are a little expensive and at times full. You might have to walk around 10 minutes to find little cheaper car parks and to easily find space. Great place to spend your day. Great view of the sea from Boscombe pier. I definitely recommend visiting the beach.

This beach is possibly one of my favorite beach as it has everything, it offers miles of sandy shoreline and ample paid parking. The beach is fully accessible and equipped with lifeguards, shower facilities, and toilets. You can even enjoy a barbecue there. I highly recommend it; once you visit, you'll want to go every year.

Boscombe beach is fantastically beautiful, the sandy beach is a place to go every day. It’s so clean and there are free to use BBQs after 6pm. The views from the beach are as good as a holiday abroad, no kidding it was as good as a beach day in Malaysia but not as hot. Free parking can be found up on the road along the cliff. There are also restaurants or tea, coffee huts along the walk way.

When summer arrives, Bournemouth is usually one of my go to destinations. But let’s be honest judging by the crowds, many people feel the same way, and sometimes it turns into a stressful experience rather than a relaxing day at the beach. Space is limited, and it can get overwhelming. That’s why I was so glad to discover Boscombe Beach. Recently, with hotel prices in Bournemouth getting higher and higher, I decided to stay here instead and it turned out to be a fantastic choice. The beach is less crowded, the overall vibe is calmer, and prices for accommodation are relatively more reasonable. On top of that, Bournemouth is still close enough to reach by foot or bike, so you don’t miss out on the city experience either. In my opinion, Boscombe is a really smart alternative if you want to enjoy the seaside without the chaos. Highly recommended!

Lovely sandy beach, very clean and good facilities nearby (toilets, food & drink etc). Loungers and deck chairs can be rented for the day and lifeguards are on hand for any emergencies. Small car park near the beach but plenty of other (cheaper or free) parking further away if you don't mind a short walk.

Quieter than the bournmouth pier area. Which had many illegal activities taking place regardless of high police presence. But many sharp shells at coast.

Boscombe beach is a beautiful beach with lots of amenities, toilets, showers, life guards, free electric barbecues, and Pier. There is a free water dispenser. You can hire beach huts for the week. Near Boscombe beach there is a harvester, plus bars and cafes. Near the Pier there are rocks for children to climb on.

**Lovely Beach Day – Just Watch the Parking!** Really nice beach with a great atmosphere. Plenty of places nearby for drinks and ice cream, which made the day super enjoyable and convenient. It’s a lovely spot to relax, swim, or just enjoy the view. The only downside is the parking! prices are extortionate. If you're driving, make sure to arrive early to try and grab one of the limited free spots nearby. That said, once you’re there, it’s definitely worth it!

On a sunny day, you could be anywhere in the world. The sea is blue and the sand is as soft as you'll find anywhere. Refreshments aren't cheap, and the cost of parking is ridiculous, but if you can overlook those things, it's an excellent beach.

The beach is stunning, and nice and clean. I have a few problems with it however. 1 is the parking is very expensive, I believe we paid £15 for just 4 hours! Other problem is very limited places to eat. There was some construction going on which could be more places to eat hopefully. At moment I'd take a picnic.

Easy parking I'm the car park. About 5 free disabled parking is available quite close to the beach ⛱️

Absolutely amazing place, great beach u can relax on, in close proximity to Tesco Express and restaurants/hotels. Outside of the hectic crowds of main Pier. Would reccomend to visit !

Great beach. Perfect place to swim. Lovely views from Brownsea island, and Poole harbour.

Lovely sandy beach. We were lucky enough to swim in the sea. The facilities are kept clean. Close to a good icecream shop.

Beautiful sandy beach, great for a walk, take the dog out or swim. Not crowded. There are plenty of cafes and other facilities like toilets, Bournemouth Pier, pub, park, parking and more amenities like ice cream and cafes nearby. Beautiful big Harvester there too.

Very beautiful beaches. Very clean coastline. Clean sea water. Wide beaches - enough room for all holidaymakers and even more. Lots of bars and restaurants, but none of these turn the music up too loud. The prices in the bars are high, but it is justified.

FAB-U-LOUS beach used by locals & never packed. Limited parking & BCP have doubled parking fines. Hopefully will remain the best in the area.

The beach is simply wonderful, perfect for long walks and spending time outdoors. Visiting off-season was a bonus, as there weren't many people around, allowing us to enjoy the seaside tranquility without the crowds. It's an ideal spot for appreciating natural beauty and a peaceful atmosphere.

Very nice beach always full but plenty of room for all well worth a visit , Freddie loved the dog friendly side

Amazing views and super long stretch of sand. The beach is very clean. The people are so lovely really friendly. It was the perfect place for a short getaway in the winter months. We still had fun.

Pretty good. Nice for dogs all year round.