It’s no surprise holidaymakers flock to beaches in Dorset
Dorset boasts some of the UK’s most recognisable and well-reviewed beaches, so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular place for a holiday. But which beaches have the top reviews?
We looked at the Dorset beaches with the highest number of top reviews. We also looked at the beaches with the highest percentage of five-star reviews, as this shows some of the hidden gems in the county to escape to during the busy holiday season.
And it may come as no surprise that the Dorset beach with the highest number of five-star reviews on Trip Advisor was Bournemouth Beach. The huge sandy beach in Bournemouth had 5,957 five-star reviews – with Weymouth in second place with 4,263. Hengistbury Head Beach was third with 1,720.
The top 10 was completed by Sandbanks (1,297), Chesil Bank (646), Hive Beach in Burton Bradstock (375), Alum Chine Beach in Bournemouth (333), Highcliffe Beach (247), Southbourne Beach (176) and Monmouth Beach near Lyme Regis (181).
Bournemouth Beach is a sandy beach that is widely recognised as one of the finest in the South West and it’s a big favourite with families and swimmers especially in the warmer months. The sheer length of the seven-mile long beach means it’s possible to find quiet places to pitch up even at the height of summer.
There are lifeguards on the beach and there are plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants and B&Bs nearby. Dogs are banned from the beach during the summer.
It’s no wonder that Bournemouth Beach was rated among the best beaches in Europe by TripAdvisor. The review site unveiled its list of the top 25 best beaches in Europe in February and Bournemouth Beach snuck into the shortlist.
Visitors over the recent Easter bank holiday have only enhanced Bournemouth Beach’s high reputation, with many praising its views, sandy beach, cleanliness and calmness of the waves. One recent review reads: “Lovely sandy long beach for a good long walk.
“We walked from East Boscombe to Bournemouth Pier on a lovely sunny day in April 2023. Although it was only 13 degrees, it was very pleasant. We walked back along the cliff top which was also very pleasant.”
Another visitor wrote: “Just a wonderful sandy beach and in the UK. Clean, tidy, and plenty of space, the further you come away from the pier area.
“Head towards Alum Chine. Kids loved it, we loved and every time we have been the sun has shine all day. A good feature is the plenty of ice cream stalls, bars, food outlets and the water refill stations.”
Source: Dorset
