Studland Bay

The Beach

The UK's most popular naturist beach has official approval from the National Trust, which owns the bay. The naturist part of the long sandy beach is about 1km long and is well signposted. There is a useful map showing the location of the naturist area and access routes on the National Trust webpages for Studland: https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/assets/website/national/regions/dorset/places/studland-bay/pdf/studland-bay-map.pdf 

You can get there by catching the chain ferry from Sandbanks Ferry Terminal in Poole and walking the last mile via Shell Bay. The ferry toll booths accept card or cash payment. A van is situated on the beach on busy summer days, selling drinks, snacks, and ice creams to naturists, subject to staff availability.  https://www.sandbanksferry.co.uk/ 

Vehicles pay on the Studland side; the ferry toll booths accept card or cash payment. On fine days in summer school holidays there can be long queues for vehicles. Foot passengers only pay in the Studland-bound direction, supplement for cycles: cash or cards accepted. 

Dogs are permitted on the beach but must be on leads, under 2m, between 1st May – 30th September. Cattle graze on the heathland rear of the beach so please be alert to this and put dogs on a lead in these areas.

Due to heightened fire risk, Studland Bay is a “No BBQ or Open Fire Zone”, this applies to the total Studland area including the beach. It is also illegal to camp overnight either on Ferry Road or in beach and heath areas.

Directions

From the East take the A351 from Wareham towards Swanage - on reaching Corfe Castle, take the signed left turn under the low bridge on B3351, Studland Road, for about five miles past Studland village. The signed Knoll Beach NT Car Park is on the right just before the Knoll House Hotel on the left.

From the west take the A351 from Wareham towards Swanage - on reaching Corfe Castle, take the signed left turn under the low bridge on B3351 for about five miles past Studland village. The signed Knoll Beach NT Car Park (Pay and Display) is on the right just before the Knoll House Hotel on the left.

The turning for Knoll Beach car park is just to the north of Knoll House Hotel, marked with a blue 'Knoll Beach car park sign', nearest post code: BH19 3AQ.

Ordnance Survey Map reference: SZ037846

Parking

Parking is available near the centre of the bay, which has car parks with toilet and refreshment facilities, at either end. Park at either of these car parks (at Shell Bay on the northern end or Knoll beach at the southern end, parking in NT car parks is free to NT members, membership card required, walk along the paths/beach until you reach the naturist section. Also accessible from Fire Point 6 on Ferry Road. When parking in Ferry Road ensure you are fully on the verge. 

Morebus 50 (Purbeck Breezer) from Bournemouth to Swanage will stop at any of the three places mentioned along Ferry Road.

Dynamic Dunescapes Project at Studland Bay

Naturism

One of the UKs most popular naturist beaches officially designated a 'naturist beach', by the National Trust. Signposting is visible.

For information on Studland Bay visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay/ and Naturism at Studland Bay

Contact 

• Non-emergency 01929 450500 (Studland NT office).

• In an emergency call 999 (101 for police enquiries).