The beaches of Christchurch stretch continuously from Highcliffe in the East to Avon Beach in the West. The more isolated location of Mudeford Sandbank offers a sandy beach. The beaches are described below, from East to West:

Highcliffe Beach

Situated a short distance from the centre of Highcliffe, this shingle beach is ideal for body boarding as well as bathing. A large car park with café and toilet facilities is located on the cliff top. There is no disabled access due to a series of steep, gravel paths down to the beach.

Highcliffe Castle Beach

A beautiful, shingle and sand beach with vegetated cliffs adjoining the woodlands of Steamer Point Nature Reserve. Parking, toilets and a café are situated in the grounds of Highcliffe Castle and the beach is accessed through the grounds via either steps or the gently sloping zigzag path.

Friars Cliff Beach

This shingle and sand beach is an ideal spot for a family trip to the seaside. Beach huts line the promenade which is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Other facilities include a café, toilets with disabled access, shower, water standpipes and car parking. The beach is a designated bathing area except for the area parallel to the wave wall which is designated for water sports.

Avon Beach

Located in the vicinity of Mudeford Village, Avon Beach is a very popular sand and shingle beach. Beach huts are available for hire and other amenities include Avon Beach Café and Shop, toilets with disabled facilities and car parking. The beach is a designated bathing beach except for the section in front of the car park which is reserved for water sports. Gundimore Promenade links the beach to Mudeford Quay where you can try your hand at crabbing, take a ferry trip to Mudeford Sandbank or simply enjoy the views.

Mudeford Sandbank

An isolated spit adjoining the ancient headland of Hengistbury Head, Mudeford Sandbank offers a sandy beach against a backdrop of picturesque beach huts and views of Christchurch Harbour and the open sea. Access by foot, bicycle or land train from Hengistbury Head or by ferry from Mudeford and Christchurch Quays. Facilities include café, shop and public toilets. There is limited wheelchair access. Dogs are permitted on the beach.

Find us on facebook for regular updates Christchurch Beaches and Harbour Facebook page (opens in a new window) .

Beach Segregation Scheme

The Council operates a voluntary beach segregation scheme (pdf, 12Mb) (opens in a new window) which aims to reduce conflict between swimmers and other water users. There are bathing beaches at:

• Avon Beach and Friars Cliff (in front of the beach huts)
• Highcliffe Castle (between the wave wall and groyne H1)
• Highcliffe (between groyne H8 and H11)
• the seaward side of Mudeford Sandbank

The remaining sites are designated water sports areas:

• Avon Beach (in front of the car park)
• Friars Cliff (in front of the wave wall)
• Highcliffe Beach (between groynes H8 and H11)

A plan of the beach segregation scheme can be downloaded from the right hand side of this page. Byelaws

Dogs on beaches

Dog controls attempt to strike a balance between providing safe bathing areas and provision for owners to exercise their dogs in a natural environment. Byelaw 42 places dog restrictions on the most popular bathing beaches to ensure the safety of the public.

Between 1 May and 30 September no dogs are allowed on Avon Beach, Friars Cliff Beach and Highcliffe Beach between groynes H8 and H11. Dogs are allowed between the wave wall at the end of Friars Cliff Beach and groyne H8 at Highcliffe, Mudeford Sandbank and Gundimore Beach.

Horses on beaches

Byelaw 16 (PDF, 24kb) (opens in a new window)  states that horses are not permitted on the seashore between Easter and 30 September (inclusive) between 10am and 9pm. 

Management plans

Christchurch Beaches and Hinterland Management Plan (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window) (CBHMP) and  appendix (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window) help us to effectively and efficiently manage the beach area on a day-to-day basis. The document has an action plan which outlines the work we wish to carry out over the ten year life span of the management plan in order to realise our vision the beaches in the borough. 

Mudeford Sandbank has a separate management plan (pdf, 2Mb) (opens in a new window)  due to its unique and isolated character. 

• Beach huts in Christchurch

  There are three areas in Christchurch where beach huts are situated: Mudeford Sandbank, Friars Cliff Beach and Avon Beach.

• Beach patrols in Christchurch

  We provide a range of beach services which are focused on the most popular times of use. Our beach management procedures are primarily designed to ensure that our beaches are enjoyable and safe for beach goers.

• Gundimore access improvements

  Improved access at Gundimore beach benefits local and visiting sailors alike. This goes towards Christchurch Borough Council's ambitions to create a lasting community benefit from the Olympics.

• Christchurch beach cleans

  Beach litter surveys are held throughout the year at Friars Cliff Beach and are part of the Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) Beachwatch campaign supported by the Crown Estate

• Beaches and Harbours (Christchurch)
  Name: Gary Foyle
  Email: beachesandharbour@christchurch.gov.uk
  Tel: 01202 495070
  Full details for Gary Foyle