Address
About this beach
Highcliffe beach is a Blue Flag awarded stretch of shingle and sand beaches at the most easterly point of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on the Dorset - Hampshire boundary.
A series of breakwaters help to create a sand and shingle beach that is popular with swimmers and surfers, particularly body boarders. Not in keeping with its name, Highcliffe is backed by grassy dunes, bushes, trees and low-rise cliffs. The dunes and shrublands behind the beach are criss-crossed with a number of paths and at the western end there is the Steamer Point Nature Reserve.
Car-parking for just over 400 cars is available at the top of Highcliffe cliff top car park, including disabled parking as well as The Cliffhanger Café and toilet and baby changing facilities.
There is also 100 plus parking spaces at Highcliffe Castle Car Park which features a recently redeveloped zig-zag down to the beach.
Facilities
- café
- accessible toilet
- toilets
Nearest car park
Public transport
Timetables for buses to Highcliffe from morebus.
The nearest train station is Hinton Admiral (2 miles).
Cycling
In Christchurch, cycling is not possible in all areas as the promenade can be very narrow.
Accessibility
26 disabled parking spaces at Highcliffe Cliff Top car park. A series of slopes & paths lead down to beach level. Access at the eastern end via Chewton Bunny is mainly on tarmac paths. Accessible toilet next to the Cliffhanger Cafe, accessed by RADAR key.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome all year round although restrictions apply at certain times of the year. Dogs are not allowed on the beach between groynes H4 and H8 from 1 May until 30 September inclusive (at other times dogs are allowed off lead). For the rest of the beach, dogs are allowed all year round. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade at all times.
Open fires
Open fires are not permitted on any of our beaches at any time. You may be prosecuted if you attempt to light an open fire.
Camping
Camping is not permitted on any of our beaches at any time. You may be prosecuted if you attempt to camp anywhere along the seafront.