To keep our beaches and seafront clean, safe and enjoyable, there are some beach guidelines to follow. Familiarise yourself and don’t fall foul of the rules.
Anyone who fails to comply risks a fine or prosecution.
Sand on the promenade
Our cleansing team arrive on the beach at 3am every day of the year to ensure the sand, bins, zig zags and pathways are clean and safe. The tractor team clear as much as they can working on shifts 7 days a week across the 15 miles of coastline. In the areas that the tractors can’t reach then the Seafront Cleansing team clear the sand by hand.
Tow away in operation
When you visit, park responsibly. Cars parked on double yellow lines, causing an obstruction or blocking access may be towed.
Respect our staff
Our staff and everyone we work with are key to making Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole an award-winning destination to live, work and visit. From Seafront Rangers to car park attendants, cleaners to the RNLI, look after them so they can look after you.
Littering
To keep our beaches clean, 400 triple sized bins are being installed on the seafront. Littering threatens other people’s safety and our local wildlife. Put rubbish in the bins provided or take it home. Leave only footprints or risk a maximum fine of £150.
Recycling on the seafront
Very frequently, recycling bins along the seafront are contaminated and therefore need to be treated as general waste. It only takes a few items to contaminate a whole bin or even an entire vehicle if the contamination is collected.
Overnight camping
No overnight sleeping or camping is allowed on the beach, seafront, cliffs or car parks. Camping in any unauthorised space is dangerous. Be prepared to be disturbed as a 24-hour beach patrol will be repeatedly visiting to gather evidence for prosecution and you could face a £1000 fine.
Instead, you can stay at one of our camp sites in:
Open fires
Open fires, fire pits and fire bowls are not permitted at any time on our beaches, promenades, cliffs or cliff tops.
Our beaches are surrounded by unique cliff habitats which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and provide a home to many of the UK’s rare species of reptiles, birds and insects. Their dry nature means they are vulnerable and sparks from open fires can cause horrific damage. Protect the environment – don’t risk a fine of £1000.
Barbecues
View our guidelines on what barbeques you can and can not use on our beaches, and how to use them.
Sand dunes
Our sand dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest site and are a delicate ecosystem. Stay off the dunes to help us maintain this unique site and protect their fragile habitats.
Cycling, skating and skateboarding
View our guidelines on the use of bikes, skates, skateboards and e-scooters on the seafront.
Dogs on the beach and seafront
View our guidelines on where and when you can bring your dog to the beach.
Performances
Lectures, sermons or any kind of performance are not permitted on our beaches.
Games
Ball games must be kept on the beach and not on the promenades. Please consider other people when playing games on the beach.
Begging and busking
You can not beg, busk or ask for money on any part of the seafront, either verbally, by handing out leaflets or requesting donations.
Music
Please consider other people and keep any music to a reasonable volume. If your music can be heard beyond fifty feet of its source, a Seafront Ranger will ask you to turn it down.
Generators
Generators are not permitted to be used at any time on any part of the seafront.
Climbing on walls, fences and cliffs
You can not climb any walls or fences by the seafront and promenades.
You also can not climb on any cliffs.
Many cliff areas are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and can be unstable. Stay safe by not climbing and help us to preserve these areas.
Paddleboards, kayaks and personal watercraft
Christchurch Harbour and the harbour channel (known locally as "the Run") are busy with personal watercraft. Please be aware that due to the water depth, boats can only use the deeper marked channels. Where possible all personal watercraft users should stay out of these areas. Should you need to cross, please do so at 90 degrees to the channel.
Visit Christchurch Harbour for more information plus details of slipways, moorings and Mudeford Dingy Park.
Posters
You can not put up any posters or notices by the beach.