Sandbanks, Peninsula in Poole, United Kingdom
Sandbanks is a narrow peninsula in Poole on the English south coast that stretches between the open sea and the calm harbor basin. The shape resembles a long finger reaching into the water and is lined by wide sandy beaches on both sides.
Until the late 19th century the area was an uninhabited sandbank visited only by fishermen and smugglers. The first houses appeared after the construction of a ferry linking the end of the peninsula to the opposite shore.
The name refers to the long sandbanks that stretch along the coast and become clearly visible at low tide. Locals use the beach year-round for morning walks and dogs often run freely in designated sections.
The main access follows a single road that runs along the entire length and leads to different beach sections. Visitors should arrive early during summer as the limited parking spaces fill quickly and the ferry has limited capacity.
The ferry at the far end has been running for over a century and is one of the busiest short-distance links in Europe. The crossing takes just a few minutes but saves a drive of about 25 miles (40 km) around the harbor basin.
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