Sandbanks Beach
Sandbanks Beach is a wide sand beach on a narrow peninsula at the entrance to Poole Harbour, in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England. The water along the shore is shallow for a good distance out, and the beach has lifeguard stations, a children's play area, sports courts, and food outlets.
The Sandbanks peninsula was sparsely settled until the late 19th century, when the arrival of the railway brought more visitors to the Poole area and the beach grew in popularity. Through the 20th century, the surrounding land became one of the most expensive residential areas in the country, though the beach itself remained open to all.
The name Sandbanks comes from the sandy spits that shaped the tip of the peninsula over centuries. Today, the beach draws families and water sports lovers alike, and the mix of people gives the shoreline a relaxed, unhurried feel throughout the day.
The beach is reached via Banks Road, and there is a large car park nearby that fills up fast on busy days, so arriving early makes a real difference. The sand is easy to walk on and the slope into the water is gentle, which makes it comfortable for families with young children.
Sandbanks sits on one of the narrowest peninsulas in England, barely wider than a few rows of houses, with the open sea on one side and the calm harbour water on the other. From the harbour side, visitors can watch boats passing through the entrance to Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in Europe.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
