Branksome Chine Beach is a very popular Blue Flag beach that attracts both locals and visitors. It has wide golden sands with gently sloping entry into the water making it ideal for families with small children. There is an RNLI lifeguard station with beach patrols from May to September. Dogs aren’t allowed on this beach during this period either.
Sat Nav postcode is BH13 6LP (Google map)
The beach front car park is located just off Pinecliff Road. It fills up very quickly in the summer months so get there early. Car park charges and details can be found towards the bottom of the page.
Facilities are excellent and include a cafe/bar/restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating. There’s also a take-away cafe and a beach shop that also sells hot drinks, ice-creams and refreshments. Next to the car park you’ll also find toilets and a beach office.
A section of the beach has been designated for watersports activities so if you bring your paddle board, kayak or windsurfer please use this area to launch it (zone is between chequered black and white flags).
There are several volley ball nets and some football pitches located on the beach in the direction of Canford Cliffs (5 minute walk west heading towards Sandbanks). If no one is using them I think you can use them for free (not sure though) but if you want to guarantee availability you have to hire them in advance – best check at the beach office for correct information.
Branksome Chine Car Park
Sat Nav postcode is BH13 6LP. (Google map) Capacity 104 spaces (4 disabled). Car park charges are given below. This is a seafront car park and most convenient for visiting the beach especially if carrying loads of beach equipment. During the summer months this car park can fill up quickly. Cheaper alternative car parking can be found 500m away at Beach Road Car Park (see below)
Payment can be made using cash, phone or using an online app (JustPark, RingGo or PayByPhone).
More information about this car park can be found on the https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/ website
Branksome Chine Car Park Charges
| 8am-10pm, Mon-Sun | 15 Mar – 31 Oct | 01 Nov – 14 March |
| 1 hour | £2.90 | £1.60 |
| 2 hours | £5.70 | £3.60 |
| 3 hours | £8.70 | £3.60 |
| 4 hours | £12.40 | £3.60 |
| 6 hours | £17.30 | £3.60 |
| 14 hours | £22.70 | £3.60 |
| Overnight 10pm – 8am | £3.20 | free |
Branksome Beach Road Car Park
Sat Nav postcode is BH13 &BE (Google map). Capacity 368 spaces. Branksome Beach Road Car Park is a larger and a cheaper alternative to the busy Branksome Chine Car park. If staying for 6 hours parking here can save you £7.10 making the extra 500m walk to the beach worthwhile. However after 6 hours the price almost doubles. This car park is only open to the public between April and September and closes at 10pm.
Payment can be made using cash, phone or using an online app (JustPark, RingGo or PayByPhone).
More information about this car park can be found on the https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/ website
Branksome Beach Road Car Park Charges
| 6am-10pm, Mon-Sun | April-September |
| up to 1 hour | £2.20 |
| up to 2 hours | £3.70 |
| up to 4 hours | £6.80 |
| up to 6 hours | £9.90 |
| up to 16 hours | £19.40 |
Related Pages: Bournemouth Beach / Durley Chine Beach / Middle Chine Beach / Alum Chine Beach / Branksome Dean Beach / Canford Cliffs Beach / Flaghead Beach / Sandbanks Shore Road Beach / Sandbanks Beach