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Bournemouth Mudeford Sandbank

(Hengistbury Head Pier Beach)

Dorset, England


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Mudeford Sandbank, a picturesque sandy beach in Dorset, offers a unique seaside experience with its colourful beach huts, stunning views of Christchurch Harbour, and range of facilities. .

Mudeford Sandbank is an isolated spit adjoining the ancient headland of Hengistbury Head, situated in Christchurch Bay on the Dorset coast. The sandbank beach resort is approximately one and a half kilometres wide, with views across the harbour and the open sea.

The beach is located at the mouth of Christchurch harbour, forming a barrier between the sea and this large natural harbour. There are great views both of the harbour itself and to the Isle of Wight and Needles across the Solent. As the area is designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, there is no direct road access, and the nearest parking is around 15 minutes walk away. However, a year-round land train runs from Hengistbury Head car park to Mudeford Sandbank, and alternatively, you can take a ferry from Christchurch or Mudeford Quay across the harbour entrance.

Facilities at Mudeford Sandbank include The Beach House Café and shop, public toilets, and a range of colourful beach huts. The harbour side of the sandbank is designated for watersports, while the seaward side is recommended for bathing. Visitors should exercise great care near the harbour mouth. Some of the beach huts in Mudeford have residential status and can fetch high prices, with some selling for over £100,000.

There is limited wheelchair access to the beach. However, Mudeford Sandbank is a dog-friendly beach all year round, but dogs must be kept under control at all times.

Bay Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 87%
Max temperature 17°C
feels like 17°C
Wind 23mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 74%
Min temperature 11°C
feels like 12°C
Wind 18mph

The tide at Bournemouth Mudeford Sandbank is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 12:46 PM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 7:46 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Bournemouth Mudeford Sandbank

Things to do and see in the area

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre (1.1 miles)
Christchurch Priory Church (1.7 miles)
ClueCrypted Escape Room (3.9 miles)
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum (4.4 miles)
Marvo Mysteries Escape Room Bournemouth (5 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Mudeford, Bournemouth

Location type: Urban

OS Grid: SZ183910

Coordinates: 50°43'8"N 1°44'31"W

Mapcode: GBR 55K.Y2X

What 3 Words: types.intelligible.given

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: England

Local Authority: Bournemouth

Nearest postcode: BH6 4EW

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Bournemouth Mudeford Sandbank, Dorset, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 10:07:21 +0100