Shell Bay Beach studland

Two miles of golden sand that curve around one of Dorset's most dramatic coastlines, Shell Bay is the sort of beach you stumble upon and then keep going back to. The water's shallow and calm enough for swimming, but honestly the real draw is the sheer space of it all - even in summer you can usually find a quiet stretch. The sand is proper fine, which means kids will spend hours building castles while parents actually get to sit down with a coffee.

The village of Studland sits just behind the beach, so you're never far from a toilet or a bite to eat. Walk to the south end and you've got Old Harry Rocks looming up - those crumbling chalk formations are worth the trek, though it does take a good hour from the car park. Worth it for the photos.

Free to access, naturally. Parking can get rammed on hot days, so go early or try the north end near the village. The beach works brilliantly as a stop-off if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Ulwell Holiday Park is barely four miles down the road, and Swanage Bay View is under six miles away. The walk along the sand links nicely with Studland's quieter shops and pubs without feeling like you're doing a forced march. Lifeguards patrol in summer, which matters if you're coming with younger swimmers. Windier than you'd expect on the south coast, so bring a windbreak if you plan to linger.