Boscombe Beach is a very popular beach due to its miles of golden sands in either direction and also because there are plenty of beach activities on offer, many of them free.
Google map of Boscombe Beach
A stroll along the restored pier (free entry) makes for a nice change from sunbathing and offers great views of the coastline and out towards the Isle of Wight. You can fish from the end of the pier but you have to pick up a permit from the Boscombe Beach Office first.
Next to the pier is The Neptune, part of the Harvester pub/restaurant chain. As you walk a bit further east (left side of the pier) you will find the The Overstrand, a multi-million pound regeneration development that includes the Urban Reef Seafront Restaurant and Beach Bar www.urbanreef.com , Sorted surf shop and surf school www.sortedsurfshop.co.uk , toilets and shower block, a beach office and 59 vintage-style beach pods. The pods are mini-holiday-apartments that are available to rent.
On the beach there are volley ball nets and some large boulders to climb on, as well as zones for slacklining and table tennis. There are paddle boards, kayaks, surfboards and wetsuits for hire. Lessons are available at the Sorted Surf School.
There are RNLI lifeguard station located on both sides of the pier. If you have young kids make sure that they enter the water between the two red and yellow flags since this is the only section of the beach that is monitored. (service only operating between May and September).
Boscombe Overstrand Car Park
Sat Nav Postcode BH5 1BN (Google map)
This is a 24 hour long-stay car park for visitors to Boscombe Beach located just off Sea Road by Boscombe Pier 70 spaces (5 disabled spaces). You can’t pay by cash. You can pay for parking by phone or using an online app such as JustPark, RingGo or PayByPhone (this is a similar method to most other pay and display car parks in the Bournemouth region).
More details can be found on the https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/ website
Boscombe Overstrand Parking Charges
| 15 Mar – 31 Oct | 01 Nov – 14 Mar | |
| Up to 1 hour | £2.80 | £2.30 |
| Up to 2 hours | £5.50 | £2.30 |
| Up to 3 hours | £6.80 | £4.60 |
| Up to 4 hours | £8.30 | £4.60 |
| Up to 6 hours | £12.40 | £4.60 |
| Up to 24 hours | £20.40 | £4.60 |
Boscombe Undercliff Car Park (Seafront)
Sat Nav Postcode BH5 1BN (Google map)
This has to be one of the best seafront car parks in Bournemouth since parking is right on the promenade and just a few steps to the beach. This car park is particularly convenient if you are bringing loads of beach equipment such as tents and BBQs or carrying paddleboards or surf boards. 355 spaces (23 disabled spaces).
You can pay for parking by cash, phone or using an online app such as JustPark, RingGo or PayByPhone (this is a similar method to most other pay and display car parks in the Bournemouth region).
During the school summer holidays (July & August) access to the seafront car park is controlled by an attendant at a ticket booth at the entrance by Boscombe Pier. During this time you can’t just pay by the hour – see the parking charges below. I’m pretty sure you have to pay by card (contactless) but not 100% sure they’ll accept cash.
Car park opening times: 8am till midnight
More details can be found on the https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Parking/ website
Boscombe Undercliff Parking Charges
| Summer High Season | July – Sept |
| Arrive before 2pm | £16.50 |
| Arrive between 2pm and 4pm | £11.20 |
| Arrive after 4pm | £7 |
| Arrive after 6pm | £3.50 |
| Mid and Low Season | Apr-Jun*, Set-Oct* | Nov-Mar* |
| Up to 1 hour | £2.80 | £2.30 |
| Up to 2 hours | £5.50 | £2.30 |
| Up to 6 hours | £8.30 | £4.60 |
| Over 6 hours | £11.70 | £4.60 |
Related Page: Bournemouth Land Train / Bournemouth Beach / Bournemouth / Fisherman’s Walk Beach / Southbourne Beach / Hengistbury Head