Middle Chine Beach is a lovely wide sandy beach situated between Durley Chine Beach and Alum Chine Beach. Just like its neighbours it is a Blue Flag beach with excellent water quality. The beach is gently sloping with no sudden changes in depth as you enter the water.
Access to the beach is either by walking along the promenade or via a 10 minute wooded path leading down the chine from the corner of West Cliff Road and Clarendon Road. There is plenty of free all-day on-road parking along West Cliff Road. Because there isn’t a car park next to the beach Middle Chine Beach is much quieter than other Bournemouth beaches.
There are limited facilities available at this beach apart from a small kiosk selling teas, coffees, ice-cream and other snacks. The cafe has outdoor seating and tables on the beach – I’ve often sat here and had a coffee and cake and think it is the cafe with the best views in Dorset. Out of season you can sometimes have the whole beach to yourself. Life doesn’t get much better … in England 🙂
There are no lifeguard patrols at this beach.
Dog Owners: The section of beach from Middle Chine Beach to just before Durley Chine has been designated a dog exercise area all year round so if you don’t want dogs disturbing you while you sunbathe or eating your picnic it may be best to visit Alum Chine Beach instead which is just a 5 minute walk to the right (towards Sandbanks).
Dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenades and cliff paths. Bournemouth Tourism have produced a Dogs on the Beach leaflet and map (external link).
Related Pages: Bournemouth Beach / Durley Chine Beach / Alum Chine Beach / Branksome Dean Beach / Branksome Chine Beach / Sandbanks Beach