Studland Naturist Beach is a designated clothing-optional section of Studland Bay situated between Shell Bay and Knoll Beach. Around 1km of sandy beach is set aside for naturist use, making it one of the best-known official naturist beaches in Britain.
Naturism has a long history at Studland, dating back to the 1920s, and today the designated area is managed by the National Trust as part of Studland Bay. The beach is backed by sand dunes and heathland and has the same gently shelving, sheltered water found along much of the bay.
Sometimes referred to as Studland Nudist Beach, the naturist area remains a public beach and is open to everyone. Walkers regularly pass through along the shoreline, so there is no need to avoid this part of Studland Bay if you are simply walking between Shell Bay and Knoll Beach.
Location: Between Shell Bay and Knoll Beach, Studland (Google map)
Beach: Sandy, backed by dunes and heathland
Naturism: Clothing optional within the designated area
Length: Approximately 1km
Parking: Knoll Beach or Shell Bay National Trust car parks
Facilities: No main visitor facilities within the naturist section
Studland Naturist Beach
The naturist beach occupies a relatively undeveloped stretch of the northern part of Studland Bay. There are no buildings immediately behind the beach, which is instead backed by dunes and the protected heathland of the Studland Peninsula.
Signs mark the boundaries of the designated naturist area, making it clear when you are entering and leaving the clothing-optional section.
Within the designated area visitors can choose whether or not to wear clothing. You don’t have to be a naturist to use the beach and clothed visitors regularly walk through, swim or spend time here.
The National Trust asks naturists and non-naturists to respect other beach users and refrain from behaviour likely to cause offence.
Walking Through Studland Naturist Beach
Studland Naturist Beach forms part of the continuous stretch of coastline between Shell Bay and Knoll Beach and is crossed by walkers exploring Studland Bay.
If you are walking along the shoreline, simply continue through the naturist section as normal. There is no requirement to remove your clothes, and seeing fully clothed walkers passing through is completely normal.
Most naturists tend to settle farther back on the beach towards the dunes, although you will naturally encounter naturists swimming or walking along the shoreline.
Visitors should respect the privacy of other beach users and should not photograph naturists without their permission.
If you would prefer not to walk through the naturist beach, alternative paths through the dunes provide another way of travelling between the northern and southern parts of Studland Bay.
Swimming at Studland Naturist Beach
The beach is sandy with gently shelving water and is generally sheltered by the shape of Studland Bay.
There are no lifeguards, however, and conditions can change according to the weather, wind and tides. Anyone swimming should therefore take the same precautions they would on other unlifeguarded sections of the Studland coastline.
The relatively undeveloped surroundings and distance from the main visitor facilities at Knoll Beach give this section of Studland a noticeably quieter atmosphere.
Getting to Studland Naturist Beach
There is no dedicated car park immediately beside the naturist beach, so most visitors approach on foot from either Knoll Beach or Shell Bay.
From Knoll Beach
Park at Knoll Beach National Trust car park and walk north along the beach. The designated naturist area begins approximately 1 mile from the main Knoll Beach facilities, with the walk taking around 20 minutes.
This is a straightforward approach and also gives access to the café, shop and toilets at Knoll Beach before or after your visit.
From Shell Bay
Alternatively, park at the National Trust car park at Shell Bay, close to the Sandbanks Ferry, and walk south along the beach towards Knoll Beach.
The boundaries of the naturist section are marked with signs.
Facilities
There are few facilities within the naturist section itself, so visitors planning to spend several hours here should bring drinking water, food and anything else they are likely to need.
The largest selection of facilities is at Knoll Beach, where there is a National Trust café and shop, toilets, outdoor shower and taps for washing off sand.
Toilets are also available at Shell Bay Car Park.
Dogs at Studland Naturist Beach
Dogs are welcome on Studland’s beaches throughout the year, although National Trust seasonal restrictions apply.
From 1 May to 30 September, dogs must be kept on a lead of no more than 2 metres while on the beach. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs can be exercised off the lead.
Dogs must also be kept on leads across the heathland and dunes from 1 March to 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds.
Parking for Studland Naturist Beach
There is no separate Studland Naturist Beach car park. The most convenient options are the National Trust car parks at Knoll Beach and Shell Bay.
Both car parks are free for National Trust members, although members must register or scan their membership card on every visit. Non-members pay the applicable National Trust parking charges.
Visitors approaching from Poole or Bournemouth may find Shell Bay particularly convenient as the car park is immediately south of the Sandbanks Ferry.
Studland Bay
Studland Naturist Beach is one of five main beach areas around Studland Bay.
To the north is Shell Bay, close to the Sandbanks Ferry. To the south are Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach, with Studland village and Old Harry Rocks beyond.
The beaches form an almost continuous stretch of sand, making it possible to explore much of Studland Bay on foot and choose the section that best suits your visit.