Popular with local families, Southbourne’s beach is sandy with some shingle. It is reached by cliff paths or via land trains from Boscombe or Fisherman’s Walk during holidays.

Where is it? East of Bournemouth and Boscombe, approached via Southbourne Coast Road. From the A338 turn off at the Cooper Dean roundabout and follow the signs.

Best features: The recently replenished beach is now huge. It’s a quieter beach, popular with bathers, as it has no sudden shelves or rip currents.

Local facilities and shops: The beach is a short distance from Southbourne Grove shopping centre. Deck chairs and beach huts are for hire. The huts are available to hire by the day, or pre-book for a week, call 0845 055 0968.

Great for the kids? The beach runs the LV= KidZone scheme with dedicated KidZone staff help to find lost children quickly.

How far are the loos? There are five male WCs and five female, one disabled toilet and baby change facilities.

Parking: There is pay-and-display parking at three sites on Southbourne Coast Road.

Public transport: Yellow Buses’ open-topped number 12 stops at Southbourne Coast Road in the summer. From nearby Belle Vue Road, catch numbers 22, 31 and 68.

How about pets? Dogs are not permitted on the Blue Flag beach. Dog exercise areas are provided on nearby stretches of beach, the nearest being Fisherman’s Walk. Peak season, dogs on the promenade must be kept on a lead.

Wet weather options:

Littledown Leisure Centre Off the A338 Spur Road at Cooper Dean Large pool with two slides, baby pool, gym and 47 acres of park land, children’s play and picnic areas. Contact 01202 417600.

Odeon & ABC Cinemas, Westover Road, Bournemouth Take in the latest films. For the Odeon’s programme, ring 0870 505 0007. For the ABC, 0870 900 7694.