Shore Road

Canford Cliffs Chine is a Blue Flag beach situated along Poole’s five kilometres of sandy beach.

Where is it? Nestles between Branksome Chine and Flaghead Chine.

Best features: A quality beach of fine golden sand within striking distance of Sandbanks and neighbouring Branksome Chine.

Local facilities and shops: All the facilities of the promenade and Branksome Chine’s café, shop and ice-cream kiosks. Canford Cliffs village has shops, café, restaurants and hotels.

Great for the kids? There is a safe swimzone and beach stationand RNLI lifeguards.

How far are the loos? On the beachfront, three for women, one for men, no facilities for the disabled or baby changing.

Parking: 59 spaces at Ravine Road car park plus roadside parking at the top of the Chine, which fills up quickly. An early start is advisable.

Public transport: Wilts and Dorset bus service 151 runs every hour Monday to Saturday to Canford Cliffs Parade, then through the chine to the sea. Yellow Buses open top service 12 runs through Canford Cliffs on its way to Sandbanks.

How about pets? No dogs allowed on the beach from May 1 to September 30.

Other points of interest: Canford Cliffs, a conservation area, has the borough’s oldest beach huts, dating back to 1927.

Wet weather options:

Compton Acres, Canford Cliffs Ten acres of beautiful gardens billed as the finest in Europe.Open all year, craft shop and garden products,café, brasserie, new railway exhibition, deer sanctuary, free parking.

Dolphin Swimming Pool near Poole bus station Swimming and diving, gym, sauna and spa and a café. 01202 677217.