Bournemouth Alum Chine

BeachBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council🐾 Seasonal daytime dog ban

A coastal Wessex bathing water at Bournemouth Alum Chine, classified Excellent in the latest annual assessment.

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Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Lifeguard: Seasonal patrols operate at some principal resort beaches; verify the exact current dates and zones.

Hazards: Cold water, rip currents, groynes, harbour entrances, shingle and rapidly changing tides.

Amenities: car-park · toilets · cafe · promenade

Dogs

Alum Chine has a summer dog-exclusion on its principal award beach from 1 May to 30 September, with a separate all-year dog area west of beach hut 2060 towards Branksome. Follow the signed split.

Official source: View the rule at source →

Family

Established access and facilities where available, but tide, cliff, current and live water-quality warnings must be checked.

Fishing

Clean sand and groynes support bass, smoothhound, rays, flatfish and winter whiting. Dawn, dusk, darkness and quieter off-season periods are preferable to crowded daytime fishing.

Species reported: Bass, Smoothhound, Rays, Plaice, Flounder, Dab, Dover sole, Whiting, Lesser-spotted dogfish

Crabbing

unknown — Groynes do not constitute a verified family crabbing venue.

Access & parking

Use established signed beach, harbour, estate or promenade access; check tides and temporary closures.

Researched 2026-07-24 — sources & disclaimer

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/beaches-and-seafront/what-you-need-to-know-before-visiting-one-of-our-beaches/where-and-when-you-can-bring-your-dog-to-the-beach

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bathing-waters-in-england-compliance-reports/bathing-water-classifications-2025

https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/beaches-and-seafront/find-a-beach/alum-chine-beach

https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeguarded-beaches/bournemouth-alum-chine-beach

https://wheresthefish.uk/south-west/dorset/alum-chine-beach

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.