Knoll Beach at Studland Bay in Dorset is one of the best nude beaches in Britain. And that’s official.
This part of the National Trust managed coastline at Studland Bay is regularly named on Britain’s best beach lists. The part of it, known as Knoll Beach, is the location of an officially recognized nude beach. That beach is also rated the best in its class, one of the best in the country.
The nude beach is a 900-meter long section of four miles of white sand and is unique in being the only National Trust nude beach. According to the authors of Bare Britain, it is one of the UK’s most popular and well-known outdoor places to sunbathe and swim outdoors . Its popularity prompted the National Trust to expand the designated beach nude area a few years ago. More of the adjacent dunes were included as a privacy buffer zone.
Studland also scores well for cleanliness standards. In 2017, the Marine Conservation Society’s Annual Good Beach Guide again gave it a three-star rating of ‘Excellent’.
Essentials
Studland is made up of fine sand, backed by dunes and a large nature reserve. The nude area is well marked with green-topped posts and blue National Trust signs. The sea here is usually calm, making it suitable for children, and the naturist section regularly attracts family groups, as well as nudists and naturists of all ages.
- Keeping Things Safe – The trust works with the Studland Beach Users Action Group, British Naturism and the police to ensure the beach remains safe for users and family. Inappropriate and indecent behavior, including the use of photographic equipment, is discouraged and may be prosecuted.
- Clothing optional: the nudist area of the beach is clearly marked and users must wear clothing outside of the designated area. One trail, the Heather Beach Walk, is available to other beach users who want to avoid the naturist section.
- Facilities: There is a mobile refreshment kiosk parked in the center of the nudist section of the beach, as well as a floating ice cream vendor that navigates the beach. The dress is optional for both of us. The Knoll Beach parking lot has a National Trust Visitor Center with showers, a store, restrooms, and a restaurant with a wood-burning pizza oven. These, by the way, are the closest baths and have an estimated half-hour walk, so plan your visit accordingly. Wheelchairs with tires are available for the beach.
- Warnings: This is an official nude beach and the National Trust Guardians patrol discreetly. Apparently, there have been reports of some unacceptable behavior in the dunes, so nude beach goers, especially family users, are advised to stay on the open beach.
Get there
- The ferry from Sandbanks in Poole, Dorset, makes frequent crossings to Shell Bay throughout the day. The ship is a chain ferry that crosses the Poole harbor entrance to the beach, cutting at least 25 miles from the road trip.
- Drivers can also head towards Swanage on the A351, turning left towards Corfe Castle on the B3351 towards Studland. Follow signs to Knoll Beach or Shell Bay car parks. The nudist beach is half an hour’s walk from these car parks and is well signposted.
- Morebus route 50 , also known as The Breezer 50, travels from Bournemouth train station
What’s near?
When you’ve had enough to sunbathe naked and swim, put on some clothes and head to the main Knoll Beach area, where slacklines and beach volleyball are free. Pedals and kayaks are available and motorboat trips can be arranged.
For a complete change of scene, take the Breezer 50 back to the Sandbanks Terminal and then take the ferry from Brownsea Island to the Pacific Island Nature Reserve in Poole Harbor. Another National Trust property, Brownsea Island is the largest island in Poole Harbor and a haven for waders, red squirrels, deer and other endangered wildlife in England. Ideal for observing nature, although not for naturism.
