Report an issue on the beach
If you discover an issue with overnight camping, open fires and barbecues, unauthorised encampments, please contact the Tourist Information Centre at 01202 123 800 or in writing to tourism.information@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
Respect, protect and enjoy our beaches
To keep our beaches and seafront clean, safe and enjoyable, there are some beach guidelines to follow. Familiarise yourself and don’t fall foul of the rules.
Anyone who fails to comply risks a fine or prosecution.
Sand on the promenade
Our cleansing team arrive on the beach at 3am every day of the year to ensure the sand, bins, zig zags and pathways are clean and safe. The tractor team clear as much as they can working on shifts 7 days a week across the 15 miles of coastline. In the areas that the tractors can’t reach then the Seafront Cleansing team clear the sand by hand.
Tow away in operation
When you visit, park responsibly. Cars parked on double yellow lines, causing an obstruction or blocking access may be towed.
Respect our staff
Our staff and everyone we work with are key to making Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole an award-winning destination to live, work and visit. From Seafront Rangers to car park attendants, cleaners to the RNLI, look after them so they can look after you.
Littering
To keep our beaches clean, 400 triple sized bins are being installed on the seafront. Littering threatens other people’s safety and our local wildlife. Put rubbish in the bins provided or take it home. Leave only footprints or risk a maximum fine of £150.
Recycling on the seafront
Very frequently, recycling bins along the seafront are contaminated and therefore need to be treated as general waste. It only takes a few items to contaminate a whole bin or even an entire vehicle if the contamination is collected.
More about recycling on the seafront.
Overnight camping
No overnight sleeping or camping is allowed on the beach, seafront, cliffs or car parks. Camping in any unauthorised space is dangerous. Be prepared to be disturbed as a 24-hour beach patrol will be repeatedly visiting to gather evidence for prosecution and you could face a £1000 fine.
Open fires
Open fires, fire pits and fire bowls are not permitted at any time on our beaches, promenades, cliffs or cliff tops.
Our beaches are surrounded by unique cliff habitats which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and provide a home to many of the UK’s rare species of reptiles, birds and insects. Their dry nature means they are vulnerable and sparks from open fires can cause horrific damage. Protect the environment – don’t risk a fine of £1000.
Barbecues
Disposable barbecues are only permitted at the beach between 6pm and 10:30pm.
Gas barbecues are not permitted at any time.
Use your disposable barbecue responsibly, safely and respectfully, ensuring that they do not cause a nuisance to others.
When you’ve finished with your barbecue, please extinguish it carefully with water and leave it next to the bins on the promenade for collection by our waste teams. Do not bury or put hot BBQs into bins.
Communal electric BBQs have been installed on the seafront to reduce litter and the impact on the environment. The hotplates are free to use and available between Easter and October between 10am to 10pm, on a first, come first served basis. For locations and more information check our user guide.
Barbeques for groups of 30 or more
You will need our permission to hold a barbeque with this number of people. It must take place in a designated barbeque area between 6pm and 10.30pm.
For barbeques for groups of 30 or more, you will need to read the BBQ guidance and complete an application form.
Sand dunes
Our sand dunes are a Site of Special Scientific Interest site and are a delicate ecosystem. Stay off the dunes to help us maintain this unique site and protect their fragile habitats.
Cycling, skating and skateboarding
In July and August, cycling, skating and skateboarding are not permitted on the seafront promenades or paths between 10am and 6pm.
These activities are permitted between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers at any time of the year.
Remember:
- at all times give way to pedestrians as they have right of way
- keep your speed below 10mph and slow down
- when it’s busy, please be responsible - dismount and walk
E-scooters
Beryl rental e-scooters are available for hire and use in Bournemouth and Poole on shared use cycle/walk ways as well as roads. Beryl rental e-scooters are permitted on the seafront except from 10am to 6pm in July and August.
It is illegal to use privately-owned e-scooters on the promenade, paths and public roads at any time. Failure to comply, risks confiscation and prosecution by the police.
Dogs on the beach and seafront
From 1 May to 30 September are only allowed on the dog friendly beaches.
Dogs must be kept on their leads on all promenades, piers, zig zags and footpaths at all times.
Owners must clean up after their dog. Failure to comply risks a fine of up to £1000.
We have produced maps for dog friendly beaches from Poole to Bournemouth and Christchurch from Mudeford to Highcliffe.
Performances
Lectures, sermons or any kind of performance are not permitted on our beaches.
Games
Ball games must be kept on the beach and not on the promenades. Please consider other people when playing games on the beach.
Begging and busking
You cannot beg, busk or ask for money on any part of the seafront, either verbally, by handing out leaflets or requesting donations.
Music
Please consider other people and keep any music to a reasonable volume. If your music can be heard beyond fifty feet of its source, a Seafront Ranger will ask you to turn it down.
Generators
Generators are not permitted to be used at any time on any part of the seafront.
Climbing on walls, fences and cliffs
You can’t climb any walls or fences by the seafront and promenades.
You also can’t climb on any cliffs.
Many cliff areas are Sites of Special Scientific Interest and can be unstable. Stay safe by not climbing and help us to preserve these areas.
Posters
You cannot put up any posters or notices by the beach.