Jane's Midlife Journey

Southbourne may only be small, with a population of around 19,000 people. But this genteel suburb located three miles east of central Bournemouth boasts an awesome stretch of coast and a prestigious Blue Flag awarded beach. Fisherman’s Walk Beach is a family friendly beach. It is easy to reach from Southbourne via Fisherman’s Walk. This pretty, tree lined park connects the main high street to the clifftop, from where a zigzag path and a funicular railway run down to the beach.

How to get to Fisherman’s Walk Beach

If you are driving, the A35 connects Bournemouth and Southbourne. On foot, the Promenade is another option. You can also cycle along the Promenade for much of the year. Cycling is prohibited between 10 am and 6 pm in July and August.

By Bus

Buses No 1b/c and m2 stop at the Southbourne end of Fisherman’s Walk. From here, it is a 12 minute walk to the beach. During the summer, the No 70 Breezer Bus, which runs between Poole and Christchurch via Bournemouth, stops at the clifftop end of Fisherman’s Walk, close to the top of the zigzag.

Access to Fisherman’s Walk Beach

The beach is accessed from the cliff top via Fisherman’s Walk Zigzag.

Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift

If mobility is an issue, or you just fancy a ride, you can travel the 39 metres from the cliff top to the prom and vice versa via Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Lift, which has been ferrying visitors up and down to the beach since 1935. The lift has recently received a new paint job courtesy of local artist, Lucanart, sporting a maritime theme at both ends.

The lift is usually open daily from Easter until September. Operating hours are seasonal. The lift costs £2.45 per journey (free for children aged under 2). Group tickets, weekly and season passes are also available. Cash is not accepted.

Parking

There is free roadside parking available along the cliff top.

Beach

The beach is predominantly sandy. There can be a line of shingle along the shore line. There are groynes approximately every 200 metres.

Food and Drink

There is a kiosk on the beach selling snacks, ice cream and drinks. This is the only catering beachside. However, there are a few good options on the cliff top.

Cafe Riva

Cafe Riva is a licenced cafe on the cliff top. They have an extensive range of cake, which friends tell me is very good (I’ve not tried any myself because I have a nut allergy and the cake is all stored together.)

During the season, the action spills outdoors onto the cliff top with DJs, live music, an outside bar, ice cream kiosk, plus visiting food trucks selling pizza, fish & chips and loaded fries. Check out their Facebook page for a rundown of what’s on this week.

Coastal Crew Fitness

Three mornings a week, you can take your workout outdoors with Coastal Crew Fitness, who offer an exercise class with a view to die for.

The Commodore

Just across the road is The Commodore. This Greene King pub has plenty of tables inside, plus a beer garden, all with great views across the bay. It offers a typical pub grub style menu (this I have tried!) and an extensive selection of drinks. The gin menu is particularly extensive. To be honest, the food here can be rather hit and miss. I prefer the Spyglass & Kettle.

Spyglass & Kettle

A little further east along the Overcliff is another Greene King pub, the Spyglass & Kettle. This popular pub with a relaxed ambience also has a beer garden overlooking the cliff top, indoor seating and serves a similar menu.

Events include live music on Friday nights, which is particularly popular. Details of upcoming events can be found here.

Café on the Green

The Café on the Green is part of Boscombe Cliff Bowling Club. The café is open seasonally. Non members are welcome in the café, which is licensed and serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea. It has indoor seating plus seating on a terrace overlooking the sea.

Toilets

There are toilets at beach level and more toilets on the cliff top. Beach level toilets are accessible and have baby changing facilities. These are open during the day all year round. More details can be found here.

The cliff top toilets are accessible but have no baby changing faculties. These are also open during the day all year round. More details can be found here.

Other Facilities

• Drinking water
• Shower
• Beach huts
• Electric barbecues

Lifeguards

There is an RNLI Lifeguard Station on Fisherman’s Walk Beach, which is manned from 10 am until 6 pm between 23rd May and 6th September.

Fisherman’s Walk Beach For Children

This is a great beach for children. It is quieter than the beaches closer to Bournemouth. It has a wide expanse of sand, a kiosk, toilets and lifeguards in summer.

On the cliff top is a nice children’s Play Area. This has swings, two climbing frames with slides and a large sandpit. A recent refurb has added new equipment including a boat.

Café Riva, the Spyglass & Kettle and the Commodore all offer a children’s menu. In addition, Café Riva has a Mini Golf course. A round of golf costs £3.50 (£3 for children) and is allegedly bookable via the café, although it’s a long time since I saw anyone use it…

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on Fisherman’s Walk Beach between May and September. The area to the east, between Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne Beach, is a year round dog friendly beach. If you like to pamper you pooch, you can order a Puppachino (an espresso sized cup full of whipped cream with a gravy bone and a doggy style flake) at Café Riva.

• Updated: June 2026

I hope you found this information useful. For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth here.

For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth with young children, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers here.