Jane's Midlife Journey

Southbourne Beach is at the far end of the suburb of Southbourne, four miles east of central Bournemouth. The beach has lost its Blue Flag status for 2025. I’m not sure why. I asked the council, but they declined to answer. The beach is increasingly dominated by Sobo Beach restaurant, which offers a range of dining options from a row of shipping containers. With indoor seating in a double decker bus or outdoor seating on the prom or beach. The restaurant runs multiple events throughout the year from discos (for both humans and dogs) to yoga to craft sessions.

How to get to Southbourne Beach

The A35 connects Bournemouth to Southbourne. From here, take Southbourne Overcliff Drive/Southbourne Coast Road, which runs along the cliff top. Alternatively, you can walk or cycle along the promenade.

By Bus

Buses No m2 and 1C stop at Southbourne Crossroads, approximately a 10 minute walk away. In the summer, the No 70 Breezer bus runs along the coast road, stopping at Saint Catherine’s Slope, which leads down a zigzag path to the beach.

Access

The beach can be accessed from the Coast Road via St Catherine’s Path or from the car park via Warren Edge Path. Both paths are sloped and have step free options. Or, as mentioned above, the beach can be reached from the Promenade, which runs from Southbourne to Poole via Bournemouth.

Southbourne Beach Parking

Warren Edge has a Pay & Display Car Park. Parking fees are seasonal (£3 for an hour for much of the year or £2.50 for two hours between November and March). Full details can be found here. There is also some free roadside parking along Southbourne Coast Road and some neighbouring roads, although you will be lucky to find a space during the summer.

Beach

A wide expanse of golden sand. There is sometimes a line of shingle along the water line.

Food and Drink

SOBO Beach

If you haven’t visited Southbourne Beach recently, there have been some changes. The former restaurant, Bistro on the Beach, was demolished to make way for a larger building two storey building, which was planned for 2024. In the meantime, new in 2022 and staying for the foreseeable future, a trendy new pop-up, SOBO Beach, has been constructed. With building plans now on hold until it is “commercially prudent to do so”, SOBO Beach has become somewhat of a permanent fixture and now describes itself as the UK’s Number One Beach Venue & Community.

The SOBO Beach complex consists of a row of brightly coloured shipping containers, which house the Flamingo Grill, Wok Shack, an Ice Cream Hut and a Cocktail Bar. In addition, there is a Double Decker Bus Bar. All surrounded by elevated seating behind a Perspex fence, so you can sit and enjoy the view whilst imbibing even on those less than perfect English summer’s days. If it is a perfect summer’s day, there is additional beachfront seating and some sunloungers on the beach.

SOBO Beach has a packed events schedule with DJs and discos (particularly popular with women of a certain age), arts & crafts and beach yoga among the offerings.

There is another Ice Cream Kiosk (seasonal) near the bottom of Warren Path.

Toilets

There are two sets of public toilets; one in a portacabin next to SOBO Beach and another (permanent building) adjacent to Warren Path. The portacabin toilets are managed by the restaurant and are pretty gross.

Other Facilities on Southbourne Beach

• Shower
• Drinking Water
• Beach Huts
• Surf Lifesaving Club

Lifeguards

There is an RNLI Lifeguard Station on Southbourne Beach, which is manned from 10 am until 6 pm between 24th May and 7th September.

Southbourne Beach for Children

Southbourne Beach is popular with families. Its distance from Bournemouth means it is usually a little less crowded than some neighbouring beaches. It offers a sandy, lifeguarded beach. SOBO Beach has a small children’s menu (fish & chips, hot dog, chicken or vegan goujons for £7.50) and an ice cream kiosk. They occasionally put on children’s events, such as art workshops.

During the summer holidays, you will also find Supernova Kids Beach Toddler Group here on Friday mornings offering play, stories, songs and craft activities for younger children.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on Southbourne Beach between May and September. There is a dog friendly beach just to the west, between Southbourne Beach and Fisherman’s Walk Beach.

At SOBO Beach, dogs are bettered catered for than small humans. They sell doggie ice creams and donuts and even hold a dog festival with an indoor play area, boutique, pupaccinos, selfie booth and a doggie disco!

• Updated: June 2025

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.