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Friars Cliff Beach is the middle of the three beaches in the Christchurch area and it held a Blue Flag up until this year. This small beach tends to be quieter than some of its neighbours. It has a chilled vibe, great views and an award winning café.

How to get to Friars Cliff Beach

Friars Cliff Beach is 7 miles east of Bournemouth. It can be reached by following the A35 to Christchurch, then turning right onto Purewell Cross Road. By foot/bike, you can reach Friars Cliff Beach by following the coast and then either walking/cycling round Christchurch Harbour or taking the Mudeford Ferry from Hengistbury Head and continuing along Mudeford Quay.

By Bus

The nearest bus stop is Bure Have Drive, which is serviced by bus No 1C. From here, it is a 15 minute walk to the beach. During the summer, the number 70 Beach Breezer is another option.

Access to Friars Cliff Beach

The beach is easily accessible with just a short ramp connecting it to Steamer Point Car Park. Alternatively, there is a promenade from Avon Beach, which is around 500 metres away.

In the opposite direction, you can walk to Highcliffe Beach, although the paved prom does not run the entire way. Highcliffe is about a kilometre away and can also be reached via a cliff top path which takes you through Steamer Point; a wooded clifftop nature reserve. 

Parking

Steamer Point Car Park is just behind the beach. Parking costs are seasonal, ranging from £1.10 all day in winter to £2.40 for an hour during the rest of the year. Further details can be found here.

Beach

The beach is predominantly sandy with a little shingle, mainy along the water’s edge.

Food and Drink

The Beach Hut Café specialises in breakfasts, pizzas and home made cakes. There is covered seating outside on the veranda, with further seating on the prom overlooking the beach. Although mainly a breakfast/lunch venue, it does have extended hours, including fish & chip Friday during the summer.

Toilets

There are toilets on the prom near the café.

Other Facilities

• Showers
• Beach huts

Lifeguards

There is no RNLI Lifeguard Station on Friars Cliff Beach for 2026.

Friars Cliff Beach for Children

This is a nice beach for children as it’s sheltered, with a gentle shelf into the sea, although, as mentioned above, this year there is no lifeguard provision. The Beach Hut Café has a basic children’s menu for £6.75 and a separate pizza menu.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on most of Friars Cliff Beach between May and September. There is a dog friendly area between between the wave wall and Groyne H4 at Highcliffe Beach.

• Updated: August 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.