Avon Beach one of three Blue Flag beaches in the Christchurch area. Unlike many of the beaches around Bournemouth, this one is accessible without having to negotiate your way down from the clifftop. The beach is backed by a prom which links it to Mudeford to the west and Friars Cliff to the east. It is dominated by The Noisy Lobster, which has a restaurant, deli and range of other food outlets spreading along the prom. The smell of bacon and freshly baked bread wafts across the beach.

Getting There

Avon Beach is 7 miles east of Central Bournemouth. It can be reached by following the A35 to Christchurch, then turning onto Purewell Cross Road. Buses No X1 and X2 stop at Bure Road, which is a 5 minute walk away. By foot/bike, you can reach Avon Beach by following the coast and taking the Mudeford Ferry from Hengistbury Head to Mudeford Quay.

Access

There is a car park right next to the beach. Avon Beach is also accessible via a paved promenade from Mudeford Quay to the west and Friars Cliff Beach to the east.

Parking

Avon Beach Car Park has level access straight onto the prom/beach. However, in summer, your chances of getting a spot here are remote. Car parking costs are seasonal, costing from £1.90 to £2.10 for an hour. Parking fees can be found here.

There is another car park just behind this; Avon Run Road Car Park. From here, there are steps leading down to Avon Beach Car Park. The parking fees are marginally cheap (£1.70-£1.90 for an hour). In winter, it costs 80p for the whole day. Further details can be found here. If you can’t manage steps, you can access the beach via a path,but it’s a bit of a detour. There is also some off road parking along Avon Run Road, which can be used during the winter months.

Beach

The beach is mainly sand, although not quite the glorious golden sand found further towards Bournemouth. There can be patches of shingle. The west end of the beach is designated for water sports.

Food and Drink

Covering all your culinary needs is The Noisy Lobster; a family run beach front restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. It specialises in seafood, however the menu also includes some imaginative vegetarian/vegan options.

The Noisy Lobster also consist of The Lobster Hatch (which sells a range of takeaway food, but specialising in Fish & Chips) , The Coffee Cabin (selling drinks, baked goods and sandwiches), an Ice Cream Parlour (boasting 21 flavours of ice cream) and a Deli/Shop with in-store bakery. They can even rent you a beach hut or ‘occasion hut’ for those who like to party on the beach.

Toilets

There are public toilets next to The Noisy Lobster.

Other Facilities

• Shower
• Beach Huts
• Deck Chairs

Lifeguards

The Avon Beach Lifeguard tower is manned from 10 am until 6 pm between 15th July and 3rd September. It’s not quite the iconic beach lifeguard tower; it looks more like someone dumped an old shed in the middle of the beach.

Avon Beach for Children

Once you have scrambled over the pebbles which line the shore, the sea is shallow and flat, ideal for safe paddling and swimming for younger children. There is a playground a little further along the prom just before Mudeford Quay. The Noisy Lobster has an extensive Kids’ Menu (and an ice cream parlour, of course).

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on the beach between May and September. There is a dog friendly area between Avon Beach and Friars Cliff Beach.