How to get toStudland Baycar-free
Plan your journey
Sorry! We can't find any journeys at that time...
Visit Studland Bay car-free
It’s a real adventure to visit Studland Bay in Purbeck car-free. There are multiple options:
From Poole: Take the bus to Sandbanks Ferry from Poole bus station (35 mins). Change for the scenic Purbeck Breezer bus. It crosses the sea with the Sandbanks Ferry, then continues to each of the beaches.
From Bournemouth: Take the scenic Purbeck Breezer bus route from Bournemouth train station (45 mins). It crosses the sea with the Sandbanks Ferry, then continues to each of the beaches.
From Swanage: Take the scenic Purbeck Breezer bus route from Swanage train station (10 mins).
From Corfe Caste: Take a Swanage Railway heritage train to Swanage (20 mins) and then hop straight on the scenic Purbeck Breezer bus (10-20 mins). You can also get to Swanage by bus from Wareham train station (40 mins).
Check out our recommended route (below) and then use our journey planner (above) for door-to-door train, bus and walking routes.
For money-saving tips see our handy guides to trains and buses or travel in Pubeck or Bournemouth.
A Bournemouth and Poole PlusBus train ticket gives you unlimited bus travel as far as the Sandbanks Ferry terminal.
Find the best train or bus tickets (Sandbanks is in bus Zone A. Studland Bay is in Zone C). Or look into a combined offer.
Scenic open-top bus route the Pubeck Breezer (bus 50) runs from Bournemouth to Swanage and across the Sandbanks Ferry to Studland Bay.
The Harbour Breezer (bus 60) runs from Poole to Sandbanks Ferry. Another Purbeck Breezer (bus 40) takes a long route to Swanage via Wareham and Corfe Castle.
Picturesque heritage trains run between Swanage and Corfe Castle.
Cycle route National Route 2 goes through the Studland Bay area, between Bournemouth and Wareham.
You can take a bike on the Sandbanks Ferry, but you need to hold it. Once at the Studland side, travel a couple of minutes further up Ferry Road for a Beryl Bike bay, toilets and a water refill machine. From here carry on Ferry Road for another 800m to a track called Northern Boundary on your left. This track will take you through to the naturist beach. A further 2.5km along Ferry road, mostly flat with gradual inclines and a steep 30m at the end, you will reach Knoll Beach where there is a Beryl Bike parking bay, water refill station, toilets, shop, café and watersports offer.
There are cycle racks available at each of the four car parks if you are bringing your own bike. Plan your cycle route here.
National Trail footpath the Southwest Coast Path, plus Bournemouth Coast Path and Round Dorset Walk go along Studland Bay. The Purbeck Way starts just to the South.
Taxis usually wait at Bournemouth and Poole train stations, but book ahead with: United – 01202 556 677, PRC Streamline – 01202 373 737 or Ariel – 01202 747 333. From Wareham book with King – 01929 554 223, Excel – 01929 448 066 or Atlas – 07928 252275. There are also taxis in Swanage.
Find accessibility information for buses and trains and Studland Bay.
Discover more Dorset offers and days out with Good Journey.
Getting to Studland Bay car-free
Here's our recommended route to Studland Bay. To get bus and train times and walking routes use our journey planner.
Walking times from Sandbanks Ferry at Shell Bay
Bramble Bush Bay (10-15 mins), Studland Naturist Beach (30 mins), Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach (around an hour). See the Google map and illustrated map for further information.
From Poole and Bournemouth
Bus 50 runs from Bournemouth to Studland Bay, crossing with the Sandbanks Ferry (included in the ticket). Buses leave from Bournemouth train station Stand A (sheltered) frequently in Summer (regularly in Winter). Jump off at the following points for the attractions at Studland Bay. See the map for further information.
- 45 mins: Shell Bay Ferry – footpath left to Shell Bay and Sandbanks Ferry
- 46 mins: Jerry’s Point – footpath right to Bramble Bush Bay and left to Studland Naturist Beach
- 50 mins: Knoll House – footpath left to car park for Knoll Beach, Café and Discovery Centre
- 51 mins: Wadmore Lane – footpath left to Middle Beach, plus paths right around Studland and Godlingston Heath
- 52 mins: Beach Road – for footpath to South Beach turn Left along School Lane at the shop
Sightseeing buses also run as far as the Sandbanks ferry.
Connections from Branksome:
Bus M1 and bus M2 leave from Branksome train station frequently. The journey takes about 5 minutes. Hop off at Grosvenor Road. Walk for a couple of minutes to The Westbourne.
Bus 50 runs from Bournemouth to Studland Bay, crossing with the Sandbanks Ferry (included in the ticket). Buses leave from The Westbourne regularly. See above.
Connections from Poole:
Bus 60 runs from Rockley Park holiday village and Poole bus station (Stand J, sheltered) regularly. The journey takes about 25 minutes. Hop off at Ferry Approach.
Sightseeing buses also run as far as the Sandbanks ferry.
Either take the ferry and walk, or change for bus 50 which uses the ferry – see above.
From Swanage and Corfe Castle
Bus 50 runs from Swanage to Studland Bay. Buses leave from Swanage bus station Stand 1 regularly. Jump off at the following points for the attractions at Studland Bay. See the map for further information.
- 12 mins: Beach Road – for footpath to South Beach turn Left along School Lane at the shop
- 15 mins: Wadmore Lane – footpath left to Middle Beach, plus paths right around Studland and Godlingston Heath
- 16 mins: Knoll House – footpath left to car park for Knoll Beach, Café and Discovery Centre
- 18 mins: Goathorn Farm – footpath left to Little Sea
- 19 mins: Jerry’s Point – footpath right to Bramble Bush Bay and left to Studland Naturist Beach
- 21 mins: Shell Bay Ferry – footpath left to Shell Bay and the Sandbanks Ferry.
Connections from Wareham:
Bus 40 runs from Wareham to Swanage. Buses leave from Wareham train station regularly. The journey takes about 40 minutes. Hop off at Swanage bus station.
Hop straight onto bus 50 – see above.
Connections from Corfe Castle:
There are seasonal steam and diesel trains to Swanage from: Corfe Castle (20 mins), Harmans Cross (10 mins), Herston Halt – Request Stop ( couple of mins) and Norden (25 mins). Check the prices and timetable.
Catch bus 50 from Stand A outside the train station – see above.
From further afield by train
There are direct trains to Bournemouth from:
- Dorset: Dorchester (40 mins), Poole (15 mins), Wareham (25 mins), Weymouth (50 mins),
- Hampshire: Basingstoke (about 60 mins), Brockenhurst (15 mins), Southampton Central (30 mins), Winchester (45 mins),
- London: Clapham Junction (110 mins), Waterloo (115 mins),
- Oxfordshire: Oxford (115 mins), Surrey: Woking (80 mins) and Berkshire: Reading (80 mins).
Catch bus 50 from Stand A outside the train station – see above.
From further afield by bus
There are direct buses to Bournemouth from:
- Lymington (buses X1 and X2, 95 mins),
- Ringwood (bus X6, 30 mins),
- Salisbury (bus X3, 70 mins) and
- Wimborne (6 & 6a, 13 & 13a, 45-60 mins)
There are direct buses to Poole from:
- Blandford Forum (bus X8, 35 mins),
- Ringwood (bus X6, 95 mins),
- Wimborne (buses 3, 3x, 4 and 9, 40 mins)
There are also longer-distance coaches to Bournemouth and Poole.
Catch bus 50 – see above
About Studland Bay
A glorious slice of natural coastline in Purbeck featuring a four-mile stretch of golden, sandy beach, with gently shelving bathing waters and views of Old Harry Rocks and the Isle of Wight.
Studland Bay is ideal for water sports and includes the most popular naturist beach in Britain. The heathland behind the beach is a haven for native wildlife and features all six British reptiles.
Designated trails through the sand dunes and woodlands allow for exploration and spotting of deer, insects and bird life as well as a wealth of wild flowers.
For any queries about visiting contact Studland Bay on 01929450500 or [email protected]
Address: Studland, near Swanage, Dorset. Visit Website