Which sandy beach between Bournemouth and Bognor shall we hit tomorrow?

[BeachBabbler]

Yep, I know those places aren't close together 😅

Tomorrow it's scheduled to be hot and we have a rare free day so planning to take the kids to the beach. Must haves: proper sand, reasonable parking not too far away (we have a blue badge which helps with parking but also can't walk too far), access to toilets and ideally ice creams. That's it.

We live just over an hour north of Southampton so we will drive via the A31/M3 but I've never found a nice beach near Southampton so shall we turn west towards Bournemouth, maybe to Avon Beach? Or East towards Bognor, maybe somewhere near Portsmouth? TIA.

Wherever you can get before the traffic jams. The M27 and A27 were absolute hell today

Don't think there's much of climping beach left is there? Hardly any parking either.

@Laska2Meryls I keep dithering about a multi pass. I use the Saturday shopper from Cowes (free parking, day return to Gunwharf for a tenner) but I'd rather take the car over to visit family. Would you say it's worth buying?

And, OP! You really must bob over to Ryde. It's such a fabulous beach, loads to do. 10 pin bowling near the Hoverport, Puckpool has loads of play things for kids, there's a boating lake, fab cafes and restaurants. I know you'd love it! The Isle of Wight is the best place.

@BeachBabbler another thing about the island - there are no motorways (apart from a dual carriageway, not even half a mile, we call it our motorway!), the traffic jams that drive us crazy are never more than 10 minutes waiting!

@TeaOrCoffeeOrHotChocolate Really?? I've not been for about five years. That's a shame. I used to walk my dog all round there.

southbourne has the cliff top lift which is brilliant for people with reduced mobility, you could park on the over cliff road easily with a blue badge,l - there are stretches with double yellows - short walk to the lift and then you’re on the beach! Toilets, shop and cafe at the bottom of the lift. And it’s beautiful. https://www.bournemouth.co.uk/things-to-do/west-cliff-lift-p1565163West cliff lift

Loving the IoW talk 🥰 it wouldn't work for us tomorrow but definitely a MUST visit soon. I have to say I never even considered it for a day trip though, is it really that easy?

Branksome Dene is lovely, and you can usually park if you’re there by 11. There’s parking on the nearby roads if not. We spent the day there today

Also I'm hearing all the leave early advise but unfortunately we definitely won't be able to leave home much before 9:30 so likely to be hitting the M27 around 10:30. I know that means more traffic and longer journey but sadly that's unavoidable.

Don't come to Portsmouth - we're pebble beach only along here.

@OldTinHat
Well its s bit of a painful buy tbh . has gone up quite a bit iver the last few years .. Now 660 for 20! But it pays for itself in the summer.... In the winter I look for cheaper fares if I can get them ... But I go over with car probably at least every 10 days though because I have an elderly parent in Portsmouth and I need the car to be able to take him out places ..
The Gunwharf deal is great.. thats the boat that also does the Portsmouth harbour tours I found out , so they maximise their income by doing that deal ..

Yes it is that easy.. and Ryde is really a very nice beach , and definitely accessible.. you can get car ferry + hotel or ferry /camping deals as well If you wanted to stay longer . Lots to see !
Theres a Travelodge in Ryde which is handy ( though up the main street which is steep) plus of course other options ..

I'd say Hengistbury Head, it's relatively flat from car park to beach, beach is sandy.

I love West Wittering. Agree with pp you need to book parking.
Sandbanks is nice. But Weymouth is my fave, the sand has won awards as the most lovely.

Lots of people live here and commute daily to mainland for work (or school). Some even to London !

Studland is gorgeous- easy access but National Trust so parking is quite expensive.
Beautiful walk along the beach towards Sandbanks.