Shell Bay, Studland, Dorset

Shell Bay is the northern part of Studland Beach in Dorset, just across the entrance to Poole Harbour from Sandbanks and can be reached by the Sandbanks Chain Ferry. It was known as South Haven. Local fishermen adopted the name Shell Bay to attract visitors and increase the use of the Sandbanks Ferry. Many seashells are washed up along this beach.

This is the start of the 630 mile South West Coast Path, which continues across Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and ends at Minehead in Somerset. The sandy beach is very popular, with safe sea bathing and lovely sand dunes behind. Part of the beach is designated as a nudist beach, which is well marked. Naturism has been popular here since the 1920s.

Path through sand dunes to beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Sandbanks Ferry, entrance to Poole Harbour, Shell Bay, Studland

Sandbanks Ferry, entrance to Poole Harbour, Shell Bay, Studland

Sandbanks Ferry, entrance to Poole Harbour, Shell Bay, Studland

Sandbanks Ferry “Bramble Bush Bay” chain ferry, leaving Studland for Sandbanks

Sandbanks Ferry “Bramble Bush Bay” chain ferry, leaving Studland for Sandbanks

Sandbanks Ferry, crossing entrance to Poole Harbour, for Sandbanks

Sandbanks Ferry, crossing entrance to Poole Harbour, for Sandbanks

Sandbanks Ferry, crossing entrance to Poole Harbour, for Sandbanks

Sandbanks Ferry, crossing entrance to Poole Harbour, for Sandbanks

Sandbanks Ferry, entrance to Poole Harbour, Shell Bay, Studland

Haven Hotel, Sandbanks, from Shell Bay, Studland

Sandbanks, from Shell Bay, Studland

Brownsea Castle, Brownsea Island, Poole Harbour, from Shell Bay, Studland

Sand dunes, beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Sand dunes, beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Sand dunes, beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Sand dunes, beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Sand dunes, beach, Shell Bay, Studland

Shell Bay, Studland

Signpost, Shell Bay, Studland