Considered by many locals to be a suburb of Bournemouth, the town of Boscombe became popular in the Victorian era when it was considered a fashionable alternative to the main resort.
Boscombe's large sandy beach was set to become a major tourist attraction in its own right due to the construction of Europe's first ever artificial surf reef. The reef, of which there are only three others in the world, cost over £1.4 million and it was hoped it would attract 10,000 surfers a year. Unfortunately the reef was an unmitigated disaster from the start; the waves produced were far below the quality expected and then to make matters worse a boat damaged the sandbag construction with its propellor. Today the council is trying to salvage what they can and remarket the reef as a potential dive site.
Besides the artificial reef the beach offers pleasant walks through the adjacent Boscombe Gardens, dating from the late 1800s and now featuring mini golf, a children's play area and a café.
Type of Beach
Sandy
Lifeguard Service
There is a seasonal lifeguard service
Dog Friendly?
Dogs are restricted. Dog exercise area.
Facilities
Toilets with access for disabled visitors. first aid posts. lost children centres and information offices. Pubs. cafes. kiosks and restaurants serve drinks. hot and cold snacks and meals.
Parking
Pay parking available. Also disabled visitors parking.
Directions
A338 from Ringwood and the A35 from Poole.
Nearest Town
BournemouthOther beaches near Boscombe Beach
Boscombe Beach tide times
Thu 30th November
Low 12:27am (1.28m)
High 6:03am (5.41m)
Low 12:53pm (1.29m)
High 6:24pm (5.12m)Fri 1st December
Low 1:03am (1.46m)
High 6:42am (5.24m)
Low 1:30pm (1.49m)
High 7:03pm (4.89m)Sat 2nd December
Low 1:39am (1.66m)
High 7:21am (5.03m)
Low 2:09pm (1.71m)
High 7:44pm (4.64m)Sun 3rd December
Low 2:16am (1.87m)
High 8:04am (4.80m)
Low 2:51pm (1.93m)
High 8:31pm (4.41m)
