Studland Bay
Knoll Beach, Dorset · United Kingdom
England's best-known nude beach, on a National Trust bay with dunes, and a gay end that has been an open secret for fifty years.
- Status
- Official nude beach
- Crowd
- Gay-popular
- Country
- United Kingdom
- City
- Bournemouth
- Water
- Sea
- Best time
- June to September
- Confidence
- Medium
Find it
50.6580° N, 1.9500° WGood to know
National Trust rangers patrol. Keep to the marked naturist stretch.
The gay end
The naturist stretch north of Knoll Beach towards Shell Bay; the gay section is at its northern end.
Crowd A nude beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys.
Getting there
Ferry from Sandbanks (Bournemouth side) and a walk, or park at Knoll Beach. National Trust land, marked signs.
The rules
Official nude beach. Designated by law or by the council. Nudity is allowed and expected on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up.
No photos of anyone, sunscreen everywhere, cover up the moment you leave the nude stretch, and go home with the light. It is a beach: sunbathe, swim, talk, flirt. Anything more belongs somewhere private.
Questions people ask
Is Studland Bay a gay beach?
It has a gay end. The naturist stretch north of Knoll Beach towards Shell Bay; the gay section is at its northern end. England's best-known nude beach, on a National Trust bay with dunes, and a gay end that has been an open secret for fifty years.
Is it legal to be nude at Studland Bay?
Yes, on the marked stretch. Designated by law or by the council. Nudity is allowed and expected on the marked stretch, and nobody will ask you to cover up. National Trust rangers patrol. Keep to the marked naturist stretch.
How do I get to Studland Bay?
Ferry from Sandbanks (Bournemouth side) and a walk, or park at Knoll Beach. National Trust land, marked signs. Best time: June to September.
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Method
Status says what the law and the locals allow; crowd says who is on the sand. Both come from gay-travel guides, the national naturist federations and members who were just there, scored on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety. How we rank. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described above. Last reviewed September 2026.