Facts About Sandbanks

Sandbanks provides the ideal filming location for TV and movie production companies. It’s a unique and stunning location in Dorset on the South Coast of England. With such movies as Walking on the Moon, Morris: A Life with Bells On, Ammonite and Dunkirk and TV series such as The Sandman, Broadchurch and Wolf Hall.

John Lennon bought his much beloved Aunt Mimi (Smith) a bungalow in 1965 on the now exclusive peninsula of Sandbanks. The house was called Harbours Edge and sat on the waters edge near North Haven Point close to the Sandbanks Ferry.

In 1965 Mimi looked at three houses and settled on Harbour’s Edge,a six-bedroomed harbour fronting semi-bungalow at 126 Panorama Road. At the time, although Sandbanks was rising in popularity, the house was only worth £3,500 but John Lennon payed £25,000 to purchase the property.

Located in Poole, Dorset on the South Coast of England. Sandbanks is a small peninsula which intersects the mouth of Poole Harbour. With the English Channel on one side and Poole Bay and harbour on the other.

Sandbanks Beach on the eastern side of the of the peninsula is an award winning Blue Flag beach (this year celebrating it’s 35th anniversary of winning the award – 2022). Know for it’s crystal clear, clean waters and soft golden stone-free sands.

Sandbanks is now a world-famous location on the South Coast of England. From humble beginnings as literally just deserted sand dunes that jutted out in to Poole Harbour to the fourth most expensive place to live in the world. The history of Sandbanks is one of a miraculous transformation since the 1950’s. In such a relatively short time, it is now home to some of the most extaordinary homes, yachting facilities and growing international recognition as the best place for watersports in the UK.

The exclusive holiday resort of Sandbanks in Dorset, England, is home to many celebrities and famous faces. It’s become known in recent years as a millionaire’s playground. From titans of industry to football players, TV celebrities and rock stars, the rich and famous all flock to this unique and beautiful area of the country. In fact, it’s one of the most sought after locations in Britain with most properties for sale in Sandbanks on the peninsula and surrounding areas now worth many millions.

The Dorset waterfront area has recently become the most expensive place to live in the the world with the sale of a 2,000sq foot bungalow recently selling for £13.5 million to Tom Glanfield (who appears on our list).

We’ve put together some of the better known residents of Sandbanks and nearby neighbourhoods like Branksome Park. Some on our list live / lived a short distance from the main peninsula but all have close links to Sandbanks.

There are volleyball courts at Sandbanks Beach that are free to use for everybody and are setup all year round. You can find them on the eastern end of the promenade just past the Pavalion.

These are available on a “first-come, first-served” basis and can’t be booked in advance.

“There’s no place like Sandbanks” is often a common utterance by all who visit this small peninsula crossing the mouth of Poole Harbour on the English Channel.

With spectacular views across to the Jurassic Coastline, crystal clear Blue Flag water and soft, golden sand that stretches all along the shoreline. It remains one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK all year round.

Not only is it an ideal location to visit with the family, with lots of great activities for all ages – including mini golf, family friendly water sports activities, it also offers an ideal starting location for exploring further.

Unfortunately, the local council does not allow camping on any of their beaches and threaten prosecution if you are caught camping along the seafront.

However, fear not! You can of course arrive early and stay as long as you like, just not in a tent overnight ;). There are some local campsites in the nearby vicinity – such as Brownsea Island Campsite which welcomes overnight visitors who want to fall asleep under the stars. Take a look at other options available to you if you want a more “back to nature” experience while you visit on our Holiday Parks & Campsites page, which is being updated all the time!

It’s never been easier to get to your favourite beach! There are various ways to get to Sandbanks. If you’re travelling by car, there’s a main Sandbanks Beach car park as well as metered on the road parking along the main Banks Road.

You can also hire bikes and scooters from one of the many Beryl bike bays, with locations all around the local area.

There are also regular bus services to the area, with multiple stops along the peninsula towards the Sandbanks Ferry.

The simple answer is YES! There is a designated section of the beach that our furry friends are welcome all year round! It can be found at the western end of Sandbanks Beach towards Haven Point and Sandbanks Ferry.

Please remember, to keep the beach clean and safe for all to use – pick up after your doggy and please keep them on the lead when strolling along the promenade :)

Here’s some extra useful information regarding taking dogs to Sandbanks Beach…

When the tide is low, it exposes sea algae, a single-celled phytoplankton by the name of Emiliania huxleyi. This produces a sulfur compound called dimethyl sulfide. This is what the slightly unpleasent smell is. It’s a key part of the eco-system but yes – it can smell pretty niffty sometimes!

Barbecues

Barbecues are permitted on Sandbanks Beach between the times of 6:30pm and 10:30pm all year round.

There are plenty of bins provided all along the beach front to get rid of any rubbish including recycling facilities. Please remember to use the standpipes to cool down any disposable BBQs and leave them next to the bins to be collected by the Beach Team.

Open fires

Please be aware that open fires are not permitted on Sandbanks Beach at any time.

Your safety and the safety of everyone who visits our beautiful beach resort is our number one priority. We want you to have the best stay possible.

The beach here at Sandbanks has a lifeguard service provided by the RNLI. They have lifeguard towers situated at Shore Road and a second further along Sandbanks Beach. They also have access to sand buggies and make regular patrols up and down the beach.