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Hive Beach
Spectacular coastline with cliffs and miles of unspoilt beaches on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
Hive Beach Office, Beach Road, Burton Bradstock, Dorset, DT6 4RF
Important notice
There is no lifeguard service operating. Beware of strong currents, shelving beach, large waves and unstable cliffs.
Opening times for 21 May 2025
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When you need a break, come and sample the delights on offer at the Hive Beach Café. This local seafood restaurant sits on the shingle beach of Chesil Bank where you can savour some of the best views of the Dorset coastline.
- Car park
Parking charges apply: £4.00 for 2 hours, £8.00 for 4 hours and £10.00 for all day. Payment can be made by coins or PayByPhone. If you are a National Trust member, please scan your card in the machine. We have limited availability for Motorhomes, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate caravans, and trailers. Overnight parking or camping is not permitted.
- Dogs allowed
Dog walkers are welcome but please keep an eye out for signs throughout your visit. Using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. Please always clear up after your dog. Bins are available within the car parks or take the poo bags home with you.
- Toilet
Toilets maintained by Hive Beach Cafe and open to the public during cafe operating hours.
Eight accessible parking spaces are located at Hive Beach car park. Easy access from the car park to Hive Beach Café. Accessible toilets (not National Trust) at Hive Beach Café car park are open if the café is open. Check www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk
- Accessible route and/or map
Accessible route available with use of powered mobility vechile
- Accessible toilet
Toilet maintained by Hive Beach Cafe and open to the public during cafe operating hours.
- Powered mobility vehicle available
The Mobility Scooter is available to hire for either a morning (10am-12.30pm) or afternoon (1pm-3.30pm) session, 7 days per week from April to October. For enquiries, email nwdorsettramper@nationaltrust.org.uk with "Tramper Hire - Hive Beach" in the subject header along with date & time of hire and a contact number. Alternatively, phone 01308 898 551
- Seating available
Accessible picnic benches available along beach front
- Steps/uneven terrain
- By road
Hive Beach is located roughly 2 miles east of Bridport, just off the B3157 Bridport to Weymouth road. Cogden car park is a further 1 mile east along B3157
Sat Nav: Use DT6 4RF for Hive Beach or DT6 4RL for Cogden.
- On foot
The South West Coast Path follows the contours of the south coast, linking Hive Beach to West Bay and Bridport to the west, and Abbotsbury to the east. From Burton Bradstock village, leave the road to the west of the garage and follow the footpath through fields to the beach.
- By train
Weymouth train station and Axminster train station both 15 miles.
- By bus
Jurassic Coast X53 operates a daily service and runs along the whole length of the Jurassic Coastline, linking Hive Beach with Bridport, Weymouth train station and Axminster train station. You can view the timetable for this service on the Traveline South West website.
- Cycling
Easy access to Hive Beach along the B3157, which runs from Bridport to Weymouth. The road is undulating and busy during the summer months. National Cycle Network Route 2 runs along the length of the south coast and passes close by the estate.
Hive Beach Office, Beach Road, Burton Bradstock, Dorset, DT6 4RF
Planning your visit
Article
Safety at Hive Beach
It's important to be aware of safety procedures to help ensure a safe visit.
Article
Walk with us: guided walks in Dorset
This year we've got a packed programme of walks exploring Dorchester, Bridport, the Golden Cap Estate, Lyme Legis and beyond. If you want to get out and explore, this is for you.
Highlights
Beach and coastline
Spectacular coastline with miles of unspoilt beaches. Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock is one of the main gateways to the Jurassic Coast and the South West Coast Path.
Swimming
The water at Hive Beach is clear and inviting but please take care. It is a steep shelving beach and currents can be strong with breaking waves on occasion. It is not an RNLI life-guarded beach. Please always read the warning signage at the beach entrance and talk to Coastwatch for advice.
Landslips and falls
The coast and cliffs along this stretch of the Jurassic Coast are unstable and naturally liable to landslips and falls at any time and without warning. Please take time to read warning signs in carparks and on footpaths, and stay well back from the cliff edges whether on or below them. We ask people not to visit slips when they occur, as secondary slips may occur without warning
Nature
Enjoy the abundant wildlife at Hive Beach, from the display of wildflowers to the variety insects and birds, there is plenty to spot.
Family Activities
Collect your free Mini Ranger Trail from the welcome hut at Hive Beach and discover what it's like to be a ranger in west Dorset. Expect wildlife spotting, fossil hunting, map reading and more.
Mobility Tramper
Tramper hire provides an opportunity for visitors who would otherwise find walking difficult to be able to access and enjoy the paths and views with friends and family. The routes start and end at the welcome hut located next to the car park.
Cogden Beach
Cogden Beach is a steep shelving shingle beach located on the coast road between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury. Backed by attractive farmland, it is home to a wide variety of beautiful coastal flowers and a variety of wildlife. It is a popular spot with local anglers. Parking is available uphill from the beach.
Walks
Take in spectacular views as you walk along the coast or enjoy a circular stroll at Cogden along a flower filled farmland. Further information and maps are available at our welcome hut.
Things to see and do
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Things to see and do at Hive Beach
From bracing coastal walks to views of the Jurassic Coast, a visit to Hive Beach has a number of highlights to look out for.
Article
Beach Yoga
Leah Miles is an experienced and well respected yoga teacher who works at various locations around West Dorset.
Top trails
Trail
Hive Beach coast path walk
Take in panoramic views from Golden Cap in the west, the highest point on the south coast, to Chesil Beach leading to Portland Bill, with abundant wild flowers.
Trail
The Cogden Circular
Follow this circular trail and enjoy friendly wildlife, flower-filled farmland and views of Chesil Beach across to Portland.
Places to stay
Chesil Cottage
A quiet coastal getaway awaits at this seaside cottage set on a farm, with stunning sea views over Chesil beach.
Downhouse Farm Cottage
A rural retreat with far-reaching views over the Dorset countryside.
Shedbush Farm House
A thatched farm house with a cosy country interior and acres of surrounding land to explore.
St Gabriel's Elm Cottage
Deep in the Dorset countryside is this pretty thatched cottage, only a short walk from the coast of the Golden Cap estate.
Ash Cottage
Part of a large thatched farmhouse on the Golden Cap World Heritage Site, with impressive coastal views a short walk away.
Oak Cottage
For a rural getaway close to the coast try this thatched cottage on the Golden Cap estate.
Beech Cottage
Part of a thatched farmhouse surrounded by trees, this cottage is only a short walk to breathtaking coastal views at Golden Cap.
The Old Radar Station
Stay on England’s spectacular natural World Heritage Site, The Golden Cap, in this restored radar station.
Upcoming events
Event
Looking at our changing coastline - Hive Beach to Cogden
Take a short walk along a section of the Jurassic Coast with our expert guide and learn how climate change is effecting our coastline.
Event
Guided walk at Cogden - Wild Flower Meadows
To celebrate National Meadows Day we are inviting you to join our Ecology volunteers for a guided walk down to Cogden beach and learn about the plants and flowers which grow on this SSSI protected, pebble beach.
Event
Barrows to Bunkers - a free guided walk through 4000 years of Hive Beach's history
Take a FREE guided walk around Hive Beach with our National Trust archaeologists and learn about key historical events of the area.
Event
Cogden Beach - a free guided walk through historic landscape with WW11 defences
Take a guided walk around Cogden with our National Trust archaeologists and learn about key historical events of the area.
About Hive Beach
Hive Beach is on the Jurassic Coast and the South West Coast Path. The estate is easy to access and offers spectacular cliff-top views along the many varied and picturesque coastal walks.
Hive Beach is a popular family destination, made up of shingle, surrounded by spectacular sandstone cliffs. It forms part of the larger Chesil Beach; a striking section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the largest shingle ridge in the world.
Nearby, Burton Cliff offers one of the finest examples of the distinctive, alternate hard and soft layered geology of this Bridport Sands area, which make it appear to glow bright gold in the sunlight.
Reusable BBQ’s being used responsible are welcome on Hive Beach. Please be considerate to other visitors and always put your BBQ out, make sure the ashes are cold and dispose of them responsibly.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Hive Beach.