Join
Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership. Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever.
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
The overflow fields at Hive Beach car park are now closed for the winter, please be aware that space for parking may be limited on busy days.
Opening times for 4 December 2023
Asset Opening time Countryside Dawn - Dusk MTWTFSS2728293012345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031OpenPartially openClosedCafe
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.
Dogs
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.
Car park
Parking charges apply: £3.30 for 2 hours, £6.60 for 4 hours and £8.80 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.
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
Seating available
Accessible picnic benches available along beach front
Accessible toilet
Toilet maintained by Hive Beach Cafe and open to the public during cafe operating hours.
Steps/uneven terrain
Powered mobility vehicle available
At Hive Beach there is an Off Road Mobility Scooter available to borrow 7 days a week from April to October giving access to sections of the south west coast path. Email hivebeach@nationaltrust.org.uk or speak to staff on site for further details.
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.
By bicycle
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
Visiting Hive Beach with your dog
The area around Hive Beach is a working landscape with footpaths, perfect for walking and quiet enjoyment. Dogs are welcome, but please take a look at these top tips before you visit. Hive Beach is a one pawprint rated place.
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 read the warning signage at the beach entrance and talk to Coastwatch before heading out.
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
Article
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.
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 with views of the coast, is this pretty thatched cottage.
Ash Cottage
Part of a large thatched cottage with views over World Heritage site, the Golden Cap.
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, this cottage offers a scenic country stay on the Golden Cap.
The Old Radar Station
Stay on England’s spectacular natural World Heritage Site, The Golden Cap, in this restored radar station.
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.