Coastal erosion is reshaping the Jurassic Coast, and Hive Beach is feeling the effects.
What’s happening at Hive Beach?
Hive Beach, part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, is a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike. But like much of the UK coastline, it’s under growing pressure from coastal erosion caused by the rising sea levels and more extreme weather we are seeing as a result of climate change.
At Hive Beach we’re seeing more frequent cliff falls, which pose safety risks and damage footpaths, fields, and fragile habitats. Storms and heavy rainfall are eroding beach access routes and washing out tracks around the lower car park, putting visitor facilities at risk.
National Coastal Risk Mapping data projects that within the next 30 years, the land in front of the cafe is at risk of erosion and the high tide line could reach the base of the café wall - storm surges may bring that reality even sooner. This means parts of the lower car park could be lost to the sea in the near future.
Photos of coastal erosion and recent storm damage at Hive Beach
These images of the coastal track at Hive Beach show how coastal erosion has changed the landscape. Thanks to Burton Bradstock Website for the archive photo.
These images of Hive Beach looking west show how coastal erosion has changed the landscape over the last 100 years. Thanks to Burton Bradstock Website for the archive photo.
These images of Fisherman's Green at Hive Beach show how coastal erosion has changed the landscape. Thanks to Burton Bradstock Website for the archive photo.
See footage of the tail-end of Storm Ciarán at Hive Beach where the waves reached the base of the car park - damaging the wall and further eroding beach access.
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Planning for Change
We’re currently developing plans to adapt to these challenges. Our aim is to maintain safe and sustainable access for visitors, while protecting the natural and cultural heritage of Hive Beach.
This work is part of the National Trust’s Shifting Shores approach and aligns with the Government’s Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Roadmapand as part of this process we’re working closely with partners, and coastal experts to explore solutions - including reconfiguring beach access and improving car parking and visitor facilities.
We’re in the early stages of feasibility work to understand the site’s vulnerabilities and explore design options. Community engagement will be central to this process, ensuring that local voices help shape the future of Hive Beach.
Our goal is to secure long-term, resilient access to Hive Beach - so that people and wildlife can continue to enjoy this extraordinary stretch of coastline for generations to come.
Keeping in touch
We’ll continue to share updates and opportunities to get involved here and on our social media accounts as the project progresses.
The Hive Beach project is a long-term initiative to explore how the National Trust can adapt to coastal change while enhancing visitor experience, supporting local businesses, and protecting the natural environment. It’s part of the wider Shifting Shores advocacy and aligns with the South West Coast Ambition and the Government’s Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Roadmap.
We are currently in the feasibility stage of this work which will explore:
How the site functions - including access, parking, visitor facilities, and the arrival experience.
Where and how buildings could be located or adapted - with a focus on low-impact, portable structures that respect the landscape.
How we can enhance biodiversity and protect the environment - through sustainable design and habitat creation.
How to respond to coastal change - using the latest data and planning for future realignment of paths and infrastructure.
How to reflect the site’s heritage and community value — ensuring any changes are sensitive to the setting and informed by local voices.
The output of this work will be a site masterplan which will help us adapt the sitefor current and future generations, over the short, medium and long-term. By taking this planned approach, we hope to stay two steps ahead of the coastal and climate change challenges that are increasingly impacting the site.
We know that some of the site infrastructure is already under threat, as evidenced by Storm Ciarán in 2023, and increasing evidence of sea level rise and storm intensity. This does mean that the site will need to adapt and change to take this into account. This will definitely affect infrastructure like the cafe and toilets, the vehicle and pedestrian access routes, car parking and beach entry points. Some areas will be affected sooner than others and may need to change soon, however other parts of the site may only need to change in the medium to long term. The masterplan we will be developing through this project will support us to manage these changes when it makes the most sense to do them. We will be discussing and shaping the masterplan with input from the local community and other key stakeholders.
The facilities at Hive Beach are under increased pressure due to coastal changes accelerated by climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather. The project is being undertaken now to ensure the National Trust can continue to provide safe, long-term access to this much-loved section of coastline, making sure the landscape can continue be enjoyed by people and wildlife for generations to come.
The National Trust is leading the project in collaboration with local stakeholders, consultants, and community partners.
We’re in the early feasibility stage focusing on understanding how we can continue to provide safe, long-term access to the beach in the future.
We expect to be doing feasibility work during 2025 to define the longer-term plans. Anything we propose to do will need to go through planning and regulatory processes. Some things may need to change in the short term, in which case we would hope to get planning underway during 2026. Specific and more detailed timelines will be updated as we progress through the project.
The project aims to find ways to celebrate the importance of the site for the local community particularly in relation to its fishing heritage and archaeology as well as its connection to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Hive Beach is protected at both national and international levels, and the National Trust will consult with its internal specialists, consultants, and both statutory and non-statutory stakeholders to respond in ways sensitive to its internationally significant setting.
As a conservation charity protecting nature at Hive Beach will be central to any plans resulting from the feasibility work. The use of natural processes, creating new habitats and reducing surface water run-off are part of protecting the natural environment at Hive.
We are regularly monitoring the tracks around the car park and the access to the beach at Hive to ensure it remains safe for users and visitors. We recently made repairs to the main beach access point and will continue to make similar ongoing repairs as necessary until longer term plans are agreed. Alongside the routine monitoring we check the beach and surrounding area after every named storm to ensure that we can respond to any changes that might affect the safety of users and visitors.
The existing cafe is operated successfully by a third party, and we have no plans to stop providing refreshments at the site. The masterplan process will consider where and how buildings could be located or adapted, with a focus on low-impact, portable structures that respect the landscape.
We will be hosting guided walks, drop-in sessions, and school workshops later this year. You can also scan the QR codes on site to access our project webpage and leave feedback.
Yes. This is just the beginning. We will be sharing the site masterplan and holding events for the local community and stakeholders to help inform the project.
They’re part of our feasibility work - gathering data on how the site is used and testing ideas for future improvements.
No. We’re currently in the feasibility stage. Construction is unlikely to begin until at least 2027, and only after full consultation and planning approval.
We’re expect to explore options for a future diversion of the path as part of this project, and this will be included in the masterplanning work. This will be discussed with stakeholders and the public as plans develop.
Discover more at Hive Beach
Find out how to get to Hive Beach, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
We’re tackling the threats of a changing coastline to safeguard the places you love. Find out how our teams are adapting their approach to our shifting shores.
Climate change is the greatest threat to the coastline, countryside and historic buildings in our care. Our new report, A Climate for Change: Adaptation and the National Trust, reveals how we’re tackling its causes and effects and identifying future hazards. From protecting and planting trees to nature-friendly farming, helping people, heritage and nature adapt to a changing climate is at the heart of everything we do.
