Adapting to Coastal Change at Studland Bay

An aerial view of Studland Bay | © National Trust Images

The coast is an everchanging environment, constantly being reshaped by the waves, winds and tides. Climate change is likely to increase the rate of coastal change that we experience at Studland. That is why it is important that we act now to understand how the coastline might change, and how we can best adapt to this change.

Removal of sea defences at Middle Beach

Learn how we removed failing sea defences at Middle Beach to return the area to a beautiful, natural cove.

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Sand is always in motion, moved by the waves and wind. At Studland the predominantly south-westerly winds naturally move sand from the south of the peninsula and deposit it to the north. The supply of sand to the south cannot keep up, which leads to erosion at this end of the bay. At the northern end of the peninsula, Studland’s dunes continue to grow.

Storms also have an impact on Studland’s beaches, causing large amounts of sand to be washed from the beach into the bay. Some sand may wash back into shore over time, but much will not return.

Climate change will put an increasing pressure on our coastline. By 2100, sea-levels could be 80 cm higher than they are today. This, combined with more frequent storms, heavier rain and more prolonged heatwaves will increase the rate of coastal change that we experience.

Much of Studland’s coastline is eroding at a rate of about 60cm per year, but this is just an average. During extreme weather conditions, we can sometimes lose several metres overnight. We must make decisions about how best to manage both episodic events and long-term gradual changes to our coastline. We call this process ‘building resilience’.

The National Trust's 'Shifting Shores' policy

How we manage coastal change at Studland is driven by two key policies: the local Shoreline Management Plan, which is produced by the local authority and the Environment Agency, and our national ‘Shifting Shores’ policy. Launched in 2005, the aim of ‘Shifting Shores’ was to encourage coastal National Trust properties to develop long-term plans for their coast, by identifying and putting in place ways to adapt to the increasing pressures of climate change.

A key part of this approach is to work with nature wherever possible in order to create a healthier, more natural environment that can be enjoyed by everyone for years to come. We want to be innovative, working with communities and beach users to create ‘joined up’ and sustainable plans for our coastline.

Adapting to coastal change at Studland Bay

Our vision for the Studland Peninsula is for it to be a naturally functioning coastline. This means we will work with natural processes wherever possible, rather than against it; to allow sand and sediment to move freely around the bay. This is also in line with the guidance written in the local Shoreline Management Plan. By doing this, the dunes will be far more resilient to the pressures of sea-level rise and more regular storms.

We are often asked why we do not do more to stop the erosion. Little can be done to effectively prevent the loss of sand that would not alter the natural character of the beach. Hard defences seen on other sea fronts tend to be used to protect structures and properties in built up areas where there is more infrastructure. Natural sites cannot be fixed in the same way without losing the features that make them unique. Groynes, like those seen on nearby beaches in Poole and Swanage, would not protect Studland Bay from the most damaging easterly storms as waves approach parallel to the beach and draw sand out into the bay. Gabion baskets hold a cliff face in place, but starve the beach below it of fresh material, which acts to accelerate the rate of erosion.

Allowing nature to take its course does not mean that we simply do nothing. There are areas of Studland where we are actively adapting to coastal change, to find sustainable ways to maintain both a healthy coastline and facilities that enable visitors and the local community to enjoy being on the coast.

Learn more about coastal erosion at Studland Bay

Studland is a popular place for school and university students studying geography to come and see an example of an eroding coastline and dynamic dune system. We have a huge range of resources to help support your learning, including information packs, maps, data and more. If you have any questions about climate change and coastal change in Purbeck, or would like to find out more, please e-mail studlandbay@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Aerial view of Middle Beach — An aerial view of Middle Beach | © Chris Lacey

Adapting to coastal change at Middle Beach

We're working towards a sustainable future for Middle Beach and its facilities, which are both impacted by coastal change.

Old maps and photographs show that beach and slope erosion have been occurring at Middle Beach for well over 100 years. The defences have added to the problem by starving the beach of new material so that levels have dropped in recent years.

These failing defences have now been removed which will allow the shoreline to adjust to a healthier and more natural state. This will not only benefit the natural environment, but will also create a more beautiful coastline for everyone to enjoy. We have moved the café and toilet facilities from the cliff edge to the car park, away from the threat of erosion.

You can follow updates on the Middle Beach Project below.

Middle Beach Project

January 2026

Update: Dramatic changes

New cliff and coombe

We were aware that the beach slopes would move quickly when the sea defences were removed, as the sea catches up with where it would have been if the sea defences hadn’t been there. The result is that a new sandy cliff is forming, and we have gained about one metre of height across the whole beach where sand has built up.

The cliff is being divided into two parts by a new valley made up of water run-off from the road, much like the coombe at the other end of the car park. The appearance of this will soften as vegetation regrows and in time will form a natural coombe.

These changes are exactly what we expected to happen, and the beach was kept closed in anticipation of both cliff movement and the debris that was likely to wash out.

Debris washing out

We were very aware the Middle Beach area had been used as an informal village dump for a long time before the National Trust took on ownership. Over the last 40 years, we have been clearing up this rubbish as it emerged from the cliffs.

However, we weren’t aware of the extent of the debris that had been dumped or left as previous structures fell into disuse. We are regularly clearing the plastic, glass, rusty metal and building rubble that is being washed out. Ultimately, we aim to remove all man-made items apart from the World War II structures, which will stay in situ.

The historic finds which tell more about Studland’s history and the beach’s defences in World War Two have been interesting and we are lucky to have a team of volunteers supported by archaeologists, who collect, record and preserve finds.

Staff are removing debris from the beach daily. We will assess the situation after the end of the winter storms, then decide when the beach can be safely opened to the public again.

Bonanza for birds

Since the concrete and stone defences were removed, we've seen a noticeable increase in bird life at Middle Beach. Huge, noisy flocks of dark-bellied brent geese are feeding on eelgrass in the shallows, while oystercatchers and turnstones pick through the seaweed on the foreshore looking for clams, crabs and worms.