Swanage beach - 5 minute walk
Swanage beach is perfect for small children and one of the best things is that you do not need to use your car, you can walk there.  This is typical English bucket and spade territory with all the facilities you might expect including a traditional Punch and Judy show as well as cafes, ice cream, amusements and shops nearby.   

The beach is not too wide, which is great for watching little children since they cannot stray too far.

Studland beaches - 7 minute drive
These are the best known beaches in the area for sand dunes, beauty and ambience.   It only takes about 7 minutes to drive there from Swanage, and you will be ahead of the queues and traffic.  

At Studland there are 3 different beaches to consider.

• Studland South Beach is sandy but a bit isolated with few facilities
  
• Studland Middle Beach is sandy with rock pools at low tide and a nice café. 
  
• Studland Knoll Beach is a glorious stretch of sand dunes and beach with safe bathing area, adequate café, shops and ice creams and even a naturist zone if you are prepared to walk for 1 mile.  However, on the downside, it is very well known and gets crowded.

Also look out for the ice cream boat that arrives by sea where you have wade out to get the ice creams.