Studland Bay

The beach

Studland Bay is a coastal area of Dorset, including long sandy beaches backed by sand dunes and a nature reserve. Part of the beach has been naturist for many years, and this has been made official by the National Trust. It can be accessed from Poole and Bournemouth via a chain ferry across the mouth of Poole Harbour.

LGBT history

The naturist area has long been popular with gay men, but beach patrols have been stepped up in recent years.

"Older gay beach users remember stories about the popularity of Studland as far back as the early 1930’s. It was commonly claimed 'We made more friends on the beach than we ever did in any pub or club we went to.' The local gay community has a reputation for being friendly, sociable and welcoming."