Knoll Beach car park

by Swanage

The most famous and popular of Studland Bay’s beaches has a large car park for exploring everything Knoll Beach has to offer.

Knoll Beach car park is open seven days week, all year round, allowing you to return again and again to discover the different aspects of this special area of Studland. There’s a wide stretch of sandy beach and dunes, woodland walks and handy facilities such as loos, a shop and café.

Watersports hut at Knoll Beach in Studland

Studland Watersports is based at Knoll Beach

Studland's discovery centre in its woodland setting

The Discovery Centre is situated at Knoll Beach

Knoll beach bridle path

The National Trust shop at Knoll beach is right next to a cafe and loo facilities

Sign for little sea on Studland's woodland walk

Walk through the woodland or dunes behind the beach

Grass, dunes and sand at Knoll Beach, Studland

Knoll Beach has sweeping, golden sands

There are two main areas of Knoll Beach car park – if you’re looking to stay for a day out at this gloriously long and sandy beach, head to the right as you come in, or if you’re after a ramble through the woodland or sand dunes, or attending an event at the discovery centre, head to the left.

The National Trust shop and café is situated directly between these two sides, along with toilet facilities, kayak hire and dog water stations.

Car park opening times

Whilst the beach is open all day, car park opening hours vary seasonally, typically as follows:

Winter/Early Spring – 9am – 5pm
Spring (From 1 April) – 9am – 6pm
Summer (From 1 June) – 9am – 8pm

(Timings correct as of April 2022)

Parking prices

Parking costs from £4 for two hours in peak summer months, but does vary seasonally.

There is no charge for National Trust members – simply scan your membership card.

Directions – how to get to Knoll Beach car park

By car

Postcode for your SatNav: BH19 3AH

Knoll Beach car park is located down Hardy’s Road, just off Ferry Road – the main road into Studland, from both Swanage and Sandbanks.

If you’re coming from Swanage, leave town via Ulwell Road and follow the road until you reach the B3351 Swanage Road. Turn right – this will take you into Studland village and onto Ferry Road. The turning for Knoll Beach will be to your right immediately after passing Knoll House Hotel on your left.

The drive should take just under 15 minutes, although these roads can be quite busy in the summer and during school holidays.

By bus

The beach is also served by the No 50 Purbeck Breezer bus, which runs between Swanage and Bournemouth.

Note that all vehicular access from Bournemouth and Poole is via the Sandbanks chain ferry.

If you’re heading to Knoll Beach from Swanage, simply hop on the bus at Swanage bus station or any of the bus stops en route, such as along Shore Road or Ulwell Road. Alight at Knoll House Hotel, and catch the bus back from the other side.

Knoll Beach in Studland's location on Google maps

Location of Knoll Beach on Google Maps

Nearby car parks in Studland

There are various car parks in and around Studland, meaning you can explore different aspects of Studland village, heathland and bay on return visits.

South Beach car park – Park here for South Beach, Studland village, The Bankes Arms pub and Old Harry Rocks walk
Middle Beach car park – Park for a rugged beach walk, Fore/Adventure and Studland village BH19 3AX
Shell Bay car park – You can park here for Shell Bay beach and bistro of the same name, the Sandbanks Ferry, heathland walks and Bramble Bush Bay BH19 3AU
Parking for the Agglestone – Walk from Studland or for a shorter route, there is parking for a couple of cars at an entrance to Godlingston Heath on the Corfe Castle – Studland Road BH19 3AB