As we made our way from the car towards the zig-zag pathway that would lead us down to our home for the next few days, all I could hear were the excited squeals from the children. “I can see the sea!” they shouted, running off into the distance.
High up on Boscombe Overcliff Drive, I watched as the sea stretched towards the horizon and the setting sun scattered shimmering light across the rolling waves. I breathed in deeply and could already feel my body begin to relax – even though I still had all our gear to lug down the steep path. Luckily, we’d packed light. I was looking forward to a weekend by the sea.
So if you’re thinking of booking, read my comprehensive Bournemouth Beach Lodges review to discover why you should…
What are Bournemouth Beach Lodges?
Bournemouth Beach Lodges are 24 self-contained coastal lodges perched on a private raised deck just above the promenade at Boscombe beach. Opened in 2017, they’re managed by BCP Council and sit right at the foot of the Manor Steps zig-zag cliff path, with direct access to the sand below. Think less beach hut, more a proper compact retreat with sea views, a kitchenette, a hot shower, and your own private verandah. They’re available year-round, with stays of 3, 4, 7, 10 or 11 nights.
Inside the lodge: What’s included?
Well signposted near the bottom of the path, we easily found our lodge and let ourselves in. I had been sent plenty of useful information ahead of arrival, and check-in at the on-site reception runs between 3pm and 6pm – or there’s a key-safe code if you’re arriving later.
Excitement levels shot up the moment we stepped inside. The children made a beeline for the welcome basket – teddies and juggling balls for them, local Dorset gin and a packet of biscuits for me. As the kids headed up the narrow wooden steps to stake their claim on the mezzanine beds, my mum and I threw open the bi-fold doors and stood taking in the panoramic views across the beach.
If you’re expecting something you can barely move in, you’d be wrong. The lodges are compact but cleverly designed, sleeping up to six people – a double and a single in the mezzanine, and two convertible day beds on the ground floor. Ours comfortably slept the four of us, and with plenty of storage built in, we were able to keep things tidy.
Everything you need for a self-catering stay is there: a four-ring hob (no oven), microwave, toaster, a good-sized fridge-freezer, pots, pans and crockery. The bathroom is surprisingly spacious, with a heated towel rail and fresh towels, and there’s a hairdryer, too. The wall-mounted TV has Netflix and Freeview, there are reading lights by every bed, and the bi-fold door blinds close tightly if you want a lie-in.
My favourite spot? The private verandah, a deck chair, and a glass of something cold at sunset.
One thing to note for families with small children: the paddle stairs up to the mezzanine are steep, and Peanut was wary of them at first. Stairgates are fitted at the top and bottom, which helps. Taller adults may also find the head height on the upper level a little snug.
The BBQ and outdoor space
One of the genuine pleasures of staying here is the outdoor setup. Each lodge has its own private deck with deckchairs, and there are communal electric hot-plate BBQs available for guests to use. Factor in a surf shower to rinse off after a day on the beach, and a communal bike rack, and you have everything you need for a proper seaside break. There’s a designated smoking area on site, too, though smoking isn’t permitted inside the lodges.
The location: Boscombe beach
The lodges sit just east of Boscombe Pier, and being able to step from the deck more or less directly onto the sand is one of the best things about them. Boscombe is sometimes described as the locals’ beach – quieter and more relaxed than the main stretch at Bournemouth, with wide powdery sand, colourful beach huts along the promenade, and a crowd that tends more towards surfers and dog walkers than day-trippers.
We had it almost to ourselves during our stay. I dipped my feet in the sea, watched the kids build things in the sand, and couldn’t have felt further from everyday life.
Walking west along the seafront takes you to Boscombe Pier, which has been beautifully restored and has artwork and exhibits, including musical instruments. Just beside it, Urban Reef is a great call for breakfast or lunch – a relaxed beach bar and restaurant with a first-floor terrace that looks straight out over the bay. We had a delicious breakfast there, watching surfers and a volleyball game on the sand below.
Head further along towards Bournemouth and the stretch opens up – the town centre is around a 35-minute walk (longer with a toddler, trust me), and there are bike hire spots along the route if you’d rather pedal. The Land Train runs between Boscombe Pier and Bournemouth Pier from April to September, and at weekends and during school holidays in winter, which is a lovely way to cover the distance.
If you want to explore further, the Jurassic Coast and the wider Dorset countryside are an easy drive away, making the lodges a decent base for a longer trip.
Who is it best for?
Families are the obvious fit – the child-friendly kit (travel cots, highchairs, stairgates, buckets and spades) is all included, and the location is private and secure. Couples wanting a proper coastal escape will also love it – there’s nothing quite like waking up to the sound of the sea. Dogs are welcome in selected lodges too, though bear in mind that dogs are not permitted on the beach directly opposite the lodges between 1 May and 30 September; the nearest dog-friendly beach is about a 10-minute walk east towards Southbourne at Fisherman’s Walk.
For anyone with accessibility requirements, there is one dedicated accessible lodge on the ground floor, sleeping up to five people.
Practical information
Check-in / check-out: Check-in is between 3pm and 6pm at the on-site reception. If you’re arriving after 6pm, contact the team in advance on 01202 126127, and they’ll provide a key-safe code. Check-out is between 8am and 10am.
Booking: Stays are available for 3 nights (Friday start) or 4 nights (Monday start), as well as 7, 10 or 11-night stays. The lodges are open all year, with a short closure in January for annual maintenance. Prices vary by season — check availability and current rates.
Parking: Free parking is available on Boscombe Overcliff Drive (BH5 1JB) – spaces are first come, first served, with easy access to the lodges via the Manor Steps zig-zag path. Alternatively, there’s parking at Boscombe Undercliff Drive car park (BH5 1BN), a 15-minute walk along the promenade. A free permit for this car park can be collected from lodge reception at check-in. Pack light – there’s a good walk to reach the lodges from either car park.
What’s included: Kitchenette with hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, toaster and full crockery. Bathroom with a heated towel warmer. Smart TV with Netflix and Freeview. Free WiFi. Hairdryer. Stairgates, highchair and travel cot available for families. Communal electric hot-plate BBQs. Surf shower. Deckchairs on a private deck.
What’s not included: An oven.
Dogs: Welcome in selected lodges. Two well-behaved dogs per lodge, maximum.
FAQs about Bournemouth Beach Lodges
How much do Bournemouth Beach Lodges cost?
Prices vary depending on the time of year and the length of stay. The lodges are available for 3-night weekend stays (from Friday) or 4-night midweek stays (from Monday), as well as longer breaks. Check current rates or call 01202 126127.
How many people can sleep in a lodge?
Most lodges sleep up to six people – a maximum of four adults and two children. There is also one accessible lodge that sleeps up to five people (maximum four adults).
Are the lodges dog-friendly?
Yes, selected lodges welcome up to two well-behaved dogs. Dogs are not permitted on the beach directly opposite the lodges between 1 May and 30 September, but Fisherman’s Walk beach, around 10 minutes away, is dog-friendly year-round.
Where do you park for Bournemouth Beach Lodges?
Free parking is available on Boscombe Overcliff Drive (BH5 1JB), accessed via the Manor Steps zig-zag path down to the lodges. An alternative car park on Boscombe Undercliff Drive (BH5 1BN) is a 15-minute walk along the promenade, with a free permit issued at check-in. Pack light – there’s a decent walk either way.
Are Bournemouth Beach Lodges suitable for toddlers and babies?
Yes – travel cots, highchairs, stairgates and buckets and spades are all provided. The steep mezzanine stairs do require supervision with very small children, but the stairgates help.
When are Bournemouth Beach Lodges open?
The lodges are open year-round, with a short closure in January for maintenance. High season runs July and August; shoulder season is June and September; low season is October to May.
Our verdict
We were lucky with the weather – sunshine and warm enough for shorts the whole weekend. But what made the stay special wasn’t just that. It was the sound of the sea from the bed, watching the kids play directly outside with the confidence that it’s a private, secure space, and sitting on the verandah in the evening watching the light fade over the water. Boscombe beach has all the ingredients for a genuinely lovely UK seaside break, and the lodges sit right in the middle of it. My kids were asking when we could go back before we’d even packed up to leave.
*I was invited to stay for the purposes of this Bournemouth Beach Lodges review. As always, all opinions are my own.