Beach Hut Hire in the Bournemouth Area | A Local’s Guide
If you’re dreaming of a UK holiday that includes the chance of beach hut hire, then you need to read this article. I absolutely adore beach huts – rows of super cute bright or pastel painted wooden structures that liven up the coastline. Even on the dullest day. In fact, they might well have been a factor in our decision to move to Dorset almost two decades ago. Want to hire a beach hut in Bournemouth? Then this guide to Bournemouth beach hut rental is for you.
The Mudeford beach huts for sale near us often cost as much as our semi-detached bungalow did – and that’s only about a mile from Avon beach and Mudeford Quay. Overnight beach huts for hire there are also let out for eye-watering sums – for me the smart money would be on a stay at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel, the property boasting the very best views across to Hengistbury Head. (As well as stylish, modern, coastal themed rooms with free gin, a spa and a couple of fabulous restaurants.)
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy time at a beach hut. Avon beach hut hire near me, for instance, offers day beach hut hire at pretty reasonable rates. They even have an ‘Occasions Hut’ for parties (though it’s still a bit small inside). As for beach huts in Bournemouth, many of those are bookable via the Bournemouth council website, with keys being collected from the Bournemouth seafront office near the pier.
Whether you want to find Mudeford beach huts for rent or beach hut hire in Southbourne, Boscombe, central Bournemouth or Alum and Durley Chines, the top spots for cute coloured huts are all covered here. As well the best places to stay near each beach. Find the finest and most affordable beach huts in Dorset right here! Welcome to my local area 🙂
Bournemouth accommodation comparison table
| Name | Nearest beach huts | Features | Type | Price |
| Christchurch Harbour Hotel | Avon Beach | Beach hut views, spa, 2 restaurants | 4* | Click here |
| Captain’s Club Hotel | Hengistbury Head | River views, spa, bar & restaurant | 4* | Click here |
| The Commodore | Southbourne | Good value, pub food, sea views | Inn | Click here |
| Urban Beach | Boscombe | Bistro, between beach & town | 3* | Click here |
| Balincourt Hotel | Boscombe | Gardens, lounge bar, good value | Guest house | Click here |
| Derby Manor | Boscombe | Parking, picnic area, luxury rooms | Boutique | Click here |
| Cumberland Hotel | Bournemouth | Art deco, outdoor pool, bar & bistro | 4* | Click here |
| Hilton Bournemouth | Bournemouth | Sky bar, sea views, town centre | 4* | Click here |
| Applewood Hotel | Alum Chine | Gardens, parking, snack bar | 3* | Click here |
| Chocolate Box Hotel | Durley Chine | Themed, tennis court, parking | 4* | Click here |
The best places for beach hut hire in Bournemouth
Beach hut rental is offered all over the east Dorset coast. Most are small beach huts for day use only, but there are larger Hengistbury Head beach huts to rent as holiday homes too.
Day beach hut hire in the Bournemouth area
I live right at the eastern edge of the county, near the New Forest, and the beach huts nearest my Highcliffe home – at Avon Beach – are the first ones you’ll find after entering Dorset from Hampshire. After that, you can hire a beach hut for the day at Avon Beach, Fisherman’s Walk, Southbourne, Boscombe West, Bournemouth and Alum and Durley Chines. All these places have great amenities, and offer some of the most affordable Dorset beach huts for hire.
Overnight beach hut hire in Bournemouth
Hengistbury Head (or Mudeford Spit) also offers overnight beach huts for hire. If you can afford them and book quickly enough. This is one seriously sought-after location, and personally I’d stay at a local hotel for more space and comfort as you can easily go there every day – by ferry from Mudeford Quay or on foot, land train or two wheels – if you want to.
Personally, I’d pick the hotel because of the unreliable British climate. With just one cafe-restaurant, there’s not a lot to do on Mudeford Sandbank when it’s wet and windy. And cute as they may be, there’s not a lot of space inside those beach huts! These are the only Bournemouth beach huts to sleep in – and in fact are also among the only ones in the UK.
Read all about what a day at Hengistbury Head has to offer here.
Where to hire a beach hut in Bournemouth
So let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. This is a rundown of all the places to hire beach huts in Dorset. Unless your plans involve beach hut hire on Hengistbury Head – and thus you can stay over – you’ll also need accommodation in the area, and with this in mind I give a recommendation for each area. I’m very familiar with the hotels of the area due to some work I do for a local venue finding business, so I’ll only mention those I genuinely rate highly.
Avon beach
The first beach huts in the east of Dorset are found along the stretch running between Friar’s Cliff in the east and Gundimore in the west, which is just before Mudeford Quay. Those at Friar’s Cliff and Gundimore are privately owned, but there are plenty to hire at Avon beach. All three of these beaches are within walking distance of one another, and form one continuous stretch of sand and shingle.
At the time of writing, the huts at Avon Beach cost from £25 per day or £140 per week to hire. Keys can be collected from the Avon Beach shop. Next to this, and the huts, is The Noisy Lobster restaurant, and I recommend having a meal there with a sea view. The company also have a fish and chip stall and coffee stand. Avon beach is clean – a Seaside Award winner – and the water is generally calm. There are lots of facilities, including toilets and showers and the public, council run car park right next to The Noisy Lobster.
You can find out more, and arrange beach hut hire at Avon beach by the day or week, via the Avon Beach website.
Where to stay by Avon Beach
The Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Spa
The closest hotel to Avon beach is the fabulous Christchurch Harbour Hotel and Spa, a 4 star establishment with 2 great restaurants, a luxury spa and views across to the overnight huts on the beach at Hengistbury Head. It’s within easy level walking distance of the huts at Avon beach.
Click here to find out more about the Christchurch Harbour Hotel
Why not check out my reviews of the spa, afternoon tea and Upper Deck restaurant at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel?
Hengistbury Head
Hengistbury Head – also known as Mudeford Spit or Mudeford Sandbank – is one of the only places in the UK where you can hire an overnight beach hut. When these beach huts go up for sale in Bournemouth, they are quickly snapped up. Even though they’re small and you can’t drive there. People visiting thus normally park at the car park by the Hiker cafe and walk, cycle or take the land train to reach the huts. You can also catch a ferry from Mudeford Quay.
Mudeford beach hut hire options total almost 350 huts, and they’re a stunning and incredibly photogenic sight. Spending time in one is a unique experience. I’ve never stayed over as I live nearby, but have seen inside a couple of them thanks to friends who own them (lucky ducks). To book one, simply google ‘beach hut hire Mudeford’ – there are various websites offering private beach hut hire in this part of Bournemouth and Christchurch.
Where to stay by Hengistbury Head
Stay at the Christchurch Harbour Hotel (detailed above) or the Captain’s Club (listed below) to experience beach hut life best – without actually staying overnight. There are superb views over them from the former and you can catch a ferry from Mudeford Quay. The Captain’s Club is just a short drive or cycle ride from Hengistbury Head.
Southbourne beaches
There are two beaches in Southbourne with beach huts to hire. These are Fisherman’s Walk beach and Southbourne beach, and the two form part of the long stretch of golden sands that runs from Hengistbury Head in the east to Bournemouth and beyond in the west. Both of these beaches sandy, and more peaceful than those in central Bournemouth.
Some free parking is available close to these Blue Flag beaches, and there are toilets and places to buy food and drinks from. You can book beach hut hire in Southbourne via the local council for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, and keys can be collected from the Tourist Information Centre at Bournemouth Pier.
Where to stay by Southbourne beach
Although it’s in Christchurch, the Captain’s Club Hotel is just a short drive from Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne beaches. If you don’t mind a longer stroll, you could even walk there. This lovely hotel is right by the river, has an relaxed yet elegant restaurant and a bar overlooking the water.
The Captain’s Club Hotel
Click here for more information on the Captain’s Club Hotel
If you want to stay directly over the road from Southbourne’s beaches, book into The Commodore. This Greene King Inn is affordable, squeaky clean and has sea views. Downstairs, the pub serves good value meals while you gaze out over the water.
You can read my full review of lunch at the Captain’s Club here
The Commodore
Click here to see current deals at The Commodore in Southbourne
Boscombe beach
Head from Southbourne towards Bournemouth and the next beaches you’ll come across are in Boscombe. Bournemouth has two piers, and the first is found by Boscombe beach. Amenities here include car parking, gift shops, a range of restaurants, surfboard hire and lessons and toilets. Boscombe Chine Gardens also have mini golf and a kids’ water play area.
You can hire a beach hut at Boscombe West via the local council, in the same way as for neighbouring Southbourne. It’s not that far from Boscombe Pier to Bournemouth Pier, and you can take a ride on the little land train to travel between the two.
Where to stay by Boscombe beach
Urban Beach
Urban Beach is ideally located between the beaches by Boscombe Pier and the town centre. It has a lovely little bistro, and there are plenty of other eateries at the seafront and in town too. Each room is clean, bright and uniquely styled.
Click here for the latest rates at the Urban Beach Hotel in Boscombe
The Balincourt Hotel
Another option located between Boscombe and central Bournemouth is the Balincourt Hotel, which boasts some very impressive reviews. It’s super clean, and has 12 very comfortable guest rooms as well as a library, gardens, parking and a lounge bar area.
Click here to check out the Balincourt Hotel in the Boscombe area
Derby Manor
I couldn’t resist adding a third option in the Boscombe area, as this one is also so affordable and highly rated. Derby Manor has a range of deluxe, boutique style rooms with orthopaedic beds, pillow menus and Egyptian cotton linens. This property also has parking and an outdoor picnic area.
Click here to see the best room rates available at Derby Manor, Boscombe
Bournemouth beach
Bournemouth beach seems to be featured on the news whenever a heatwave strikes. People flock to the beaches here as they’re close to the town centre and thus walking distance from all the bars, shops, cinemas, pubs and restaurants you could ever need.
The beaches have won Seaside Awards for cleanliness, and feature broad stretches of golden sands. There’s also the attractions of the pier, and you can also see Boscombe Pier just along the coast. To reach the town centre you can simply stroll through the pretty gardens that lie between the seaside and the main retail area. Beach hut bookings are managed by the council as before.
Where to stay by Bournemouth beach
The Cumberland Hotel
There are lots of accommodation options in the sizeable town of Bournemouth. I love The Cumberland, which I’ve been to several times. This art deco property is right over the road from the beach and within walking distance of all the town centre attractions. It has a lovely outdoor pool and a great bistro serving cocktails that you can sip while admiring the sea views.
Click here to discover the art deco Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth
If you like, read my review of lunch at The Cumberland’s Ventana Grand Cafe
The Hilton Bournemouth
The Hilton in Bournemouth could not enjoy a better location. It’s built above a new cinema and dining complex, and has sweeping views over the town and local coastline. A cocktail in in the Sky Bar is a must. If you’re expecting bland, corporate decor, think again. This property features funky rooms styled along bright, contemporary lines.
Click here to read the latest reviews of the Hilton Bournemouth
The Chines beaches
Bournemouth is famous for its Chines – deep grooves cut into the cliff faces that can be seen at Boscombe as well as Alum and Durley Chines. Another option for beach hut rental in Bournemouth is at Durley Chine or Alum Chine. Head west along the coast from the centre of Bournemouth and first you’ll come across Alum Chine, then adjoining Durley Chine.
Alum Chine is around 20 minutes’ walk from Bournemouth Pier, while Durley is directly after it on the western side. The latter has a pirate themed adventure playground for kids. Both are close to toilets, cafes, ice cream stalls and pubs. Booking for Alum Chine beach huts or Durley Chine beach huts can again be made via the council website.
Where to stay by Alum and Durley Chines
The Applewood Hotel
The Applewood Hotel is another local gem that attracts superb reviews and ratings. It’s located on Durley Road, close to both Alum and Durley Chine beaches, and offers free WiFi, parking, a lounge bar, garden and snack bar. There are 18 clean and bright rooms to choose from.
Click here to see current room rates for the Applewood Hotel in Bournemouth west
The Chocolate Box Hotel
The Chocolate Box Hotel is indeed cocoa themed. All rooms feature pops of rich brown and deep purple, contrasting beautifully with the fresh white bedlinen and pale, neutral walls. The 13 rooms include singles, twins and doubles plus one maisonette. There is parking, gardens and even a tennis court.
Click here to view the latest information on the Chocolate Box Hotel in Bournemouth
Which Bournemouth beach huts will you book?
As you can see, Bournemouth is blessed with lots of lovely clean beaches than run all the way from Avon beach in Christchurch to Durley Chine on the border with Poole. Whether you wanted beach hut day hire in Bournemouth or
Bournemouth beach hut hire prices for a stay at Hengistbury Head, I hope this guide has helped with your search. Wherever in this area you choose to rent a beach hut, there is mile after mile of clean golden sands to enjoy.
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