Shore Road beach huts come with the following:

• 5 chairs and a coffee table (6 chairs for premium huts)
• Worktop and shelving
• Electric sockets and light
• Upper level huts come with 2 stools and a balcony table (except huts 1, 14, 36 & 48 which only have the 2 stools)
• Dustpan/brush and broom

Spa beach huts come with the following:

• 4 chairs and a coffee table 
• Drop-leaf table and shelving
• Electric socket
• Dustpan/brush and broom

Spa Retreat beach huts come with the following:

• 4 chairs and a coffee table 
• Worktop and shelving
• Electric sockets 
• Cushioned storage bench with scatter cushions
• Dustpan/brush and broom
• Doormat

Other information

Additional chairs, tables and parasols can be hired from the Swanage Information Centre.

Drinking water taps and public conveniences are located adjacent to the Shore Road beach huts. The only day that these specific toilet facilities are closed, are on Christmas Day.

Cold water showers are free to use and are located adjacent to the Shore Road beach huts, outside the public conveniences.

The nearest public conveniences for the Spa and Spa Retreat beach huts are at Battlegate, along Shore Road, and the closest drinking water tap is on Sandpit field (just 2 minutes walk from these huts).

Part of Shore Road (from The Mowlem to Victoria Avenue junction) is currently closed all year round to traffic, (except for some service/delivery vehicles) so it can be a safe environment for children and families.

Beach hut keys can be collected from 10:00 hours (09:00 hours on Saturdays & Sundays) and returned by 22:00 hours at the end of the hire period. Hire periods generally run from Saturday to Friday.

All Shore Road beach huts have wide doors and allow access for wheelchair users. There are 5 huts (numbers 15 to 19) which have even wider doors and a lower countertop for increased accessibility. In addition we have 6 'Premium' Huts which are larger and have double doors. Upper Level Huts 1-14 can only be accessed via steps, but Upper Level Huts 36 to 48 can be accessed on the level from Victoria Avenue behind the small ice cream kiosk, as well as via steps. For more information please see the table and map below.

Spa and Spa Retreat beach huts can be accessed from various different points via a small number of steps from the corner of Victoria Avenue / Shore Road, and also De Moulham Road, or via a fairly steep path with a few steps from Shore Road.

The image below shows the types of beach huts on Shore Road

• Lower level - Standard
• Lower level - Premium - 30 & 33 (larger huts with two doors)
• Lower level - Increased accessibility - 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19 (standard sized huts but with a larger door and lower counter)
• Upper level - Standard
• Upper level - Premium - 5, 10 step access, 40 & 45 includes sloped access (larger huts with two doors)

The image below shows the Spa and Spa Retreat beach huts

Spa beach huts are numbered 28 to 35 (27 has now been removed)

Spa Retreat beach huts are numbered 1 to 6

Beach huts are available to hire online for longer periods of time for a discount. The dates of hire and discount are fixed to the following dates:

• 01/04/23 - 12/05/23 (6 weeks) - up to 15%
• 13/05/23 - 14/07/23 (9 weeks) - up to 15%
• 16/09/23 - 29/03/24 (28 weeks) - up to 50%
• 28/10/23 - 29/03/24(22 weeks) - up to 50%
• 18/11/23- 29/03/24 (19 weeks) - up to 50%
• 09/12/23 - 29/03/24 (16 weeks) - up to 50%
• 20/01/24 - 29/03/24 (10 weeks) - up to 50%
• 01/04/23 - 29/03/24 (52 weeks) - up to 50%

The price of a beach hut varies depending on the type of beach hut and the time of the year.

Upper-level standard beach huts are the cheapest and lower-level premium beach huts are the most expensive.

Bookings are weekly from Saturday to Friday

The following tariffs are priced weekly and relate to the cheapest huts available.

• 30/03/24 - 10/05/24 - prices from £44
• 11/05/24 - 12/07/24 - prices from £77
• 13/07/24 - 30/08/24 - prices from £165
• 31/08/24 - 20/09/24 - prices from £77
• 21/09/24 - 28/03/25 - prices from £28

Our cancellation policy allows for a refund to be given if the cancellation request is provided more than 30 days before the start of the booking date.  In these cases an administrative fee of £20.00 or 15% of the total booking fee, whichever is the greater, is charged. For new bookings made from 1st October 2023 this has been amended to £30.00 or 20% of the total booking fee, whichever is the greater. If a change of booking is required, the same administrative fee is applied.

To request a beach hut refund or make an amendment to your booking please complete an online application form here: 

Beach Hut Refund and Booking Changes

Swanage Beach Hut bookings from Saturday 30^th March 2024 to Friday 28^th March 2025

We are delighted to announce the dates for you to make your bookings for next year, and would kindly encourage you to book online. 

The Information Centre will be open to the general public as per our normal opening hours, apart from *Thursday 12^th October, where we will be closed for most of the day to enable us to deal with booking requests over the phone. Therefore, we will be unable to take bookings in person on that day.

Shore Road beach huts will be available for booking from the following dates:

• Tuesday 10^th October 2023: 10.00am bookings open
  From this date you may book any beach hut for a continuous period from 10 to 52 weeks

• Wednesday 11^th October 2023: 10.00am bookings open
  From this date you may book any beach hut for a continuous period from 4 to 52 weeks

• *Thursday 12^th October 2023: 10.00am bookings open
  From this date you may book any beach hut for a continuous period from 1 to 52 weeks

All beach huts will be subject to availability and each period booked must be consecutive weeks (i.e. 4 weeks in a row, not spread over the year). A weekly period is Saturday 9.00am to Friday 10.00pm.

For 2024-25 we are not anticipating opening the Spa and Spa Retreats until a decision is made in February/March so we can undertake an inspection for possible winter storm damage. We will send a further email out once a decision has been made during March.

In the meantime, we would suggest that you book a Shore Road beach hut for the relevant week(s) with the possibility of transferring to a Spa or Spa Retreat if and when it is confirmed that they will be open. (Please could you let us know at the time of booking if this is your intention, so that we can record your wishes). Under these circumstances, if prior warning has been given, the administration fee will be waived.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I make a booking on any of the dates mentioned above?

Online:  beachhuts.swanage.gov.uk 24 hours a day (starting at 10.00am for each period dates above)

Phone:  01929 766018 - 10.00am to 4.30pm

Visit:     You may visit us at the Swanage Information Centre, Shore Road, Swanage, BH19 1LB, between 10.00am to 4.30pm but please be aware that we will be closed during the third booking period (bookings of one or more weeks), and we will only be accepting online and phone bookings.

2. What are the prices? 

Please see the separate tab for prices.

3. How much do I have to pay when I make the booking?

To confirm your booking you will be required to pay the full amount at the time of booking. This must be by card over the phone or through our online booking system, or by cash in person (NB our daily cash limit that we can accept per customer is £250).

Your booking will not be accepted unless the full amount is paid.

4. I want to book 4 weeks in total but not continuously

The booking periods are for continuous hire of a beach hut. Therefore, if you wish to book 2 weeks in July and a further 2 weeks in September this counts as 2 bookings of 2 weeks and not a single booking of 4 weeks.

5. What is the best technique to obtain a beach hut?

Online booking is the quickest and most effective.

Swanage Carnival Week and the following week (27^th July to 10^th August 2024) are our two most popular weeks by far.

We recommend that you avoid booking these if possible. In addition May half term is also rather busy (25^th May to 31^st May 2024).

Please be aware that each year we receive thousands of calls on the booking dates and only have the facility to have three phones in operation. We tend to receive around 6,000 calls each hour or so, hence why many customers fail to get through.     

Most bookings online are also made in the first two or so minutes, which demonstrates the significant demand for beach huts.

6. I do not have access to a computer

If you do not have access to a computer we recommend that you speak to a family member or friend who may be able to do an online booking for you. You can still make bookings over the phone.

7. If I don’t get the beach hut I want, can you add me to a waiting list in case someone cancels their booking?

Unfortunately, we will not be maintaining a waiting list. We suggest that you keep an eye on our online diary to see if any beach huts become available. It is very rare that beach huts are cancelled for our busiest times.

8. I would like to book a period of less than a week

Unfortunately we do not take bookings in advance of less than a week. It is usually best to ‘come in on the day’ or alternatively call or pop in to see us a couple of days beforehand, depending on which day of the week is required.

9. I would like to change or amend the beach hut that I have already booked

Any changes or amendments to your beach hut booking will  not be accepted until 1 week after the final booking period opens (therefore from Thursday 19^th October 2023), and will  incur an administration charge of £30 or 20% of the total booking fee, whichever is the greater.

Please click on the following link to complete the google form if you would like to change or amend your booking:

Beach Hut Refund and Booking Changes

10. I would like to cancel my beach hut

Cancellation of your beach hut booking will  not be accepted until 1 week after the final booking period opens (therefore from Thursday 19^th October 2023), and will  incur an administration charge of £30 or 20% of the total booking fee, whichever is the greater.

No refund is possible unless you give a 30-day notice from the start of the booking date.

Please click on the following link to complete the google form if you would like to change or amend your booking:

Beach Hut Refund and Booking Changes

11. Where can I get more information?

Please review our website, beachhuts.swanage.gov.uk  or contact the Swanage Information Centre on: 01929 766018 or [email protected]. You may also visit us on Shore Road in Swanage.

12. What are the opening times for the Swanage Information Centre?

Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 16:30

Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 to 16:30

Please note that we will be closed on Sundays from Sunday 5^th November 2023, and re-opening on Sunday 31^st March 2024.

This online booking system only allows weekly bookings. Generally we mostly take weekly bookings. However there are times when daily beach hut bookings may be available, (usually within the current week), when we have not been able to hire out a full week. Any decision to release beach huts for daily bookings will be at the managers discretion. If you are looking for a booking between 1 day and 6 days please review the availability calendar and if you can see an appropriate date within the current availability please contact the Swanage Information Centre on 01929 766018. Please note that during the off-peak season when prices are at their lowest, beach hut daily bookings are for a minimum of 2 consecutive days.

Currently the Spa and Spa Retreat beach huts are closed for the 2024-25 season. This is because the hill area where the beach huts are located is suffering from ground slippage and the impact of winter storms. During February/March 2024, the Council will undertake a review of the area and decide if the beach huts can be opened for the 2024-25 season. This page will be updated with the results. If beach huts are to be opened a beach hut booking release will be advertised on this website.

If the beach huts are to be opened the date will be as follows:

For the Spa and Spa Retreat beach huts the summer season is from 30 March 2024 to 1st November 2024. During August/September 2024, the Council will decide weather to open the Spa Retreats for the winter season, from 2nd November 2024 to 29th March 2025.