A BEACH in Bournemouth has been named the best in the south of England for 2024 according to The Times.

Southbourne Beach won in the regional category as part of the Times and Sunday Times' annual best beaches guide.

Chief travel writer Chris Haslam visited 543 beaches around the UK, with 50 being included.

Criteria analysed included water quality, cleanliness, accessibility, car parking facilities, lifeguard presence, hygiene levels at restrooms and showers, and dog-friendliness.

Haslam said: "My Jack Russell, Dave T. Dog, and I have journeyed 5,583 miles and explored 543 beaches.

"The 50 beaches that made our list are graced with outstanding natural beauty, superb infrastructure, and a clear sense of pride from those who live, work, and play there.

"I’m still in awe of the beauty of the UK coast. From Kynance to Caithness, and Brancaster to Benone, the beaches of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are the most magnificent on earth.”

The full Times and Sunday Times Best UK Beaches guide for 2024 can be found on the website here.

Southbourne was said to encompass Bournemouth's soulSouthbourne was said to encompass Bournemouth's soul (Image: Sonia Claire Smith/Camera Club)

What did The Times say about Southbourne Beach?

Haslam was enamoured with Southbourne describing it as encompassing "Bournemouth's soul".

He wrote: "Bournemouth’s beach is the finest on the south coast: 9.5 miles of soft sands that run from Hengistbury Head in the east to Sandbanks in the west.

"I spent two days looking for Bournemouth’s soul and eventually found it four miles east at Southbourne.”

Haslam also brought up restaurateur Rich Slater who has set up SoBo Beach which is a restaurant, bar and performance space in "a seaside shanty of shipping containers".

It was praised as treating the beach a "a year-round community asset rather than a high-season moneymaker".

Southbourne Beach is also well-reviewed on Tripadvisor, earning a score of 4.5/5 from 251 ratings.

One person wrote: "It’s so much quieter than the main Bournemouth beach and just such a nice relaxing beach. There is also usually a nice breeze so that you never feel too hot. Great to walk along or chill out on."

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Another posted: "Amazing stretch of sandy beach from Hengistbury Head to Bournemouth. Very clean. Great for a walk, picnic or swim. Probably less crowded than Bournemouth beach in peak season."

Meanwhile, another shared: "Simply love this beach, was introduced to the Sobo community and from Southbourne high street to the beach I cannot fault it, such a lovely place to be and thankfully not that full of tourists like myself. Beautiful beaches, great local shops and always goes down well with the British summer!"

Dorset as a whole was well-represented in the south of England category with Hive Beach, Man O'War Beach and Middle Beach also being included.