Sandbanks' south east facing beach, a regular Blue Flag award winner, is sheltered and extremely family friendly with golden sands gradually sloping into the water, which is safe for swimming and covered by lifeguards May to September.

There is a promenade with cafes, shops, a crazy golf course, children's amusements and a mini road train that gives rides along the seafront.

The wide sands host volleyball and polo championships and from the beach you can learn to windsurf or sail, or hire jet skis, kayaks or inflatables.

On the other side of the spit is Whitley Lake, a shallow part of the harbour recommended for board sailing, and the Naitonal Trust reserve at Brownsea Island with deer, peacocks and squirrel is just a ferry ride away.

Please note that the contact information is for the local tourist information centre so please do plan your journey independently.

If you've had fun on your family day out to Sandbanks Beach, tell us about it your visit, so other people will know it's a great place to go as well.

http://www.pooletourism.com/