Studland Bay in WWII

Studland Bay is known to many as a leisure destination boasting four miles of beach, but its historical significance is often overlooked. Discover how Britain prepared to defend it's coastline and the later shift to preparing for invasion, with a full scale rehearsal for the D-day landings called Exercise Smash. Come and talk to our knowledgeable volunteers, join a guided walk (prebooking required) and check out the exhibits and ordnance on display. Take a self guided walk around some of our remaining WW2 remnants. Family friendly event with kids activities including a mini obstacle course, make a clay tile and code cracking.

Timings & Tours

Sunday 14 September:

10am - 12pm at Knoll Beach Visitor Reception for the guided walk, 10am - 3pm for the exhibits and kids activities

Location & directions

Knoll Beach visitors Centre, Ferry Road, Studland, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 3AQ

Directions:

The route 50 more bus between Bournemouth and Swanage has a bus stop by Knoll beach. If coming by road from the Corfe or Swanage direction, Knoll Beach driveway is located on the Right, just past the Knoll House Hotel. If coming over on the chain ferry from the Bournemouth and Poole direction, Knoll Beach is just under 3miles from the Toll Booths on the left. The event will be located at the bottom of the driveway, by the entrance to the beach, next to the café, shop and toilets.

Contact on day:

National Trust Beach Office

Telephone number:

+441929450500

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Booking via the National Trust Studland Bay website. Recommended age 14+, under 18's with an accompanying adult. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay/events

Booking website:

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay/events

Booking opens:

02 Jun 2025 10:00 AM

Booking closes:

11 Sep 2025 12:00 PM

Accessibility details

Event at Knoll Beach, accessible path from drop off point by Visitor Reception, in turning circle, at bottom of drive, to café, shop and toilet area Designated accessible parking. Accessible toilets at Knoll, Middle Beach and Shell Bay. Changing places at Knoll. Guided walk is across the heath with mixed and uneven terrain. The exhibits and kids activities at Knoll are on a sandy area near the shop, café and toilets and on the beach. We have one electric and 2 manual beach wheelchairs and 2 beach pushchairs that can be prebooked by phone 01929 450500 or email [email protected]

Additional information

The guided walk must be booked. Minimum age 14 for the walk and under 18's must be supervised by an adult. The walk goes across dunes and heathland with mixed and uneven terrain throughout.

Max no of people per tour:

25

Est. tour duration:

2 hour(s) 0 minute(s)

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