Following three storms in the first month of 2026 and the continued pounding of the sea along the Purbeck coastline in Dorset, the Swanage coastguard has issued a warning.
Along Swanage and Studland beaches, visitors to the coastline are being asked to take care due to hazards including debris thrown onto walkways by the overtopping of waves, and spikey objects exposed by the sea action that were once buried in the sand.
Concrete paths are covered with stones along Swanage’s North Beach
Record month for rain
January 2026 has been an exceptional month, with Dorset recording its second wettest January since 1836.
Storms Goretti, Ingrid and Chandra each contributed to the saturated ground, flooding and unsettled conditions.
And the forecast is for the unsettled weather to continue into February 2026.
Middle Beach at Studland is closed and the coastguard has advised people not to investigate the exposed objects
“Please take extra care”
The Swanage coastguard reported:
“Our coastline has taken, and continues to take, a real battering. A walk along the beach now shows pebbles where they’re not usually seen, significant drops near the wooden groyne, and erosion of the sand dunes.
“Objects that were once buried in sand are now exposed and clearly visible. Ground conditions remain very soft and water levels are still high. Cliffs are extremely unstable at the moment.
“Please take extra care if visiting the coast. Your safety comes first – please stay alert and cautious.”
The cliffs along North Beach are saturated from the rain and unstable
A landslip at the beginning of January 2026 has made if difficult for walkers to safely climb over the wooden groyne
Debris and landslip
The lower High Street in Swanage was closed by the coastguard as Storm Ingrid hit the coastline with huge waves overtopping onto the road, throwing sand, rocks, and seaweed across the area. It remained shut as Storm Chandra deposited another layer of debris onto the road.
The landslip along North Beach has blocked easy access from the town end of the beach to Sheps Hollow. Now walkers have to clamber up and over a wooden groyne which is high above the sand on the other side, and this is not recommended.
In Studland, Middle Beach remains closed as the bay reshapes itself after the removal of rusting man-made sea defences. In the process, old bits of metal and wooden posts are being exposed as the waves pound the beach.
The coastguard is advising that visitors to Swanage and Studland should:
- Be aware of tide times – rising tides can cut you off
- Stay well away from the base of cliffs
- Do not touch or investigate unknown object. If you are unsure what an object is, call 999 and ask for the coastguard
Lower High Street in Swanage was covered with debris following the storms but it was cleared by Dorset Council, however now more rocks have been deposited
Tuesday 3rd February 2026 and the parking area outside The Mowlem is covered with sand, shingle and seaweed again
Further information
- HM Coastguard storm safety
