Beautiful 4-mile beach in Dorset that's a perfect alternative to the French Riviera

The UK is blessed with many beautiful beaches. This is especially true in the south, where counties like Cornwall and Dorset offer stunning stretches of coastline. And with foreign holidays getting more expensive, some Brits are now choosing destinations a little closer to home.

One of them is Shell Bay Beach in Dorset, a four-mile stretch of golden sand that's being tipped as the perfect alternative to the French Riviera. According to Parkdean Resorts, searches for "best beaches" have hit more than 345,000 in the past month, while interest in "budget holidays" is up by 127%. The company named Shell Bay as a top UK 'beach dupe' for France's Carnon-Plage, with similar soft sands, clear waters and a laid-back atmosphere.

Located at the tip of the National Trust-managed Studland Peninsula, Shell Bay sits at the entrance to Poole Harbour and offers views across to Brownsea Island and Sandbanks.

The UK Beach Guide says the beach is a haven of tranquillity for much of the year, though it gets busier in the summer.

The wide sandy beach is backed by dunes and is considered a safe and popular spot for families.

The Dorset Guide says visitors can either drive from Swanage or take the short ferry ride over from Sandbanks.

The area is mostly unspoiled and free from shops and kiosks, perfect for those after a more peaceful break.

There's also a designated naturist area between Shell Bay and Knoll Beach for those looking to avoid crowds altogether.

And positioned where it is, the beach is also a great spot for watching boats come and go, including the Condor Ferries heading to the Channel Islands.

Across the road from the beach is the Shell Bay Seafood Restaurant, which has been listed in the Michelin guide and offers views over the water.

One visitor wrote in a review: "This is undoubtedly one of the top swimming beaches in the south of England.

"There are four miles of golden sands, backed for the most part by dunes, and the gently sloping beach is safe for swimming at all states of the tide."

Another said: "This beach is absolutely amazing, such lovely white sand like you may find in the Caribbean, surrounded by sand dunes and just so peaceful.

"It is a lovely place for kids to spend a day playing in the sand, swimming in the sea, paddling and water sports."

And a third added:"This is by far the best beach at Studland Bay. The sand is almost white, so fine and surrounded by dunes. Looks like somewhere in southern France".

Shell Bay is just a 30-minute drive from Sandford Holiday Park, making it a convenient and affordable base for a summer trip without needing to leave the country.