Coastal erosion at Studland Bay | Dorset (2023)

Sand is always in motion, moved by the waves and wind. At Studland the predominantly south-westerly winds naturally move sand from the south of the peninsula and deposit it to the north. The supply of sand to the south cannot keep up, which leads to erosion at this end of the bay. At the northern end of the peninsula, Studland’s dunes continue to grow.

Easterly storms also have an impact on Studland’s beaches, causing large amounts of sand to be washed from the beach into the bay. Some sand may wash back into shore over time, but much will not return.

Climate change will put an increasing pressure on our coastline. By 2100, sea-levels could be 80 cm higher than they are today. This, combined with more frequent easterly storms, heavier rain and more prolonged heatwaves will increase the rate of coastal change that we experience.

Much of Studland’s coastline is eroding at a rate of about 60cm per year, but this is just an average. During extreme weather conditions, we can sometimes lose much more than this in a single event. We must make decisions about how best to manage both episodic events and long-term gradual changes to our coastline. We call this process ‘building resilience’.

The National Trust's 'Shifting Shores' policy

How we manage coastal change at Studland is driven by two key policies: the local Shoreline Management Plan, which is produced by the local authority and the Environment Agency, and our national ‘Shifting Shores’ policy. Launched in 2005, the aim of ‘Shifting Shores’ was to encourage coastal National Trust properties to develop long-term plans for their coast, by identifying and putting in place ways to adapt to the increasing pressures of climate change.

A key part of this approach is to work with nature wherever possible in order to create a healthier, more natural environment that can be enjoyed by everyone for years to come. We want to be innovative, working with communities and beach users to create ‘joined up’ and sustainable plans for our coastline.

Together, we use these two policies to inform our Coastal Adaption Strategy for the Purbeck coast. We care for 24km of the Purbeck coastline, including beaches, limestone cliffs, lowland heath and chalk grasslands. Each area will respond differently to climate change. This is why we have developed a strategy which takes into account their different characteristics, how they are used by local communities and visitors and what natural value exists which we need to protect. You can read the full strategy document here: Coastal management policy in Purbeck (PDF / 4.6MB)

Adapting to coastal change at Studland Bay

Our vision for the Studland Peninsula is for it to be a naturally functioning coastline. This means we will work with natural processes wherever possible, rather than against it; to allow sand and sediment to move freely around the system. This is also in line with the guidance written in the local Shoreline Management Plan. By doing this, the dunes will be far more resilient to the pressures of sea-level rise and more regular storms.

We are often asked why we do not do more to stop the erosion. Little can be done to effectively prevent the loss of sand that would not alter the natural character of the beach. Hard defences seen on other sea fronts, tend to be used to protect structures and properties in built up areas where there is valuable property and infrastructure. Natural sites cannot be fixed in the same way without losing the features that make them unique. Groynes, like those seen on nearby beaches in Poole and Swanage, would not protect Studland Bay from easterly storms as waves approach parallel to the beach and draw sand out into the bay. Gabion baskets hold a cliff face in place, but starve the beach below it of fresh material, which acts to accelerate the rate of erosion.

Allowing nature to take its course does not mean that we simply do nothing. There are areas of Studland where we are actively adapting to coastal change, to find sustainable ways to maintain both a healthy coastline and facilities that enable visitors and the local community to enjoy being on the coast.