The beautiful little Dorset beach that is no more

A Dorset beach known as West Bay Little Beach—also called the Children’s Beach—has disappeared, according to historical reporting from the Bridport area. The beach was located at the western end of West Bay Harbour and was used by thousands of children as an alternative to the more exposed Chesil Beach. Advocates highlighted that it offered a safer experience, with a gradual seabed and no backwash or strong current. Moves to remove it began as early as 1954, after complaints about damage to boats and missing equipment linked to children throwing stones. A broader push eventually led to the end of the Little Beach in May 1968, when dredging removed the sandbank in the south west corner to create mooring space for three full-time fishing craft. The article references debate at Bridport Town Council over balancing children’s safety against harbour-linked economic priorities.