As per others who have responded earlier, it depends on who else you have in the car with you. If you have young children/infirm, then there are lots of car parks/parking near the beach, the cost of which is a few quid or so per hour (I can't remember the actual cost and it's no point me describing it as 'not much' or 'expensive', as that's all relative, what might be cheap to me, may be expensive to you). However, if you've passengers in your car who are capable of a bit of walking, in my experience you can nearly always find free parking on the roadside a bit further up from Alum Chine. I've managed to find parking whether you arrive really early in the day, or if you turn up a bit later, or even around lunch time.

Yes they are

Yes part of the beach does. The main section doesn’t! To be more specific in the summer time, dogs are allowed at: Alum Chine beach between the Alum Chine beach office (Groyne 3) and the border with Poole's first beach, Branksome Dene Chine beach. Durley Chine beach dogs are only permitted between Groynes 5 (middle chine) and Groyne 7. The groynes are all marked up!

the childrens play area has been renovated but plenty of space beech can be busy but again plenty of space because it is away from main pier area café and restaurant if needed land train into Bournemouth pier if you need it,day beach hut hire as well

Afternoon, there is Shaka Surf at Branksome Dene which is a 5 minute walk towards Poole from Alum chine. shakasurf co uk

The post code for Alum Chine beach in Westbourne is Bh4 8Af

"Dog walkers can use the seafront. Please clean up any mess your dog makes and put it in a bin. If you don’t have bags to pick up your dog’s mess, pop into your nearest beach office. You must keep your dog on a lead from 1st May to 30th September. You can only let them loose in the following areas: Border with Poole to Groyne 3 (Alum Chine beach office) Groynes 5 to 7 (Middle Chine to Durley Chine) Groynes 32 to 41 (Fisherman’s Walk to Southbourne) Groyne 45 to Hengistbury Head" Source: Bournemouth website, /AttractionsLeisure/BeachesandWaterfront/BeachGuidelines.aspx (can't post URL or links in answers 😕) Hope this helps

You can't have a barbecue before 6 pm. The choice is yours re any of the beaches, but the further away from either pier will be quieter. I like Branksome Chine . But as I said all are perfect. They dont allow open barbeques but disposable ones are okay if doused with water at the end of use and placed by the bins.

It does have sections for dogs, there are signs.