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We understand that Dorset's fantastic coastline provides perfect locations for your four legged friend to explore. Playing in the surf, digging in the sand a chasing endless numbers of sticks; a day at the beach with the dog can be fabulous fun!
Why not check out the fabulous blog by our regular guest blogger, Dylan, on exploring dog friendly beaches in Dorset.
Find a dog friendly beach near you
We've compiled the list below to provide further details on beaches in Dorset that welcome dogs to come and play!
Abbotsbury - Chesil Bank & Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve
From the Tank Teeth Boundary at Abbotsbury to the Portland Boundary Stone. 1 September to 30 April. No public access outside of these times. Access to the outer flank (seaward side) of the beach outside of these dates - dogs on leads.
Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve - South West Coast Path. No public access along the shorelines of the Fleet .
Avon
Dogs welcome on the beach between 1 October and 30 April. From 1 May to 30 September, dogs must be on a lead when on the prom, cliff steps and cliff pathways.
Bournemouth
Dogs welcome all year round on Bournemouth beaches, however between 1 May and 30 September, dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenades and paths at all times, and may only be exercised on the following signposted sections of beach:
Border with Poole beaches 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
Bowleaze Cove
Dogs welcome at all times.
Burton Bradstock
No restriction enforced except fouling clearance and disposal.
From 1 July – 31 August the East Beach (Golden Cap side of the river) has a dog restriction between 10am and 6pm.
From 1 May – 30 September the West Beach (Lyme Regis side of the river) has a 24 hr dog restriction as far as the bridge at the end of the prom, from which point dogs are allowed on leads westwards towards Lyme Regis.
Church Ope
Dogs welcome at all times.
Cogden
Dogs welcome at all times.
Durdle Door and Man O' War
Dogs welcome at all times.
Eype
Dogs welcome at all times.
Friars Cliff
Dogs welcome on the beach from 1 October to 30 April. From 1 May to 30 September dogs must be on a lead when on the prom, cliff steps and cliff pathways.
Gundimore
Dogs welcome at all times.
Highcliffe
Dogs welcome all year except between groynes H4 and H8 from 1 May until 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade.
Highcliffe Castle
Dogs welcome at all times.
Kimmeridge Bay
Dogs welcome at all times.
Lulworth Cove
Dogs welcome at all times.
Dogs are welcome between 1 October and 30 April at Front Beach. On lead restrictions apply on the adjacent Cart Road, Marine Parade and Sea wall beaches. Monmouth Beach, and Church Beach have no restrictions all year.
Mudeford Sandbank
Dogs welcome at all times.
Poole
Dogs are allowed on all Poole beaches between 1 October and 30 April. Between 1 May and 30 September, dogs are not allowed on any of Poole's Blue Flag beaches (which include Sandbanks, Shore Road, Canford Cliffs and Branksome Chine). Always keep dogs on a lead on the promenade. Please note: Guide dogs are allowed on Poole beaches all year round.
Ringstead
Dogs welcome at all times.
Seatown
Dogs welcome 1 October to 30 April.
Studland
Dogs are welcome all year, but from 1 May until 30 September, they must be kept on a 2 metre lead on all beaches.
Swanage
Dogs welcome on the central beach between 1 October and 30 April. Dogs are welcome all year round on Monkey Beach, which is located by the old stone quay, close to the pier.
West Bay
Within the East Pier to East Cliffs and West Pier to West Cliffs areas, dogs are welcome between 1 October and 30 April. The other beaches adjacent have no restrictions but care should be taken due to cliff falls.
West Bexington
Dogs welcome at all times within a specific area.
Dogs welcome all year round within a specific area close to the Pavillion. Dogs are also welcome on the main beach between 1 November and Maunday Thursday. There are no restrictions from Preston Beach through to Bowleaze.
Worbarrow Bay
Dogs welcome at all times.
Please help us to keep Dorset beautiful by cleaning up after your dogs.
Guide Dogs: There are exemptions for assistance dogs written within the Public Spaces Protection Orders. As long as the dog is liveried in the exempted areas no officer will challenge, however where no livery is worn you may be challenged but enforcement officers would consider next step actions i.e. if an ID card is shown identifying the dog as an assistance dog again no fixed penalty notice would be served. Where no evidence of the dog being an assistance dog is presented an FPN may be served and the enforcement officer would invite the recipient to provide details of‘mitigating’ circumstances in writing.
