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  1. Many of Dorset's beaches allow dogs
    Many of Dorset's beaches allow dogs

You are here: Ideas & Inspiration > Dog Friendly > Dog Friendly Beaches

Dog Friendly Beaches in Dorset

Highlights

Dorset's fantastic coastline is the perfect place for your four legged friend to explore.

Running on the sand, playing in the surf and chasing endless numbers of sticks; a doggy day at the beach can be fabulous fun!

Why not check out the fabulous blogs by our regular guest blogger, Dylan, on exploring dog friendly locations 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. Dogs welcome 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.

Alum Chine
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)

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.

Branksome Chine
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 Branksome Chine). Always keep dogs on a lead on the promenade. Please note: Guide dogs are allowed on Poole beaches all year round. 

Burton Bradstock
Dogs welcome all year. No restriction enforced except fouling clearance and disposal.

Canford Cliffs
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 Canford Cliffs). Always keep dogs on a lead on the promenade. Please note: Guide dogs are allowed on Poole beaches all year round. 

Charmouth - East Beach
Dogs welcome off lead at all times at Charmouth East Beach (Golden Cap side of the river). Dogs should be on lead at all times within the car park and access to the beach.

Charmouth - West Beach
Dogs welcome off lead from 1 October to 30 April at Charmouth West Beach (the Lyme Regis side of the river). Dogs should be on lead at all times within the car park and access to the beach.

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.

Fishermanss Walk
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:
Groynes 32 to 41 (Fisherman’s Walk to Southbourne)

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.

Lyme Regis
Dogs are welcome on lead between 1 October and 30 April at Front Beach. Dogs are not allowed between 1 May and 30 September. On lead restrictions apply on the adjacent Cart Road, Marine Parade and Sea wall beaches. Monmouth Beach and Church Beach allow dogs 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.

Sandbanks
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). Always keep dogs on a lead on the promenade. Please note: Guide dogs are allowed on Poole beaches all year round. 

Seatown
Dogs welcome off lead from 1 October to 30 April.

Shore Road
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 Shore Road). Always keep dogs on a lead on the promenade. Please note: Guide dogs are allowed on Poole beaches all year round. 

Southbourne
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:
Groynes 32 to 41 (Fisherman’s Walk to Southbourne)

Studland
Dogs are welcome at Knoll Beach and Middle Beach all year, but from 1 May until 30 September, they must be kept on a 2 metre lead on all beaches.

On the access to South Beach and the car park, dogs should be on lead at all times.

Swanage
Dogs welcome off lead 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. On The Parade and adjacent roads leading to the beaches, dogs should be on leads at all times.

West Bay
Within the East Pier to East Cliffs and West Pier to West Cliffs areas, dogs are welcome off lead between 1 October and 30 April. The other beaches adjacent have no restrictions but care should be taken due to cliff falls. Dogs should be on lead at all times around the harbourside and on the esplanade.

West Bexington
Dogs welcome at all times within a specific area.

Weymouth
Dogs welcome all year round within a specific area close to the Pavillion. Dogs are also welcome off lead on the central and Greenhill beaches between 1 October and 30 April. There are no restrictions from Preston Beach through to Bowleaze. Dogs should be on lead at all times on the esplanade.

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. 

Number of results:

Number of results: 33

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  1. Family fun, Weymouth Beach

    Add Weymouth Beach to your Itinerary

    Weymouth Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    WEYMOUTH

    This award-winning sandy beach is overlooked by a magnificent Georgian seafront, located at the heart of the Jurassic Coast. Originally made popular by the frequent visits of King George III in the late 1700’s, for him to enjoy the health benefits…

  2. Durdle Door beach, Dorset

    Add Durdle Door to your Itinerary

    Durdle Door

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    WEST LULWORTH

    Durdle Door is one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks. It is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and is an extremely popular beauty spot.

    Free
  3. Knoll Beach and Studland Bay

    Add Studland Bay to your Itinerary

    Studland Bay

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    STUDLAND

    The National Trust car parks are open at Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach and South Beach from 9am to 5pm. Toilets are open at Shell Bay, Knoll Beach and Middle Beach. There are limited spaces, so if the car park is full please come back another…

    Free
  4. Swanage Beach Huts

    Add Swanage Beach Huts to your Itinerary

    Swanage Beach Huts

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    SWANAGE

    Swanage Beach huts are let daily, weekly or longer term. Hire a beach hut, and your trips to the beach are made easier without having to take all your towels, swimwear and children’s toys down to the beach every day!

  5. Lulworth Cove, in Dorset

    Add Lulworth Cove to your Itinerary

    Lulworth Cove

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    WEST LULWORTH

    The pebble beach and blue waters of Lulworth Cove make it an extremely popular destination. The Cove and surrounding coastline are part of the world famous Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. Low tide reveals wonderful rock pools teeming with sea…

    Free
  6. Lyme Regis beach

    Add Lyme Regis Beaches to your Itinerary

    Lyme Regis Beaches

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Lyme Regis

    The beaches in Lyme Regis are a mixture of sand and pebbles. Monmouth beach is very pebbly and shelves. The Front beach is a flat, sandy beach, as is Cobb Gate.

  7. Southbourne beach with message overlay: #RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveOnlyFootprints

    Add Southbourne Beach to your Itinerary

    Southbourne Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Bournemouth

    Southbourne Beach is one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches situated further to the West of Bournemouth, away from the hustle and…

  8. Bournemouth beach with message overlay: #RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveOnlyFootprints

    Add Boscombe Beach to your Itinerary

    Boscombe Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Bournemouth

    Start your adventure on Boscombe exciting, activity packed stretch of award-winning Blue Flag beach - the perfect family playground.

  9. Worbarrow Bay, Tyneham, Dorset

    Add Worbarrow Bay to your Itinerary

    Worbarrow Bay

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Tyneham, EAST LULWORTH

    Worbarrow Bay is found 1 mile (walking) from Tyneham village. The Bay and village are now managed by the Ministry of Defence and access is limited.

    Free
  10. Fisherman's Walk Beach

    Add Fisherman's Walk Beach to your Itinerary

    Fisherman's Walk Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Bournemouth

    #RespectProtectEnjoy.

  11. Chesil Beach fishing

    Add Abbotsbury Beach - Chesil Bank and Fleet Lagoon to your Itinerary

    Abbotsbury Beach - Chesil Bank and Fleet Lagoon

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Nr Weymouth

    A shelving beach made up of pebbles and shingle, popular with both local anglers and families for mackerel fishing.

  12. Bournemouth beach with message overlay: #RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveOnlyFootprints

    Add Bournemouth Beaches to your Itinerary

    Bournemouth Beaches

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    BOURNEMOUTH

    The beaches at Bournemouth stretch for 7 miles between the coastal towns of Poole and Christchurch.

    All of the beaches are soft sand and very family friendly. They are some of the safest beaches in the UK with RNLI Lifeguards based there…

    Free
  13. Bournemouth beach with message overlay: #RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveOnlyFootprints

    Add Alum Chine Beach to your Itinerary

    Alum Chine Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Bournemouth

    Alum Chine Beach is probably one of Bournemouth's favourite Blue Flag award winning beaches, particularly loved by the locals for its wide, exceptionally clean, sandy and shingle beaches situated further to the West of Bournemouth, away from the…

  14. Friars Cliff Beach, Christchurch - photo courtesy of Phil Cobb

    Add Friars Cliff Beach to your Itinerary

    Friars Cliff Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Friars Cliff, CHRISTCHURCH

    This shingle and sand beach is an ideal spot for a family trip to the seaside. Beach huts line the promenade which is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.

    Free
  15. Highcliffe Castle Beach

    Add Highcliffe Castle Beach to your Itinerary

    Highcliffe Castle Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    HIGHCLIFFE, Christchurch

    A beautiful, rural, shingle and sand beach set against tree-lined cliffs.

    Free
  16. View from flats to east side of Kimmeridge Bay

    Add Kimmeridge Bay to your Itinerary

    Kimmeridge Bay

    Type

    Type:

    Natural Feature

    Kimmeridge, WAREHAM

    Kimmeridge Bay lies within the Purbeck Marine Wildlife Reserve and boasts the best rockpooling and safest snorkelling site in Dorset! Check tide times to gain the most reward.

    Free
  17. Swanage Beach Dorset

    Add Swanage Beach to your Itinerary

    Swanage Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    SWANAGE

    Swanage has a gently sloping white sand beach which is sheltered and generally calm. The award winning beach is well served by local businesses providing refreshments and services.

  18. Sandbanks beach with message overlay: #RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveOnlyFootprints

    Add Branksome Chine Beach to your Itinerary

    Branksome Chine Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Poole

    Branksome Chine offers great sandy beaches and stunning views across the coastline. Its Blue Flag status attracts both locals and visitors.

  19. A Dorset beach

    Add West Bexington Beach to your Itinerary

    West Bexington Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    A shingle beach that shelves steeply. Walking is popular around this area and like many of the other beaches in the vicinity, views to the East and West are superb.

  20. Sandbanks beach with message overlay: #RespectProtectEnjoy #LeaveOnlyFootprints

    Add Canford Cliffs Beach to your Itinerary

    Canford Cliffs Beach

    Type

    Type:

    Beach

    Poole

    Canford Cliffs is a natural and tranquil area, situated between Shore Road and Branksome Chine.

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