5 Fantastic Dog Friendly Beaches in Dorset
5 Fantastic Dog Friendly Beaches in Dorset
With so many great walks within its stunning scenery, Dorset has been a favourite among dogs and their humans for a long time.
But what if you or your furry friend fancy a run on the beach or a dig in the sand? We’ve put together a list of 5 fantastic dog-friendly beaches in Dorset.
We have also put together a short guide for Dog Friendly Restaurants in Dorset that may interest you and if you fancy a last minute break you should check out the dog friendly late deals page.
Please remember, when organising a visit to any beach it’s always a good idea to check the tides first, especially if you plan on fossil hunting or rock-pooling!
Before reading through the list, it might be helpful to know about the different kinds of restrictions for dog owners when visiting beaches; there are four main types of restriction for you to bear in mind:
- Beaches where dog walking is allowed all year round
- Beaches where dog walking is allowed during autumn and winter but has restrictions during the peak holiday season (these restrictions are often as simple as ensuring your dogs is kept on a lead or dog-walking being limited to a certain part of the beach)
- Beaches where dog walking is allowed with restrictions all year round (see above)
- Beaches where dog walking is banned year round (please note, Guide dogs for the blind are exempt
We hope you find this list useful, but if you’re still unsure of where you’d like to visit, a more comprehensive list can be found with the beach guide
With that said, here’s our top 5 dog-friendly beaches in Dorset!
1. Durdle Door West Beach (BH20 5PU) One of the most famous sights on the Dorset coastline, this beach is famous for its impressive limestone arch which separates it from neighbouring Man’o’War Bay. A favourite with fossil hunters as well as snorkelers and swimmers, Durdle Door is popular during the warmer months and is an unrestricted, dog-friendly beach all year round. A pay and display car park can be found at the top of the cliff, but be sure to wear sturdy footwear as access is limited on the walk down to the beach (as always, please be extra careful when walking in very hilly areas with your dog).
2. Monmouth Beach - Lyme Regis (DT7 3LE) A very popular beach with fossil hunters, you’re sure to find yourself an ammonite or two if you keep your eyes peeled (great if you need to walk children and dogs!). A good mixture of sand and rocks makes it a good location for rock-pooling too. This excellent beach is unrestricted for dog walking all year round.
3. Bowleaze Cove (DT3 6PR) Whether you want to walk the dog or have a swim, Bowleaze Cove is a great sand and pebble beach to visit. There’s a café and a pub nearby, along with a local shop. This picturesque beach is dog friendly all year round with no restrictions.
4. Chesil Beach (to the south-west of Dorchester) Chesil beach is a pebble beach of unusual straightness and uniformity of shape, stretching for a total of nearly 17miles! The beach is dog friendly all year round and there is a café/restaurant close by as well as a picnic area.
5. Highcliffe Castle Beach (BH23 4AU) Situated next to a nature reserve, Highcliffe Castle beach is dog-friendly and unrestricted all year round. With disabled facilities, a nearby cafe and an abundance of activities from jet-skiing to canoeing, this sand and shingle beach is the perfect day out for all the family. Parking is at the Castle.