There are many dog friendly beaches in Dorset making it a great place to explore with your dog. Beaches are great for dogs to explore and provide many new smells and offer some great stimulation.
Be aware that your dog doesn’t drink the salty sea water, as too much of this will make them sick. It’s a good idea to take your own supply of fresh water and travel bowl in case there isn’t any access to fresh water.
Dog Friendly Beaches in Lyme Regis
Dogs are allowed on East Cliff Beach, Church Cliff Beach and Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis all year round. There are restrictions in place on Town Beach from April to October.
Monmouth beach (DT7 3LE) is named after the Duke of Monmouth who landed on the beach in 1685 trying to take the crown from King James II. This Lyme Regis beach is made up of sand and pebble and stretches for around a mile. Car parking is limited and it’s advised to arrive early to guarantee spaces.
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East Cliff Beach ( DT7 3DA) is known to be the quieter of beaches in Lyme Regis. Facilities are limited so bear this in mind before visiting, however you can walk between here and Charmouth beach via a promenade. Dogs must be kept on a lead when on the promenade. Bear in mind this walk can be cut off at high tide.
Church Beach (DT7 3BY) is a small sandy cove just outside the town centre. The beach can be submerged during high tide, so check tide times before you visit. There is plenty of parking near Church Cliff beach in public car parks, and dog friendly all year round.
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Charmouth beach (DT6 6QX) is made up of shingle, famous for fossil hunting. One of the best beaches in Dorset for dogs for open space and walking.
Also home to the Heritage Centre where you can see the fossil museum, which is a great attraction for visitors.
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There is a large car park at Charmouth beach which is accessible to both the West and East beach. The West beach leads to Lyme Regis East Cliff beach as mentioned above which is about a three mile walk.
There are some restrictions on Charmouth beaches for dogs, however they are welcome all year around on West beach (May – September on leads), and East beach dogs aren’t allowed on the beach between 10am and 6pm during July and August.
Dog Friendly Beaches in Bridport
Seatown beach in Bridport (DT6 6JU) welcomes dogs between October and the end of April. A privately owned beach next to Golden Cap is open to the public and made up of mainly shingle.
West Bay in Bridport (DT6 4EN) welcomes dogs between October and April. West Bay is famous for the hit TV series Broadchurch. The beach is made up of fine shingle.
Chesil beach is a pebble beach that welcomes dogs all year around from the Tank Teeth Boundary at Abbotsbury to the Portland Boundary Stone. There are picnic facilities available and amazing views.
Cogden is a sand and shingle beach near Bridport that is owned by the National Trust. Dogs are allowed all year around but there are no facilities at the beach itself.
Eypemouth beach (DT6 6AL) is a shingle beach with some sandy areas. The beach shows great views of the cliffs along the Jurassic coastline which is a popular reason for visitors coming to the beach.
Dogs are allowed on Eypemouth beach all year around.
Hive beach (DT6 4RG) has a stretch of around a mile and is one of the sandy beaches in Dorset that allow dogs. They are welcome on the beach between November and May. Hive beach is also known as Burton Bradstock beach.
Dog Friendly Beaches In Weymouth
Bowleaze Cove (DT3 6PR) is a sand and pebble beach just outside of Weymouth. Dogs are welcome all year around.
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Ringstead Bay has a carpark owned by the National Trust and is free to park for members, however there is quite a steep walk down to the shingle beach. There is a closer pay and display car park near Ringstead beach if you don’t fancy the walk.
Dogs are welcome at Ringstead all year around, and provide some stunning views across the Jurassic Coast.
Durdle Door beach West (BH20 5PU) is difficult to access with steep steps down to the beach. The views are worth the climb however on this sand and shingle beach.
Durdle Door is a popular beauty spot so don’t expect the beach to yourself. Dogs are welcome all year around.
Parking is available at the top of the cliff on the South West coast path in a pay and display car park.
Lulworth Cove (BH20 5RQ) is dog friendly all year around. There is a large car park near the cove chargeable by the hour, or limited free parking near the church. The beach is made up of large pebbles making the terrain uneven to walk on.
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Church Ope Cove (DT5 1HU) is a small and sheltered beach on the Isle of Portland near Weymouth. Dogs are welcome but there are steep steps down to the beach which may put some off.
You can also walk to the nearby ruins of old St Andrew’s Church which is accessed via a footpath leading directly from Church Ope Cove.
Dog Friendly Beaches In Bournemouth
Durley Chine beach (BH2 5JF) welcomes dogs on parts of the beach all year around. During the Winter dogs are welcome on all parts of the beach, however between May and October, dogs are only permitted between Groyne 5 and 7.
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Fishermans Walk is a sand and shingle beach area between Southbourne and Boscombe. This is a popular area for dogs accessed from Southbourne Overcliffe Drive.
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Hengistbury Head West beach (BH6 4EN) offers views of Poole Bay. Even with so many dog friendly beaches in Dorset, Hengistbury Head is one of my favourites. The beach is made up of shingle and pebble, and is popular with dog walkers and families alike. The beach is dog friendly all year around.
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Mudeford Quay (BH23 4AB) is close to Christchurch harbour. A sandy beach with close by facilities which include a big grassy area which is a popular spot. Dogs are welcome all year around.
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Dog Friendly Beaches In Poole
Harbour Lake (BH15 4LR) is a sand and mud beach in Poole. The beach is surrounded by a nature reserve and you may even spot some seals swimming in the harbour.
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Rockley Sands (BH15 4RW) is made up of sand and mud flats. A small beach that is located next to Rockley Park caravan park. Parking is available for around 30 cars and toilets are also available. Dogs are welcome at all times.
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Dog Friendly Beaches In Swanage
Pier beach (BH19 1BS) in Swanage is a small area made up of sand and shingle, which is located just to the west of the town on Swanage. There are no restrictions on Pier beach for dogs.
South beach welcomes dogs on a lead between May and September, with no restrictions during the Winter months. Located on the Studland peninsula, the beach stretches for around 2km in a sheltered cove.
Knoll beach (BH19 3AH) is the southern end of Studland Bay, welcoming dogs all year around. During April to September dogs are to be kept on leads. Knoll beach will lead to Shelley beach which is a naturist area.
Aside from taking your dog to the beach, there are also plenty of dog friendly things to do in Dorset.
