Dog Friendly Beaches in Dorset

Abbotsbury

Dogs welcome all year:

Chesil Beach at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary – Parking and toilets – type of beach: shingle/pebble

 

Restricted access for dogs:

Chesil Beach from the Tank Teeth boundary to Abbotsbury to the Porltland Boundary Stone – Dogs allowed on leads to the outer flank (seaward side) of the beach from 1^st September to 30^th April. No public access outside of these dates – Parking and toilets

Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve – South West Coast Path only. No public access along the shoreline of the Fleet

 

Bridport Area

Dogs welcome all year:

Cogden Beach – Parking but no other facilities – type of beach: shingle

Burton Bradstock – East Beach – Parking – type of beach: sandy

Eype Beach – Parking but no toilets – type of beach: pebble

 

Restricted access for dogs:

Burton Bradstock (Hive) Beach – no dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September except on East Beach – Parking, toilets and dog friendly Hive beach Café – type of beach: sandy

West Bay – no dogs between 1^st May and 1^st October except in the port area where they must stay on the lead – long stay carpark, toilet facilities and children’s play area at carpark. Beach a short walk away – type of beach: pebble

Seatown – Chideock – no dogs between 1^st May and 1^st October – Parking with Anchor pub by beach – type of beach: pebble

 

Bournemouth/Christchurch Area

Dogs welcome all year:

Hengistbury Head – Short walk to café, visitors centre and the beach – be aware there is a nature reserve hear so keep your dog under close control – type of beach: Sand and pebble

Mudeford Sandbank – Nearest car park is at Hengistbury Head which has a land train that runs to Mudeford Sandbank,Café and public toilets – type of beach: sandy

Gundimore Beach – Parking, Café and toilets – type of beach: sand with some shingle

 

Restricted access for dogs:

Bournemouth Seafront – between 1^st May and 30^th September dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenades and paths at all times.

Avon Beach & Friars Cliff – no dogs between 1st May and 1^st October – Parking, café, restaurant and beach shop, – type of beach: sand and shingle

Friars Cliff Beach – no dogs between 1st May and 1^st October or all year round between the wave wall and Highcliffe Beach – Parking at Avon Beach – type of beach: sandy with patches of shingle

 

Charmouth and Lyme Regis Area

Dogs welcome all year:

Monmouth Beach – Pay and display car park and toilet facilities with direct access to beach – type of beach: sand and pebble

Church Beach – not far from Lyme Regis town centre, plenty of places to park, type for beach: sandy

Cobb Gate – Parking, close to Lyme Regis – type of beach: sandy

East Cliff Beach – Parking close to Lyme Regis – type of beach: fine shingle/sand

 

Restricted access for dogs:

Charmouth – East Beach – no dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. – parking, Café, shops – type of beach: shingle and sand

Charmouth – West Beach – no dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Dogs allowed on lead from bridge at the end of the prom towards Lyme Regis – Parking, café, shops – type of beach: shingle and sand

Lyme Regis – Main Beach & Seatown Beach – no dogs between 1^st May to 30^th September. Dogs allowed on lead on the adjacent Cart Rd, Marine Parade and Sea Wall beaches.

 

Poole

Restricted access for dogs:

Sandbanks Beach – dogs restricted to the area running from the extreme Western end of Sandbanks Promenade to Haven Point – Parking, public toilets and café – type of beach: sandy

 

Purbeck Area

Dogs welcome all year:

Durdle Door – Parking, visitors centre with toilets located in the car park, access is down a lot of steps, but it is well worth the effort! – type of beach: shingle

Kimmeridge – Parking, toilets available at the marine reserve centre – type of beach: shingle

Lulworth Cove – Parking with Visitors Centre and toilets – type of beach: white pebble

Man O’ War Cove – Parking with public toilets in Durdle Door Holiday Park. Refreshment van situated adjacent to path. Access to beach is along a chalk track about 1/3 of a mile to steps above the beach (150 steps to beach) type of beach: sand and fine pebbles

Worbarrow Bay – Parking to be found at Tyneham Village which is about a mile from the Bay, there is a toilet at the car park but no other facilities. – type of beach: pebbles/shingle

 

Restricted access for dogs:

Studland – between 1^st May and 30^th September dogs must be kept on a 2-meter lead on all beaches – Parking, seasonal cafes and toilets – type of beach: sandy

Swanage – no dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September on the main beach but may use Monkey Beach located by the old stone quay, close to the pier – Swanage town close to location – type of beach: sand and shingle

 

Weymouth and Portland Area

Dogs welcome all year:

Abbotsbury – Chesil Bank & Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve – Parking, Toilets, beach side refreshment kiosk – type of beach: pebbles and shingle

Bowleaze Cove – Parking, Café and a family pub on Bowleaze Coveway – type of beach: sand & pebble

Church Ope Cove, Portland – Parking, Café, beach reached by walking down a steep flight of stairs (approx. 200) – type of beach: soft limestone pebbled beach

Ringstead – Parking, easy access to beach and South West Coast path as well as a little shop, café and toilet facilities – type of beach: shingle

 

Restricted access for dogs:

Weymouth – Main Beach – no dogs between Good Friday and 31^st October type of beach: sand

In Weymouth and Portland dogs are excluded from all marked sports and children’s play areas.

These are clearly signed.