If you and your furry special someone fancy hitting a beach in Dorset, we’re here to help. As a dog owner you’ll probably know that lots of local councils throughout the UK have implemented dog bans on their beaches during the summer with fines of £75 and over if owners breach the rules. Bans typically run from the start of May to the end of September. Read on to find out about the dog-friendly beaches in Dorset where your bezzie mate can play in peace.
If you’re planning a holiday in Dorset, there are lots of dog-friendly cottages to rent as well as plenty of dog-friendly pubs that you can retire to after a fun day out at the beach. Before you head to the seaside with your little buddy, make sure you read our helpful tips for taking your dog to the beach and check out our article, Why You Shouldn’t Walk Dogs on a Beach in Windy Weather. It’s also important to note that assistance dogs are allowed on beaches all year round.
1. Durdle Door Beach
Nearest town: Weymouth
Postcode & map: BH20 5PU
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here 365 days a year. Lovely.
About: This iconic cove is famous for (and takes its name from) the majestic limestone arch, Durdle Door, which separates it from Man ‘o’ War Bay. The sand and pebble beach is surrounded by the Jurassic Coast’s high limestone cliffs so there are lots of nice walks nearby with well-signposted footpaths, including the South West Coast Path. Look forward to clear, aquamarine waters which are a favourite with snorkelers and swimmers, just be aware that the sand in the bay shelves suddenly in places. Amateur geologists can look out for fossils, ammonites, and belemnites which are found along this stretch of coast regularly. There’s a pay and display car park at the top of the cliff, and from March to the end of October toilets with disabled facilities at the nearby Durdle Door Holiday Park. There are no dog bins so you’ll have to clean up after your dog and dispose of it elsewhere.
2. Weymouth Beach
Nearest town: Weymouth
Postcode & map: DT4 7SL
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are not permitted on the main sections of Weymouth or Lodmoor beaches from Good Friday to 31st October (inclusive). There are no restrictions at the Pavilion end of the beach or on Preston Beach through to Bowleaze Cove (below).
About: Though dogs aren’t allowed on the main section of this award-winning arc of golden sand, there’s still plenty of space for them to enjoy themselves. Head further up towards the Pavilion or Preston Beach where you and your dog can take a dip in its inviting, shallow waters. In summer months you’ll come across the typical entertainment you’d expect from a traditional seaside town, from Punch and Judy shows to donkey rides, and regular fireworks displays—you might want to make sure your dog’s tucked up inside when these take place though.
3. Bowleaze Cove
Nearest town: Weymouth
Postcode & map: DT3 6PL
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: None! Dogs are welcome here all year round.
About: Just over two miles northeast of Weymouth you’ll find delightful Bowleaze Cove, a sand and pebble beach that’s popular with families and jet-ski enthusiasts. Don’t worry though, the water is zoned so that the jet-skiers can have their fun at a safe distance from you while you swim with your dog. If you’d rather not get wet you can take in the views of the Jurassic coastline and anglers fishing off the pier. As well as a cafe and a pub, there’s also a funfair that operates next to the beach during summer.
4. Church Ope Cove
Nearest town: Weymouth
Postcode & map: DT5 1HT
Type of beach: Pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here all year round. Yay!
About: Enveloped by cliffs on three sides, Church Ope Cove on the Isle of Portland is something of a sheltered suntrap that you can access via a steps that descend precipitously down the cliff. Visitors to the soft limestone pebble beach head there to hunt for fossils, swim, snorkel and dive, but there are strong currents outside the direct cove area so swimming further out is not recommended. From the beach you’ll be able to enjoy the views of Rufus Castle perched on a clifftop overlooking the cove. If you and your furry beach buddy fancy a nice walk, there’s a footpath leading from Church Ope Cove directly to the nearby ruins of old St Andrew’s Church. The area is full of wildlife so depending on the season you might catch a glimpse of butterflies, birds, and the odd dolphin.
5. Cogden Beach
Nearest town: Bridport
Postcode & map: EX8 5BT
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: None. Dogs are welcome here all year round!
About: This remote gem of a beach is owned by the National Trust and it comes complete with a members’ car park. Because of it’s rural setting you won’t find any shops, cafes or other facilities around, leaving you and your dog to enjoy a well-deserved bit of peace and quiet. Often described as a “secret beach,” it’s actually rather easy to reach via public transport with the X53 bus stopping here. Head here if you fancy getting away from it all for the day.
6. Eype Beach
Nearest town: Bridport
Postcode & map: DT6 6AL
Type of beach: Pebble
Restrictions: None. Dogs are welcome here 365 days a year.
About: Eype beach has it all. From stunning views of Lyme Bay and the cliffs along the Jurassic coastline to great local clifftop walking routes leading from the beach, and local cafes, shops and a pub nearby. It’s not just dog owners who flock here during the summer though, picnikers, swimmers, and surfers all congregate here during the warmer months. Keep a safe distance from the Blue Lias cliffs at the back of the beach as they can be subject to landslides. Parking can be found just above the beach with steps leading down to the beach.
7. Southbourne Beach (Bournemouth)
Nearest town: Bournemouth
Postcode & map: BH6 4BT
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are allowed on Bournemouth beaches however they must be kept on a lead from 1st May to 30th September. Dogs are allowed off-lead on parts of the beach throughout the year, including between Fisherman’s Walk and Southbourne.
About: Located in the eastern suburbs of Bournemouth, Southbourne beach is quieter than other Bournemouth beaches. It has a promenade with pretty beach huts and a restaurant that sells everything from fresh seafood to cake. Between May and September the beach has lifeguards in operation and you’ll find plenty of surfers heading here to enjoy a summertime swell when the conditions are right. The sweeping sand and pebble beach is also a hit with families—you can rent sun-loungers and umbrellas from the tourist info office and there are toilet facilities. It’s easily accessed via the Fisherman’s Walk Cliff Railway, and there’s lots of parking in the area.
8. Hive Beach (Burton Bradstock)
Nearest town: Bridport
Postcode & map: DT6 4RG
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Between 1st June and 30th September dogs aren’t allowed on the main section of the beach but there are signposts with details.
About: As well as its coarse, golden sand, Hive Beach on the Jurassic Coast near Burton Bradstock has plenty of fossils just waiting to be found. You’ll often see them embedded in the limestone boulders strewn around the beach below the cliffs. The mile long beach has a cafe right on the beach as well as parking. On a clear day, beachgoers can see all the way along the coast up to the Isle of Portland in Devon.
9. Mudeford Sandbank
Nearest town: Bournemouth
Postcode & map: BH6 4EW
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are allowed but owners are asked to keep them under control.
About: Mudeford Spit is a long sandbank which forms a natural barrier between the sea and Christchurch harbour. You’ll find over 300 cute little residential beach huts here and you and your dog can enjoy great views of the harbour and across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and Needles. While the harbour side is designated for watersports, the beach facing out to sea is exclusively for bathing. Facilities include a cafe, shop, and public toilet blocks (one of which has hot showers), but there are no dog bins so you’ll have to clean up after your dog and dispose of it elsewhere.
The beach can be accessed by foot or bike, and the nearest car parks are at Hengistbury Head and Mudeford Quay. There’s a ferry over to The Spit from Mudeford Quay and Christchurch Quay, and a land train from Hengistbury Head car park. Wheelchair access is limited at the beach due to the sand, and on the ferry as wheelchair users are required to get out of their wheelchairs in order to embark and disembark.
If you’ve already been to any of these beaches tell us which one’s your favourite on Facebook! We hope you get a chance to explore some of these wild and special places with your dog but if you don’t have the time to take your furry best friend on a much-needed walk or you’re heading somewhere that doesn’t allow dogs, Rover.com is here to help you find fantastic dog walkers and sitters who provide dog boarding in Bournemouth and throughout Dorset.
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Featured image: JURASSICCOAST.ORG
