Where are the best Dorset beaches to take your dog, and when are these dog-friendly beaches open? Where are the best sandy beaches in Dorset that welcome pets? Let us help you plan your day at the beach with your four-legged friend, and check out our dog-friendly cottages in Dorset to find your ideal accommodation for you and your furry companion.
If you are planning a visit to Dorset, let us help you explore dog-friendly beaches that are open all year or advise when beaches are closed to pets. We also detail the best dog-friendly sandy beaches in Dorset. Plan a trip to the beach with your dog, including what to take, where to park, and where the water stations are located. We will also explore which beach cafes in Dorset will welcome your dog.
For us, Studland Beach has to be on your itinerary. Although dogs do have to be kept on a lead during the summer, you can still explore the dunes behind the beach. Studland Beach is run by the National Trust, which has provided many dog-friendly facilities. There is a drink station by the main café, dog ties, and shaded areas. Dogs are not allowed where people eat inside, but several dog-friendly tables have been allocated in the adjacent shop. There is also additional outdoor seating that welcomes dogs.
The Trust requests that dog owners keep dogs on a lead from March to July when walking in the heath to protect nesting birds. They also provide advice on what to do if you encounter an adder.
We think Studland beach is perfect for a long stroll with your dog in the autumn through to spring or early on a summer morning. The beach is fully open to dogs during this time without restriction. It is popular with dog walkers, especially at the weekend or on occasions like Boxing Day, so it may not be ideal if your dog is not social. Expect to find lots of dogs off-lead, enjoying a paddle. Studland beach is also popular with horse riders, especially in the early morning.
Parking is plentiful and located right behind the main beach, with plenty of fencing to tie your dog to while you sort out blankets.
Though a pebbly beach, Lulworth Cove is a great spot to explore with your dog. It is open all year, and in the summer, the cooler pebbly beach is kinder to tender paws. The bay tends to be calm and is ideal for a doggie paddle.
Parking is plentiful, though exceptionally busy in summer. We find an evening visit is best and a lovely time to appreciate the bay. Lulworth Bay is very pet-friendly; it is not a bucket-and-spade kind of beach, so you will find lots of like-minded dog walkers. The beach itself is not very long, but you do have the option of a variety of long walks along the coast.
There is a lovely area by the main car park to enjoy an ice cream or light meal with shaded seating.
We absolutely love Weymouth beach. We enjoy it so much that we take an annual Boxing Day visit with all of our four-legged family members. Last Boxing Day, we took our delightful friend Finn, a Shetland Pony, who was out-sized by some of the dogs on the beach. He wasn’t fazed by the number of dogs who also love Weymouth beach. Sadly, Finn has outgrown this year, so we took a stroll on New Year’s Day with the extended family, which includes Loki, who enjoyed the waves.
Use of Weymouth beach for dogs is restricted. Dogs are not allowed on the main beach from Good Friday until 31st October, but they are allowed all year in the exercise area near the Pavilion. There are several parking options, including free parking near Bowleaze Cove. We walked the entire length of the beach to enjoy lunch at The Lookout Cafe, which is dog-friendly with dog ties and water available. We sat outside on New Year’s Day; it was well sheltered, and I enjoyed some fresh seafood.
This tiny beach makes our top five because of the lovely walk down to the beach. Arne is an RSPB reserve, so parking is free for members. Pets are welcome but need to be kept on a lead around livestock. Shipstal Beach is approached via a lovely woodland walk, taking you past a play park for the kids. There is also a café on site with plentiful outdoor seating, where dogs are welcome.
Another great dog-friendly Dorset beach, with options for all year round exploring. The main beach is open to pets from 1st October until 30th April, but Monkey Beach (near the old pier) is open all year and tends to be primarily used by dog walkers. If you are visiting in summer, hiring a beach hut can be a great dog-friendly option to provide shade for them in the heat.
There are lots of great dog-friendly options in Swanage. You can park on the beach road out of season. There are showers available to wash the sand off your dog and water stations close to the town end of the beach. The beach is a popular choice with walkers but never too busy outside the summer holidays.
Dorset really is a dog-friendly county, where dogs are actively encouraged to visit. If you want to know more about the beaches in Dorset, why not visit www.thebeachguide.co.uk?
If we have inspired you to bring your four-legged friend to stunning Dorset, why not plan your stay using our information for pet owners page?
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