Live on the Jurassic Coast with a furry friend, or house sitting as a pet sitter in Dorset? Stay right where you are to discover this ultimate guide to dog-friendly Dorset.
Take a look below for some of the most popular dog-friendly beaches Dorset has to offer, along with pet-friendly attractions, countryside walks, pubs and more.
Dog-friendly beaches in Dorset
One of the most dog-friendly activities in Dorset is a beach walk, and Dorset’s sandy beaches and pebbled coves won’t disappoint. Take a look below for a list of beaches that allow dogs, and you’ll soon be fossil hunting along the Jurassic Coast with your furry friend right by your side.
West Bay Beach
Dogs are welcome at Dorset’s popular West Bay Beaches during the off-season, which is between 1st October and 30th April. Outside of those times, dogs are not allowed on the West Bay Beaches.
Location: Esplanade, West Bay, Bridport DT6 4HE
Church Cliff Beach
Explore the stunning views of Church Cliff Beach in Lyme Regis at any time of year with your dog. Let them off the lead to run along the shore and explore the rock pools at low tide.
Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset
Monmouth Beach
Lyme Regis has many dog-friendly beaches, including Monmouth, where pups can roam on the pebble beach off the lead, all year round. And remember - keep your eyes peeled for fossils.
Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset
Charmouth Beach
Soak up the rugged Dorset coastline at Charmouth Beach, where dogs are welcome off the lead on East Beach throughout the year. Remember that dogs are not allowed between 1st May and 30th September at West Beach.
Location: Bridport DT6 6LS
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Chesil Beach, Dorset
Studland Beach
Explore the sandy beaches at Studland with your furry friends, where dogs are welcome all year round. Abide by the local rules and keep your pooch on a lead between (and including) October and April.
Location: Studland Bay, Dorset
Monkey Beach
If you’re looking for Swanage’s dog-friendly beaches, head to Monkey Beach where dogs are welcome all year round.
Location: Pier Head, Swanage BH19 2FA
Durdle Door
You’ll be pleased to hear that Durdle Door is dog-friendly all year round. So, leads at the ready - it’s time to explore this iconic beach that’s part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
Location: Wareham BH20 5PU
Lulworth Cove
Explore all of the Cove with your furry friend right by your side, and look out for the formations that make this spot famous, including Lulworth Crumple and Stair Hole.
Location: Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Southbourne Beach
If you live anywhere near Bournemouth, you’ll be glad to hear that dogs are allowed on Southbourne Beach between 1st October and 30th April. While dogs aren’t allowed during peak season, instead head to Hengistbury Head which is dog-friendly all year round.
Location: Southbourne, Bournemouth BH6 4BQ
Chesil Beach
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is well worth a visit with your four-legged friends. Separating the mainland from the Fleet Lagoon, it’s part of the Jurassic Coast and offers up stunning views from the pebbled beach. If you plan on dog walking at Chesil Beach, stick to the dog-friendly areas which are at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary. Dogs are allowed on leads to the outer flank between September and April from the Tank Teeth Boundary to the Portland Boundary Stone.
Location: Chesil Beach, Dorset
Taking your dog to the beach in Dorset: key considerations
It’s important to remember that not all of Dorset’s beaches are dog-friendly all year round. To make sure you’re only ever on a beach that welcomes dogs, plan your trip ahead and check the signage. And naturally, come prepared with a dog lead and poop bags, and always clean up after your dog.
Durdle Door, Dorset
Dog-friendly things to do in Dorset
If you want to get to know the south west county, you’ll be pleased to hear that a fair few local attractions are in fact dog-friendly. So below, find a list of things to do in Dorset with dogs, and explore your local area for more.
Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle is a must-visit if you live anywhere nearby, or you’re house sitting in Dorset. And of all the (man-made) dog-friendly places in Dorset, Corfe Castle is one of the most popular attractions. So, why not explore the Castle ruins and Corfe Castle Model Village for a charming perspective on this iconic spot? Keep your dog on a lead throughout, and enjoy a bite to eat at the Courtyard Cafe.
Location: The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Calling all horticulture enthusiasts! Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens welcome dogs on leads throughout (minus the Swannery), so why not marvel at the exotic plant species at these unique gardens?
Location: Bullers Wy, Abbotsbury, Weymouth DT3 4LA
Swanage Railway
Got a passion for heritage locomotives? Explore Dorset’s countryside on Swanage Railway - a heritage steam train that’s open to dogs for a small fee.
Location: Swanage BH19 1HB
Gold Hill Museum
Want to learn about the history of an ancient hilltop town in Gold Hill, Dorset? Bring your dog on a lead and visit the museum as well as the award-winning garden.
Location: Gold Hill, Shaftesbury SP7 8JW
Corfe Castle and ruins, Dorset
Dog walks in the Dorset countryside
One of the most dog-friendly activities Dorset has to offer is a humble walk through the countryside! There are countless paths, woodlands and reserves that welcome visitors with their dogs in Dorset. For a few dog walking ideas, start with our list below.
Badbury Rings
This Iron Age hill fort is steeped in history - all the way to the Romans and beyond. For impressive views of the Dorset countryside, explore this National Trust spot and keep your dog on a lead between February and August - this helps to protect ground-nesting birds. And if you encounter any livestock, put your dog on a lead immediately.
Location: Blandford Rd, Shapwick, Blandford Forum DT11 9JL
Wareham Forest
Want to get into the woodland with your four-legged friend? Explore Wareham Forest if you live nearby, and check out the enclosed dog exercise area to socialise your pup.
Location: Wareham BH20 7NX
Powerstock Common Nature Reserve
Enjoy a walk on a lead and explore Powerstock Common’s incredible biodiversity - find meadows, woodlands and views across the coast.
Location: Dorchester DT2 0EJ
The South West Coast Path
This long-distance trail that expands through Dorset, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall offers dog walkers incredible sea views along the clifftops. Walk atop Durdle Door Beach or Lulworth Cove in Dorset.
Badbury Rings, Dorset
Dog-friendly pubs in Dorset
The county is home to countless historic pubs with a cosy atmosphere, crackling fires and welcoming beer gardens. Find a few popular dog-friendly pubs below, but be sure to explore your local area and always check before bringing your four-legged friend along.
The Acorn Inn
This charming 16-century pub is a must-visit if you live anywhere near Evershot. Famous for its feature in Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles, this adorable snug welcomes dogs and their owners for a bite to eat and a look around.
Location: 28 Fore St, Evershot, Dorchester DT2 0JW
The Greyhound Inn
This dog-friendly pub sits below the Corfe Castle ruins, and makes for the perfect place to grab a bite to eat after exploring the historic village with your pooch.
Location: The Square, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5EZ
The Smugglers Inn
Located on the South West Coast path in the village of Osmington Mills, this 17th century pub is steeped in Dorset’s smuggling history. Stop by for a taste of Dorset’s historic charm between dog walks along the coast.
Location: Osmington Mills, Weymouth DT3 6HF
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Dog-friendly places in Dorset
Hopefully it’s clear by now that there is an almost endless list of dog-friendly things to do in Dorset. And if you live in Poole or Bournemouth, look no further than our guides to exploring both areas with a dog.
Dog-friendly Poole, Dorset
You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to dog walks in Poole, Dorset. Whether you’re soaking up the sun at Sandbanks or exploring the heathlands of Canford Nature Reserve, you’re never short of places to wander with your four-legged friend. For more ideas on things to do in the town and surrounding areas - whether you’re house sitting as a pet sitter in Poole or you’ve got a canine friend of your own, follow our travel guide to dog-friendly Poole.
Dog-friendly Bournemouth, Dorset
If you live in Bournemouth with a dog or you’re house sitting as a Bournemouth pet sitter, you’ll never be short of things to do with your dog. Explore the designated dog beaches which include Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve and Mudeford beach, and stop for a traditional pub experience nearby where dogs are often welcome. For dog-friendly pub suggestions, walking trails and attractions, visit our travel guide to dog-friendly Bournemouth.
Mudeford, Dorset
Tips for pet parents
- Follow local regulations. Dorset is jam-packed with stunning places to walk your dog, but many of the county’s beaches have restrictions in place to protect local wildlife, so always follow the local rules and only head onto a beach if dogs are welcome.
- Explore local villages. Dorset is steeped in a history that spans smugglers, ancient fossils and even the Romans, so find a village you’ve never heard of, kick back in a dog-friendly pub and get to know its past.
- Get your holiday pet care sorted. It’s safe to say that Dorset is the perfect county to explore with a furry friend, but what about when the time comes to go on holiday? Well as vets agree pets are happier at home, why not welcome a verified, in-home pet sitter to keep them company while you’re away? Click below to find out more.
Connecting with pet sitters in Dorset
Tips for pet sitters
- Follow the South West Coast Path. If you want to soak up impressive sea views with your new furry friend by your side, find your nearest entrance to the South West Coast path for an unforgettable walk.
- Follow the pet’s routine. Ask pet parents for advice on where to walk your new canine companion, and don’t take them anywhere that might be unsettling to them, such as an overly crowded area if they’re used to the countryside.
- Experience Dorset through house sitting. So, want to discover Dorset’s coastline or its history-steeped villages with a pooch by your side, without paying a penny for accommodation? Click below to find out how to get your house sitting adventure started.
House sitting in Dorset
More dog-friendly travel guides
Want to explore further afield? Whether you’re you’re house sitting as a pet sitter in Dorset or you’ve got a pup of your own, explore these local travel guides to plan your dog-friendly day out.
