9 Dog Friendly Beaches In Dorset

dog walking along beach in Dorset

At Caravan Sleeps we are super canine friendly. We know that your pooch is an important member of the family!

And we know canines enjoy nothing more than the wide open space of a beach to gallop about on – and many love a dip in the sea.

We have handpicked a number of beautiful beaches in Dorset for you to enjoy exploring with your dog.

Disclaimer: As an affiliate partner, we might earn from qualifying purchases – any links on this page that go to a holiday park booking platform might earn us a commission if you make a purchase. This is at no additional cost to you.


1. Hengistbury Head Beach, Bournemouth

Family & Wildlife Enthusiasts

Hengistbury Head a dog friendly beach in Dorset
  • Stunning sand and shingle beach to exercise and run the pooch, plus a nature reserve with walking paths and routes
  • Ample parking and a large car park
  • Cycling, pitch & putt golf and land train (to Mudeford)
  • Café, restaurant and facilities
  • Outdoor education centre: International Geological site
  • Wildlife and grazing livestock

2. Southbourne, Bournemouth

Walking & Surfing

steps down to Southbourne beach Dorset
  • Long stretch of sandy beach that is dog-friendly all year round!
  • Lovely views of the Needles on the Isle of Wight
  • Very accessible to Bournemouth and Boscombe town centres
  • Nice wide promenade walk to Hengistbury Head
  • Handy and popular areas for surfers

3. Avon Beach, Christchurch

Family & Activities

  • Beautiful sand and shingle beach, with a view of the Isle of Wight to play with the dog
  • Ideal family beach with access to  car park
  • Excellent facilities: café, shop, canoe and deckchair hire
  • Promenade access to Mudeford Quay; a popular crabbing spot
  • Various ferry trips to Sandbanks or Christchurch Quay

4. Alum Chine & Durley Chine, Bournemouth

Family & Eating

Durley Chine beach in Dorset at sunset
  • Blue flag award-winning sandy beach to play on with the pooch! (all year round)
  • Stunning views to ” Old Harry Rocks”
  • Pub, café, shop and boat hire facilities
  • Large car park with good access to beach, plus land train
  • Lifeguard patrolled beach during summer season
  • Beautiful  sub tropical gardens, to explore with the pup!

5. Branksome Chine, Poole

Surfing and Family

Branksome Beach Poole
  • Dog beach clearly signposted to walk on, all year round!
  • Good windsurfing and kite surfing location
  • Water sports activity hire every Saturday
  • Unspoilt large sandy beach with great views of the Purbecks
  • Cafes, multiple shops plus good restaurant
  • Good parking at Branksome Chine and at the next chine – Branksome Dene Chine

6. Durdle Door & Lulwoth Cove, West Lulworth

Rural & Walking

Durdle Door
Durdle Door
  • Dogs are allowed all the year round, stunning sandy beach on Jurassic Coastline
  • Remarkable rock arch formation in the sea
  • Popular part of the South West Coastal Path from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove
  • Car parking and walking access (steep) to the beach
  • Stunning viewing point of the Jurassic Coastline, with clifftop walks
  • Lulworth Cove – sheltered beach area with fantastic geology

🛥 Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Trip 🛥

7. Ringstead Bay

Unspoilt & Relaxing

steps on Ringstead Bay beach in Dorset
  • Small shingle bay with views to Weymouth, very dog friendly!
  • Quiet and peaceful location, yet family friendly
  • Car parking only 100 metres away
  • Lovely wildlife spot due to the tranquil and isolated location

8. Chesil Beach And Abbotsbury

Walking & Wildlife/Heritage Location

dog friendly Chesil beach
  • Dog-friendly all year round, great for long walks!
  • 8-mile pebble beach from West Bay to Portland
  • Good parking facilities at either location
  • Famous Hamm Beach area at the midpoint, which has a sand lagoon
  • Fleet Nature Reserve area with an influx of wildlife
  • Very unique area as it is the only UNESCO-designated World Heritage site in the UK

9. Weymouth

Family & Lively

View of Weymouth Beach in Dorset from the promenade
  • ·Large spacious sandy beach, ideal for a dog run!
  • Selection of various seasonal entertainment and activities for the family
  • Situated within easy reach of Weymouth town centre
  • International beach events hosted here; Handball, Volleyball, Kite Festival
  • Lifeguard presence in summer season, good swimming area

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