Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in Dorset
Everything we've reviewed in Dorset. Walks, beaches, and everything in between, built for dog owners who don't leave their dogs behind.
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Corfe Castle to Worth Matravers Circular
DorsetA Purbeck classic linking Corfe Castle with the coast at Worth Matravers, with ruins, limestone downland and Chapman's Pool.
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Durdle Door Beach
DorsetA dramatic shingle beach beneath England's most famous natural arch, with year-round dog access and stunning Jurassic Coast scenery.
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Golden Cap Circular (Langdon Hill)
DorsetA climb to the highest point on England's south coast, with Jurassic Coast views in all directions and dramatic cliff edges.
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Kimmeridge Bay
DorsetA year round, off lead rocky bay with world class rock pools, fossil ledges and a properly wild atmosphere.
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Studland Beach to Old Harry Rocks
DorsetA classic Dorset walk from sandy beach to the dramatic chalk stacks of Old Harry Rocks, with big coastal views throughout.
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Burley Village Circular
DorsetRewarding New Forest walking with high off-lead potential in the forest sections and outstanding dog-friendly village facilities; free-roaming ponies and cattle require attention.
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Hambledon Hill Circular
DorsetA Dorset hillfort walk across one of England's finest Neolithic causewayed enclosures, with wide views over the vale.
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Hardy’s Monument and Portesham Downs Circular
DorsetA downland circuit from Hardy's Monument with dramatic views over the Chesil Beach and West Dorset coast.
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Hengistbury Head Beach
DorsetA wild sandy beach below the Hengistbury Head headland with year-round access along the less busy southern shore.
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Hengistbury Head Circular Walk
DorsetA circular headland walk with harbour, heathland and beach scenery, well-served with facilities and accessible from Bournemouth.
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Hengistbury Head to Mudeford Sandbank
DorsetA headland walk connecting Hengistbury Head with Mudeford Sandbank, mixing harbour views with open heathland.
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Lulworth Cove
DorsetA world-famous horseshoe cove on the Jurassic Coast with year-round dog access, sheltered water and a scenic clifftop path to Durdle Door.
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Mudeford Spit
DorsetA long sandy spit separating Christchurch Harbour from the sea, with year-round dog access along most of its length and a row of famous beach huts.
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Nine Barrow Down Ridge Walk
DorsetA classic Purbeck ridge walk along Nine Barrow Down with sweeping views across the island and Poole Harbour.
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Ringstead Bay
DorsetA quiet, clear-water shingle beach on the Jurassic Coast with year-round dog access and views across Weymouth Bay to Portland.
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Ringstead Bay Coastal Walk
DorsetA serious Jurassic Coast walk with significant elevation changes and big cliff views, quieter than the headline stretches.
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Stonehill Down Walk
DorsetA Purbeck downland walk with views towards Corfe Castle, quiet and open with a National Trust feel throughout.
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Studland Bay (Knoll Beach)
DorsetFour miles of sandy beach backed by dunes and heathland, with year round access and off lead freedom outside summer months.
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Swanage North Beach
DorsetThe quieter, dog-friendly end of Swanage's award-winning sandy bay with year-round access, calm water and views to the Isle of Wight.
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Worbarrow Bay
DorsetA remote, unspoilt bay within the Lulworth Ranges reached via the abandoned village of Tyneham, with year-round off-lead access when ranges are open.
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Avon Heath Country Park Walks
DorsetA heathland walk through one of Dorset's important lowland heath sites, with varied terrain and year-round interest.
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Avon Valley Path Near Christchurch
DorsetA gentle river valley walk following the Avon through watermeadows and quiet villages near Christchurch.
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Branksome Dene Chine
DorsetA pine-wooded chine leading to a broad sandy beach at Branksome Dene, with a peaceful walk through the valley even when the beach itself is restricted.
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Canford Cliffs Beach
DorsetA quieter stretch below the Canford Cliffs with year-round access beyond the signed restricted areas, reached via chine paths.
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Chapmans Pool
DorsetA remote and beautiful cove on the Isle of Purbeck, reached by a challenging walk and rewarding fossil hunters and dogs with year-round freedom.
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Charmouth Beach
DorsetA long, varied shoreline with year round access on the east beach and excellent fossil hunting at low tide.
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Chesil Beach Portland
DorsetA wild and dramatic shingle beach at the Portland end of Chesil Bank, with year-round dog access and a powerful sense of coastal solitude.
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Church Ope Cove
DorsetA sheltered and secluded cove on Portland reached through a medieval churchyard, with year-round dog access and fascinating rock pools.
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Highcliffe Beach
DorsetA sandy and shingle beach below the cliffs at Highcliffe with castle views and reasonable off-season access.
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Hive Beach (Burton Bradstock)
DorsetA stunning Jurassic Coast beach with reliable off season access and a dog friendly cafe right on the shoreline.
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Mangerton Mill and River Brit Walk
DorsetA quiet West Dorset valley walk following the River Brit to the historic Mangerton Mill.
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Puddletown Forest and River Piddle Walk
DorsetA Dorset heath and forest walk following the River Piddle through Puddletown Forest near the Hardy Country.
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Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve
DorsetA flat, easy nature reserve walk with estuary views and marshland habitat, ideal for a short, calm outing near Christchurch.
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Stour Valley Path (Sturminster Newton Section)
DorsetA riverside section of the Stour Valley Path through the quiet Blackmore Vale, with Sturminster Mill as a highlight.
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Tuckton to Stour Valley Paths
DorsetA gentle riverside walk following the Stour Valley with watermeadow views and a relaxed profile suited to easy outings.
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Boscombe Beach East
DorsetThe eastern, quieter end of Boscombe's sandy bay with seasonal restrictions but good autumn and winter access from a well-served resort town.
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Sandbanks Beach
DorsetOne of England's finest sandy beaches on the Poole Harbour peninsula, with exceptional water quality and facilities, but a May to September dog ban.
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Seatown Beach
DorsetA quiet, atmospheric shingle beach beneath Golden Cap, best visited outside the summer restriction period.
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Southbourne Beach
DorsetA clean sandy beach in a suburban stretch of Bournemouth's seafront, popular with families in summer but good for dogs in the off-season.
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West Bay (East Beach)
DorsetA lively harbour beach with dramatic cliffs and year round access on the third beach, but significant summer restrictions on the main sections.
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Weymouth Beach
DorsetA classic sandy beach with designated year round dog areas and wide open space outside the summer restriction months.