Dorset Beach Dog Restrictions

Dogs welcome year-round on this fossil-rich beach west of Lyme Regis harbour. Leads recommended near the harbour slipway.

Year-round dog-friendly beach east of Lyme Regis, below the Church Cliff. Rocky and pebbly — good for exploring.

Year-round dog-friendly. Quieter than the main beach, backed by the famous Jurassic cliffs.

Year-round dog-friendly. The east end of Charmouth beach is famous for fossil hunting — keep dogs on leads near cliff falls.

A quieter, less-crowded shingle beach below Golden Cap. Dogs welcome year-round. Steep path down from the car park.

A quiet, undeveloped stretch of Chesil Beach managed by the National Trust. Dogs welcome year-round. No facilities.

Dogs welcome year-round from the Tank Teeth boundary to the Portland Boundary Stone. Part of Chesil Beach — shingle, no swimming.

Year-round dog-friendly cove north of Weymouth. Sandy beach with café and facilities. Good parking.

A quiet National Trust beach in a sheltered bay. Dogs welcome year-round. Shingle and sand, with good rock pools.

A secluded historic cove on the east side of Portland. Dogs welcome year-round. Steep steps down — not suitable for dogs with mobility issues.

⚠️ CLOSURE NOTICE (May 2026): The steps down to Durdle Door beach are indefinitely closed following severe storm damage. The beach itself is inaccessible. The clifftop viewpoint remains open. Man O' War Beach is accessible via its own steps to the east.

Year-round dog-friendly beach adjacent to Durdle Door. Currently the best access point in this area as Durdle Door steps are closed. Sheltered and sandy.

The Portland end of Chesil Beach is dog-friendly year-round. The famous shingle bank — no swimming due to dangerous currents.

The left (west) side of Lulworth Cove from the slipway is dog-friendly year-round. The right side has seasonal restrictions. Beautiful sheltered swimming.

Remote, undeveloped beach below the White Nothe headland. Dogs welcome year-round. Accessible only on foot — about 1 mile walk.

Accessible only when the MOD Lulworth Ranges are open (most weekends and school holidays). Dogs welcome year-round when ranges are open. Wild and beautiful.

A remote, inaccessible-by-road cove on the Purbeck coast. Dogs welcome year-round. Accessible only via the South West Coast Path.

Accessible only when the MOD Lulworth Ranges are open. Dogs welcome year-round when open. One of Dorset's most dramatic and unspoilt bays.

Year-round dog-friendly. Famous for rock pooling and snorkelling. Parking charge applies. Dogs must be on leads near the marine reserve.

Year-round dog-friendly beach at the south end of Swanage Bay. A great alternative to the main beach during summer restrictions.

The north end of Shell Bay at Studland is dog-friendly year-round. No restrictions. Beautiful views across Poole Harbour entrance.

Year-round dog-friendly beach in Hamworthy Park, Poole. Calm, sheltered water on Poole Harbour. Good for swimming.

Year-round dog-friendly beach at Branksome Dene Chine. Note: the adjacent Branksome Chine Beach has seasonal restrictions.

Year-round dog-friendly beach at Middle Chine. Note: adjacent beaches have seasonal restrictions.

Year-round dog-friendly. Accessible by ferry from Mudeford Quay or a long walk. Famous for its beach huts. Stunning harbour views.

Year-round dog-friendly beach on Poole Harbour. Sheltered, calm water. Popular with windsurfers.

Year-round dog-friendly beach near Christchurch Harbour. Quiet and less well-known.

Year-round dog-friendly beach below Highcliffe Castle. Sandy beach with good access. Castle grounds worth visiting.

Year-round dog-friendly on the beach and headland. Dogs on leads in the nature reserve section. Excellent walks along the spit.

Remote, beautiful cove accessible only on foot (about 1.5 miles from Worth Matravers). Dogs welcome year-round. No facilities.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. The east end of Charmouth beach remains dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Eype Beach to the west is a good year-round alternative.

Dogs banned from East and West beaches 1 May–30 September. A designated dog exercise area is available year-round at the west end.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Designated dog exercise area available year-round. Famous for its beach café.

Dogs permitted year-round in the designated dog exercise area only. Shingle beach on Chesil Bank.

Dogs banned from the main central beach 1 May–30 September. Designated exercise area next to the Pavilion available year-round. Bowleaze Cove (north) is dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Bowleaze Cove immediately to the north is dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned from the main cove beach 1 May–30 September. The left side from the slipway remains dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Shell Bay at the north end and South Beach remain dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Shell Bay at the north end remains dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs on lead (max 2m) 1 May–30 September on all National Trust Studland beaches. Shell Bay north end is unrestricted year-round.

Dogs banned from the main beach 1 May–30 September. Monkey Beach at the south end is dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned from main beach 1 May–30 September. Designated dog exercise area available year-round. One of the UK's most expensive postcodes!

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Branksome Dene Chine Beach (adjacent) is dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned from the main Bournemouth beach 1 May–30 September. Hengistbury Head to the east is dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Famous for its surf reef and art deco pier.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September. Mudeford Sandbank nearby is dog-friendly year-round.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Dogs banned from the main Front Beach 1 May–30 September. Three other Lyme Regis beaches remain dog-friendly year-round.