🐾 Beach restrictions lift on 1 October — all Dorset beaches welcome dogs again•🐾 Charmouth Beach: dog-friendly year-round — fossil hunting season in full swing•🐾 Purbeck heathland: keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds (April–July)•🐾 Shell Bay, Studland: dog-friendly year-round — no restrictions at the north end•🐾 Damory Vets Blandford: 24/7 emergency service — 01258 452626•🐾 Vets Now Bournemouth: out-of-hours emergency — 01202 859933•🐾 Blue-green algae alert: avoid still water in hot weather — check EA website•🐾 Brownsea Island: dogs on leads at all times — red squirrel conservation area•🐾 RSPB Arne: dogs on leads — Dartford warblers nesting on heathland•🐾 Golden Cap: steep clay paths — slippery after rain, bring paw wax•🐾 Corfe Castle: National Trust car park — dogs welcome on the earthworks•🐾 River Frome at Moreton: excellent swimming — chalk stream, cold and clear•🐾 Hod Hill: National Trust free car park — dogs welcome on the hillfort•🐾 Cranborne Chase: International Dark Sky Reserve — best stargazing in October•🐾 Weymouth beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September on central section•🐾 Sandbanks Beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September•🐾 Abbotsbury Swannery: NO dogs permitted — not even guide dogs•🐾 Monkey World: dogs not permitted inside — free kennels available on site•🐾 South West Coast Path: entire Dorset section is public footpath — free access•🐾 Maiden Castle: free access at all times — English Heritage site•🐾 Beach restrictions lift on 1 October — all Dorset beaches welcome dogs again•🐾 Charmouth Beach: dog-friendly year-round — fossil hunting season in full swing•🐾 Purbeck heathland: keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds (April–July)•🐾 Shell Bay, Studland: dog-friendly year-round — no restrictions at the north end•🐾 Damory Vets Blandford: 24/7 emergency service — 01258 452626•🐾 Vets Now Bournemouth: out-of-hours emergency — 01202 859933•🐾 Blue-green algae alert: avoid still water in hot weather — check EA website•🐾 Brownsea Island: dogs on leads at all times — red squirrel conservation area•🐾 RSPB Arne: dogs on leads — Dartford warblers nesting on heathland•🐾 Golden Cap: steep clay paths — slippery after rain, bring paw wax•🐾 Corfe Castle: National Trust car park — dogs welcome on the earthworks•🐾 River Frome at Moreton: excellent swimming — chalk stream, cold and clear•🐾 Hod Hill: National Trust free car park — dogs welcome on the hillfort•🐾 Cranborne Chase: International Dark Sky Reserve — best stargazing in October•🐾 Weymouth beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September on central section•🐾 Sandbanks Beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September•🐾 Abbotsbury Swannery: NO dogs permitted — not even guide dogs•🐾 Monkey World: dogs not permitted inside — free kennels available on site•🐾 South West Coast Path: entire Dorset section is public footpath — free access•🐾 Maiden Castle: free access at all times — English Heritage site•
Alum Chine Beach, Bournemouth
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Seasonal bansandy beach

Alum Chine Beach

Bournemouth · East Dorset

Dogs banned May 1 – September 30

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Year-round alternative: Middle Chine Beach is dog-friendly year-round

About Alum Chine Beach

Alum Chine Beach is a popular, wide, clean, sandy and shingle beach located west of Bournemouth. It is family-friendly with a pirate-themed playground and offers a safe, gentle slope into the sea, making it suitable for dog walkers and families alike.

Notable features: Pirate-themed large adventure playground. Largest chine in Bournemouth.

🐾 Dog Information

Dog Tips

Dogs allowed all year between Branksome Dene Chine and Alum Chine Beach Office. Not allowed from 1 May to 30 September on other sections. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, zigzag paths and cliff paths at all times.

Best Time to Visit

Dogs allowed off lead on all sections from 1 October to 30 April. Less crowded outside of July and August (due to cycling/skating restrictions).

Parking

Parking is at Alum Chine Car Park, a short walk away from the beach (92 spaces). Charges apply.

Postcode for sat nav: BH4 8HS

Facilities

Toilets (with baby changing facilities), lost children centres, RNLI lifeguard stations (late May to early September), pubs, ice cream kiosks, beach side refreshment kiosk.

Accessibility

5 accessible parking spaces at Alum Chine Car Park. Accessible toilet and changing area with RADAR key access next to the Children's playpark. Wheelchair accessible toilets on the promenade.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Pubs

The Libertine

Westbourne

The Goat & Tricycle

Bournemouth

Nearby Cafés & Restaurants

Alum Beach Hut

on Alum Chine Beach

Chineside

near Alum Chine

Flirt Cafe Bar

Bournemouth

South Coast Coffee

Bournemouth

Location

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

Postcode: BH4 8HS

Beach restriction information provided by BCP Council. Always check local signage on arrival as restrictions can change.
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