🐾 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•
Southbourne Beach, Bournemouth
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Seasonal bansand shingle beach

Southbourne Beach

Bournemouth · East Dorset

Dogs banned May 1 – September 30

Dogs banned 1 May–30 September.

Year-round alternative: Hengistbury Head Beach is dog-friendly year-round

About Southbourne Beach

Southbourne Beach is a Blue Flag award-winning beach, popular with locals for its wide, clean, sandy and shingle shores. It offers a quieter alternative to the busier central Bournemouth beaches, making it ideal for dog walkers outside of the seasonal restrictions.

🐾 Dog Information

Dog Tips

Dogs are not allowed on Southbourne beach from 1 May to 30 September. During this period, dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenade, paths, and zig zags. Always remember to pick up after your dog.

Parking

Warren Edge car park (BH6 4BE) offers 192 spaces, and Solent Beach car park (BH6 4EN) offers 581 spaces. Both are long-stay, paid car parks with charges applying 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Pricing varies seasonally.

Postcode for sat nav: BH6 4BE

Facilities

Accessible toilets, public toilets, RNLI lifeguards, pub, kiosk (refreshments and ice-cream).

Accessibility

Accessible toilets at Gordon's Steps (100 metres to the west of Gordon's zig zag) and Southbourne (near Bistro on the Beach).

Nearby Dog-Friendly Pubs

Sobo Beach

Directly on the promenade at the bottom of Fisherman's Walk cliff lift. Totally dog-friendly — dog blankets and water stations. Great for drinks or tacos with a sea view.

Spyglass & Kettle

Perched on the cliff top. "Warm and Waggy Welcomes" — water bowls, dogs in bar and large garden.

The Commodore

Cliff-top at top of Fisherman's Walk. Very dog-friendly — designated indoor seating for pets and terrace with panoramic views across Poole Bay.

The Larder House

Short walk inland on Southbourne Grove. Heated courtyard garden and "Cocktail Library" where dogs are welcome.

Brewhouse & Kitchen - Southbourne

Parkwood Road, ~10-minute walk from cliff top. Consistently rated well by dog owners.

Location

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

Postcode: BH6 4BE

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