Who doesn’t enjoy a good beach?
The smell of the salty-air, the feel of the waves lapping at your paws and the breeze ruffling through your fur. Pure doggy heaven.
But there is nothing worse than getting out of the car all excited and seeing the dreaded red circle that means you have to go home with your tail between your legs.
Dog Friendly Beaches
Who doesn’t enjoy a good beach?
The smell of the salty-air, the feel of the waves lapping at your paws and the breeze ruffling through your fur. Pure doggy heaven.
But there is nothing worse than getting out of the car all excited and seeing the dreaded red circle that means you have to go home with your tail between your legs.
Luckily, to compliment their dog-friendly facilities, the nice people at Freshwater Beach Holiday Park have put together a guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Dorset and East Devon, arranged from East to West along the Jurassic Coast, and where dogs are welcome all year around.
So bark for your human to get your lead, your treats and your poop bags – it’s time for walkies!
1) Kimmeridge Bay
Located near Wareham, Kimmeridge Bay is a naturally sheltered rocky bay with rock pools and snorkelling, but no sand for digging. The ground can be a little uneven, so make sure your human has steady footwear. Kimmeridge Bay is accessed through the village of Kimmeridge via a toll road but parking is included in the price.
2) Durdle Door
Situated West of Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door is one of the famous landmarks on the Jurassic Coast. The beach is accessed via a steep path and the sea has a strong under-tow, with strong waves that can sweep even the largest of breeds out to sea, so take extra care if you have little paws with you. Parking for Durdle door is via Durdle Door Holiday Park.
3) Bowleaze Cove
Two miles North-East from Weymouth, Bowleaze Cove has sand, pebbles and even rock pools at low tide. Easily accessed from the car park, there is shallow water for paddling and good facilities nearby, including a pub, cafe and toilets, so this is a great place to bring the puppies for a day out.
4) West Bexington
A quieter shingle beach that is best suited to dogs who like a good walk. West Bexington is located North-West of Abbotsbury and is a beach with a strong under-tow and steep shelf, but with superb views to the East and West. The beach is easily accessed from the car park and there is a nearby local cafe.
5) Cogden Beach
Slightly to the East of Burton Bradstock is Cogden Beach, which is also a shingle beach with a steep shelf and stunning views of Lyme Bay. This is a much quieter beach with no facilities. There is a car park nearby that is free for blue badge holders and National Trust Members, with access to the beach via a footpath across a field.
6) Freshwater Beach Holiday Park
Situated on the stunning Jurassic Coast, the beach at Freshwater is a private beach open to guests of Freshwater Beach Holiday Park and sits along the South-West Coast Path. The beach is situated at the South-Western side of the park and can be accessed at the Western end of the park or along the flood bank at the Southern side of the park. There are ample facilities at the Holiday Park, including toilets, a shop and the Jurassic Fun Centre which provide a tail-waggingly good time.
7) Charmouth East Beach
Famous for its Ammonite and Belemnite fossils, Charmouth Beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles, with the river Char splitting the beach into East and West. Dogs are permitted all year on the East side of the beach and is accessed via the car park by a footbridge. There are toilets, a couple of cafes and a visitor centre, where you can enjoy doggy paddling in the river mouth and rock pooling at low tide.
8) Monmouth Beach
On the Western side of Lyme Regis, Monmouth Beach is a predominantly pebble beach with great views of Black Ven, Stonebarrow Hill and Golden Cap along the Jurassic Coast. There is a car park nearby with flat, level access and multiple car parks throughout Lyme Regis. Monmouth beach is very popular if your owner is a fossil hunter and is the access point for the Undercliffs National Nature Reserve.
9) Seaton
Moving into Devon, Seaton Beach is a large pebble beach at the Southern end of the town of Seaton. There is ample car parking in the town and a range of shops in the pedestrianised town centre. The beach itself is an excellent swimming spot and dogs are allowed West of the promenade all year around.
10) Beer
Beer beach is a shingle beach, hidden by the surrounding limestone cliffs in the beautiful fishing village of Beer and a historic smuggling spot due to its location. There is a small car park by the beach but more facilities in the village with shops, pubs and cafes aplenty. Dogs are located on the Eastern half of the Beach at any time of year.
