Walks and attractions
Abbottsbury Sub Tropical Gardens, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA
https://abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/gardens
Dogs are allowed on the lead in the gardens and at the tables both in and outside of the cafe. As well as enjoying the gardens, wander up the Magnolia walk to a viewpoint looking over the Jurassic coast. There is plenty of parking (we have taken the Motorhome there) and the gardens are included in the Gardener’s World magazine 2 for 1 offer.
Blue Pool, Swanage, Dorset, BH20 5AR
Home
Dogs are allowed on the lead. Lovely walk around the pool with lots of side paths to explore. Great tearooms.
Dorchester – Sculpture by the lakes, DT2 8QU
Stunning sculpture park – the sculptures are set around lakes which provide the perfect backdrop. Plenty of places to sit and just enjoy the view. Dogs on a short lead are allowed everywhere except the kitchen and oriental gardens and the cafe is dog friendly inside and out.
Dorset Nectar cider farm DT6 5HZ
Dog friendly with a lovely shaded orchard with plenty of benches and shade. We spent an afternoon here when they had music and food and enjoyed very much the relaxing ambiance as we picnicked and tried various different ciders.
Portland, Dorset, DT5 2JT
The entrance to Portland is quite bleak and industrial looking, but get past that and there are some lovely places. You can walk along Chesil Beach which has it’s most easterly point here and a trip to Portland Bill with it’s lighthouse is well worth it.
Swanage and Swanage Railway, Dorset, BH19 1HB
https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/
The railway is dog friendly and in summer, easily the nicest and least stressful way to travel into Swanage. Park at Norden (BH20 5DW) where there is plenty of space (we parked the Motorhome there without any difficulty). Dogs are not allowed on the main beach between 1st May to 30th September but are allowed on Monkey beach. There are lovely walks from Swanage into Durlston Country park – a 320 acre country park and nature reserve.
Beaches
Branksome chine beach, Dorset, BH13 6JL
Beautiful sandy beach – dog area is to the left of the car park. Although it was a Thursday in late September, we were amazed that the car park had plenty of spaces – I’m guessing because there are plenty of other beaches in the area. It was nearly all dog walkers on the beach even though it was about 11 when we got there.
We visited again in June 2024 and were even more impressed. Although the parking is quite expensive, you can see that it has been used for the benefit of beach users. The beach was spotlessly clean, there are plenty of bins and taps for water and on the non dog side – free electric BBQs that can be used after 6pm, coffee shack and restaurant – dog friendly, area for yoga, toilets. The beach is used extensively especially early morning – lots of swimmers, runners, cyclists, gym and yoga sessions and in the evening by clubs – we saw a life saving session with probably around 30 people talking part.
Chesil Beach, Dorset
Portland end (DT4 9XE), West Bay end (DT6 4EL)
Dog are allowed on at least part of the beach all year round but as it is stony, it is not the easiest beach to walk on. For stunning views, take the road from Bridport towards Abbotsbury – the whole of the coast is spectacular. The beach is 18 miles long and stretches from West Bay to Portland with the pebble size increasing as you move eastward.
Durdle Door, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5PU
Stunning location with gorgeous sandy beach which is down a very steep path / steps with not much in the way of handholds. Gets very busy in summer.
Lulworth Cove, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5RQ
Like Durdle Door gets very busy in summer but is a beautiful stony bay with several cafes that are dog friendly.
Accommodation
Camp sites
Crossways (near Dorchester) DT2 8BE
Caravan and Motorhome Club
96 pitches, nice site with a lovely enclosed dog walk through a wooded area. Deer roam through the site so watch out for ticks.
Pineapple Farm (Bridport) DT6 5DB
https://www.pineappleestate.co.uk/farmholidays
A very friendly adult only site with showers, toilets, and a washing up area with a fridge and freezer for your use. Dogs are allowed off the lead in the Orchard although it is not fully enclosed.
We had the first two pitches and were able to set up our dog garden between them to give us our own large enclosed space for our 4 dogs and our friends dog who visited us. The owners and staff were very friendly, as were most of the people staying on the site. There is a well stocked shop at reception where you an buy Baboo gelato which is delicious (and they do a dog version). We will definitely go back here.
Hotels
The Inn in the park, Branksome
We booked via Expedia and so didn’t see on the website that only one dog was allowed. I had rung to check and someone had said 2 Goldies was fine and so we were Ok when we arrived. The pub has 5 rooms – ours was a little tired, especially the bathroom but perfectly adequate for our needs and less than 1/2 mile walk to Branksome Dene beach which is dog friendly all year.
Breakfast is 9:00 – 9:30 and was very good and access out of pub hours is via the fire escape. The staff were really friendly and helpful.
Self catering
Chesil Beach Lodge, Bridport, DT6 4RJ
Self catering apartments (with some dog friendly) overlooking the Jurassic coast. We stayed in Jurassic apartment which has a separate king size bedroom and allows up to 2 dogs. There is an enclosed dog walking area outside the block and you can walk over the cliffs to Hive beach or along the coast path.
Pubs and cafes
Branksome chine – Rockwater, BH13 6LP
https://rockwater.uk/village/embed/#?secret=sl2g6Yqbpy#?secret=fKxL9Dkkd2
Beautiful restaurant, dog friendly downstairs and outside. Open from 7am so perfect for an early morning coffee after taking the dogs for a run on the beach. Food was excellent (the gluten free fish and chips was delicious) and the staff were very friendly and helpful.
Bridport – Ivy house kitchen at Groves Garden Centre, DT6 4BA
https://www.grovesnurseries.co.uk/ivy-house
Dog friendly in the conservatory. Good food with a choice of gluten free options.
Westbourne – Circo lounge, BH4 9DZ
https://thelounges.co.uk/circo
This is the same chain as Fondo in Street, Somerset and Cofio in Carmathen. Good menu choice.
Goldies on tour 