Dog-friendly The Isle of Purbeck

Beach SOME LIMITS No dogs today · back OCT

Swanage Beach

Swanage

A sheltered mile of sand curving north from the pier, the safest family swimming on the Purbeck coast. Dorset Council allows dogs on the Front Beach from 1 October to 30 April only, so in season head north towards Ulwell or south to the ledges at Peveril Point. Leads are required on the roads and walkways beside the beach.

Stone Barn Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £486

Ad

Cottages you can book near Purbeck

Real dog-welcoming cottages from our booking partner holidaycottages.co.uk — live prices, booked on their site. Booking through these links supports Wagfinder and never changes the price you pay.

Hazelnut Cottage Castle View Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £536

Worth Matravers Studio Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £672

Stoaway Barn Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £673

Woodside Wareham Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £905

Worth Cottage Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £969

The Lodge At Paynes Place Farm Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £372

Sturminster Newtons Old Coach House Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £428

The Little House West Melbury Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £442

Emblands Cottage Oaklands Farm Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £478

Pubs · 60

Antelope Inn

Wareham

Antelope Inn is a pub in Wareham. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Bakers Arms

Lytchett Minster

Bakers Arms is a pub in Lytchett Minster. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Black Dog Inn

Wareham · BH20 6AN

Black Dog Inn is a pub in Wareham. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Botany Bay Inn

Winterborne Zelston

Botany Bay Inn is a pub in Winterborne Zelston. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Clay Pipe Inn

Holton Heath

Clay Pipe Inn is a pub in Holton Heath. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Clouds Hill

Wareham · BH20 6JQ

Clouds Hill is a pub on King George V Road, Wareham. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Restaurants & cafés · 89

Beavers

Swanage · BH19 1BX

Beavers is a place to eat on Institute Road, Swanage. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Birds Nest Buffet

Swanage · BH19 1HB

Birds Nest Buffet is a place to eat on Railway Station Approach, Swanage. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Blue Crab Cafe Bar

West Lulworth

Blue Crab Cafe Bar is a place to eat in West Lulworth. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Blue Pool

Furzebrook

Blue Pool is a place to eat in Furzebrook. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Boat on the Bay

Kimmeridge · BH20 5PF

Boat on the Bay is a place to eat in Kimmeridge. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Boatshed Cafe

West Lulworth · BH20 5RQ

Boatshed Cafe is a place to eat on Main Road, West Lulworth. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Beach DOGS WELCOME Dogs all year

Beaches · 5

Durdle Door

West Lulworth · BH20 5PU

The limestone arch and the shingle beach beneath it, reached by a steep stepped path down from the clifftop car park. Dorset Council lists it as open to dogs all year round with no seasonal restriction. The descent and the return climb are hard work on a hot day, so carry water.

Off-lead allowed

Beach DOGS WELCOME Dogs all year

Kimmeridge Bay

Kimmeridge

Dark shale ledges and rock pools under Clavell Tower, the best snorkelling and rockpooling bay in Dorset and a marine nature reserve. Dorset Council lists it as open to dogs all year round. Reached through the Smedmore Estate toll road from Kimmeridge village.

Off-lead allowed

Beach DOGS WELCOME Dogs all year

Lulworth Cove

West Lulworth

An almost perfect circle of shingle scooped out of the Purbeck limestone, with the fossil forest and Stair Hole on either side. Dorset Council lists it as open to dogs all year round. Leads are required on the roads and walkways leading down to the cove.

Off-lead allowed

Beach SOME LIMITS No dogs today · back OCT

Studland Beach

Studland · BH19 3AX

Four miles of pale sand from South Beach round to Shell Bay, National Trust owned, backed by dunes and heath and looking across to Old Harry Rocks. Dogs are never excluded, but leads are required on Shell Beach, South Beach, Middle Beach and the southern part of Knoll Beach between 1 May and 30 September. The Trust also asks that dogs are kept under control year round to protect the nature reserve.

Water bowls

Beach SOME LIMITS No dogs today · back OCT

Swanage Beach

Swanage

A sheltered mile of sand curving north from the pier, the safest family swimming on the Purbeck coast. Dorset Council allows dogs on the Front Beach from 1 October to 30 April only, so in season head north towards Ulwell or south to the ledges at Peveril Point. Leads are required on the roads and walkways beside the beach.

Walks · 16

3.8 MI · LOOP

Off-lead allowed Livestock — leads on

Agglestone Rock and Godlingston Heath

Studland · BH19 3AQ

3.8MILES

2:00TIME

110mCLIMB

95%OFF-ROAD

A 3.8-mile circuit of Purbeck heath in two hours, out to the great leaning ironstone block of the Agglestone and round by the Puckstone on sandy tracks and boardwalk, with 110 metres of climb and standing water in the hollows most of the winter. Start from the National Trust Knoll Beach car park, free to members, huge, and with the visitor centre, toilets and outdoor showers on site. This is lowland heath of European importance: dogs must be on a lead from March to July because nightjars, Dartford warblers and skylarks nest on the ground, and adders bask on the sandy path edges in spring, which is a real hazard for a dog nosing through heather.

7.2 MI · LOOP

Off-lead allowed Livestock — leads on

Ballard Down and Old Harry from Swanage

Swanage

7.2MILES

4:00TIME

320mCLIMB

86%OFF-ROAD

The big Purbeck day: 7.2 miles and 320 metres of climb in about four hours, up the chalk spine of Ballard Down, out to Old Harry, down to Studland village and back over the top, with the Isle of Wight visible on a clear morning. Turf and chalk paths throughout, greasy and slick when wet, with a long stepped descent into Studland. Start from the Broad Road or North Beach pay and display in Swanage, or take the number 50 open-top bus and walk it one way to Studland; the town car parks are metered and full by mid-morning in season. Sheep and cattle graze Ballard Down, so leads across the grazing, and the entire seaward edge from Ballard Point to Handfast is unfenced crumbling chalk with a 100-metre drop.

1.6 MI · LOOP

Coombe Heath at RSPB Arne

Wareham · BH20 5BJ

1.6MILES

1:00TIME

40mCLIMB

100%OFF-ROAD

Livestock — leads on

A short 1.6-mile hour on the heath above Poole Harbour, following the grey-marked Coombe Heath trail out to the viewpoint over Corfe Castle and the harbour islands, on sandy paths and boardwalk with 40 metres of climb. Start from the RSPB Arne car park at the end of a three-mile dead-end lane off the A351: free to RSPB members, charged otherwise, and small enough that it closes to arrivals on busy days, so come early. Dogs on a short lead are welcome on the designated dog-friendly trails, including Coombe Heath and the Raptor trail, but are not allowed on the Hyde’s Heath trail at all; the reserve is grazed by cattle and Sika deer, and adders are widespread on the heath.

8.6 MI · LOOP

Off-lead allowed Livestock — leads on Water bowls

Corfe Castle to Kingston and Houns-tout

Corfe Castle

8.6MILES

5:00TIME

380mCLIMB

80%OFF-ROAD

The longest walk in Purbeck worth doing: 8.6 miles and 380 metres of climb in five hours, over Corfe Common to Kingston, out to the cliff edge at Houns-tout for the view down into Encombe, and back along the ridge. Mixed grass paths, estate tracks and two miles of quiet lane, with a steep pull out of Encombe valley and gates rather than stiles almost throughout. Start from the National Trust West Street car park in Corfe; arrive early or use the Norden park and ride, because Corfe’s parking is finished by mid-morning. Cattle and sheep graze most of the route so leads for long stretches, the Houns-tout edge is a sheer 150-metre drop, and there is a water bowl at the Scott Arms in Kingston, which takes dogs in the bar and garden.

3 MI · LOOP

Off-lead allowed Livestock — leads on

Corfe Common and the castle ridge

Corfe Castle · BH20 5EZ

3MILES

1:30TIME

100mCLIMB

84%OFF-ROAD

A three-mile hour-and-a-half loop over the unimproved common south of the village, up onto the ridge for the postcard view back to the castle, and home down the old drove lanes. Level to gently rolling, 100 metres of climb, on grass and stony lane, wet in the flushes on the common all winter. Start from the National Trust car park on West Street, free to members and pay and display otherwise, about eighty spaces, with the Norden park and ride and the steam railway as the better bet in high season. Ponies and cattle graze the common under commoners’ rights, so a lead across it, and there is no swimming water although the stream at Boar Mill will do for a drink.

2.8 MI · OUT & BACK

Langton Matravers · BH19 3HG

Dancing Ledge from Spyway

2.8MILES

1:30TIME

140mCLIMB

92%OFF-ROAD

Livestock — leads on

Two and three quarter miles down and back up to the quarried limestone shelf at Dancing Ledge, an hour and a half with 140 metres of climb, on close-cropped sheep pasture and a rough stepped descent through the cliff face. Start at the National Trust Spyway car park off Durnford Drove, free to members, small at around forty spaces and reached down a narrow lane with almost nowhere to turn. Sheep and cattle graze the fields the whole way, and the National Trust asks for dogs on leads through them; the ledge itself is a flat rock platform with a tidal pool, spectacular but wave-swept, and the drop to it from the cliff path is a place to have a dog on a short lead.

Walks in Swanage Walks in Wareham Walks in West Lulworth Walks in Corfe Castle Walks in Studland Walks in Kimmeridge Walks in Langton Matravers Walks in Worth Matravers

Missing a walk?

Walked something better? Send us the route and it goes on the map.

ADD A WALK

Stays · 62

1 Heathland Cottages

Furzebrook

1 Heathland Cottages is a place to stay in Furzebrook. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

2 & 3 Heathland Cottages

Furzebrook

2 & 3 Heathland Cottages is a place to stay in Furzebrook. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Amber Lodge Guest House

Swanage · BH19 1AP

Amber Lodge Guest House is a place to stay on Victoria Avenue, Swanage. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Amberlea Guest House

Swanage · BH19 1AP

Amberlea Guest House is a place to stay on Victoria Avenue, Swanage. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Arbour House

Swanage · BH19 1PB

Arbour House is a place to stay on Walrond Road, Swanage. It is listed here so you know it is there, but we have not yet established whether dogs are welcome — so there is no verdict on this page and no stamp. If it is your business, claim the page and tell us, and we will stamp it.

Arne Cottage

Wareham

If your group is keen to explore during your stay you won t be left wanting. The cottage is surrounded by beautiful woodland and is just a short distance from the RSPB nature reserve at Arne popularised by the BBC s Autumnwatch and Winterwatch programmes and perfect for bird enthusiasts. A variety of walks are marked towards the coast at Shipstal Point. Arne has a Saxon church while the local town of Wareham has a good range of pubs restaurants and shops. There s also the opportunity to take a boat trip around Poole Harbour. The pretty village of Corfe Castle with its eponymous castle ruins is just a short drive away. Your base for exploring is a beautiful five-bedroom cottage that dates back to 1863. It s a charming expansive semi-detached property offering comfortable accommodation for up to ten guests. The front door opens into a welcoming hallway that leads to the focal point of the property: a newly equipped open-plan kitchen and dining area. It s a wonderfully bright and airy spot with glass bi-fold doors along one entire wall opening onto the outside terrace. The kitchen itself has a generous workspace and comes with two microwaves two electric ovens with hob fridge/freezer with ice compartment dishwasher washing machine and tumble dryer. And when it s time to break bread you will find that the dining table accommodates ten comfortably. On the ground floor there is a large lounge with sofa seating for your entire party. Enjoy a board game or two from the wide selection or simply sit back and watch a film on the Smart TV. in front of the log burner. The ground floor features two bedrooms a double and a twin overlooking the garden. The hallway leads to a shower room with WC and further along there is a cloakroom with an additional WC. Upstairs there are three bedrooms a triple room with built-in wardrobes a double bedroom with TV/DVD and a single room. There is also a bathroom with bath separate shower and WC. Outside there s a pretty fenced garden with a large rough lawn and small trees. The terrace that adjoins the kitchen has outdoor furniture that s perfect if your group fancies dining al fresco. There s off-road parking available for up to three cars on the paved driveway. Need to know: 5 bedrooms 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 twin and 1 single. 1 bathroom, 1 shower room and 1 separate WC. 2 microwaves, 2 electric ovens and hob, fridge/freezer with ice compartment, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer. Log Burner (logs included). Off road parking for 3 cars. 1 medium sized dog welcome. Amenities a short drive away. Smart TV/DVD in lounge and TV/DVD in double bedroom. A short drive from the Saxon town of Wareham and charming village of Corfe Castle.

Stays in Swanage Stays in Wareham Stays in West Lulworth Stays in Corfe Castle Stays in Studland Stays in Kimmeridge Stays in Furzebrook Stays in Langton Matravers Stays in Worth Matravers Stays in Chaldon Herring Stays in Kingston Stays in Moreton Stays in East Creech Stays in Little Woolgarston

Attractions · 3

Attraction SOME LIMITS

Corfe Castle

Corfe Castle · BH20 5EZ

A thousand-year-old royal fortress blown apart by Parliament in 1646 and left as one of the great ruins of England, standing over the village and the Purbeck ridge. The National Trust allows dogs throughout, on short leads at all times. The climb through the outer bailey is steep and stony underfoot.

Attraction SOME LIMITS

Durlston Country Park

Swanage · BH19 2JL

Two hundred and eighty acres of clifftop downland and National Nature Reserve above Swanage, with the Victorian Great Globe and a castle turned visitor centre and cafe. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the Castle, the visitor centre and the cafe as long as they are on a short lead, and there are water bowls outside the Castle and Learning Centre. The park asks that dogs stay on the paths, and sells dog treats and ice cream in the shop.

Water bowls Treats

Attraction SOME LIMITS

Swanage Railway

Swanage · BH19 1HB

Preserved steam line running six miles from Swanage through Corfe Castle to Norden, one of the best ways to see Purbeck without a car. Dogs travel free, but must be kept on a lead and remain on the floor. They are not allowed in the buffets, on the dining trains or on the Santa Specials.