Dog-friendly Lower Kingcombe and around

Hilltop pub in one of the prettiest villages in west Dorset, looking out over Eggardon and the Marshwood Vale. Dog friendly on Palmers' own listing, with a beer garden, scenic views and rooms. Powerstock Common and the old railway path start close by.

Sixteenth-century farmhouse turned inn below Eggardon Hill, with a big garden and long views into the vale. Dog friendly on Palmers' listing, and there are bedrooms if you want to walk the hill fort at dawn. Deep in the lanes, which is the appeal.

Sixteenth-century coaching inn in Evershot, Hardy's Evershead, with flagstones, a skittle alley and rooms upstairs. Pets are welcome by prior arrangement at £15 per pet per night but are not permitted in the restaurant, so eat in the bar. Bookings must flag the dog in advance.

Palmers pub on Beaminster's square, a plain and friendly local with a beer garden and a skittle alley. Listed by the brewery as dog friendly, with outside dining. Handy for the walk up to Lewesdon Hill and Beaminster Down.

Stone village pub in the Asker valley a couple of miles inland from Bridport, with a garden behind and walks up onto Boarsbarrow Hill. Palmers list it as dog friendly with outside dining and parking. Quiet, local, and rarely full of visitors.

Thatched pub in a hamlet of thatched cottages under Waddon Hill, a mile of narrow lane off the Beaminster road. Palmers list it as dog friendly with a beer garden and parking. About as quiet as a Dorset pub gets.

Georgian coaching inn on East Street, the smartest place to eat and sleep in Bridport. Dogs may join you in the bar and the garden but are not allowed in the main dining rooms, so ask for a dog-friendly table when you book. A set of bedrooms is kept for dogs at £20 per stay, plus £10 for a second dog, maximum two per room.

Rambling Palmers pub off West Street with a courtyard garden, live music and a reputation as the town's best drinking room. Listed by the brewery as dog friendly, with outside dining and parking. Central enough to be the base for a day in Bridport.

Sixteenth-century Palmers inn on Long Street in Cerne Abbas, mullioned windows and a walled garden, a few minutes below the Giant. The brewery lists it as dog friendly, with outside dining, parking and rooms. The village is one of the best-looking in Dorset and the abbey remains are behind the church.

Long-running seafood cafe on the shingle at Hive Beach under the golden sandstone cliffs, crab and lobster eaten at outdoor tables. Dogs are welcome and there is a dog menu, with handmade biscuits baked in their own bakery. Get there early in summer.