Dog-friendly Swanage and around

Beach SOME LIMITS No dogs today · back OCT

Swanage Beach

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.

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Know a Swanage pub, cafe or place to stay that lets dogs in? Tell us and we will go and check it.

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

Cottages you can book near Swanage

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

Clematis Cottage Worth Matravers Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £538

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

Rose Castle Cottage Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £784

Betula House Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £907

Worth Cottage Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £969

The Pottery Arne Dorset · dogs welcome 7 nights from £1,570

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

Pubs · 14 All pubs in Swanage →

Pub DOGS WELCOME

The Black Swan

BH19 2NE

In the bar In the dining room

Old stone pub on Swanage High Street with a big walled garden at the back, a short walk up from the beach and the pier. Dogs are welcome throughout, which in Swanage in August is worth a good deal. Straightforward pub food and local ales.

Pub DOGS WELCOME

The Village Inn

BH19 3DG

Pub and dining room on Ulwell Road at the northern edge of Swanage, under Ballard Down and the start of the walk to Old Harry. It describes itself as a dog-friendly pub restaurant, with a garden for the summer. Convenient for the Studland side of town.

In the bar

East Bar

BH19 2LN

East Bar is a pub on High Street, 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.

Ship Inn

BH19 2LR

Ship Inn is a pub on High Street, 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.

Square and Compass

BH19 3LF

Square and Compass is a pub in 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.

The Anchor Inn

BH19 2NU

The Anchor Inn is a pub on High Street, 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.

The Brick

The Brick is a pub in 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.

The Cellar Bar

The Cellar Bar is a pub in 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.

The Crows Nest Inn

BH19 1LE

The Crows Nest Inn is a pub on Ulwell 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.

The Globe Inn

BH19 2RY

The Globe Inn is a pub on Bell Street, 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.

The Red Lion

BH19 2LY

The Red Lion is a pub on High Street, 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.

The Royal Oak

BH19 2NR

The Royal Oak is a pub on High Street, 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.

The White Swan

BH19 2LT

The White Swan is a pub on High Street, 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.

White Horse

BH19 2LP

White Horse is a pub on High Street, 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.

Missing a place?

Know a Swanage pub, cafe or place to stay that lets dogs in? Tell us and we will go and check it.

Restaurants & cafés · 37 All restaurants & cafés in Swanage →

Beavers

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

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.

Brook Tea Rooms and Cafe

BH19 1DA

Brook Tea Rooms and Cafe is a place to eat on The Parade, 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.

Burnt Toast

BH19 1ES

Burnt Toast is a place to eat on Kings Road East, 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.

Carve Beach Cafe

Carve Beach Cafe is a place to eat in 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.

Chococo

BH19 1DF

Chococo is a place to eat on Commercial 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.

Coastal Crust Pizza

BH19 1EJ

Coastal Crust Pizza is a place to eat on Prospect Way, 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.

Down The Beach

Down The Beach is a place to eat in 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.

Dragon Inn

BH19 2LP

Dragon Inn is a place to eat on High Street, 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.

Fortes Caffè Italia

BH19 1DD

Fortes Caffè Italia is a place to eat on Shore 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.

Gee Whites

BH19 2LN

Gee Whites is a place to eat on High Street, 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.

Golden Bengal

BH19 2NW

Golden Bengal is a place to eat on High Street, 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.

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club

Isle of Purbeck Golf Club is a place to eat in 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.

Java

Java is a place to eat in 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.

Missing a place?

Know a Swanage pub, cafe or place to stay that lets dogs in? Tell us and we will go and check it.

Walks · 3 All walks in Swanage →

7.2 MI · LOOP

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.

3.2 MI · LOOP

Off-lead allowed Livestock — leads on Water bowls Treats

Durlston Head and Anvil Point

Swanage · BH19 2JL

3.2MILES

1:45TIME

130mCLIMB

88%OFF-ROAD

A 3.2-mile hour-and-three-quarter loop round a national nature reserve, past the Great Globe, along the cliff above Tilly Whim Caves to the lighthouse at Anvil Point, then back inland through limestone meadow. Good stone paths and steps, 130 metres of climb, and guillemots on the ledges below from March to July. Start from the Durlston Country Park car park at the top of Lighthouse Road: £1 an hour to £3 all day in winter, coins preferred because the card machine struggles for signal. Cattle graze the meadows with electric fencing when they do, the whole clifftop is unfenced above a big drop, and the park keeps water bowls by the castle and the learning centre with dog treats and bags in the shop.

2.4 MI · LOOP

Off-lead allowed Water bowls

Peveril Point and the Swanage seafront

Swanage

2.4MILES

1:00TIME

40mCLIMB

55%OFF-ROAD

A level 2.4-mile hour round the bay from the town car park along the whole seafront to the pier and out to the ledges at Peveril Point, back through the old town by Church Hill and the mill pond. Promenade, shore path and a short grass headland, barely 40 metres of climb, and the one Swanage walk that works in any weather at any tide. Start at the Broad Road pay and display, roughly 150 spaces two minutes from the sand, with Swanage on the number 40 bus and the steam railway from Norden. Dogs are excluded from the central beach between 1 May and 30 September under the Dorset Council order, but the northern end past the sailing club and the Peveril ledges stay open, and the ledges give safe shallow rock pools for a paddle; leads on the promenade and the pier approach.

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Stays · 19 All stays in Swanage →

Stay SOME LIMITS

The Pines Hotel

BH19 1LT

Cliff-top hotel at the quiet southern end of Swanage Bay, with a path down to the beach and views the length of the bay. Well-behaved dogs are taken at £20 per dog per night, maximum two per room, but the hotel's own tariff marks some room types as no dogs, so enquire before booking. Half board is the usual arrangement.

Amber Lodge Guest House

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

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

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.

Chiltern Lodge B&B

BH19 3LX

Chiltern Lodge B&B is a place to stay on Newfoundland Close, 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.

Firswood Guest House

BH19 1HF

Firswood Guest House is a place to stay on Kings Road West, 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.

Glenlee Guest House

BH19 1PQ

Glenlee Guest House is a place to stay on Cauldon 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.

Hazelnut Cottage Castle View

If you enjoy the views of idyllic countryside then this is the ultimate property for you. Nestled at the bottom of a quiet lane this cottage is surrounded by the Purbeck Hills with Swanage the English Channel and the Isle of Wight to the East. Walking into this traditional mid-terrace cottage you ll be struck by how homely and cosy this lovely property is. The sitting room has its own open fire in a stone fireplace just think of the romantic nights in you can have reading books on a chilly night. You don t even need to bring your own as the sitting room is equipped with lots of books and board games to keep you entertained. Moving onto the dining room you ll find a large dining room ideal for enjoying homemade dinners. There s even a piano if you fancy becoming the next Elton John. The kitchen is equipped with everything any food lover needs for creating their masterpieces this includes a cooker fridge microwave and dishwasher. There s a breakfast table here too with outdoor views. Going upstairs you ll find two bedrooms. One with a 5ft double bed and the second with bunkbeds perfect for children. The bathroom has a WC sink and a bath with an overhead shower. Going outside there is a sheltered garden at the rear. This is accessed via a common path with a gate into the garden. The garden itself is south-facing catching the best of the sun. Mainly lawn perfect for laying a towel and topping up your tan the garden is also full of flowers and shrubs all enclosed by a dry-stone wall. Need to know: 2 bedrooms 1 double room, 1 room with bunk beds (suitable for children). Oven, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. 1 bathroom with shower over the bath and WC. Dining room with feature fireplace. Open fire in stone fireplace logs included October end of April. Central heating included. Piano. Board games and books available. Wi Fi available . South facing sheltered garden to rear with seating. 1 dog welcome by arrangement. Off road parking for 2 cars. Distant views of Corfe Castle. Shop and pub 0.5 miles away.

Millbrook Bed & Breakfast

BH19 1HR

Millbrook Bed & Breakfast is a place to stay on Kings Road West, 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.

Purbeck House Hotel

Purbeck House Hotel is a place to stay in 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.

Rivendell Guest House

BH19 1HR

Rivendell Guest House is a place to stay on Kings Road West, 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.

Robertsbrook Guest House

BH19 1HF

Robertsbrook Guest House is a place to stay on Kings Road West, 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.

Southover Bed & Breakfast

BH19 2JF

Southover Bed & Breakfast is a place to stay on Southcliffe 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.

St Michael's Holiday Apartments

St Michael's Holiday Apartments is a place to stay in 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.

Missing a place?

Know a Swanage pub, cafe or place to stay that lets dogs in? Tell us and we will go and check it.

Attractions · 2 All attractions in Swanage →

Attraction SOME LIMITS

Durlston Country Park

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

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.

Missing a place?

Know a Swanage pub, cafe or place to stay that lets dogs in? Tell us and we will go and check it.

Also within 10 miles · 807

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.

4 MI · LOOP

Old Harry Rocks from Studland

Studland · BH19 3AU

4MILES

1:45TIME

90mCLIMB

88%OFF-ROAD

The four-mile classic, an hour and a half of level chalk downland out to the sea stacks at Handfast Point and back, on wide grass paths with only 90 metres of climb. Start at the National Trust South Beach car park at Studland, free to members and pay and display otherwise, with the Bankes Arms next door; it holds a few hundred cars and still queues down Ferry Road by eleven in summer. Dogs can be off lead on the down under close control, but the cliff edge at Old Harry is unfenced chalk that undercuts and collapses, so leads for the last stretch is the sane call; on the beach below, dogs must be on a short lead from 1 May to 30 September, and can swim off lead all year.

Pub 2.3 mi DOGS WELCOME

The Bankes Arms

Studland · BH19 3AU

Stone-built village pub above Studland with its own brewery, a vast front lawn overlooking the bay and the Old Harry path starting opposite. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the pub and the garden throughout the year, and two open fires run all winter. Rooms above the bar from £65.

In the bar

3.8 MI · LOOP

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.

3.4 MI · OUT & BACK

Studland to Shell Bay and the chain ferry

Studland · BH19 3AQ

3.4MILES

1:45TIME

20mCLIMB

100%OFF-ROAD

Off-lead allowed

Three and a half level miles there and back along three miles of the finest sand in southern England, an hour and three quarters with essentially no climb, on firm sand at low water and soft dune path higher up. Start from the National Trust Knoll Beach car park, free to members, and walk north: at the far end the chain ferry crosses to Sandbanks and takes dogs, which makes a one-way version possible on the number 50 bus. Dogs must be on a short lead on the beach from 1 May to 30 September under the dog order, and on a lead in the dunes from March to July for the ground-nesting birds, but they can swim off lead in the sea all year, and the water here is shallow and sheltered.

Stay 2.7 mi DOGS WELCOME

Knoll House

Studland · BH19 3AH

Reworked family hotel set back in the pines above Studland Bay, a couple of minutes' walk from Knoll Beach through the heath. Every one of its rooms is dog-friendly, which is rare enough to be the reason to book. Book direct and the pools and facilities are included.

Beach 2.8 mi 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

4.8 MI · LOOP

Worth Matravers · BH19 3LE

St Aldhelm’s Head and Chapman’s Pool

4.8MILES

2:45TIME

320mCLIMB

92%OFF-ROAD

Off-lead allowed Livestock — leads on Water bowls

A 4.8-mile circuit in two and three quarter hours with 320 metres of climb, dropping to the shingle of Chapman’s Pool, climbing the coastguard steps to the Norman chapel on St Aldhelm’s Head and returning by the quarry at Winspit. Steep grass, a long flight of open steps and stony quarry tracks, tough on paws and hard work in wind. Start at the Worth Matravers village car park, paid, roughly fifty spaces with toilets, and the only parking in the village: the lanes are yellow-lined and the Square and Compass gets the rest. Cattle graze the coastal fields, leads through them, and there is water for a dog in the pub yard at the finish.

Pub 4.4 mi DOGS WELCOME

The Scott Arms

Kingston · BH20 5LH

In the bar Water bowls Treats

Hilltop pub in Kingston with the most famous pub view in Dorset, Corfe Castle framed in the gap of the Purbeck ridge. Dogs are welcome in all the bars, where there are bowls and treats behind the counter, and there is room to find a quiet corner if yours would rather. The garden is the summer draw, and walks run from the door into the woods and down to the coast.

Attraction 4.6 mi 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.

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

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.

6.6 MI · LINEAR — PLAN THE RETURN

Nine Barrow Down: Corfe Castle to Swanage

Corfe Castle

6.6MILES

3:30TIME

300mCLIMB

90%OFF-ROAD

A 6.6-mile linear traverse of the Purbeck chalk ridge, three and a half hours with 300 metres of climb, following the bronze age barrow cemetery from above Corfe over Godlingston Hill and dropping into Swanage at Ulwell. All ridge turf and chalk track, no shelter and no water, with the best long view in Dorset in both directions at once. Start at the National Trust car park in Corfe and finish at Swanage, using the number 40 bus back, which takes dogs free; check the timetable first, as evening services thin out. Sheep graze most of the ridge so leads through the fields, several stiles will need a big dog lifting, and the chalk turf gets slippery enough on the Ulwell descent to be worth care.

Restaurant 4.7 mi SOME LIMITS

Shell Bay Restaurant

Studland · BH19 3BA

Seafood restaurant and bistro on the harbour side of the Studland peninsula by the chain ferry, looking across to Brownsea Island and Sandbanks. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout, in both the bistro and the restaurant. The bistro does not take bookings; the restaurant does.

In the dining room