Baiter, Whitecliff and Poole Quay
3 MI · 1H 30M · 55% OFF-ROADThree level miles of harbourside in an hour and a half, out along the Baiter peninsula, round Whitecliff and back past the old quay warehouses, with the whole of Poole Harbour, Brownsea and the Purbeck hills in view. Surfaced promenade and mown grass throughout, flat, and open to the wind off the water. Park at Baiter, a large pay and display right on the shore that stays cheap and rarely fills outside regatta weekends. Baiter and Whitecliff have big open off-lead greens, which makes this the best year-round running ground in Poole while the town beaches are shut, but leads are required on the promenade and the quay itself, where the drop into the water is sheer and the shingle at low tide is sharp with oyster shell.
Branksome Chine Beach
The stretch of Poole Bay sand between Branksome Chine and Alum Chine, with the wooded chine running inland behind it. BCP Council names the western side of Alum Chine to Branksome Chine Beach Office as open to dogs all year round, which makes this the go-to summer beach on this side of the bay. Dogs must be on the lead on the promenade.
Canford Heath
3.2 MI · 1H 45M · 100% OFF-ROADA 3.2-mile loop of the largest surviving lowland heath inside an English town, an hour and three quarters on sandy tracks and single-track paths with 70 metres of gentle climb and long views west to the Purbecks. Start from the Francis Avenue or Gravel Hill entrances, where parking is free on-street at the edge of the estate: there is no formal car park, so park considerately and expect a five-minute walk in. This is a European-protected reserve, so BCP runs a dogs-on-lead season from March to August with leads of no more than two metres to protect nightjar, Dartford warbler and woodlark nesting on the ground. Outside those months it is superb off-lead country, but there is no water anywhere on the heath and adders are common.