Dorset is a dog owner’s haven; endless attractions and sites welcome our faithful friends, it has some of Britain’s best walks, and you can explore both the coast and countryside in one day.
Surely you need no further persuasion to pack your bags, and your pet’s essentials, for a visit to Dorset?
Dog-friendly attractions in Dorset
During a stay in this southern county you can enjoy woodland walks, admire river valleys and colourful heathland, and spend time on the magnificent Jurassic Coast. This unique bit of coastline, stretching from Dorset to east Devon, is England's first natural World Heritage site, joining the ranks of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon in the USA as one of the wonders of the natural world.West Dorset is also home to various familiar place names including Bridport, Dorchester, and Lyme Regis.
Some of England’s most beautiful countryside can be found here — a great opportunity for you and your dog to truly get back to nature. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Dorset countryside encompasses a mixture of rolling hills, chalk downlands, water meadows, and heathlands. Rural Dorset offers unspoilt countryside that’s changed very little over the last few hundred years; picturesque villages with thatched roofs, quaint pubs, and animals grazing on lush green grass will greet you on your travels.
Owners with a passion for reading or watching TV may recognise parts of the landscape; the area has been the setting for numerous well-known novels, fi lms, and TV dramas.
Head to Shaftesbury and stand on the cobbles of Gold Hill, which you might recognise from the Hovis advert, explore mysterious pagan rings at Knowlton, and take in amazing views from the ancient hill forts at Hambledon and Hod Hills.
Combining striking coastal and country landscapes, the region of Swanage and Purbeck is well worth a visit; it lies on the south coast and offers holidaymakers sandy beaches, walks with breathtaking views, and a host of family attractions to keep you entertained.
A number of the country’s most popular seaside hotspots can be found in Dorset; thousands of families and tourists flock to these sites each year, including Weymouth, Poole, Christchurch, and Bournemouth.
Dog-friendly activities in Dorset
If you’re looking for activities and things to do that your canine companion can join in with, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Dorset.Plenty of events and attractions admit dogs which means no member of the family has to be left behind; whether you want to learn more by visiting a museum, be fascinated by an ancient monument, or explore the grounds of a house or castle, the opportunities are endless in this part of Britain.
No holiday is complete without a day on the beach; Dorset has many beaches and coves where dogs can enjoy bounding through the waves and digging in the sand. A selection of beaches allow pets at all times, such as Lulworth Cove, Mudeford Sandbank, and Worbarrow Bay; others only permit our furry friends at certain times of the year or have restricted access. Embark on some walks with your pet and see the sights of Dorset by foot; not only will you get fresh air and exercise, it’s also one of the best ways to make sure you appreciate the dramatic landscape.