When it comes to blue flag beaches down in Dorset and Devon, few hold a candle to those in Bournemouth. Combining spectacular seaside shops, fresh sea air and commanding views across the Channel, it’s little wonder so many people look for dog friendly beaches in Bournemouth. It’s well connected to all kinds of countryside strolls further into Dorset, too.
Finding beaches that allow dogs in Bournemouth can be tricky. In most cases, from May to September, dogs are restricted from popular beaches across Bournemouth and Poole. However, we’ve saved you more than a little bit of time and effort by hunting down five great beaches you and your dogs are very welcome to walk, run and play across.
From the Jurassic Coast all across the groynes, the Bournemouth beach experience is one all Dorset daytrippers need to experience at least once. On the lead and off the lead, we’ve found the best beaches for you and your pets. Staying nearby? Take a look at our guide to Bournemouth pet friendly cottages, too, to secure your perfect place in the sun.
When are dogs allowed on beaches in Bournemouth
To know when exactly dogs are allowed on the various beaches in Bournemouth, it is important to hunt down the information on specific beach/beaches that you intend to visit. Plenty of beaches in Bournemouth are dog friendly and on many of them, dogs are allowed to roam free year-round. However, many dog-friendly beaches have protected stretches in order to maintain a clean and organised beachfront. Dogs must be kept on leads in some areas, so take care and look up relevant info online. The best place to look for information in this regard will be government websites or tourist boards. The same applies to Poole and other areas.
For anyone who would like to walk their dog in the winter months on a dog friendly beach in Bournemouth, then you should have no problem finding one – as most of them are open to dogs at all times during the colder months! If you can’t get to the beaches, why not head to the nearest pet friendly pubs in Bournemouth.
The Best Beaches in Bournemouth for Dogs
Alum Chine Beach
Alum Chine is absolutely one of the finest dog friendly beaches the local area has to offer. This stunningly beautiful beach experience is often forgotten as it is not as close to the town centre as others, which actually makes it perfect for walkers with dogs looking for quiet spots! You won’t lose place of your furry companion in the masses and they will be free to roam as they please.
In fact, one of the truly great things about this beach is that dogs are welcome year-round. They are welcome on all parts of the beach from the 1st of October to the 30th of April, however from the 1st of May to the 30th of September dogs are still permitted on the beach, but only in certain areas. Keep an eye out for regulations.
Between the Alum Chine beach office (Groyne 3) and the border of Branksome Dene Chine beach, dogs are allowed to roam free. Pack the lead in case you go elsewhere, but everyone – friends, families – will love taking a stroll or two down Alum Chine no matter the weather.
Check out a few dog days out near Bournemouth and its beaches, too, if you get the time!
- Seasonal Restrictions: Yes
- Lifeguards: Yes, from May to September
- Address: Alum Chine Beach, Dorset, BH4 8 AN
- Facilities Near By: Toilet facilities, beach kiosk, drinking water points, outdoor showers, car parks,
Durley Chine Beach
This Bournemouth dog friendly beach is another Blue Flag winner, and you and your pup will definitely want to check it out. This beach is known for its beautifully soft sand and its unique entrance! To enter Durley Chine Beach, you get to pass through the wonderful wooded area surrounding Chine. That means you get a nice change when looking out from the promenade – the local forest, as opposed to the same old town or city centre!
Dog owners will be most pleased to know that dogs are welcome on Durley Chine Beach year-round, however during the warmer months, between May and September, dogs are only allowed to be on the section between groynes 5 and 7. It’s worth checking when and where dogs are allowed before you travel.
In the permitted area, you will find more than enough space for you and your four-legged friend to play around and enjoy the surroundings. Remember, outside of the warmer months, you and your dog have a free access to the entire beach!
- Seasonal Restrictions: Yes
- Lifeguards: Yes, from May to September
- Address: Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade, Dorset, BH2 5JF
- Facilities Near By: Toilets, drinking water points, beach shop/kiosk, cafes/restaurants, wheelchairs to hire
Southbourne Beach
Southbourne is one of our favourite dog friendly beaches near Bournemouth and Poole. While not the liveliest place, it’s always welcoming to dogs, making it very popular with local pet owners around Bournemouth, Poole, Hengistbury Head and elsewhere. Many love to come to this beach year-round as it’s absolutely gorgeous across the seasons. Just make sure you clean up your dog mess!
For those interested in other services, Southbourne Beach is also a great beach to accommodate all of your evening gatherings, as after 6pm the beach has a dedicated barbecue zone. Of course, for barbecues that will be entertaining more than 30 guests, you must submit an application to the local council.
For all of the dog lovers out there, you will be happy to know that dogs are welcome all throughout the year on this beach, up to groyne 41. The segment that is dog friendly picks up again from groyne 45, further along the beach front.
- Seasonal Restrictions: No
- Lifeguards: Yes, from May to September
- Address: Boscombe Promenade, Dorset, BH6
- Facilities Near By: Toilet facilities, outdoor showers, beach huts and deck chairs, beach shop/kiosk, cafes, car parking
Avon Beach
Avon is a classic Bournemouth beach ideal for all the family, replete with all kinds of facilities and sea views you’ll love on a long dog walk. From beach huts and sun loungers to nearby restaurants and cafes, this beach has absolutely everything for a family fun day out. The beach is backed by a promenade and is mostly sand with the occasional shingle area. Your furry friends will certainly love the sands, too, on and off the lead.
It is important to know that although this is indeed a dog friendly beach, dogs are not permitted between the 1st of May and the 30th of September. However, one could argue that since this is a very popular beach during the summer, it would be quite a hassle to find a quiet spot for you and your four-legged friend anyway, so sticking to the autumn and winter months will give you amazing access to the view of the coast, all the great facilities and plenty of space.
- Seasonal Restrictions: Yes (dogs must be kept off the beach from May to September at all times)
- Lifeguards: Yes
- Address: Avon, Christchurch, BH23 4DX
- Facilities Near By: Car park, beach huts, promenades, cafes, restaurants, beach shop, toilet, showers, disabled facilities, first aid point
Boscombe Pier
Boscombe Pier is hugely popular with locals and tourists, and it’s not hard to see why. In the summer months, this sandy beach receives many eager tourists thanks to the good water quality and the facilities surrounding the beach such as table tennis, mini-golf, beach huts and volleyball. For those who need it, you can use the land train from Bournemouth’s Pier to easily get around!
The beach is backed by a promenade and a nearby pier from which, on a clear day, you are easily able to spot the Isle of Wight. Due to the useful and popular facilities and activities, Boscombe Pier can get quite full during the summer months, at which time dogs are not allowed on the beach. The dog ban runs specifically from the 1st of May to the 30th of September. However, as soon as the autumn and winter months kick in, you will be able to enjoy this lively and beautiful area with your pup as much as you like.
- Seasonal Restrictions: Yes (1st May to the 30th September at all times)
- Lifeguards: Yes
- Address: 2494 Undercliff Dr, Boscombe, Dorset BH5 1BL
- Facilities Near By: Car park, beach huts, promenade, cafes, restaurants, pier, mini golf, table tennis, volleyball
Last Word
From Poole to Christchurch, Dorset has its fair share of gorgeous golden beaches. However, Bournemouth dog friendly beaches are always that little bit extra special. Take your pup down the seafront and pack a lead just in case. Good times are always guaranteed down here, especially if you head off on a few of the best dog walks in Bournemouth
It’s worth remembering that while plenty of beaches down this corner of the country welcome dogs, there may be a dog ban or two in place. That’s because not all of the beaches in Dorset are specifically dog walk beach zones. Some are purely tourist spots, while others are preserved so that local wildlife can enjoy the beach without the threat of any dogs getting in the way!
We understand how hard it can be to find beaches for you and furry friend to enjoy. However, across Southbourne, Hengistbury Head, the Durley Chine Fishermans Walk, and from Middle Chine to Durley, there are more spots out here for you to take dogs to than you might expect. Just because the first Bournemouth beach you come across doesn’t welcome pets on the seafront doesn’t mean the area is devoid of places where you can get up close to the sea. If at first you don’t succeed, try the dog beaches down in Poole, too.
Check times and dates to get your pup on the lead and wandering down those Bournemouth dunes.