The cottages and luxury log cabins in Dorset allow you to explore the majestic coast which is nearly 100 miles long. One of the most dog-friendly seaside towns in the area is Bournemouth, with nearly 7 miles of beach, you can choose your favourite piece of sand and spend many happy hours here. Dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenade, but there are 4 dog-zone beach areas where they can run around freely. It also has a pier, pleasure gardens, a theatre and a fantastic high street of shops. With so many dog friendly days out in Devon, book your retreat today!
The Best Places To Take Dogs in Dorset
Chesil Beach is an 18-mile long stretch of pebbles forming a tombolo, or thin bar of land in the sea. It’s a breathtaking site to see and a great place for walks with your dogs when visiting Dorset.
Durlston Country Park, offers 320 acres of countryside that attracts butterflies, birds and more than 500 species of wild flower. There’s a Victorian castle in the grounds, and a gallery that holds different exhibitions.
Corfe Castle ruins stand on a natural elevation and has a long, colourful history. Dogs are welcome in the castle and the gift shop. The village of the same name was built using grey Purbeck limestone and has a handful of shops, a pub and a church.
Check out 7 more dog friendly attractions in Dorset, close to your cottage:
Activites & Places To Visit
Find below 7 of the best days out in Dorset for dogs
1. See Durdle Door
This natural limestone arch was formed by the sea 10,000 years ago. It’s on the Lulworth Estate but open to the public and dogs are welcome too. In the same area there’s Stair Hole and Lulworth Crumple – both fascinating geological phenomena where you can see sedimentary rock layers that have folded, and the beginning of caves in the cliff walls. There is also a 7-mile circular walk that takes you along the Dorset coast, up the hill and across the countryside. Durdle Door truly is an incredible day out.
2. Ride the Railway
Take a nostalgic trip on a steam train that gives you views of Corfe Castle as it journeys from Swanage to Norden. The 12-mile round trip is children friendly and can be broken if you want to visit Corfe, and there’s a railway museum at the station too that is open almost every day. As long as they remain on a lead, doggy companions can ride on the train for a small fee. Check availability when you go to book.
3. Visit the Dinosaur Museum
With the Jurassic coastline only 7 miles away, it is fitting that Dorchester has a dog-friendly museum dedicated to dinosaurs. There is a lot to learn about, and youngsters can complete quiz sheets as they go around the exhibits. Touch real fossils, hear a Tyrannosaurus roar and solve dinosaur puzzles. Pets are permitted inside the museum on their leads. This is well worth visiting if you are staying at a cottage around Dorset.
4. Relax at Blue Pool
If you’ve booked a coastal cottage, make sure to head over to this part of the coast and enjoy some of the best walks in Dorset. This Site of Specific Scientific Interest started life as a chalk pit in the 17th century. Clay was also excavated from here for use in fine ceramics, but since the 1930s a café and museum have welcomed visitors who come to see the stunning water pool. Surrounding the pool is a peaceful 25-acre site that’s a joy to walk around.
5. Hire a Motor Boat
Wareham is a friendly market town where you can stroll around with your dog. It’s located on the River Frome in Dorset. Down at the quayside you can hire canoes, rowing boats and self-drive motor cruisers for up to 5 people. Your canine buddy is welcome to go with you or stay at the cottage, whichever you prefer. There are also skippered trips if you want someone to show you around. On Saturdays there is a market by the quay so you can partake in a little retail therapy while you are here.
6. Hunt for Fossils
The unique geology found along the Dorset coastline makes it an interesting place to roam with the whole family, including your pooch. Hunting for fossils as you go makes for an exciting activity. For beginners, Charmouth is a great place to start. You can take along a little hammer to tap open the rocks, but it’s also possible to find fossils just laying on the dog-friendly beach that have tumbled from the cliffs.
7. Picnic on the Sand
Dorset boasts around 100 miles of beaches, and most of it is fine, golden sand. There are plenty of places to lay out the picnic blanket and enjoy some lunch alfresco. Studland Bay is 4 miles long, and dogs are welcome all year here. At lively Weymouth Beach, dogs are allowed on the Pavilion end of the sands. At Mudeford Quay, close to Christchurch, there’s a grassy area at the back of sands where you can play ball. After a long day at a Dorset beach, return to your private cottage where you can enjoy your simmering hot tub.
Looking at Visiting the Area
Along with pretty beaches, historic sites and rolling hills you will find lots of pet-friendly places in Dorset to visit with your best friend and if this has got you thinking of booking a short break or holiday here you’re not on your own. Check out our top pet-friendly holiday destinations in Dorset.
Holiday Cottages
Oozing with character and with everything you would expect from quality self-catering accommodation, we have put together a few holidays in Dorset with dogs.
We also cover Dorset hot tub cottages for pets here.
Log Cabins
Ideal for families or a romantic break to celebrate a special occasion, dog friendly lodges in Dorset.