Best dog friendly beaches in Dorset
At Rockfish, we love getting outdoors, and we love being on the coast. Not just because it’s the best place to enjoy delicious, sustainable seafood, but because of the way it makes us feel - the mental health benefits of being in nature and by the sea, the gentle movement and the fresh, salty air.
No matter what time of year, getting out on the coast path, or heading to the beach, always lifts our spirits, and even better when the whole family tags along too - especially the four legged members! We’ve put together our top pick of dog friendly beaches in Dorset to enjoy all year round.
Church Ope Cove
Type: Pebbles
Dogs: All year round
Best for: Sunbathing
Access: Steep steps (hard-going on the way back up)
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Weymouth
Just 4 miles from Weymouth, on the Isle of Portland, this pebbly cove is tucked between cliffs, and being south-facing, is a sun trap on warmer days - and not surprisingly, famous for being a smuggling beach. On an Autumn or Winters day you’ll likely have the beach to yourself. Explore the nearby ruins of St Andrews Church and check out Rufus Castle before you head home.
Chesil Beach
Type: Pebbles
Dogs: All year round (with some restrictions)
Best for: Scenery
Access: Steep pebble bank
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Weymouth
This is one of the most iconic dog friendly beaches in Dorset, and a must visit for pups and their owners. Chesil beach is made up of a huge bank of pebbles stretching 18 miles along the Dorset coast, and separated from the mainland by a lagoon at the eastern side. Dogs are welcome all year at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary. After you’ve burned off some energy on the beach, warm up at our nearby Weymouth Restaurant with a hot drink and some delicious seafood.
Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Type: Pebbles
Dogs: Allowed all year round (to left hand side of slipway)
Best for: Swimming
Access: Easy
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Poole and Weymouth
This stunning, sheltered - almost circular - cove gets (unsurprisingly) incredibly busy in the summer, so visit in Autumn or Winter for the same spectacular scenery, but more space for ball games. Dog friendly beaches in Dorset don’t get much better than this! Plus, it’s right in between our Poole and Weymouth Restaurants!
Sandbanks/Durley Chine
Type: Sand
Dogs: Allowed all year round on some parts of the beach
Best for: The whole family
Access: Some steep inclines
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Poole
Head to the western side of this lush, sandy beach with your dog all year round. Come the 1st October, the whole beach opens to four legged visitors. Plus it’s quieter too, so plenty of space to run, swim and play games. It’s definitely one of the best sandy dog friendly beaches in Dorset.
Bowleaze Cove
Type: Sand and pebbles
Dogs: All year round
Best for: Views
Access: Some steep inclines
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Weymouth
Enjoy views over the Jurassic coast and towards the Isle of Portland from this dog friendly beach, just two miles from the hustle and bustle of Weymouth. Dogs can enjoy walking and playing on this beach all year round. Overlooking the beach is an open grassy area - a wonderful spot to stop and take in the spectacular views and breathe in the fresh sea air.
At Rockfish, we love getting outdoors, and we love being on the coast. Not just because it’s the best place to enjoy delicious, sustainable seafood, but because of the way it makes us feel - the mental health benefits of being in nature and by the sea, the gentle movement and the fresh, salty air.
No matter what time of year, getting out on the coast path, or heading to the beach, always lifts our spirits, and even better when the whole family tags along too - especially the four legged members! We’ve put together our top pick of dog friendly beaches in Dorset to enjoy all year round.
Church Ope Cove
Type: Pebbles
Dogs: All year round
Best for: Sunbathing
Access: Steep steps (hard-going on the way back up)
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Weymouth
Just 4 miles from Weymouth, on the Isle of Portland, this pebbly cove is tucked between cliffs, and being south-facing, is a sun trap on warmer days - and not surprisingly, famous for being a smuggling beach. On an Autumn or Winters day you’ll likely have the beach to yourself. Explore the nearby ruins of St Andrews Church and check out Rufus Castle before you head home.
Chesil Beach
Type: Pebbles
Dogs: All year round (with some restrictions)
Best for: Scenery
Access: Steep pebble bank
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Weymouth
This is one of the most iconic dog friendly beaches in Dorset, and a must visit for pups and their owners. Chesil beach is made up of a huge bank of pebbles stretching 18 miles along the Dorset coast, and separated from the mainland by a lagoon at the eastern side. Dogs are welcome all year at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary. After you’ve burned off some energy on the beach, warm up at our nearby Weymouth Restaurant with a hot drink and some delicious seafood.
Lulworth Cove, Dorset
Type: Pebbles
Dogs: Allowed all year round (to left hand side of slipway)
Best for: Swimming
Access: Easy
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Poole and Weymouth
This stunning, sheltered - almost circular - cove gets (unsurprisingly) incredibly busy in the summer, so visit in Autumn or Winter for the same spectacular scenery, but more space for ball games. Dog friendly beaches in Dorset don’t get much better than this! Plus, it’s right in between our Poole and Weymouth Restaurants!
Sandbanks/Durley Chine
Type: Sand
Dogs: Allowed all year round on some parts of the beach
Best for: The whole family
Access: Some steep inclines
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Poole
Head to the western side of this lush, sandy beach with your dog all year round. Come the 1st October, the whole beach opens to four legged visitors. Plus it’s quieter too, so plenty of space to run, swim and play games. It’s definitely one of the best sandy dog friendly beaches in Dorset.
Bowleaze Cove
Type: Sand and pebbles
Dogs: All year round
Best for: Views
Access: Some steep inclines
Nearest Rockfish restaurant: Weymouth
Enjoy views over the Jurassic coast and towards the Isle of Portland from this dog friendly beach, just two miles from the hustle and bustle of Weymouth. Dogs can enjoy walking and playing on this beach all year round. Overlooking the beach is an open grassy area - a wonderful spot to stop and take in the spectacular views and breathe in the fresh sea air.
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