Home to above-average temperatures and below- below-average rainfall, Dorset’s rich countryside is perfect for your dog to connect with their wild roots. They can join badgers in the forests, puffins on the coast and run down rolling hills while falcons soar overhead.
Dog-friendly holiday cottages in Dorset aren’t just a place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. It’s a place where your dog can feel right at home.
More award-winning beaches than anywhere else in the UK
While Dorset is home to arguably the most beautiful countryside in Britain, where this South West county really shines is by the sea. Dorset boasts over 100 miles of stunning coastline and more award-winning dog-friendly beaches than almost anywhere else in the UK. Here at Snaptrip, we’re fans of Chapman’s Pool.
A horseshoe-shaped cove sketched into the landscape by tides over centuries, Chapman’s Pool is less a beach and more so paradise. Nestled on the South West Coast Path, the circle of sand around the water’s edge is soft and golden. Meanwhile, up on the cliffs, the smell of fresh green fields mixes with the salt of the sea, making the air down on the bay as crisp as it can be.
Best of all, this sandy spot is dog-friendly all year round so you and your four-legged friends can escape here whenever you feel like it. While something of a challenge to get to, with the nearest car park being quite a walk away, we think this only adds to the pool’s appeal. As many tourists decide to settle for more accessible spots, Chapman’s Pool remains relatively quiet, leaving this piece of paradise all for you and your pooch to enjoy. There are plenty of dog friendly beaches in Dorset that you can visit!
Britain’s most impressive attraction
What’s more, we haven’t even mentioned Dorset’s most impressive attraction. On the surface, the Jurassic Coast is 96 miles of exceptional scenery. Clear waters twist beneath craggy cliffs, in a display so stunning, it’s not only an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but stands alongside the Great Barrier Reef as a World Heritage Site of ‘international importance’.
But, to those who know what they’re looking for, this stretch of coastline tells a dramatic story. Wander the Jurassic Coast with a guidebook and you’ll be able to read 185 million years of history on Earth. Spot the rock formations, colourations and find the fossils where the Earth really shows its age.
No pet-friendly holiday would be complete without at least one great walk and we don’t think anything beats taking a stroll down the Jurassic Coastline. We recommend picking a route near the famous seaside town of Lyme Regis. Britain’s most popular fossil hunting spot, come when the tide is out and who knows, your pooch may dig up a bone older than humanity itself.
Dog-friendly Dorset fun from coast to coast
Step away from the coast and Dorset still has loads to offer. For starters, there’s Corfe Castle. A famous survivor of the English Civil War, this incredible castle is renowned as one of the greatest medieval buildings in the UK. Best of all, our four-legged friends don’t have to miss out on this piece of history. If the weather’s nice, we recommend taking your dog for a wander about the ruins, before settling down for a picnic in the castle grounds.
If you’re in the mood for a spot of shopping, you’re in luck. Dorset is home to dozens of market towns, where you can visit hundreds of bespoke boutiques and feel immersed in old-country living.For starters, we recommend perusing the pet-friendly cottages of Shaftesbury. Quaint, gorgeous and utterly English, this town is most famous for being the home of ‘Gold Hill’. The steep cobbled street that provided the backdrop for ‘Britain’s favourite TV ad of the 1970s’ - Hovis’ famous bike advert. Not only that, but Dorset is also home to some of the best dog friendly pubs too! Looking for a bite to eat? Discover some of the best dog friendly places to eat in Dorset.
Best locations in Dorset for a dog-friendly holiday
If you haven't quite found the dog-friendly holiday cottage of your four legged friend's dreams here, take a look at some of our favourite places to take your pooch away in Dorset:
Need inspiration - take a look at our blog articles:
Dorset features in the following guide:
