Weather disruption
Winter weather is causing disruption to services in some parts of the county. Find out what services may be affected in your area.
Dog-related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)
A new dog-related PSPO 2024 has been made as of the 1 of January. This includes detail about where dogs are excluded at certain times of year, and where they must be on a lead. You must ensure you comply with dog related Public Spaces Protection Orders at the applicable beaches.
Advice on dog walking in Dorset
Visit the Dorset Dogs website for more information.
Map of dog friendly beaches
Bridport area
| Beach | When dogs are allowed |
|---|---|
There are no formal restrictions on this beach. However the National Trust request that beach users comply with their controls for dogs, which include not exercising them on the beach between 1 May and 30 September |
|
All year round |
|
All year round |
|
1 October to 30 April |
|
All year round in designated area |
|
1 October to 30 April (dogs allowed in the port on a lead from 1 May to 1 October) There are 3 beaches. Two have restrictions - East side of the harbour and the West Side of the harbour. The third beach is separated from West beach by a large rock groyne, this isn’t restricted. |
More information can be found on the dog warden page.
Charmouth and Lyme Regis area
| Beach | When dogs are allowed |
|---|---|
East Beach - no restrictions West Beach from 1 October to 30 April |
|
Church Cliff Beach |
All year round |
Lyme Regis front beach |
1 October to 30 April but dogs must be kept on a lead |
Monmouth Beach |
All year round |
More information can be found on the dog warden page.
Purbeck area
| Beach | When dogs are allowed |
|---|---|
All year round |
|
All year round |
|
All year round |
|
All year round |
|
Monkey Beach (by the old stone quay, close to the pier) |
All year round |
Dogs must be on a lead on Shell beach, South beach, Middle beach and the southern part of Knoll beach between 1 May and 30 September. The National Trust request that you keep your dog under control at all times to protect the special reserve and to minimise disruption to other beach users |
|
| Swanage Beach | 1 October to 30 April |
| Worbarrow Bay | All year round |
Weymouth and Portland area
| Beach | When dogs are allowed |
|---|---|
| Bowleaze Cove | All year round |
| Chesil Beach at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary | All year round |
| Chesil Beach from the Tank Teeth Boundary at Abbotsbury to the Portland Boundary Stone | Dogs allowed on leads to the outer flank (seaward side) of the beach from 1 September to 30 April. No public access outside of these dates. |
| Church Ope Cove, Portland | All year round |
| Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve | South West Coast Path only. No public access along the shoreline of the Fleet. |
| Ringstead Beach | All year round |
| Weymouth Beach | Greenhill Groyne to Overcombe - all year round Dog exercise area (by Pavilion) - all year round Greenhill Groyne to dog exercise area (main sandy beach) from 1 October to 30 April |