The Canine Guide to Dorset

With sandy walks along tranquil beaches, countryside scrambles with epic vistas and cosy pubs with roaring fires, Dorset is a dog-friendly holiday destination where you and your four-legged best friend are sure to have a ball.

Boasting over 1,000 square miles of countryside and coast, Dorset offers ample opportunity for you to embark on an incredible adventure – but where to begin? We’ve sniffed out the county’s best walks, prettiest beaches, tastiest places to eat and, of course, the cosiest dog-friendly cottages, so all you need to do is start dreaming of your perfect Dorset holiday.

Discover top-dog tips for holidaying with your hound with our ultimate canine guide to Dorset.

What have we got to get tails wagging?

Click to fetch Dorset's... 🐾 Top walkies
🏖️ Top beaches
🐶 Top days out
🍴 Top dining spots
🏡 Top places to stay

The best W-A-L-K-I-E-S in Dorset

With both the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the South West Coast Path to roam, there are endless opportunities for epic dog walks in Dorset.

Want to discover the most scenic coastal walk in Dorset, or find out where you can walk among carpets of bluebells with your pup? Read our full guide to the best dog walks in Dorset.

Ulti-mutt dog-friendly beaches in Dorset

With 23 restriction-free stretches of sand and 88 miles of coastline to explore, you’d be barking mad not to take your pup to the beach.

Find out the best places for your four-legged beach bum to get salty fur and sandy paws – whether you’re looking for secluded coves or a stretch of sand to please the whole pack – in our complete guide to Dorset’s best dog-friendly beaches.

Sniff out the best attractions in Dorset

There’s so much more to Dorset than coast and countryside. Your pup can pretend he’s the king of the castle at one of the county’s many historic sites, ride aboard a steam train or meet prehistoric creatures!

Discover the best paw-friendly things to do with our full guide to doggy days out in Dorset.

Let Fido take the lead to the best Dorset places to eat

All that adventuring in the fresh Dorset air really works up your appetite! But the county’s wide range of dog-friendly places to eat are on hand to save any rumbling tums.

Looking for a quiet pub for a pint with your pooch? Or maybe you need a family-friendly restaurant to cater to the whole pack. Read our full guide on Dorset’s best dog-friendly places to eat and drink.

Sit, stay and lie down in Dorset’s most dog-friendly cottages

When you’ve walked all you can walk and you’re both dog-tired, you’ll need somewhere you can cosy up and lay your head.

All of our dog-friendly cottages in Dorset not only allow four-legged guests but welcome them with open paws! Whether you are looking for a charming chocolate-box cottage or a chilled-out beach house, read our full guide to Dorset’s best dog-friendly cottages to find your perfect break.

So, that’s Dorset in two shakes of a tail! If you’re looking for a destination that combines the best of coast and country, with some lovely pubs and attractions thrown in, we couldn’t recommend Dorset enough for a dreamy dog-friendly break. And whether you want a couples’ getaway with your four-legged third wheel, or a huge barn conversion where you can bring together the whole pack, our dog-friendly cottages in Dorset have something to suit everyone. Check out our full collection – you’d be barking mad to go anywhere else.