There’s nothing better than a day at the beach and we reckon your canine companion thinks so too. Dashing in and out of the water, playing fetch on endless stretches of sand and shingle, and discovering new smells - a trip to the beach is a great day out for any pup... even old dogs can enjoy the salty sea smell and dip their paws in the water.
The New Forest in Hampshire is full of hidden gems and secret beaches that you might not expect. While everyone else is exploring inland, make sure you head for the coast. Where will you race off to? Do you fancy a family-friendly beach with plenty of amenities or would you and your canine prefer to escape for walkies in a quiet and scenic coastal spot?
Take a look through these dog-friendly beaches in the New Forest and find yourself a beautiful stretch of sand that’s perfect for walkies.
If you’re planning a beach holiday to this county for you and your dog, explore our dog-friendly cottages in the New Forest and find your ideal escape. For more insight into this dog-friendly region, return to our Canine guide to the New Forest.
Dog-friendly New Forest beaches FAQs
There are plenty of dog-friendly beaches in Hampshire, two of the best being Hurst Split near Keyhaven, and Hordle Cliff near Milford-on-Sea. Both beaches welcome dogs all year without any restrictions and offer plenty of space and shingle for Fido to sniff out.
Yes, dogs are welcome at Mudeford Beach throughout the year without any restrictions.
Yes, dogs are allowed on Barton-on-Sea Beach all year round, without any dog restrictions.
Yes, Pebble Beach restaurant in Barton-on-Sea will welcome your dog on the sun terrace, but not in the restaurant.
Yes, dogs are free to run off the leash throughout the year at Milford-on-Sea without any restrictions.
Yes, dogs are allowed on Highcliffe Beach, but restrictions do apply. Sections of the beach are restricted between May and September, while the beach’s promenade will welcome Fido on the leash throughout the year.
Our personal favourite
Hengistbury Head and Mudeford Sandbank, Bournemouth
One of the best New Forest dog-friendly beaches that we think is great for families, couples and big groups! Youngsters can build sandcastles while dogs dig in the sand, and groups on holiday together can book themselves a BBQ space.
The Land Train takes passengers all the way from the Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre to the beachfront café, so anyone who might have trouble walking or using their wheelchair on the sand can still experience a relaxed day by the sea, enjoying the fresh sea air and astounding views across to the Isle of Wight.
The journey up to the top of the headland is the most difficult, however, there is a route for wheelchair users with helpers - take a look at their Hengistbury Head visitor website for more information and chat to the on-site rangers while you’re there.
For the sat nav: BH6 4EW
Any restrictions? Dog-friendly all year - but as there is lots of wildlife they should be kept on a lead
Accessibility: There's access to most locations on the nature reserve – there are wheelchair-friendly paths and the Land Train has ramps for wheelchair users, however, beach access is limited.
Facilities: Car park, land train, café, beach huts, five public toilet blocks and outside cold showers.
Stay nearby: Farley, Bournemouth | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Best beach for the whole family
Avon Beach, Christchurch
Not only is this one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Hampshire, but Avon Beach is perfect for families too, offering plenty of great amenities so you can relax while everybody enjoys themselves.
Let kids build sandcastles or play fetch with your dog who’ll enjoy splashing through the water. When everyone’s exhausted from games on the beach, retreat to the promenade and pop into the gift shop to take a memento home from this dog-friendly beach in New Forest.
For the sat nav: BH23 4AN
Any restrictions? Seasonal restrictions
Accessibility: Beach-level entrance to promenade and beach via Avon Beach car park or via Gundimore Promenade
Facilities: Car park, beach huts, café, restaurant, shop and seasonal lifeguards
Stay nearby: Island View, Highcliffe | sleeps 12 + 2 dogs
Best beach for accessibility
Lepe Country Park and beach, Beaulieu
When not playing fetch on this shingly beach, dogs and pet parents can follow the Lepe Loop, a 5-mile circular walk that takes you around scenic Lepe and Exbury.
Enjoy a leisurely beach and country stroll together, perhaps popping into the local dog-friendly café, The Lookout, along the way. Tired pups can flop down by your feet while you take in the wonderful views of one of Hampshire's top dog-friendly beaches and the sea beyond through floor-to-ceiling windows.
For the sat nav: SO45 1AD
Any restrictions? Dogs cannot enter the nature reserve and there are beach restrictions during the summer months.
Accessibility: A good experience for those with disability - beach wheelchairs can be hired in advance and ramps from the car park down to the beach.
Facilities: Car park, Information office, gift shop, classroom, café, WC
Stay nearby: Old Telephone Exchange, Beaulieu | sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Best for a paw-friendly historic day out
Keyhaven and Hurst Spit
When it comes to Hampshire dog-friendly beaches for history-loving hounds, this is one of the best. Hurst Spit is home to the English Heritage-managed Hurst Castle where dogs on leads are welcome everywhere - yes, everywhere - neither of you will miss a single thing.
Take in spectacular views from the roof of the Tudor keep, step inside Garrison Theatre, once used to entertain the troops, see the lighthouses which, for centuries, have protected ships sailing at night, and let the pup explore the shingle beach. It’s a great day out for you, the family and your four-legged companion.
For the sat nav: SO41 0TP
Any restrictions? Dog-friendly all year
Accessibility: Accessed by foot along a pebbled walkway or on the ferry from Keyhaven – wheelchair access is limited.
Facilities: Café, gift shop and WC (parking found at Milford seafront or Keyhaven)
Stay nearby: Forest Edge, Lymington | sleeps 12 + 2 dogs
Beach with the best facilities
Hordle Cliff, Milford on Sea
This shingle, dog-friendly beach in the New Forest is backed by beach huts and beautiful sloped cliffs – perfect for the dog to race about and splash through lapping waves while you stretch your legs.
There’s also a wonderful walkway that extends for 2 miles along the seafront and is wide enough for wheelchair users, making this one of the more accessible, dog-friendly beaches near New Forest.
For the sat nav: SO41 0NW
Any restrictions? Dog-friendly all year
Accessibility: Disabled facilities
Facilities: Car park, beach huts, WCs, and a food van on occasion – it’s less than a mile's walk into Milford on Sea which has shops, cafes and pubs.
Stay nearby: Solent Retreat, Milford on Sea | sleeps 7 + 2 dogs
Best beach for sports – water sports and otherwise!
Calshot Beach, Calshot
Part of a mile-long shingle spit that stretches into Southampton Water, Calshot Beach is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in New Forest and a great place to watch the large ships come and go while you enjoy views of the Isle of Wight.
Of course, the real reason many head here is for the activity centre, a bucket-list item for sports enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the dog can’t come with you for this activity but they are welcome to explore the shingle and swim in the sea all year.
For the sat nav: SO45 1BS
Any restrictions? Dog-friendly all year
Accessibility: Disabled facilities
Facilities: Car park, café and beach hut hire. This beach is also home to one of the UK's biggest outdoor and water sports centres, Calshot Activities Centre, where you can go kayaking, windsurfing and powerboating – even dry slope skiing, climbing and velodrome cycling are offered at this sporting hub.
Stay nearby: The Saddlery, Beaulieu | sleeps 6 + 1 dog
Best beach for collecting ancient fossils
Barton-on-Sea Beach, Christchurch
A long, thin, shingle beach protected by high clay cliffs and with views of the Isle of Wight, this quiet stretch of shoreline is a delightful spot for quiet walkies with your dog in tow.
One of the more scenic dog-friendly beaches in New Forest, this shoreline is prone to rock falls, so stay safe and keep an eye out for your dog while here, but each time part of the cliff collapses, fossil collectors have the chance to uncover an exciting new find. Explore the beautiful beachfront or head up and wander the cliff paths that stretch along this beautiful coastline.
For the sat nav: BH25 7DX
Any restrictions? Dog-friendly all year
Accessibility: Disabled facilities
Facilities: Two beach car parks, beachside café
Stay nearby: Leeward Apartment, Barton-on-Sea | sleeps 2 + 1 dog
Best beach to get away from it all
Goatee Beach/Fisherman’s Walk
It’s not one for the sunbathers, but this quiet, dog-friendly beach in New Forest is a real treat for both hounds and humans.
The pet-friendly beach in the New Forest is a quiet stretch of shingle opposite Southampton Docks so it’s a great spot for four-legged companions to sniff about and stretch their legs while you watch the incredible ships sailing by.
For the sat nav: SO40 9HF
Any restrictions? Seasonal restrictions
Accessibility: No on-site amenities and a slight drop down to the sand – not suitable for those with mobility issues
Facilities: Beach car park, pub and shops in nearby Eling
Stay nearby: The Coach House Cottage, Lyndhurst | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Other New Forest dog-friendly beaches
Beyond the New Forest dog-friendly beaches featured in this guide, outdoor-loving humans and hounds have even more pooch-welcoming shorelines to choose from along the region’s golden coastline.
Pictured above, Highcliffe Beach sits right on the Dorset/Hampshire border and offers a huge stretch of sand and shingle where Fido can run wild. Apart from one small section of the beach that restricts dogs between May and September (clearly signposted), your woofer is free to spend all their energy here, while you can benefit from a nearby restaurant and a wide choice of water sports.
Slightly further up the coast, Milford-on-sea Beach, popular for its colourful beach huts and excellent views of the Isle of Wight, welcomes beach-loving dogs every day of the year. As a pebbly stretch of shoreline, this is the perfect spot if your hound loves to chase and dive deep for their favourite rock.
To see all of the dog-friendly beaches in New Forest in one place, as well as the many dog-friendly venues and activities across the UK, check out our Dog-friendly Index.
- Barton-on-Sea
- Highcliffe
- Hordle Cliff
- Keyhaven
- Milford-on-Sea
- Calshot
- Hengistbury Head
Ready to make the New Forest your next beach getaway?
You and your canine companion will love a trip to this incredible coastline. Start browsing our fantastic dog-friendly cottages in the New Forest and find your perfect holiday escape, or return to our Canine guide to the New Forest for more info about the area.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.