Dog Friendly Cottages in Swanage by the Sea

Beaches for Dogs in Swanage

Monkey Beach is the simplest choice if you want to stay close to the centre of Swanage. This small pebble beach lies between the old Stone Quay and Swanage Pier and welcomes dogs throughout the year. Dogs can be exercised off the lead here, making it particularly handy when the summer restrictions are operating elsewhere in the bay.

Swanage Central Beach has different rules. Dogs are allowed from 1 October to 30 April, but are not permitted between 1 May and 30 September. Dogs should also be kept on leads along The Parade and roads leading to the beaches.

North Beach is more complicated because part of it is privately owned above the mean high-water mark. Swanage Town Council advises dog owners to check the signs along this section for the rules applying to the privately owned beach.

Walk from Swanage to Durlston

Durlston Country Park lies immediately south of Swanage and covers 340 acres of coast and countryside. There are five waymarked trails starting from Durlston Castle, including woodland, wildlife and clifftop routes, and the South West Coast Path also runs through the park.

Dogs are welcome throughout Durlston, including well-behaved dogs inside the Castle, Visitor Centre and café. Around the country park they should stay on the paths and be either on a lead or under very close control. This is particularly important because Durlston is a National Nature Reserve with wildlife, grazing animals and unfenced cliff edges.

You can walk to Durlston from Swanage rather than driving, making it an easy way to add a countryside and coastal walk to a day in town.

More Dog-Friendly Beaches Around Purbeck

Swanage also puts you close to several other beaches where dogs are welcome. At Studland, dogs can use the beaches throughout the year, but between 1 May and 30 September they must be kept on a lead of no more than two metres. Further around the Purbeck coast, Kimmeridge Bay, Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Man O’ War Beach and Worbarrow Bay currently allow dogs throughout the year.

For more places to visit during your holiday, our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Dorset covers beaches and seasonal restrictions along the county’s coast.

You can also browse our wider collection of Dorset dog-friendly holiday cottages to compare Swanage with Weymouth, Lyme Regis and other coastal locations.