Learn more about the Isle of Purbeck

Dog Walking

Dog Walking in and around Swanage

Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck is ideal for a long or short walk with your dogs. The area has many outstanding places to walk, and apart from the main beach at Swanage and Studland Beach, there are no restrictions on the times of the year that you can walk your dogs.

All Year

You can walk your dog all year round on the following beaches:

  • North Beach, Swanage
  • Monkey Beach, Swanage
  • Kimmeridge Bay
  • Warbarrow Bay
  • Durdle Door

May to September

  • Studland Bay and Beaches, 1 Oct - 30 April, no restrictions. 1 May - 30 September dogs allowed on all Studland beaches on a short lead (no more than 2m long).
  • Swanage Beach, No Dogs from 1 May to 30 September. Bins are provided for all other times.

Please clean up after your dog using the bins provided.

We can recommend the following locations for dog walks all year round:

Durlston Country Park, Grid Ref:SZ050800. It has many footpaths that are in good condition even in wet weather. Parking is available at the visitor's centre, and you can walk along the cliff path or the many fields at the top of the park.

Ballard Down, Grid Ref:SZ022816. It has footpaths and bridleways that run along the full length of the ridgeway; you can let your dog off the lead as long as it is under close control and keep it on a lead in fields with livestock. On the Studland side, it is advisable to keep your dog on a lead at all times as the cliff edge is sometimes only a few feet from the paths, and some of the edges is hidden by bushes, and your dog could fall off!

Corfe Common, Grid Ref:SY957809. Corfe Common is ideal for a short walk and has fences around the perimeter. Horses are often grazing on the common, so care should be taken when near them, and keep your dog on a lead when approaching the common entrance from Kingston road as cars and lorries often travel fast along the road.

Wareham Forest, Grid Ref: SY900900. Wareham Forest has many miles of tracks that are well-signposted for walking. There are some wet areas in the forest that you should take care of, but your dog should be okay off the lead as long as it is under close control. Dog waste bins are provided at the many car parks, so please take a bag with you in case !!!

The Purbeck Dog Park, is set in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The park comprises 6.5 acres. They can provide different environments for you and your dog, from the single dog who needs time on their own in Tranquil Meadow to the Dorset Dogs Adventure Zone, where your dog and their friends can play. See more information on their directory Purbeck Dog Park page.

Dog Waste Bins

The map below shows the locations of the council-supplied dog waste bins. Always clean up after your dog and use the bins provided to dispose of your doggy bags.

You can also use this link to open the map in full-screen mode.