🐾 Beach restrictions lift on 1 October — all Dorset beaches welcome dogs again•🐾 Charmouth Beach: dog-friendly year-round — fossil hunting season in full swing•🐾 Purbeck heathland: keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds (April–July)•🐾 Shell Bay, Studland: dog-friendly year-round — no restrictions at the north end•🐾 Damory Vets Blandford: 24/7 emergency service — 01258 452626•🐾 Vets Now Bournemouth: out-of-hours emergency — 01202 859933•🐾 Blue-green algae alert: avoid still water in hot weather — check EA website•🐾 Brownsea Island: dogs on leads at all times — red squirrel conservation area•🐾 RSPB Arne: dogs on leads — Dartford warblers nesting on heathland•🐾 Golden Cap: steep clay paths — slippery after rain, bring paw wax•🐾 Corfe Castle: National Trust car park — dogs welcome on the earthworks•🐾 River Frome at Moreton: excellent swimming — chalk stream, cold and clear•🐾 Hod Hill: National Trust free car park — dogs welcome on the hillfort•🐾 Cranborne Chase: International Dark Sky Reserve — best stargazing in October•🐾 Weymouth beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September on central section•🐾 Sandbanks Beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September•🐾 Abbotsbury Swannery: NO dogs permitted — not even guide dogs•🐾 Monkey World: dogs not permitted inside — free kennels available on site•🐾 South West Coast Path: entire Dorset section is public footpath — free access•🐾 Maiden Castle: free access at all times — English Heritage site•🐾 Beach restrictions lift on 1 October — all Dorset beaches welcome dogs again•🐾 Charmouth Beach: dog-friendly year-round — fossil hunting season in full swing•🐾 Purbeck heathland: keep dogs on leads near ground-nesting birds (April–July)•🐾 Shell Bay, Studland: dog-friendly year-round — no restrictions at the north end•🐾 Damory Vets Blandford: 24/7 emergency service — 01258 452626•🐾 Vets Now Bournemouth: out-of-hours emergency — 01202 859933•🐾 Blue-green algae alert: avoid still water in hot weather — check EA website•🐾 Brownsea Island: dogs on leads at all times — red squirrel conservation area•🐾 RSPB Arne: dogs on leads — Dartford warblers nesting on heathland•🐾 Golden Cap: steep clay paths — slippery after rain, bring paw wax•🐾 Corfe Castle: National Trust car park — dogs welcome on the earthworks•🐾 River Frome at Moreton: excellent swimming — chalk stream, cold and clear•🐾 Hod Hill: National Trust free car park — dogs welcome on the hillfort•🐾 Cranborne Chase: International Dark Sky Reserve — best stargazing in October•🐾 Weymouth beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September on central section•🐾 Sandbanks Beach: seasonal restrictions 1 May–30 September•🐾 Abbotsbury Swannery: NO dogs permitted — not even guide dogs•🐾 Monkey World: dogs not permitted inside — free kennels available on site•🐾 South West Coast Path: entire Dorset section is public footpath — free access•🐾 Maiden Castle: free access at all times — English Heritage site•
Charmouth East Beach, Charmouth
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Year-round accessmixed beach

Charmouth East Beach

Charmouth · West Dorset

Dogs welcome year-round

Year-round dog-friendly. The east end of Charmouth beach is famous for fossil hunting — keep dogs on leads near cliff falls.

About Charmouth East Beach

Charmouth East Beach is a popular destination for dog walkers, offering a mix of sand and pebbles, especially at low tide. Dogs are welcome off-lead all year round. The beach is known for its fossil hunting opportunities and scenic views of Golden Cap.

Notable features: Fossil hunting, River Char mouth forming a lagoon, Towering cliffs, Stonebarrow Hill, Golden Cap

🐾 Dog Information

Dog Tips

Dogs are welcome off-lead all year round on East Beach. Always pick up litter and use dog bins. Recall is needed due to potential hazards like unstable cliffs and mudslides. Water safety is important, especially near the River Char mouth.

Hazards to be aware of

Strong currents (near river mouth), Risk of mudslides and mud, Risk of being cut off by tides, Falling rocks from unstable cliffs, No lifeguards

Parking

Three car parks are within a short walk to the beach. A small tarmac pay and display car park is directly in front of the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. Two privately owned car parks are open during peak periods. Another car park is halfway down Lower Sea Lane. Parking is paid and can be expensive. The car park at Lower Sea Lane has postcode DT6 6LL.

Postcode for sat nav: DT6 6LL

Facilities

Toilets (accessible with RADAR key) behind the Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre. Dog waste bins are likely present. A beach cafe is located above the high tide line. No lifeguards. First aid point, shop, and beach hut hire are also available.

Accessibility

Wheelchair-friendly promenade and accessible toilet with RADAR key. Access to grassy picnic area with benches across a wooden bridge. Path from foreshore car parks along the river to a footbridge.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Pubs

The George

Most dog-friendly spot in Charmouth. Dedicated doggy menu including dog-safe ice cream (Frozzys). Spacious beer garden.

The Royal Oak Inn

Traditional 16th-century thatched pub. Dogs welcome in bar and garden. Popular with fossil hunters.

Tow Bar & Restaurant

At Newlands Holiday Park. Dog-friendly seating in conservatory and outdoor areas.

Location

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

Postcode: DT6 6LS

Nearby Dog Walks

Golden Cap from Seatown

The highest cliff on England's south coast

5 miles (8 miles with West Bay extension)Strenuous🐾🐾🐾🐾
1.8 km away

Seaton to Lyme Regis via the Undercliff

The Jungle Walk — England's most extraordinary coastal path

7 milesStrenuous🐾🐾🐾🐾
5.9 km away
Browse all walks →
Beach restriction information provided by Dorset Council. Always check local signage on arrival as restrictions can change.
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