🐾 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•
Cogden Beach, Burton Bradstock
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Year-round accessshingle beach

Cogden Beach

Burton Bradstock · West Dorset

Dogs welcome year-round

A quiet, undeveloped stretch of Chesil Beach managed by the National Trust. Dogs welcome year-round. No facilities.

About Cogden Beach

Owned by the National Trust, Cogden Beach is a steep shelving shingle beach located on the coast road between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury. It is part of the larger Chesil Beach, a striking section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site which is the largest shingle ridge in the world. It is popular amongst anglers and dog walkers.

Notable features: Chesil Beach, Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, Cogden reedbed, shingle flowers (pink thrift, sea kale, bird’s foot trefoil).

🐾 Dog Information

Dog Tips

Dogs welcome all year, off lead. Dogs should be kept on a lead near livestock.

Best Time to Visit

Late spring and summer for wildflowers. No specific crowd advice.

Hazards to be aware of

Bathing can be dangerous. The beach shelves steeply and there is a strong under-tow. Take care on the shoreline because sudden large waves can engulf persons at the water's edge.

Parking

Car parking is free for National Trust members with direct access to the beach via a footpath across a field.

Facilities

No toilets. No lifeguards.

Accessibility

Kissing gates and moderate slopes along the way. The beach and sea can be viewed from parking area where there are picnic tables. Parking charges do not apply to blue badge holders. Moderate slopes, but overall an undemanding walk.

Nearby Dog-Friendly Pubs

The Three Horseshoes

300-year-old thatched pub, extremely welcoming to dogs. Water bowls, biscuits, and dog blankets. About 20 minutes' walk along the coast path from Cogden.

Manor - West Bexington

16th-century manor, 5-minute walk. Dog-friendly in bar and outdoor seating. Spectacular Jurassic Coast views.

The Crown Inn

Historic inn, "VERY dog friendly". Dogs welcome in garden and upper bar. Pet-friendly B&B rooms.

Location

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

Postcode: DT6 4RL

Beach restriction information provided by National Trust. Always check local signage on arrival as restrictions can change.
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