🐾 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•
The North Dorset Trailway — long distance trail in Dorset
All Trails
North and East DorsetLong-Distance Trail

The North Dorset Trailway

Sturminster Newton to Poole: 37 miles on former railway trackbed

Photo: A-M-Jervis · Wikimedia Commons · CC licence
37 milesTotal Distance
2–3 daysDuration
EasyDifficulty
3Stages

About This Trail

The North Dorset Trailway follows the former Somerset and Dorset Railway trackbed from Sturminster Newton to Poole — 37 miles of largely flat, traffic-free trail through the Blackmore Vale, Blandford Forum, and the Stour Valley. The route is surfaced for much of its length and is suitable for walking, cycling, and horse riding. The trail passes through some of the finest market town scenery in Dorset — Sturminster Newton (Thomas Hardy's 'Stourcastle'), Blandford Forum (the Georgian market town rebuilt after the fire of 1731), and Wimborne Minster (the collegiate church with the chained library). The flat, traffic-free nature of the trail makes it excellent for families and dogs.

🐾 Dog Notes

Dogs welcome and largely off-lead on the trail. The flat, traffic-free surface is ideal for dogs. Leads near road crossings and in town centres.

Dog Alerts

Lead Policy

Excellent off-lead trail for most of its length. Lead required at road crossings and near the few sections that pass through farmyards.

Livestock

Minimal livestock on the trail itself. Some fields adjacent to the path have sheep and cattle. Keep dogs in sight near field boundaries.

🐾

Paw Protection

Mostly flat, well-surfaced former railway trackbed. Very easy on paws. Some sections have loose gravel. The surface is consistent and dog-friendly throughout.

Stiles & Gates

Very few stiles — the railway heritage means mostly level crossings and gates. Accessible for all sizes of dog.

Seasonal Intel

Apr–Sep

Wildflowers along the trackbed are spectacular in spring. Butterflies and dragonflies in summer. Excellent for wildlife spotting.

Oct–Mar

The trail is well-drained and usable year-round. Autumn colours along the tree-lined sections are beautiful.

Dog-Specific Tips

  • 🐾This is one of the best off-lead trails in Dorset — the long straight sections allow dogs to run freely.
  • 🐾The trail passes through Sturminster Newton, which has dog-friendly cafes and a good butcher for treats.
  • 🐾Cyclists also use this trail — keep dogs in sight and recall them when bikes approach.
  • 🐾The River Stour runs alongside parts of the trail — excellent swimming opportunities for water-loving dogs.

Trail Stages

1

Sturminster Newton to Blandford Forum

12 miles

The Blackmore Vale and the Stour Valley

2

Blandford Forum to Wimborne Minster

13 miles

The Stour Valley and the Tarrant Valley

3

Wimborne Minster to Poole

12 miles

The Allen Valley and the approach to Poole Harbour

Trail Overview Map

Google
Map data ©2026 Google
Map data ©2026 Google

Practical Information

OS Map

Explorer 118, OL22

Getting There

Buses from Poole to Blandford; trains from Poole

Parking

Sturminster Newton (DT10 1AH) is the most convenient start point. Stalbridge (DT10 2LW) for the eastern end.

Sniffari Rating

4/5

A superb off-lead trail on a disused railway line, but the flat terrain and lack of varied habitat means it scores just below the coastal and downland routes for scent variety.

Best For

Off-lead runningFamiliesEasy walkingCycling (shared path)All abilitiesFlat terrain

🍺 Post-Walk Pub

The Swan Inn

Sturminster Newton

Right on the trail route in Sturminster Newton. Dogs welcome. A classic Dorset pub with good food and a riverside garden.

Trail at a Glance

Total distance37 miles
Suggested time2–3 days
DifficultyEasy
Stages3
RegionNorth and East Dorset
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