stoice Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 (edited) We're thinking of having a week in Dorset, in particular along the Jurassic Coast (I did A level Geology and find all the rock and fossils fascinating, I'm a bit geeky really, but Dorset would be safer and cheaper than visiting Iceland's unpronounceable volcano!) We'd like to stay in a caravan or cottage that is dog friendly and close to a dog friendly beach. Does anybody know of anywhere good? Or at least be able to tell me what beaches are available to dogs all year round. We'd like to go in the 2nd week of Sept so most summer restrictions are unfortunately still in place (But prices should hopefully be cheaper as it'll be out of school holidays) Hope someone can help, it looks beautiful there. edited for typos! Edited September 23, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbier Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 We went to that neck of the woods last year. We stayed in a very large cottage, as there were ten of us. I'm trying to remember the places we went with the dog. Chesil beach; Old Harry Rocks (along the cliff, with the dog on a lead!!!). The NT beach there doesn't allow dogs, I don't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Here's some info on what beaches do and don't allow dogs http://www.dorsetforyou.com/2803 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 18, 2010 Author Share Posted May 18, 2010 Useful list, thanks Claire, I'd searched for ages and not found as much info as that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 There are a whole host of dog-friendly accommodation providers in the UK; last year I googled for some and have at least 30 for that area, including B&Bs and self-catering. It's a lovely coast, so enjoy your break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted May 18, 2010 Author Share Posted May 18, 2010 Yeah, I'm a member of the Dog's trust and they have loads, but none seemed to be very clear about what beaches were dog friendly all year or only certain months. Our pooch would be so frustrated if we got a lovely place by the sea and she couldn't run on it (Or roll in something stinky!) I've been to lulworth cove and durdle door before (On geology trips) and they were stunning - obviously not with a dog then though. The closest i would ever find to fossils near where i live are fossilised sharks teeth at walton-on-the-naze, but i can't wait to find something undiscovered for millions of years on the Dorset coast. It looks so beautiful too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Have you emailed the tourist board for that county? They ought to be able to advise which beaches are dog friendly. TBH though not a lot allow dogs between May and October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Hi . We are just back from a holiday in Cornwall with dog. The majority of the no dog beaches do allow dogs before and after 7 so check the small print. All the pubs and cafes seemed to welcome dogs which was great. Enjoy your break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 I cant remember if it were dog friendly - you might want to give bits a miss as you will find loads of kids with hammers hacking away trying to find fossils so from that point of view a dog may not be safe but I dont think you meant that - watch out for low flying ammonites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 No good for fossil hunting but on that link it says that Weymouth has an area for dogs all year round, and I just wanted to add that's it's a good bit of beach. It's up the pavillion end so right in the town, it's big, huge sandy space, near to all the shops and amenities so not just stuffed up some far end of town that noone wants to go to! And thanks for the link ClaireG - very useful BeckyBoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyfeet Posted May 20, 2010 Share Posted May 20, 2010 There is a beautiful little village called Beer which is near Axmouth. That has a dog friendly beach. They divide the beach in half and it is clearly marked up which side is which and is like that all year round as far as I know. Lovely camping/caravan site at the top of Beer Head, fantastic scenery and wonderfully placed to reach Charmouth, Lyme Regis etc. Dawn x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Thought I'd give you an update. We stayed in a cottage on Portland Island near Weymouth. The whole island has dog friendly beaches although they are large cobbles/stones. It is the start of one nd of chesil beach so the further along you go the smaller the stones got. First day there we walked round the whole island along the coastal path - about 12 miles we think! Dog was SO tired when we got back bless her. (Mind you, so were we, so we had a well earned pint to celebrate our hols) We went to weymouth where they have a section of beach for dogs although if we'd gone after 30th sept they could have the whole beach. By far the best and most beautiful place we visited was durdle door. Amazing. (And apart from the ones i bought in the gift shop, we only found one fossil! LOL. We couldn't take the dog on the best spot of beach for fossil hunting at Lyme Regis but still had a great time) A few pics... durdle door other side of durdle door Swim time Us at durdle door View from Portland hillside Gina and view Gina at speed Other end of chesil beach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Er, dunno why the pics are so big, I resized them all to medium in photobucket. It worked with the Portland hillside shot, why not the others? Mods - any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 wow what brilliant photos I love Gina at speed cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Lovely photos, it makes me quite misty eyed, I love that part of the world, the light quallity is amazing Glad that you had a good dog friendly break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I'd be interested in the details for the cottage you stayed in ta muchly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Well I'd actually rather not recommend the cottage we stayed in. Cottage itself, emaculate, lovely, but it's location wasn't great. We were on the high street section of Portland called Fortuneswell, it's one way and the only route through the village to the quarry and rest of the island. As a result we had lorries thundering past our bedroom window and busses stopping at the two major bus stops, also out side our bedroom window. Oh and a rattling drain that every vehicle bumped over too. Bit unfortunate. Probably why it had a for-sale sign on it too as I doubt they get many return guests. However, I can recommend the company we went through 'Dream Cottages' who sent us a lovely catalogue of places to visit in future, which we most certainly will click Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 What a shame about the location, I can see how that'd spoil it. I shall look at the company though - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 I shall have a look at that, We like to give the dogs a break now and again as they train and compete alot, They go bonkers on the beach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 You might like this place lillybettybabs, only two miles from a very quiet and long flat Norfolk beach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted September 24, 2010 Author Share Posted September 24, 2010 Ooh, Norfolk beaches are lurvely. We stayed in Heacham (near RSPB reserve at Snettisham) further into the Wash. Lots of sand and shallow water to run around and get dirty in (In talking from a doggy's perspective obviously!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 We always pay a visit to the enormous beach at Wells - friends have a beach hut there and we stop off to collect the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Thnaks i'll look into that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Thnaks i'll look into that one. The people who run it have two black labs. Do mention that you know Clare and Rosie as we stay there a couple of times a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
