A dog's guide to Beaminster — by Bonnie, Chief Dog Officer at Blackbird Cottage
Hello. My name is Bonnie. I am a five-year-old Cocker Spaniel and I am the Head of Dog User Experience at Blackbird Cottage.
My qualifications include an exceptional nose, an encyclopaedic knowledge of West Dorset’s best swimming rivers, a strong opinion on every dog biscuit CJ Pets has ever stocked and five years of dedicated field research in and around Beaminster.
All recommendations in this guide have been personally tried, tested and tail-wagged approved by me.
The enclosed garden
Let us start with the garden at Blackbird Cottage. This is, in my professional opinion, an outstanding facility.
It is fully enclosed. It is sunny. It has excellent sniffing opportunities along the borders and a wildlife pond that I am not allowed near but find extremely interesting from a distance. On arrival, I recommend a thorough perimeter inspection and then a lie-down in whatever patch of sun is available.
The outdoor tap is also excellent. After a long day in the field, this is exactly what is needed.
My verdict: exceptional. Five out of five paws.
The walk to Puckett's Wood
This walk starts from the cottage door, which I consider an important design feature. Head west from the market square past St Mary’s Church and follow the path up toward Gerrard’s Hill.
The woodland is ancient and full of interesting smells. In spring it is carpeted in bluebells and the whole thing smells extraordinary. The paths are well-maintained and there is ample opportunity for off-lead running in the woodland sections.
The humans tend to stop and look at views on the way up. I use this time productively.
My verdict: highly recommended. Particularly in spring. Four and a half paws.
River Brit walk to Netherbury
This is my favourite walk from the cottage. The River Brit runs south from Beaminster to the village of Netherbury — a three-mile circular route along wooded riverbanks that has everything a dog could reasonably want.
The river is cool, clean and exactly the right depth for a Cocker Spaniel. There are long grass meadows on both sides, interesting wildlife in the reeds and several excellent fallen logs to investigate.
I go in the river every single time. My humans know this and bring a towel. We have an understanding.
My verdict: outstanding. Full five paws. The best walk from the cottage.
CJ Pets on the market square
CJ Pets is two minutes from the cottage and I consider it an essential visit on the first morning of every stay.
The selection of treats is comprehensive. The team are knowledgeable about local walks and dog-friendly beaches, which my humans find useful, and they always say hello to me, which I find useful.
If you have forgotten anything — a lead, a collar, dog food, a tennis ball — CJ Pets will have it. If you have forgotten nothing, go anyway. The treat aisle is worth the visit.
My verdict: essential. Five paws.
Nick Tett Butchers
If your human is heading to the local butcher for their delicious bacon, sausages and eggs for a Sunday morning fry‑up, make sure you remind them to pick up some of the butcher’s special dog sausages too. They’re made just for us dogs and they’re absolutely worth the tail wag.
Eype Beach
Eype Beach is twenty minutes from the cottage. Dogs are welcome off the lead all year round.
I will not say much about this because I think actions speak louder than words. The last time I visited Eype Beach I ran for forty-five minutes, went in the sea eleven times and found something interesting under a rock that the humans made me leave.
It is an excellent beach.
My verdict: five paws. Non-negotiable. Go immediately.
A final word
Beaminster is, in my professional assessment, a very good place to be a dog.
The garden is exceptional. The walks start from the door. The river is swimable. The pubs are welcoming. The beach is outstanding. The humans in the town are friendly and most of them stop to say hello, which I consider a sign of a well-organised community.
I look forward to welcoming you and your dog to Blackbird Cottage.
Bonnie
Chief Dog Officer, Blackbird Cottage, Beaminster 🐾