Five Jurassic Coast walks with your dog
One of the bonuses of staying at Blackbird Cottage with your dog is this: some of the finest dog-friendly coastline in England is within a short drive of the front door.
The Jurassic Coast, 95 miles of UNESCO World Heritage coastline, ancient cliffs and fossil-rich beaches stretches out in both directions from Beaminster. And unlike many parts of the English coast, West Dorset’s beaches are genuinely, generously dog-friendly. Several welcome dogs off the lead all year round. Others have seasonal restrictions on specific stretches and Ive noted those clearly below so there are no surprises on arrival.
Here are our five favourite dog-friendly beach walks within 35 minutes of Blackbird Cottage.
Several Dorset beaches introduce restrictions on specific stretches between 1st May and 30th September. Always check the latest guidance before you go. The beaches below have been chosen because they offer reliable dog-friendly access throughout the year on at least part of the beach.
Beach 1 — Eype Beach
Distance from Blackbird Cottage: 20 minutes
Dogs: Welcome all year round, off lead
Café / Pub: The New Inn, Eype · The Watch House Café, Eype
One of West Dorset’s most beautiful and least crowded beaches and the one we recommend most to guests at Blackbird Cottage. A wide stretch of pebble beach tucked beneath dramatic golden cliffs, with far-reaching views along Lyme Bay in both directions.
Dogs are welcome off the lead all year round and the beach is wonderful for a proper run, wide open, uncrowded and backed by the kind of wild, spectacular scenery that makes Dorset so extraordinary. The water is clean and clear and most dogs who visit leave considerably wetter than they arrived.
The coastal path above Eype leads east toward West Bay and west toward Seatown, both spectacular stretches of walking that your dog will adore. The clifftop views are some of the finest on the entire Jurassic Coast.
Afterwards: The New Inn at Eype is a welcoming, dog-friendly pub. The Watch House Café near the beach is also dog-friendly and ideal for a post-walk coffee.
Getting there: Follow the A35 toward Bridport and signs for Eype. Park at Eype Mouth car park (postcode DT6 6AP)(make sure that you pay for the parking using a parking app as they will fine you if you don’t pay).
Beach 2 — Seatown
Distance from Blackbird Cottage: 25 minutes
Dogs: Welcome all year round, off lead
Café / Pub: The Anchor Inn, Seatown
Seatown is a beautiful shingle cove at the foot of the cliffs, the kind of place that feels like a genuine discovery even when you’ve been there a dozen times. Golden Cap, the highest point on the south coast of England at 191 metres, rises dramatically behind the village and the coastal path leads up and over it in both directions.
Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round and the walk from Seatown up to the top of Golden Cap is one of the finest dog walks on the entire Jurassic Coast, steep in places but utterly spectacular.
The beach itself is quieter than most but does have a car park. Your dog will have the run of the shingle beach to themselves for much of the year.
Afterwards: The Anchor Inn sits right on the beach at Seatown, one of the most dog-friendly pubs in West Dorset, with water bowls, a warm welcome and exceptional food. Book a table for lunch; it’s popular and with very good reason.
Getting there: Follow the A35 toward Chideock and signs for Seatown. The car park is at the end of the lane (postcode DT6 6JU).
Beach 3 — Hive Beach Burton Bradstock
Distance from Blackbird Cottage: 25 minutes
Dogs: Welcome all year round on the pebble beach
Café: Hive Beach Café (dog-friendly, outdoor seating and water bowls)
Hive Beach at Burton Bradstock is one of the Jurassic Coast’s most beloved National Trust beaches a stunning sweep of golden pebbles beneath towering amber cliffs, with crystal-clear water and beautiful light.
Dogs are welcome on the pebble beach all year round, and the wide stretch west of the café is perfect for an off-lead run along the shoreline. For a spectacular Jurassic Coast walk, follow the beach east towards Portland before returning along the cliff path for sweeping coastal views.
Afterwards: The Hive Beach Café is renowned across West Dorset for its local seafood and its genuine welcome for dogs with outdoor seating, water bowls always available and the most spectacular sea views as a backdrop.
Getting there: Follow the B3157 coast road toward Burton Bradstock. The Hive Beach car park is signposted from the village (postcode DT6 4RF)(Free for National Trust members).
Beach 4 — West Bay
Distance from Blackbird Cottage: 25 minutes
Dogs: Welcome all year on the western beach stretch · Summer restrictions on central beaches
Café / Pub: Multiple dog-friendly options along the harbour
West Bay the pretty harbour town you may recognise as the setting for ITV’s Broadchurch, is one of the most dramatic spots on the entire Jurassic Coast. The iconic golden sandstone cliffs rise to 50 metres above the eastern end of the beach, and the harbour is one of the most photographed in Dorset.
The western beach stretch at West Bay welcomes dogs all year round and is a popular, sociable spot for dog walkers. Head along the esplanade westwards from the harbour and you’ll find a long stretch of sand and shingle where dogs can play freely regardless of the season usually with plenty of potential canine playmates for sociable dogs.
From West Bay the coastal path leads east toward Eype and west toward Burton Bradstock — both excellent dog walks with spectacular cliff scenery throughout.
Afterwards: West Bay has several dog-friendly cafés and pubs along the harbour front, making it a perfect stop for lunch or a coffee after a morning walk.
Getting there: Follow the B3157 from Bridport and signs for West Bay harbour (postcode DT6 4EN).
Beach 5 — Charmouth Beach
Distance from Blackbird Cottage: 35 minutes
Dogs: Welcome all year round · Restricted on the central beach May–September
Café: The Beach Shop & Café, Charmouth (dog-friendly)
Charmouth Beach is one of the most famous fossil hunting beaches in England. A wide stretch of shingle and sand at the mouth of the River Char, with the dramatic Blue Lias cliffs stretching away toward Lyme Regis and some of the richest fossil beds on the entire coastline.
Dogs are welcome all year round on the western end of the beach, away from the main bathing area, and the beach is particularly wonderful outside the summer season when the whole stretch opens up. Fossil hunting with a dog is one of those activities that sounds impractical and turns out to be completely wonderful, your dog will dig enthusiastically while you scan the shingle for ammonites.
The coastal path from Charmouth leads west toward Lyme Regis a spectacular clifftop walk and east toward Seatown and Golden Cap.
Afterwards: The Beach Shop and Café at Charmouth is dog-friendly and perfect for a post-walk coffee and a browse of the fossil display before heading back to the cottage.
Getting there: Follow the A35 through Chideock toward Charmouth. The beach car park is signposted from the village (postcode DT6 6LD).
A few practical tips for beach walks with dogs
Seasonal restrictions apply on specific stretches of many Dorset beaches between 1st May and 30th September. All five beaches above have dog-friendly sections available throughout the year but always check the latest local guidance before you go, as policies can change.
Fresh water is not always available on the beach itself always carry water for your dog, especially on warmer days and longer walks.
The Jurassic Coast coastal path can be steep and exposed in places. Keep your dog on a short lead near cliff edges the drops can be dramatic and the ground unstable in places.
All five beaches are within a 35-minute drive of Blackbird Cottage. After a day out, you can use the outdoor tap to rinse off sandy or muddy paws, and the cottage also provides dog towels for guests to help keep your dog clean and dry.
Most of the cafés and pubs mentioned above have water bowls but it’s always worth carrying your own just in case.
Your base for a dog friendly Dorset stay
Blackbird Cottage welcomes one well-behaved dog per stay and from the front door, you’ll find stunning countryside walks. Most pubs, restaurants, and cafes in Beaminster also welcome dogs, making it easy to enjoy the area together.
The fully enclosed private garden means your dog can settle safely between adventures. The outdoor tap is ready for muddy paws, and dog towels are provided for guest use. The crackling wood-burning stove is waiting for tired dogs and their equally tired owners at the end of a long day on the coast.
Check availability at the link below. We’d love to welcome you both.
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