Here is a list of dog friendly beaches in Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch. By dog friendly I mean that allow dogs to be exercised on them in the summer. All beaches in the area allow dogs to be excercised on them at other times of the year.
At the time of writing all BCP (Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch) beaches allow dogs from 1st October through to the 30th April. Dogs must be on a lead at all times when on the piers, promenades, ZigZags and cliff paths. This is irrespective of the time of the year or location.
Basically if it is a Blue Flag Beach then in summer the dog friendly areas on it will either be non-existent or severely restricted. If there is no Blue Flag then the likelihood (not certainty) is that the beach is dog friendly.
As far as I can tell the following beaches are wholly Dog friendly or have areas set-aside for dog exercise. There is a handy (though somewhat approximate) map of these areas on this link
Dog Friendly Beaches in Bournemouth
Alum Chine Beach.
The Dog Friendly area here extends from the Alum Chine Beach Office westwards to the main pathway entrance to Branksome Dene Beach.
Further beach information and parking information for Alum Chine Beach is here.
Durley Chine Beach
The Dog Friendly area here starts at the Ice cream Kiosk and Beach Office then goes west to near the entrance to Middle Chine from the beach.
Further beach information and parking information for Durley Chine Beach is here
Southbourne Beach.
The area here starts about 30 yards to the west of the Beach Office and extentds to just past Gordons ZigZag.
Further beach information and parking information for Southbourne Beach is here
Hengistbury Head Beach.
All of this beach is Dog Friendly. The limit is where Hengistbury Head Beach merges with Southbourne beach. A good demarcation point would be around about where the first rock groyne on on Hengistbury Head Beach.
Further beach information and parking information for Hengistbury Head Beach is here
Dog Friendly Beaches in Poole
Branksome Dene Beach.
This is the area share with Alum Chine Beach in Bournemouth. It extends East from the entrance to Branksome Chine Beach to the Beach Office at Alum Chine.
Further beach information and parking information for Branksome Dene Beach is here
Sandbanks.
There is a small Dog Friendly section of this beach right at the far western end. But be aware that besides the section of beach share with Alum Chine in Bournemouth all of Poole’s main sea-front beaches ban dogs in the Summer.
Further beach information and parking information for Sandbanks Beach is here
Hamworthy Beach.
Hamworthy Beach is dog friendly all year round.
Further beach information and parking information for Hamworthy Park Beach is here
Dog Friendly Beaches Christchurch
Gundimore Beach
Gundimore Beach from Mudeford Quay up to the beginning of the car park for Gundimore beach is dog friendly.
Further beach information and parking information for Gundimore Beach is here
Mudeford Sandbank Beach.
Like Hengistbury Head beach which it is in essence an extension of, this beach is dog friendly.
Further beach information and parking information for Mudeford Sandbank Beach is here
Friars Cliff beach.
This beach is dog friendly from the Wave Wall down to groyne H4 on Highcliffe beach.
Further beach information and parking information for Friars Cliff Beach is here
Dog Friendly Issues: Beware!
Beware of Scams.
I did hear a few years back of an scam where you could purchase a “licence” to take your dog onto Bournemouth Beach. This is a con. Either you can take your dog onto the beach by right. Or you are banned. There is no “licensing”.
The Bleeding Obvious (That still needs to be said)
Now I will state the bleeding obvious. Please don’t get irritated by it. I fully know that the vast majority of dog owners are both considerate citizens and are conscientious in their management of their pet. Although I don’t currently own a dog, I have in the past. I love dogs. Today several members of my family are proud dog owners. I regularly walk with family dogs along our beaches. So I am no form of “dog hater”.
But please be aware that many of the beaches are ecologically fragile. They host many rare species of wildlife. Please ensure your dog does not harass any livestock or cause a nuisance to other users of the beach. Children need a clean and safe environment to play in. So please always clean up after your dog.