Poole with a Dog

Poole is an easy town to bring a dog to, which is not true of every resort on this coast.

The beaches

Parts of Branksome Dene and Hamworthy Park take dogs year-round. The main bathing beaches carry restrictions through the season, roughly May to September. The boundaries change, so read the signs at the entrance rather than trusting a page you read in March. See beaches.

The walking

This is where Poole wins. The harbour shoreline runs for miles and is almost entirely flat, from Baiter round to Hamworthy and out to Upton Country Park. Across the water, the Studland dunes and the heath are as good as dog walking gets.

Where you cannot go

Brownsea Island restricts dogs to protect the red squirrels and the lagoon birds. On heathland, leads are required in the ground-nesting season and sometimes year-round, because what lives there nests on the ground and does not survive being found.

The welcome

Pubs in the Old Town and around Ashley Cross are overwhelmingly dog-friendly, as are many cafes.

Staying

Plenty of hotels, cottages and parks take dogs. Confirm the supplement and the number allowed when you book, not on arrival. See dog-friendly stays.

Written by The Poole Guide. This guide draws on local knowledge and public information about Poole always check opening times and event dates with the venue before you travel.

Make it a stay, not just a day out

If this has you planning a trip, stay close enough to walk back for a jumper. The where to stay section has the Sandbanks hotels, the quieter beds out at Hamworthy and Broadstone, and the self-catering flats around the Quay, with the areas each one suits. For a longer stay or a family, a kitchen usually beats a room: self-catering compares them. Travelling with a dog? See dog-friendly stays.

Frequently asked questions

Which Poole beaches allow dogs?

Parts of Branksome Dene and Hamworthy Park allow dogs year-round, while the main bathing beaches carry restrictions roughly May to September. Signs at each entrance give the current rules, and the boundaries move.

Is Poole dog-friendly?

Very. There are year-round dog beach stretches, miles of flat harbour shoreline to walk, and pubs in the Old Town and at Ashley Cross that are overwhelmingly dog-friendly.

Can dogs go to Brownsea Island?

Access for dogs is restricted to protect the island's wildlife, including the red squirrels and lagoon birds. Check the National Trust's current policy before travelling.