Dog Friendly Holidays in Dorset
West Dorset Leisure Holidays offers the perfect getaway for dog lovers seeking a relaxing break with their four-legged companions. If you’re searching for dog friendly holidays in Dorset then look no further!
We welcome up to 3 dogs per booking at all of our holiday parks and provide a range of dog friendly accommodation and facilities. All of our Holiday Parks are next to the South West Coast Path or surrounded by miles of beautiful countryside and footpaths. Many of our guests’s favourite beaches, places to eat and attractions in the area are also dog friendly. Please note that charges apply to bring dogs with you on holiday and you can find the information below. We do not charge for registered assistance dogs.
Key Features & Prices
- We’re super dog friendly! – 35% of our guests bring a dog with them and we allow up to 3 dogs per booking (2 in some glamping pods).
- Exercising Meadows – All 5 of our parks have dog exercising meadows.
- Dog Shower – Free facility at Highlands End Holiday Park.
- Accommodation – We have dog friendly Lodges, Caravans, Bungalows, Glamping Pods and Safari Tents. 75% of our accommodation is dog friendly.
- Pitches – We welcome dogs with all Touring Caravan, Motorhome, Campervan and Tent bookings.
- Nature Trails – Many of our parks have nature trails, great for exploring with your dogs.
- Martin’s Bar – Has a small dog menu and dog friendly areas of the venue (located at Highlands End Holiday Park).
- Beaches – Dogs are permitted on most West Dorset beaches – find out more.
- SPAR – Dinners, treats, poo bags, leads, ground stakes, toys and more are available in the park shops at Highlands End and Golden Cap.
- Winter Touring – Dogs stay for £1 per night in low season.
- Dog Tie Points – Available at key locations on the parks.
Lodges, Caravans, Bungalows & Glamping – £40 per dog, per week and £30 per dog for short breaks.
Touring and Camping – £3 per dog per night in mid and high season and £1 per dog per night in low season.
Dog friendly improvements for 2025!
More dogs per booking
For 2025, we have increased the number of dogs allowed per booking to 3. This applies to all dog friendly lodges, caravans, bungalows, as well as all of our touring and camping pitches and most of our glamping accommodation! Due to restrictions in space, some glamping pods allow 2 dogs, rather than 3.
More dog friendly accommodation
We have also increased the number of dog friendly lodges, caravans and glamping pods/tents, from 50% in 2024, to 75% in 2025. We’ve still kept a number of hire units designated as dog-free for those guests with allergies.
New dog shower at Highlands End
The dog shower has had an upgrade for 2025. This adjustable temperature shower is fantastic for a wash after a long walk, or a dip in the sea.
Dog Friendly Accommodation
We have a fantastic range of dog friendly accommodation across 5 Holiday Parks. 75% of our self-catering accommodation and all of our touring & camping pitches welcome dogs. Select smaller glamping units allow up to 2 dogs, while everything else allows up to 3 dogs per booking.
Dog Friendly Beaches
Dorset is home to several beautiful dog friendly beaches, making it an ideal destination for dog owners. In fact some of the beaches closest to our holiday parks are dog friendly all year round.
Highlands End Holiday Park
Highlands End is located on the clifftop between Eype Beach and West Bay. Eype Beach is a 5-10 minute walk from the park and welcomes dogs all year round. West Bay is a 15 minute walk from the park. East Beach has restrictions from 1st May to 1st October, but the West Beach nearest the park, allows dogs on leads all year round. The park has an enclosed off-lead dog exercising area, as well as a 2.5 mile nature trail.
Golden Cap Holiday Park
Golden Cap park entrance is just 150 yards from Seatown Beach, which welcomes dogs between 1st October and 30th April. The park is surrounded by 2,000 acres of National Trust land, has the South West Coast Path running right past the park entrance, has a designated dog exercising meadow and a park nature trail.
Graston Copse Holiday Park
Graston Copse is a beautiful 20 minute walk from Hive Beach, along riverside footpaths and village lanes. Parts of the beach have restrictions from 1st May to 1st October, however head East towards Cogden Beach and dogs are welcome all year round. Graston Copse has a woodland walk on the park, as well as a riverside walk and a designated dog exercising meadow.
Sandyholme Holiday Park
Sandyholme Holiday Park’s closest beaches are Osmington and Ringstead (5/6 mile drive) and welcome dogs all year round. As do nearby Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove (7 mile drive)! The park has a designated dog exercising area, a nature trail and is located in a relatively flat area of Dorset with miles of lanes and footpaths. Nearby Tadnoll Nature Reserve is a particularly nice spot for a walk.
Eype Beach Holiday Park
Eype Beach Holiday Park is a 2 minute walk from Eype Beach, which welcomes dogs all year round. The park also has a designated dog exercising meadow and the facilities at nearby Highlands End Holiday Park are a 10-15 minute walk away.
Eype Beach
Burton Bradstock
Cogden Beach
Seatown Beach
Charmouth
Ringstead Bay
Durdle Door
West Bexington Beach
Osmington Mills
Lulworth Cove
Kimmeridge Bay
Tips & Rules
- Leads – Dogs must be kept on leads at all times while on the park, unless within the enclosed designated dog exercising areas or inside your accommodation.
- Supervision – Please don’t leave dogs unattended at any time on the parks, in your accommodation or in vehicles.
- Essentials – Don’t forget to bring essentials such as food and toys. Lodges at Highlands End and Golden Cap Holiday Parks have dog beds included but don’t forget to bring a blanket! The SPAR stores at Highlands End and Golden Cap stock a range of products.
- Accommodation – Dogs are only allowed in the designated dog friendly accommodation. If you take a dog into accommodation that is not allocated as dog friendly, you will be required to pay an additional fee of £80.00 for the deep cleaning of the accommodation.
- Furniture – Please keep dogs off the furniture and soft furnishings in your designated dog friendly accommodation.
- Number – We welcome a maximum of 3 dogs per booking, or 2 in certain glamping accommodation due to the limited space. We ask you to use your discretion and look at the photos to decide if the space is suitable for you and your dogs.
- Fouling – Any dog fouling must be cleared up and bins are provided around the parks for this purpose.
- Dangerous breeds – We do not allow dangerous breeds, as per the Dangerous Dog Act 1991.
- Stray or Lost Dogs – Please let a member of our team know or bring them to the Park Reception. Off of the parks, first check if the dog has their owner’s phone number on their tag. If not, contact Dorset Council on 01305 251010 (West Dorset) or 01305 838000 (Weymouth & Portland). Please remember by law a dog should be wearing a collar with the owner’s name and address.
Local Dog Services
Dog Walkers
Dorset Dog Walks – Beaminster – 07896 486340 (Mon to Fri only)
B Paws – Bridport – 07703 184404
Muddy Muts – Bridport – 07966 388890
Dog Sitters
Vet Pet Sit – Uplyme – 01297 533001 (pre-visit required, Mon to Fri only)
Patsy’s Paws – 01297 678522 / 07955 794330
Pet Calls – 01297 678155 / 07761 566411
Pet Shops
Animal House – 8 South Street, Bridport, DT6 3NQ
Groves Nurseries – 74 West Bay Road, Bridport, DT6 4BA
Pets Direct – 3/5 Old Laundry Trading Estate, Bridport, DT6 3BD
Pets at Home – West Street, Axminster, EX13 5PA
Pets Corner – Gould’s Garden Centre, Weymouth, DT3 6AD
Vets
Bredy Veterinary Centre – Bridport, DT6 4RR – 01308 456771
Haydon Vets – Bridport, DT6 3UX – 01308 456808
Southfield Veterinary Centre – Dorchester, DT1 1DU – 01305 262913
Dog Groomers
Charlotte’s Groom Room – Waytown – 07568 539695
Buddies Dog Grooming Salon – Bridport – 01308 424447
Shaggyz Dog Grooming – Bridport – 01308 538008 (Mon to Fri only)
Polly’s Paws – Crossways – 07955 839322
Martin's Bar & Restaurant
“Martin’s” at Highlands End Holiday Park is a fantastic dog friendly bar & restaurant in Dorset. The venue is open to guests staying at all WDLH parks, as well as the general public. Many areas of the venue are dog friendly and there is a large beer garden with stunning views to Bridport, West Bay and the Dorset countryside.
There are dog bowls with water and doggy treats available, as well as a small dog menu. There are also dog-free areas within the building so please take notice of signage. Both you and your dogs can enjoy a warm welcome and a delicious meal. The venue also features a children’s indoor soft play, an outdoor play area, pool tables and a unique fire engine display.
Dog Friendly Holiday Homes Ownership
At West Dorset Leisure Holidays, we understand that pets are part of the family, which is why we go the extra mile to ensure your dog feels just as at home as you do. We have a community of over 500 holiday home owners across 6 holiday parks and up to 3 dogs are welcome in every caravan and lodge. We have new and pre-owned caravans and lodges for sale and you are bound to find one to suit you. Enjoy unlimited holidays during a 9 month season (caravans) or 10.5 month season (lodges at Larkfield).
The Countryside Code
When walking in the countryside please follow the countryside code.
- By law, dogs must be controlled on a short lead between 01 March and 31 July on open country and common land and at all times near farm animals.
- By law farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.
- If you are confident you can rely on their obedience, dogs can be off a lead on public footpaths, so long as they are under ‘close control’.
- We recommend that on the coastal path and clifftops, dogs are kept on a lead at all times. It is not uncommon for dogs to wander off cliff edges in this area, presenting considerable risk and cost to the Coastguard.
- Always clean up after your dog and dispose of it responsibly.
- Please make sure your dog is wormed regularly to protect it, other animals and people.
- Follow any local signage in relation to leads and restrictions.
- Know where you are allowed to go – most land is private property and access is only available with the goodwill and tolerance of the owner.
A day at Highlands End as told by Harry the golden retriever
“Woof woof says Harry! We would like to welcome you to one of the WDLH Parks. Although they are all dog friendly, we spent the day at Highlands End and we cannot believe how many friends we met! Here is our guide to a perfect doggy day at Highlands End!
Daisy and I started the morning off with a fabulous run and a game of fetch in the park’s dog exercising area. Here we can run around off the lead and see the amazing views across the coastline. We had great fun burning off some energy, ready for a quick rest and drink back at the Motorhome before heading to the Park Shop where our owner’s picked up some morning pastries and some yummy dog food!
After some breakfast ourselves, we began to get restless so after a few teasing barks, we were off for a walk down to Eype Beach with a small picnic and a day out swimming and rock pooling under Thorncombe Beacon. It took me a while to build up the courage to go swimming but Daisy jumped right in off the pebbles! It was so nice to cool off and swim after chasing a ball along the beach, which we pretty much had to ourselves!
After the picnic we walked back up the hill to the park and had a quick wash in the doggie shower to clean off the sand and salt water. After a nice long sleep in the late afternoon sun, it was time to head to Martin’s Bar & Restaurant. It’s great that most of the venue is dog friendly so Daisy and I could relax in the warm with our owners and meet other doggies.
We had a quick pit stop at one of the water bowls before getting some treats from the bar and a couple of bits off the doggie menu, including some delicious doggie ice cream! As good as our food was, our owner’s burger and steak looked incredible!
A short walk back to the Motorhome and it was time for bed, not before saying hello to Jake and Louis from the Park Maintenance Team! Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming and we’ve met so many doggie friends. Tomorrow we’re heading off round the local area!
Our owners used the WDLH app to research dog friendly attractions, beaches and places to eat so we can’t wait to explore some more and discover Dorset!”