Favourite Dog Days Out in Dorset

Moreton Ford – great for water loving dogs

I am very lucky to live at the edge of Moreton Forest, and enjoy spending my spare time walking the dogs and enjoying the peace and quiet.

One of the most picturesque areas is Moreton Ford, which separates the forest from the small village famous for being the resting place of Lawrence of Arabia. The ford is shallow and a safe place for children to play in the clear water and attempt to catch the tiny minnows. It’s also popular with dog walkers whose pooches like to cool off in the water at the end of a long walk.

Afterwards why not walk over to Moreton tea rooms and enjoy some delicious refreshments. There’s a large walled garden area with seating so if you do have your four legged family members in tow, you can still enjoy a cream tea.

Wareham Forest – lovely forest walk with lots of scents for your dogs to explore

Whether you are after a gentle forest stroll, a run or bike ride, Wareham forest has some excellent tracks that are great all year round and popular with dog walkers too,

It can be tricky navigating your way round unfamiliar woodland, there’s a good chance that the route you choose will be a lot shorter than you intended or an awful lot longer! The great thing about Wareham forest is they have clearly marked forest trails for you to choose from.

The Sika Trail is a 7 mile track designed to be especially suitable for bikes and cyclists of all ages and abilities. Predominantly a flat circuit, it takes you deep into the forest where you can be at one with nature. Keep an eye out for the Sika deer that roam the area!

If you’d prefer a shorter walk you can follow the blue arrows that direct you round a really lovely two mile route.

To find the forest, from the A351 in Wareham, take the Bere Road heading past Wareham train station. The car park for the Sika Trail is clearly signposted approximately one mile up the road on your right.

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Favourite dog beaches

There’s a whole host of dog friendly beaches in Dorset. Studland is probably the most popular, a 4 mile sandy stretch, dogs are allowed on them all year round however they need to be on a lead during the summer months but can be off lead after 6pm.

Lulworth cove is another popular option with dogs allowed off lead all year round. However if you enjoy a nice day out with your 4 legged friend off lead I can highly recommend a trip to Tyneham village. Situated within the army ranges on the Jurassic Coast, it’s only open certain weekends so check before you go. The village was evacuated during the war and villagers were not permitted to return. Take a trip back in time and look round the cottages that have been preserved, a poignant reminder of rural life in years gone by.

From there you can walk down the gravel track for about one mile and reach Worbarrow Bay, a stunning and dramatic part of the coastline. It’s generally a quiet beach and great for exploring with your furry friends. If you’re feeling energetic, instead of taking the flat track back to the car park, you can hike part of the South West Coastal Path which will also lead you back to your car. Guaranteed to get your heart pumping and thighs burning, I promise you the views are well worth it!