It's always a controversial subject during the summer months, but from this week dogs will be allowed on these beaches following the end of the summer break.​

Annual rules come into force from May 1 each year on many beaches and mean dogs are not allowed at popular spots including Weymouth and West Bay beaches.

The ban period lasts from May 1 until September 30.

Weymouth: Greenhill Groyne to dog exercise area (main sandy beach) - November 1 to Good Friday

Dorset

Dogs allowed all year round

  • Ringstead beach
  • Eype
  • Burton Bradstock
  • Chesil Beach at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary
  • Cogden Beach
  • Greenhill Groyne to Overcombe and Bowleaze Cove and dog exercise area (by Pavilion)

West Dorset

Ban lifted from October 1:

Purbeck

  • Studland: Dogs are welcome all year, but from May 1 until September 30, they must be kept on a two metre lead on all beaches.
  • Swanage beach ban lifted from October 1.

Allowed on these beaches all year round:

  • Kimmeridge
  • Worbarrow
  • Lulworth Cove
  • Durdle Door
  • Man O'War beach
  • Monkey beach

Bournemouth

Dogs have been restricted to these places during the summer...

  • Border with Poole beaches to Groyne 3 (Alum Chine beach office)
  • Groynes 5 to 7 (Middle Chine to Durley Chine)
  • Groynes 32 to 41 (Fisherman’s Walk to Southbourne)
  • Groyne 45 to Hengistbury Head

But they are now free to go on all Bournemouth beaches during the winter.

Christchurch

Bans lifted at

  • Avon Beach
  • Friars Cliff
  • Part of Highcliffe beach

Dogs welcome all year round at Gundimore and Highcliffe Castle

Poole

Bans lifted at

  • Branksome Chine
  • Canford Cliffs
  • Sandbanks
  • Shore Road

Dogs welcome all year round at Branksome Dene.