Enjoy Studland with your dog

A small dog on the lead standing at the beach — Dog on the lead at the beach | © National Trust Images / James Dobson

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Studland Bay all year round, with over four miles of dog walking routes along the water’s edge. Take a coastal stroll to Old Harry Rocks or head inland through the dunes and heathland. Wherever you choose to go with your four-legged friend please follow the guidance below to ensure everyone has a good visit.

Our pawprint rating system

We’ve been working on making it easier for you to find out how dog-friendly your visit will be before you and your four-legged friend arrive. To help with this, we've created a new pawprint rating system and given all the places in our care a rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook.

Studland Bay is a two pawprint rated place.

These places have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. You’ll be able to take your dog into some areas, but not everywhere. If there’s a food and beverage outlet, you can have a cup of tea with them, probably outside. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Helping wildlife at Studland

The shifting dunes and heathlands of Studland Bay support a wealth of rare and precious wildlife. Among the heather and gorse, sand lizards bask in the sun while ground-nesting birds, like the Woodlark, carefully hide in their nests. These birds depend on undisturbed landscape to raise their young, but even a brief disturbance can cause them to abandon their nests, leaving their eggs exposed to predators. Beavers are also resident in Little Sea, don't let dogs enter the water.

Dog access guidance

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Studland Bay all year round, with over four miles of dog walking routes along the water’s edge.

Studland beach (includes Shell Bay, Knoll Beach, Middle Beach, South Beach): Dog on lead May - September. Dog off lead under close control October - April.
Dunes and heathland: Dog on lead March - July. Dog off lead under close control August - February.
Off lead space: Dog off lead under close control all year.

Illustrated map of Studland Bay with key of dog walking areas and grid showing months of the year for dogs on and off leads — Studland dog walking zones and key | © Wallis Agency

For Poole Harbour area, please follow onsite signage.

A Dorset County Council Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order is in force.

The Canine Code at Studland Bay

Do keep close control of your dog at all times, either on a lead (up to 2m) or being able to recall your dog at first call. Follow the seasonal signage for restrictions. Dogs can swim in the sea off lead all year round.
Do bag it and bin it. Deposit in the blue bins provided in the car park. Please do not bag and then leave your dog waste in this special place.
Do respect other visitors and keep your dog in sight: not everyone loves dogs, so before letting your best friend approach other people, please check with them first.
Do keep to the paths: heathland is home to ticks and adders and your dog will be safer on the path. If your dog is bitten by an adder, visit the vet immediately.
Do keep your dog on a lead near cliffs. Every year dogs fall from the cliffs and some are fatally injured. Please don’t let your dog become a casualty.
Horse riders are permitted on Studland beach. Please give them space.

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is:

Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one

What facilities are there for my dog?

Water bowls can be found opposite Knoll Beach café, next to the toilets. There are also refillable water bottle stations at Middle Beach and Shell Bay.
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area at Knoll Beach café. There is a covered seating area available on first come, first serve basis. We are only able to allow assistance dogs inside the cafe, this is due to the food service area and being unable to offer a dog free space for visitors.
Dogs on a lead are welcome in the shop. Stop by Knoll Beach shop and choose from our range of dog towels, toys, leads and toiletries.
Who doesn't love an ice-cream at the beach? Knoll Beach café has a choice of dog ice creams so your best friend can enjoy a treat too.