Discover more at Studland Bay
Find out how to get to Studland Bay, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
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.
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.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Studland Bay all year round, with over four miles of dog walking routes along the water’s edge.
1 October to 30 April: Dogs can be walked on the beach off the lead.
1 May to 30 September: Dogs should be on a lead of less than 2m anywhere on the beach.
1 March to 31 July: Dogs on leads in the heathland and dunes to protect ground-nesting birds.
We have signage to ask visitors to avoid disturbing over-wintering birds on the most sensitive area of Brand’s Bay (the inner harbour, not the main beaches). This includes putting dogs on leads if they are likely to chase birds. Repeatedly being flushing into flight causes these birds stress and uses energy they need to keep warm and feed. The signs offer a nature-friendly alternative circular route encompassing the foreshore at Bramble Bush Bay, the heathland, dunes and beach.
Our definition of close or effective control is:
There are fresh water bowls available at Knoll beach, Middle beach and South beach.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the shop and in the outside seating area of the café where there are shelters, water bowls, dog ties and some shade.
Find out how to get to Studland Bay, where to park, the things to see and do and more.
We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade so that you and your dog can get even more out of the special places we care for.
Discover the best places for a dog walk, from coastal adventures and dramatic mountains to more leisurely walks near you. Plus, find information on dog-friendly cafés and read our Canine Code.
If you’re bringing your dog(s) to the places we care for, you'll find information on our pawprint rating system and the Canine Code to help plan your visit.
Rest and refuel after enjoying a walk with your dog. Here's a selection of the best walks with dog-friendly cafés at places we look after.
We've partnered with natural pet food maker Forthglade to create the Dogs Welcome project, helping you and your dog(s) get the most out of the places in our care.
Discover what’s on the menu at Knoll Beach Café, where you can sit and sip while enjoying sea views, then pop into the shop for a treat to take home.
Four miles of beautiful beaches line the sheltered waters of Studland Bay. The area is ideal for family beach trips and coastal walks.
Catch up on how Dynamic Dunescapes, a nationwide project to restore sand dune landscapes to improve the habitat for nature, is progressing at Studland Bay.
There are plenty of dog-friendly things to do in Dorset. Explore a network of woodland trails or head to the coast for a bracing beach walk or sea swim.