Dog-friendly Bournemouth — bring the whole family (the four-legged one too)

We get asked this all the time: "Can we bring the dog?" The answer is yes — and not only that, Bournemouth is one of the most dog-friendly towns on the south coast. OUR DOG-FRIENDLY ROOMS We keep a handful of dog-friendly rooms here at The Chocolate Box, with water bowls, blankets and a few homemade treats waiting in the room. Let us know when you book and we''ll get everything ready. DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES Sections of Bournemouth and Boscombe beach are open to dogs all year round, and the rest become dog-friendly from October through April. Hengistbury Head, a short drive away, is dog-paradise — a wild, windswept headland with miles of off-lead room and views all the way to the Isle of Wight. WALKS The clifftop path runs unbroken from Bournemouth Pier west to Sandbanks and east to Southbourne — pick a direction and go. For a longer ramble, jump on the chain ferry across to Studland Bay and walk the sand dunes through to Old Harry Rocks. DOG-FRIENDLY PUBS AND CAFÉS The Goat & Tricycle in the centre, The Cliff Top at Southbourne, and The Albert in Westbourne all welcome dogs. Most beach cafés keep a bowl of water by the door — Urban Reef on Boscombe Pier even has dog menus. DAYS OUT Brownsea Island (a short ferry from Poole Quay) allows dogs on leads — a beautiful wild island with red squirrels and views back across the harbour. We''ll happily share our walks-and-pubs map at check-in. Just ask.