The New Forest is just amazing for dogs on holiday, and New Forest Cottages have a huge portfolio of dog-friendly cottages in the forest and along the stunning coastline.
The New Forest National Park is full of boundless open spaces, and no matter how busy the region is, you’ll always be able to find a quiet area to call your own. Take your pick of pretty picturesque spots next to babbling streams, dappled woods, heather plains and wildflower meadows to walk your dog.
Swap muddy paws for sea-salty paws
Don’t forget the New Forest’s coastline and fantastic beaches though, which are just a few minutes’ drive from the National Park’s border. You’ll find some beaches impose restrictions in the peak season, but there are plenty more wonderful beaches and coastal walks to explore where rover can swim, run, rest and play off-leash at any time of year. Take a look below at our pick of the best year-round dog-friendly beaches to visit.
Mudeford Sandbank
Catch the little dog-friendly ferry boat from Mudeford Quay across the entrance of Christchurch Harbour to Mudeford Sandbank – it welcomes dogs off lead all year round. It’s an iconic and beautiful beach, famous for its cavalcade of pastel-painted beach huts, which sell for £300,000 – the most expensive in the country! On one side, small sand dunes gently slope to the sea for safe swimming with views across to the Isle of Wight. On the other side is the huge expanse of Christchurch Harbour, where you and your pooch may like to try some paddle boarding. There are steps leading up to Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve for a full panoramic vista of the seven miles of award-winning beaches of Bournemouth, leading to the millionaires’ playground of Sandbanks and the ancient Purbecks beyond.
Steamer Point to Highcliffe
Park at Steamer Point between Christchurch and Highcliffe. Walk down the small slope, face east, and you’ll be greeted with soft golden sand and a year-round dog-friendly beach! This part of Highcliffe beach is popular for walkers, swimmers, families, and those who prefer to swap noisy arcades and fast food joints for Mother Nature and the chance to swim in the ‘excellent rated’ clean, clear water.
Barton on Sea to Milford on Sea
Barton on Sea is flanked by rows of beach huts, and when the tide is out, there’s a sandy beach with great swimming. Park along the road at the top of the cliff (there’s also a car park) and walk down the slope to a gravel path that runs along the clay cliffs’ baseline. This part of the coastline is well known for its fossils – namely gastropods, shark and ray teeth, which are fun to find as a souvenir to take home.
Milford on Sea and Hurst Castle
This pebble beach has wonderful views across to the Isle of Wight and perfect for a spot of sunbathing, swimming and watching the world go by. The big draw to the village of Milford on Sea is the one-and-a-half mile spit leading to King Henry VIII’s coastal fortress, Hurst Castle, which welcomes dogs inside its fortified walls. For an alternative mode of transport to get back to the village, take the little seasonal ferry from the castle to Keyhaven Harbour and walk back to the beach through Keyhaven Nature Reserve.
Lepe Country Park and Beach
Although there are restrictions that don’t allow dogs on the Lepe main beach from April to September, it has a year-round, dog-friendly coastal country path that is very popular. It’s called the Lepe loop and takes around two hours to walk the five miles, taking in views across The Solent, Isle of Wight and over to Portsmouth.
Eling and Goatee Beach
Goatee beach is a popular year-round shingle beach for walkers and their dogs overlooking the busy shipping lanes and docks of Southampton Water. It’s not a beach for swimmers or sunbathing, but perfect for a walk with picnic tables to pitch up behind Eling Church.
For a furry-friendly holiday cottage in the New Forest, take a look at our portfolio of New Forest Cottages.