Great British Dog Walks

Walk distance: 4 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Pub stop: Not a pub, but can highly recommend dog friendly The Cornish Bakery in Swanage for great pasties.

Starting point: Studland, South Beach, BH19 3AU- this is a National Trust car park so free for members, £6 all day otherwise.

Please note this is a linear walk and suggests the number 50 bus back to Studland.

Download the route map here.

This fantastic walk along the South West coast path takes you from the beautiful Studland beach past the famous Old Harry rock formation and on to Swanage. You’ll find glorious views across the bay and even the Isle of Wight. Studland is great if your dog likes to swim as the water is shallow and the beach is sandy. Please note there are some dog restrictions in the summer (from May to October) and dogs are advised to be kept on leads (although when we went in July there were minimal signs and most dogs were off the lead).

From the car park, walk down the road towards the beach- take a detour down the road sign posted for the café and walk down the beach past the beach huts. Take the next turn on the right to come back off the beach and on to the coast path.

Turn left down the well trodden path, and follow the route, where you will eventually come to Old Harry. Carry on along the path keeping to the cliff edge, and ignoring all other routes inland.

Keep walking along the path and you will slowly start to descend down some steps. Keep going until you come out to a housing estate. Follow the signs for the South West Coast path until you reach a main road, Radcliffe Road.

Continue down this road and you will eventually reach the promenade and the centre of Swanage. The beach here has dog restrictions, and dogs are not allowed on the beach from May to October.

A frequent bus service (Bus 50) from Swanage to Poole stops in Studland Village- for timetable information visit Traveline.