While the New Forest might be most well-known for its vast woodland walks and wild roaming ponies, it also has a 40-mile-long coastline, perfect for embarking on seaside adventures.
The New Forest is incredibly dog-friendly, and its beaches are no exception. Here you’ll find loads of fantastic walks with breathtaking sea views and off-leash adventures aplenty.
Backed by high cliffs and situated along a part of the coast that’s renowned for its fossils, Barton on Sea Beach offers a stunning setting that showcases how diverse the local landscape can be.
The beach is primarily shingle, with some sandy stretches at low tide. The water here is safe, so it is also a popular spot for swimming. Walks along the beach and cliffs here offer some spectacular views, particularly at sunset. There are several car parks above the beach which provide easy access.
Dog Restrictions? No restrictions, the beach is dog-friendly all year round.
Just along the coast from Barton on Sea, you’ll find more charming seaside scenes in Milford on Sea. The beachfront, lined by colourful beach huts, is made up of two main locations that visitors flock to: Hordle Cliff and Hurst Road (known locally as Keyhaven Beach). Hordle Cliff is sandy, with a sand bar revealed at low tide, making for a good place to splash and play.
If you and your pup are up for a lengthier walk, Milford on Sea also marks the start of The Solent Way, a picturesque route that follows much of the shoreline around this edge of the New Forest.
Dog Restrictions? No restrictions, the beaches are dog-friendly all year round.
If you keep heading east from Milford on Sea, you’ll get to the iconic natural feature of Hurst Spit, a one-mile-long shingle bank that stretches into the Solent. While less of a beach in a traditional sense, the walk along here is glorious, with views out to the Isle of Wight on one side and the Keyhaven Marshes on the other.
Plus, at the end of the walk, there’s a castle to explore! Hurst Castle, a Tudor artillery fortress, promises a great day out for the whole family, combining a day by the coast with a chance to learn about the area’s rich history. Dogs are permitted everywhere in the castle and its surroundings, so no one has to miss out.
Dog Restrictions? While the Hurst Spit walk and castle do allow dogs, please be aware that the spit is part of a Nature Reserve, so dogs must be kept on a lead and under control at all times.
Lepe Beach, located within Lepe Country Park near Exbury, offers over a mile of shingle-studded shore backed by pine-covered cliffs. Dogs will love a walk here, enjoying the gentle waters and space to run.
The beach is also included in the Lepe Loop, a 5-mile circular walk that guides you along the beach, up the coastline and through fields and woodland. All in all, a great place for enjoying everything that the New Forest has to offer and expending a bit of boundless energy.
Dog Restrictions? Dogs are welcome at the Country Park and beach all year round with the exception of a seasonal dog ban on the family section of the beach between April and September.
Located on Calshot Spit, which extends into Southampton Water, Calshot Beach offers brilliant panoramic views of the Isle of Wight, Southampton and passing ships.
Great for a stroll across shingle and a splash in the waves, Calshot also hosts a castle at the end of the spit – another of Henry VIII’s forts. Dogs are not welcome inside the castle but are permitted on the grounds, and of course, on the beach.
Dog Restrictions? While the beach allows dogs year-round, watch out for signs in some specific areas, as they may need to be kept on a lead.
Just slightly outside the bounds of the New Forest is the fabulous Highcliffe Beach, a popular shingle and sand stretch that boasts Blue Flag status. The crystalline waters are ideal for swimming and bodyboarding, and the views across the waves certainly won’t disappoint.
There are also some lovely walks along here that’ll be sure to get some tails wagging. Just up from the beach, you will also find Highcliffe Castle and Steamer Point Nature Reserve, so you can make a real day of it.
Dog Restrictions? Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round, however, there are seasonal restrictions from May to September between groynes H4 and H8.
Continue going west, and Highcliffe Beach turns into Avon Beach, a wonderful spot for families and those seeking a classic beach experience complete with sand castle building.
It is one of the best sandy beaches near the New Forest and is a great place to enjoy games of fetch along the shore during the off season. A range of nearby facilities and the easily accessible car park provide added convenience.
Dog Restrictions? Dogs are allowed on the beach off-lead from October to April, but are not permitted during peak seasons. They are allowed on-lead on the promenade throughout the year.
The headland, spit and beaches here form a stunning natural barrier between the sea and Christchurch Harbour. Hengistbury Head Beach is a mix of shingle and sand that adjoins the beautiful golden sands of the Mudeford Sandbank Spit.
There’s plenty to see and explore here as the area is a Nature Reserve and a Site of Scientific Interest and Conservation. A 4.2-mile circular walk around the headland guides you to some spectacular lookout points and panoramic views of The Needles and across Christchurch.
Dog Restrictions? Dogs are allowed on the beaches year-round. However, please be aware that when accessing Hengistbury Head Nature R
With all these great doggy days out in and around the New Forest, you’re never too far from a restorative seaside adventure that the whole family can enjoy.
If you’re staying at one of our dog-friendly cottages in the New Forest or are thinking of booking a trip, we definitely recommend visiting some of these gorgeous spots – just be prepared for sandy paws!
For more recommendations and a chance to recharge after a fabulous fresh air walk, check out our guide to the best dog-friendly pubs in the New Forest.
