Dog Friendly Campsite near Poole
Dorset is great for dogs!
At South Lytchett Manor, we’re a family-run park with a genuine love for dogs at our heart. We’ve been welcoming four-legged guests since day one, and today, more than 60% of our visitors arrive with at least one dog. Everything here is designed with them in mind, from our dedicated 2.5-acre off-lead exercise field and agility area to the outdoor dog shower with shampoo and brushes, plus a café and shop where dogs are always welcome (with free puppuccinos and dog treats always on hand!). Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Sites for Pets, we’re perfectly placed for you and your dog to enjoy the very best of the Dorset countryside together.
Why South Lytchett Manor for dogs?
We love welcoming well-behaved dogs and responsible owners! All our pitches are dog-friendly (maximum of 3 dogs), and a large number of our glamping accommodation allow up to 2 dogs, making us a popular destination for dog-friendly holidays in Dorset.
Our off-lead field allows your dog to have a proper run before breakfast instead of just a walk on a lead around the pitch perimeter. For those energetic hounds, we have a new agility area to provide even more tail-wagging fun. We also offer a dog shower with complimentary shampoo to clean off muddy and sandy paws. Our well-stocked shop has essential items, and the café serves pup cups and doggy ice cream, along with a treat jar for well-behaved visitors.
The park’s location allows you to walk directly onto quiet country lanes and field paths, leading to dog-friendly pubs and woodlands without needing a car.
For larger outings, you can easily visit Corfe Castle, Studland, Kingston Lacy, and Lulworth Cove, all within 20 to 35 minutes of most of the county’s best spots, nearly all of which welcome dogs on leads. If you don’t want to take the car, hop on the number 40 Purbeck Breezer outside our gates; dogs are welcome onboard.
Dog facilities in the park
Off-lead dog exercise field
A fully mowed 2.5-acre field exclusively for off-lead exercise. Free poo bags and hand sanitiser are provided at the field entrance. The field is well away from the main pitch areas, so dogs can run without distraction.
Agility course
New for 2026, we have created a dog agility area within the exercise field for those hounds who enjoy a workout. We have weave poles, a tunnel, see-saw, A frame and small jumps!
Outdoor dog shower
There is an outdoor shower station, equipped with a selection of grooming brushes and shampoo for your use. It offers free hot water and does not require booking. Located behind the shop and café, at the top of the park, this station is perfect for washing off after a beach run or a muddy walk before returning to your pitch or glamping accommodation.
Dogs are welcome in the café and shops
Dogs are welcome inside the park café and shop. We keep dog biscuits at the reception counter and stock doggy ice cream in the summer season. If you forget poo bags, they are available in the shop too.
Dog friendly accommodation
Dogs are welcome across all pitch types and most accommodation at the park. We accept up to 3 dogs per pitch and 2 dogs per glamping accommodation for a supplement per dog per night (see pricing tariff).
Dogs are welcome in: touring pitches, camping pitches, Romany caravans, Glamping Pods, Shepherd Huts, Star-gazing Yurts and Nomadic Bell Tents.
Dog friendly beaches near Poole
Our central location means we’re within easy reach of some of Dorset’s best dog-friendly beaches. Take your dog for a fun-filled walk along the water or a swim if they’re feeling brave. Some of the beaches in Dorset have restrictions during the summer season.
- During the winter, from 1 October to 30 April dogs, are allowed on all Poole’s beaches.
- During the summer season, from 1 May to 30 September, dogs are not allowed on any of Poole’s Blue Flag beaches, including Sandbanks, Shore Road, Canford Cliffs and Branksome Chine.
You and your dog(s) can use the following designated beaches all year round:
- the western side of the Alum Chine Beach Office to Branksome Chine Beach Office, Poole
- the middle Chine to Durley Chine
- the eastern side of Branksome Chine Beach Office to the Western side of the Alum Chine Beach Office, Bournemouth
- the western end of Sandbanks promenade to Haven Point by the chain ferry
- Hamworthy Park Beach is a designated dog beach and can be used all year round. It’s only 3 miles away from us at South Lytchett Manor.
For more information, visit BCP Council Where and when you can bring your dog to the beach | BCP
Dogs are welcome on Studland Beach year-round, there are specific restrictions in place. May to September – dog must be on leads in the area immediately in front of the main car parks (Knoll Beach and Middle Beach). South Beach and Shell Bay have no restrictions at any time.
From October to April, dogs can be walked on any beach off lead
Swanage Beach has a dog ban during peak season, but the rest of the year, dogs are welcome.
Dog walks from the park
You can leave the park on foot directly onto the local footpath and lane network. We keep a comprehensive walks folder in the information hut on site. Three circular routes are available to download below — each mapped, rated for terrain and road-crossing frequency, and tested by the team.
- Circular Walk 1 — approx. 4.5 miles through parkland and quiet country lanes to a dog-friendly pub, mainly flat with one stile. Suitable for most dogs.
- Circular Walk 2 — approx. 3 miles through farmland and woodland tracks, some uneven ground and one stream crossing. Leads advised near livestock.
- Circular Walk 3 — approx. 3.75 miles, the longest route takes in open heathland and a section of the Wareham Forest trail network. Off-lead sections available away from roads.
Things to do nearby with a dog
Most of Dorset’s major outdoor attractions are dog-friendly. Below are some of our favourite places within 20–35 minutes of the park.
If you don’t fancy driving, hop on the bus outside the gates. The number 40 Purbeck Breezer is dog friendly and runs a regular service between Swanage, Wareham and Poole.
| Attraction | Dog policy |
| Kingston Lacy (National Trust) | Dogs are welcome in parkland and woodland walks. The Japanese Garden is good in spring. Drive time 12 mins. |
| RSPB Arne | Dog-friendly throughout. One of the best wildlife reserves in the South West. Drive time 15 mins. |
| The Blue Pool Nature Reserve | Dogs welcome on trails and outdoor tearoom seating. Colour-changing lake. Drive time18 mins. |
| Corfe Castle (National Trust) | Dogs on short leads in the outer grounds. Easter egg hunt in Outer Bailey each spring. Drive time 20 mins. |
| Coastal Cruises Poole | Dogs are allowed on all boat trips for a small supplement (£2). Drive time 12 mins to Poole Quay. |
| Upton Country Park | Dog-friendly open parkland 7 mins from the park. Car parking charges apply. |
| Bournemouth and Poole promenade | Long coastal walk with plenty of café stops. Dogs are welcome year-round on most sections. |
Dog friendly pubs and dining
You are well placed for dog-friendly evenings out. Both pubs and restaurants below are within easy reach of the park on foot or by car.
Café at the Gates
Dogs are welcome in our Café at the Gates. Pop in for your morning shot of caffeine or take time to relax with a cuppa after a hard day exploring the beautiful Dorset countryside. There is something for every sweet and savoury tooth with a selection of pastries, cakes, muffins, and cream teas.
St Peter’s Finger, Lytchett Minister
Less than a mile from the park. A comfortable walk from most pitches. Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, including the bar and garden. Good food and a relaxed atmosphere. This is our closest local and the one guests tend to use most. Book ahead for weekends and Bank Holidays.
The Baker’s Arms, Lytchett Minister
A 20 minute walk or a two-minute drive. Rustic country pub setting with dog-friendly sections. Good for a longer evening out. Book specifically for a dog-friendly table as those fill first over bank holidays.
The Cowshed, The Courtyard Craft Centre
Just a short walk from the park, is the Cowshed serving delicious brunch, lunch and cream teas. The perfect dog friendly spot for a holiday treat.
The Greyhound Inn, Corfe Castle
Worth the 20-minute drive if you are spending a day at Corfe Castle. Outdoor seating with views up to the castle ruins. Dog-friendly and a good lunch stop after the walk around the outer grounds.
A few park dog rules
We like to keep things nice and straightforward here — the aim is for everyone, both two-legged and four-legged, to have a relaxed and enjoyable stay.
All dog owners, please take a moment to read our policy below before your visit.
Our Dog-Friendly Guidelines
Leads please: Keep your dog on a short (non-extendable) lead around the park, except in the designated exercise field.
Let them run free: Our 2.5-acre off-lead field is perfect for zoomies, sniffing and stretching their legs.
Stay on your pitch: Dogs should be kept within the boundaries of your own pitch and not allowed to wander.
Scoop the poop: Please clean up after your dog and use the black dustbins provided —and do a quick check of your pitch before you leave.
No solo adventures: Dogs shouldn’t be left unattended if there’s any chance they may become distressed or disturb other guests.
Keeping the Park Peaceful
Whilst we love welcoming dogs and have created great facilities for them, South Lytchett Manor is a tranquil park for both dog owners and non-dog owners alike. All guests expect and deserve a peaceful stay.
Dogs that cause excessive noise (such as constant or prolonged barking), display aggressive behaviour, or where owners do not clean up after them, will be addressed.
If your dog is likely to bark at every passerby or other dogs, we may not be the right fit for your stay.
Occasionally, dogs can become unsettled in a new environment, something owners may not always realise if they leave them alone, so we kindly ask you to keep this in mind.
A Note on Safety & Suitability
Certain breeds may not be accepted, and any breeds listed under the Dangerous Dogs Act are not permitted on the park.
We reserve the right to require that a dog (or any pet) be removed from the park if it is causing a nuisance or poses a danger to other guests.
We are a very dog-loving park, but we do reserve the right to refuse bookings or ask guests to leave if a dog or the owner’s behaviour disrupts the peace of the park or causes distress to others.
Thank you for helping us keep South Lytchett Manor a calm, friendly place for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Dogs are welcome across all pitch types and most accommodation at the park. We accept up to 3 dogs per pitch and 2 dogs per glamping accommodation for a supplement per dog per night (see pricing tariff)
Dogs are welcome at a supplement of £2.50 per dog per night for touring and £5.00 per dog per night in our glamping accommodation. This covers the use of the off-lead field, dog shower and keeping our dog facilities in tip top condition.
Yes. We have a dedicated 2.5-acre mowed field for off-lead exercise with an agility area. Free poo bags and hand sanitiser are provided at the entrance. The field is separate from the main pitch areas
Yes. Dogs are welcome inside the park café and shop. We keep biscuits at the reception counter and stock doggy ice cream during the summer season.
Hamworthy Park Beach is 3 miles away and is a designated dog beach open all year. Lake Pier is also open to dogs year-round. During the winter months (October to April), dogs are welcome on all Poole beaches. In summer, Poole’s Blue Flag beaches are dog-free. We provide a full guide to dog-friendly beaches in the information hut.
Tail wagging fun
Share your dog’s adventures with us and they might make it into the gallery. Tag us on social @campsitedorset
Book your staycation today!
We are keen that your whole family should enjoy camping in Dorset, including your four-legged family members. So, what are you waiting for?! Gather up your canine companion and come and find out why we’re one of the best dog friendly campsites in Dorset.