Bringing dogs to Hengistbury
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Hengistbury Head, but please respect that this is a nature reserve with plenty of rare and beautiful wildlife.
Only registered assistance dogs can come into the Visitor Centre, but we do have lots of paw-fect shady spots to tether them outside whilst you have a quick peek. We even provide water bowls, topped up regularly by our volunteers.
Doggy Do Code
Dorset Dogs champions positive management for dogs in town, coast and countryside and promotes responsible dog ownership.
Take only memories...leave only paw-prints
Make sure you:
- follow requests on the signs
- bag it and bin it
- prevent your dog from chasing wildlife and farm animals
- respect other visitors and keep your dog in sight
- protect nesting birds on heaths, downs and wetlands: keep to paths and use a short lead February to August
- join Dorset Dogs and enjoy Dorset with your dog
Join Dorset Dogs for free on their website.
Dog walking map
Check out our dog walking map for the best places to let dogs have a nice run around, and which places to stick to paths or keep our dogs close-by or on a lead.
The Hengistbury Dog Walking Trail
We've teamed up with the Dorset Dogs team to put together a fun, interactive walking trail for you and your pup!
