The best dog walk in West Dorset, with a pub at each end
This is one of the finest coastal walks in England — and dogs are welcome on every section of it. The path runs along the clifftops between Lyme Regis and Charmouth with views across the Jurassic Coast. Do it one way and get the bus back, or do the full 8-mile return if your dog has the energy.
Park in Holmbush car park and walk down to The Cobb. Dogs are welcome on The Cobb year-round. Walk along the seafront east towards the cliffs. The path climbs steeply from the east end of the beach — it's the hardest part of the walk and it's over in 10 minutes.
Fill up water bottles before you leave Lyme Regis. There's no water on the clifftop path.
The path follows the clifftops with continuous views over the sea. The cliffs here are actively eroding — stay on the marked path and keep dogs on leads near the cliff edge. The descent into Charmouth is steep but well-maintained. The whole walk takes about 90 minutes at a comfortable pace.
The cliffs between Lyme and Charmouth are where Mary Anning found the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton in 1811. Keep an eye on the beach below for fossils.
Dogs are welcome on Charmouth Beach year-round (unlike some Dorset beaches which have summer restrictions). The beach is shingle and sand with good fossil hunting. The river mouth is a good place for dogs to swim.
The Royal Oak pub in Charmouth village (5 minutes walk from the beach) is dog-friendly and serves good food.
The X53 bus (the Jurassic Coaster) runs between Charmouth and Lyme Regis roughly every hour in summer. Dogs travel free. Check timetables at firstbus.co.uk. Alternatively, walk back along the beach at low tide — it's flatter but longer.
Found this useful? Share it.
We use essential cookies to make our site work, and analytics cookies to understand how you use it. We never use your data for marketing. By clicking "Accept All", you consent to all cookies. You can manage your preferences or read our Cookie Policy.