Dorset has been named the most dog-friendly destination in the UK, according to a recent study.

Holiday provider Park Holidays has ranked areas of the UK based on the number of dog-friendly beaches, pubs, restaurants, outdoor spaces and National Heritage sites.

The aspects were then weighted to give each area its own percentage.

Dorset ranked top of the charts with an 87% score for dog-friendliness.

Dorset is home to 21 dog-friendly pubs and 53 dog-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people, meaning many options for dog owners to dine.

Dorset even has 10 five-star dog-friendly restaurants for the more pampered pooches.

There are also 26 beaches and six national heritage sites which allows dogs all year round.

Park Holidays has two parks in Dorset, in Charmouth and in Christchurch.

A spokesperson for Park Holidays said: "It seems people have started to realise how pet-friendly Dorset is, as we have seen 1,197 pets booked to stay over the last 12 months, across our two Dorset parks."

Park Holidays said that 22% of people say they won't enjoy their holiday without their dog and have seen searches for dog-friendly holidays rise by 130%.

Meanwhile, Durdle Door in Dorset has been ranked the highest-rated dog-friendly beach in the UK.

A study by bath retailer Showers to You, compiled the list based on google ratings and reviews for 148 beaches with no dog restrictions.

The Dorset beauty spot came out on top with a dog-friendly score of 8.85 out of 10.

Bournemouth Echo: Man O'War Beach finished a close second place in most dog-friendly beachesMan O'War Beach finished a close second place in most dog-friendly beaches (Image: Tom Lawrence)

Finishing just behind in second place was the neighbouring Man O'War Beach with a rating of 8.3 out of 10.