PART of Hampshire’s coastline has been named as one of the most dog friendly beaches in the UK.

Dog Friendly Cottages has published the results of a nationwide study which set out to identify the best waterfront walks for dog owners and their canine companions.

A total of 1,000 dog lovers were surveyed and the shingle beach at Milford on Sea finished in the top six.

Milford boasts stunning views of the Solent and the Needles and is also within walking distance of Hurst Castle, one of the seafront forts built by Henry VIII to guard against the threat of invasion.

A Dog Friendly Cottages spokesman said: “The UK is home to some of the best beaches in the world.

“With 60% of dog owners admitting to missing their pets more than their partners or children on holiday, it’s more important than ever to know which coasts welcome dogs when booking a staycation.

“Milford on Sea is popular with locals and visitors alike.

“This stony beach is dog-friendly all year round and backs on to a nature reserve, providing various paths ideal for dog walks.

“When guests aren’t taking in the stunning views, there are cafes, ice cream kiosks and even a play area nearby.”

Milford’s new accolade comes weeks after the New Forest was named as the second most popular dog walking zone in the UK.

TrustedHouseitters said it analysed nearly 12,000 social media posts about dog walking over the past year.

A spokesman said: “We looked on social media to see which locations people were posting about the most when walking their dog. A massive 11,894 posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook were counted and the results are in.”

The Forest finished second, beaten only by the Lake District.

“It offers one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in southern England,” said the spokesman.

“Awash with wild ponies, deer and beautiful trees, it’s an incredible place to explore with your dog.

The New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) estimates that as many as 25,000 dogs are walked in district every day.

An NPA spokesman said: “Dog walking is very popular. It’s a great way to enjoy the fresh air and exercise and local dog walkers are among the most passionate supporters of the national park.

“However, with animals, sensitive wildlife and rare plants, special care is necessary when walking in the Forest.”