I want to have a few days away in the summer holidays.  Very low budget camping and felt I should try somewhere new.  We've been to Devon & Cornwall & Wales on a regular basis so want to try somewhere new.  I though Dorset would be good or perhaps the New Forest.  Does anyone have any recommendations for my required combination:

2 x 11yr old boys + a dog or two + a sandy beach + a Campsite

I want to try very hard to steer clear of commercial touristy theme park activity and instead try 'messing about in rock pools, playing frisbee on the beach, etc.  We wouldn't enjoy ourselves if we didn't have a dog but I am still unclear about beaches and dogs in the summer.

Can anyone help?

OOh I love Dorset. Have you tried Westbay Holiday park, its in a little fishing village and there's a few other parks scattered about on the hillsides whose names escape me at the minute :)  Weymouth is nice but I find a little too expensive in the summer holidays. Dogs are allowed on certain parts of the beach, to respect the non doggy owners, and there's Chesil Beach, Oh I just remembered another one Freshwater (Bay?) Holiday park. Both these sites do camping aswell I think, at least I know Westbay does.
If I can remember the other names I will let you know :)

Dee

i love dorset especially weymouth we went camping there a few years ago on a caravan site out of the caravan and camping magazine cant rember what it was called but it had a path right to the beach at durdle door and it allowed dogs it had a little club house and the field for the touring pitches was huge with a park in the middle and plenty of walks for the dogs it was also the end point of that long walk you can do along the coast leading you into weymouth iam sure if you type in camp sites in dorset into jeeves or something it will come up with plenty ideas

Hi Jackyjat
Went here a few years ago with my kids (only hols we have are budget ones :D) and had a lovely time.  New Forest on the doorstep, no sandy beach, although only a short drive to Bournemouth, Swanage etc.
Sandy Balls

oops - just noticed you want to avoid commercial sites.  Have to admit I do the same, although with this one we did use the pool, and the take away :D other than that it was a base to get into the New Forest, cycling, walking and riding.

Thank you for your suggestions.  I've found some suitable campsites for about £12 per night.  Is that about average for just a tent pitch without too many facilities?

thats is about average for a basic pitch we normally pay about that for a basic pitch