A Guide To Dog Friendly Beaches In The UK
If you’ve opted for a staycation this summer, it means you can take the furriest member of the family along for the trip! We all know how much dogs love the beach, and we love watching them race across the sand and launch themselves into the sea. Sadly, not all of the country’s beaches are open to man’s best friend. Some have restrictions in place for certain times of the year, and others only allow pups into certain sections. But fear not! We’ve put together a list of some of the best dog friendly beaches in the UK. So, you can let your pooch have the time of its life, safe in the knowledge that you aren’t breaking any rules.
1. Holkham Beach, Norfolk
The Norfolk coast is a beautiful place to be. It features stunning landscapes, countless wildlife and nature reserves, and some of the most picturesque beaches in the country. Holkham Beach is one of many sandy beaches in the county. This unspoilt and natural beauty stretches for miles, and is the home to habitats and rare species that make up the Holkham National Nature Reserve.
Due to the nature of the site, there are some strict on-lead policies in place between 1st April and 30th August every year. However, these are only in the most vulnerable areas of the beach, to protect ground nesting birds. This leaves over 70% of the beach free for your dogs to roam off lead, as long as they are under control. So, get practising those recall skills and pack your favourite tennis ball or dog toy for this dog friendly favourite!
Other dog friendly beaches in Norfolk with little or no restrictions include Brancaster, Old Hunstanton, and East Runton.
2. Rhosneigr Beach (Traeth Llydan), Anglesey
Traeth Llydan (Broad Beach) boasts a wonderful display of golden sand, set against a backdrop of rural countryside. Dogs are allowed on this beach all year round; in fact, all beaches in Anglesey are dog friendly, although some do have restrictions.
The sand on this beach makes it a dream destination in any season, and it’s a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. Treat your pooch to the long stretches of dunes and clear waters, while you explore the Anglesey Coastal Path it forms a part of.
Other dog friendly spots in the area include Traeth Crigyll and Porth Nobla.
3. Harbour Cove (Tregirls Beach), Cornwall
For a destination as popular with tourists as Padstow, Harbour Cove is a wonderfully peaceful beach hidden away within the landscape of the Camel Estuary. It is sheltered from the wind, and stretches for almost two miles when the tide is out. This area of the coast sings with history too, being the final resting place of around 600 ships which have run aground at the famous Doom Bar.
The huge stretch of unspoilt sand is the perfect setting for your dog to run loose. Even during peak holiday season, the beach is quiet enough not to worry about getting in anyone else’s way. There are also no restrictions for dogs at any point in the year. With the fine golden sands, turquoise waters, and Cornish weather, you could easily believe you were somewhere more exotic than the UK!
The Cornish coast also hosts a wealth of other dog friendly beaches. These include Perranporth Beach, Sandymouth, and Harlyn Bay.
4. Hunmanby Gap, Yorkshire
There are many dog friendly beaches on the Yorkshire Coast, but we love Hunmanby Gap. You can find this long sandy beach just south of Filey. Dogs are welcome all year round, and there is plenty for both human and hound to explore. As with the other beaches in our guide, Hunmanby is a natural, unspoiled environment. It’s also far enough away from Filey that it avoids the heaviest bouts of tourism, and so can be quiet even during the summer.
5. Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland
The sands of this beach are stunning in their own right, but the setting is enhanced enormously by the stunning Bamburgh Castle that dominates the skyline. This historic 12th Century structure provides a breath-taking backdrop for pup photoshoots!
Bamburgh Beach has no restrictions for dogs at any point in the year, and it stands out as a dog friendly favourite due to its size. The miles of soft sands are also interspersed with rock pools your dog will love exploring.
Another Northumberland spot ideal for dogs is the lovely Embleton Bay, which sits slightly further down the coast. This is another large sandy beach, and is just as picturesque as Bamburgh due to the presence of Dunstanburgh Castle and the grassy dunes and cliffs that frame the setting.
Top Tips:
- Don’t forget to check the tide times for whichever beach you’re going to. Some can become completely inaccessible very quickly!
- Beaches are home to many different species of birds. Even if there are no specific restrictions in place, it’s wise to keep your dog on a lead if there are a lot of birds around.
- Make sure your dog has an identity tag on their collar in case they get a bit too adventurous. It’s a legal requirement!
- We encourage all our readers to follow the “Leave No Trace” principle. So, please clean up after yourself and your dogs, and leave our beautiful beaches as you found them.
Our Top Product Picks for Dog Friendly Holidays
The Le Chameau portable dog bowl is a great accessory for your dog’s holiday. It’s quick drying, lightweight and easy to pack away, but also high quality and presented in Le Chameau’s iconic styling.
A good dog coat will keep your pup warm while they explore the coast. We can’t promise that their fur will stay saltwater free, but our range of Barbour dog coats will absorb at least some of the spray!