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Best dog friendly beaches in the UK

Taking your dog to the beach is a great experience. You’ll love watching them play on the sand, dip their paws in the sea and dig holes – it’s great fun for you and your dog.

However, many beaches in the UK have restrictions on dogs. Some don’t allow dogs on the beach at all and others only allow dogs from the 1st of October to the 30th of April. Luckily, there are still a number of truly dog-friendly beaches left that allow you and your pooch on the beach all year round.

Before you visit your local beach, make sure you read our guides about taking your dog to the beach and introducing your dog to swimming.

Gwynver Beach, Cornwall

Photo © Rod Allday

This white sand beach boasts spectacular views out to sea and is as popular with experienced surfers as it is with dog walkers. It’s bordered to the right by Aire Point and a rocky outcrop on the left prevents you crossing the sand to Sennen Cove unless there is a very low tide.

To access the beach just park up at Sennen Cove and pick up the South West Coast Path which leads along the clifftop for about twenty minutes, before taking a steep cliffside path to the beach. You could even combine your visit with a camp at the nearby Trevedara Farm.

Lulworth Cove, Dorset

Lulworth Cove Dorset
Photo © Lies Thru a Lens

Lulworth Cove is a UNESCO World Heritage site, famous for its impressive geology and blue seas. Walk the perimeter with your pooch whilst searching for fossils in the loss material (no hammers here please) and learn why people come from all over the world to study geology at Lulworth. 

Park up in the Lulworth Cove car park and follow the road down to the Cove. From here you can pick up the paths around the beach to take in the landscape and see fascinating geological formations. Finish your visit with an ice cream on the beach or lunch at one of the dog-friendly venues.

Camber Sands, East Sussex

Camber Sands
Photo © Wikimedia Commons

Camber sands consistently appears on lists of the best dog friendly beaches in the UK, and it’s no surprise why. With its miles of powdery sands bordered by rolling sand dunes, there is plenty of room for your pooch to play and swim. Some parts of the beach have restrictions on dogs in the summer, but there’s still plenty left dog friendly all year round.

To access the beach, park at Camber and walk through the dunes to emerge onto the expanses of sand. There are also plenty of dog-friendly accommodations nearby if you choose to make a holiday of it.

Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle

Dramatic doesn’t begin to describe this incredible beach. Tucked away in the uppermost corner of England, Bamburgh Beach boasts miles of golden sands overlooked by the majestic Bamburgh Castle. 

To access the beach, park at one of the coastal car parks, or at the castle itself, and cross through impressive sand dunes to emerge onto the beach. Relax on the sands or stroll down the beach to take in the views of the castle and the Farne islands.

East Runton, Norfolk

East Runton Beach
Photo © Wikimedia Commons

East Runton beach boasts miles of sands backed by sloping cliffs and is as popular with surfers as it is with fossil hunters. This beach is pawfect for the whole family, including your fur baby. When the tide goes out it uncovers rock pools filled with tiny creatures, as well as hard sand for walking on or digging into!

To access the beach park at one of the many coastal car parks and walk straight out onto the beach. If you want to turn it into a holiday, there are campsites with views right onto the coastline, and plenty of dog-friendly options in the local area.

Silecroft Beach, Cumbria

Photo © Richard Law

On the tip of the Lake District National Park, Silecroft Beach is a popular venue for sea fishing, horse riding, and dog walking. Backed by the impressive Black Combe Fell, the beach here is mostly shingle, with soft sands appearing at low tide. 

Parking is available at the edge of the beach with immediate access onto the beach itself. Why not combine the visit with a hike up Black Combe Fell? Whilst high, it has a fairly easy ascent and offers incredible coastal views for miles – on a clear day you can even see the Isle of Man.

Mellon Udrigle Beach, Highlands

You could be forgiven for thinking Mellon Udrigle Beach is located somewhere exotic – it’s clear waters and white sands are breathtaking. Set against a mountainous backdrop, this spot is truly special. 

There is a car park a stone’s throw from the beach itself, but for an unforgettable experience, book in at the campsite facing the beach and wake up to the noises of lapping waves and the smell of fresh sea air.

Rhossili Bay Beach, Glamorgan

Rhossili Bay Vale of Glamorgan
Photo © Flickr

With 3 miles of beautiful sandy coastline, Rhossili Bay Beach is a hotspot for walkers after a beautiful view. Walk the Gower Way and enjoy the dramatic coastal views before descending to the beach itself for a paddle in the water.

There’s parking available in Rhossili or further along the coastline at Hillend Burrows, where you’ll also find a well appointing camping and caravan site that overlooks the beach.

All that time spent playing at the beach and jumping in the sea will mean your pup is hitting their exercise goals in no time. And because PitPat Dog GPS Tracker is waterproof and robust, you can monitor all your dog’s activity and their location whilst you’re there, so there’s no reason not to dive into whatever adventures these beaches have to offer.

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