It’s time to start considering Autumn beach walks. Autumn half-term is creeping up on us here in England, and those of you with kids and dogs will be thinking about where to go and what to do to keep them all happy. We think beaches are a great place to explore, and most seasonal dog bans are lifted late September or early October.
Finding a spot where the children can roam free is easy, but not so easy finding one where the family dog can join in the fun. So, we thought we’d give you a quick recap of beaches in the UK that allow dogs to run free.
Norfolk
Holkham Beach has four miles of sand where dogs and families can enjoy an Autumnal picnic and a bit of late Summer surf. There are beach huts just in case that nip in the air is a bit too fresh. Otherwise, you can huddle up behind one of the many wooden dividers and break open the flask of hot chocolate! Holkham National Nature Reserve backs this beach, allowing you to prolong your day trip.
East Sussex
Camber Sands is a firm favourite for dog owners and families, as the dunes are far-reaching and provide shelter. There are also great rock pools and odd-looking wildlife here, like the sea splurge and the brown-tailed caterpillar!
The great accommodation in Camber Sands is highly recommended for a half-term break or a quick weekend away.
Camber Sands is a known doggy paradise, and there are dog zones and a good number of waste bins, too!
Hampshire
Lepe Beach is ideal for children and dogs to play and romp around. There is plenty of room and grassy areas, a mile of sand, pine-edged cliffs and meadows full of wildflowers with views of the Isle of Wight!
Lepe was used to embark troops and equipment for the D-Day invasion. You tell this heroic and heartwarming story to your children in between foraging and beachcombing. Little ones will love the children’s play area, and there are toilets and lots of parking!
West Cumbria
St Bees Beaches are both sandy and stony and have excellent facilities for wheelchair access and toilets!
St Bees is the beginning of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast walk. Close by is a good nature reserve where you need to keep the dog on a leash, but further down, there’s a mile-long beach that’s just great for dog walking!
Kent
We’d recommend Whitstable, which is pebbly, but the village it borders is just chocolate-box pretty and full of those olde worlde wooden houses and little quaint shops that even sell oysters!
There is a sharp drop to the sea, so ensure your dog can swim well.
Yorkshire
There is almost a mile of sandy beach at Danes Dyke, just on the south side of Flamborough Headland, giving you loads of room to let the dogs run free and take the children with them!
Picnics are great here as the white cliffs are behind you on both sides of the headland. The sand stretches gently sloping far from the ocean, so you don’t have to get your toes wet.
Devon
Branscombe Beach is a shingle and pebble beach at the end of a down. The beach is close to many popular tourist destinations, such as Beer and Seaton, so there’s plenty to do when you’re not letting your canine friend run free. The beach includes toilets and refreshment facilities and a magnificent clifftop walk.
Dorset
You will easily recognise Durdle Door Beach, as it is probably one of the most famous and photographed beaches in England and is very popular with dog walkers. The sandy beach curves around the cliffs towards the natural arch formed by the waves over thousands of years. Lulworth and Lulworth Cove are nearby, and access is from the Durdle Door Holiday Park car park.
Cornwall
Mawgan Porth Beach offers an excellent change to Newquay and Watergate Bay’s popular and often crowded beaches. Depending on the weather, you will probably only share the beach with a few surfers! The beach tends to disappear mostly when the tide is in, so this might be a good beach to combine with the nearby South West Coastal Path for a long walk. However, for pure peace and tranquillity, it’s hard to beat.
Merseyside
Formby is popular with wildlife spotters and is home to a large colony of red squirrels. Dogs are welcome, but the National Trust, which owns part of the beach, asks that they be kept on a lead at the Lifeboat Road end, away from the squirrel populations.
To help you plan your Autumn beach walks, we have a complete list of dog-friendly beaches by region. See our dog-friendly beaches list or visit our sister dog-friendly site MyPAWfectPlace.