Best Beaches for Walking Dogs in the UK
Dogs love the beach – all that sand, space and seawater. Unfortunately, other beachgoers don’t appreciate having dogs on the beach. The Mums worry about their toddlers being bowled over and the picnic being scarfed by a stray and the teens don’t appreciate their volleyball being punctured by overzealous teeth.
So, where do you take your dog for a run on the beach or just a lazy day with the family on a beach picnic?
Here are our top dog-friendly beach choices:
1. Cotswold Country Park and Beach
This is a great day out with dogs and kids with miles of walks and a doggy swimming beach for them to enjoy. Dogs are fine to be off their leads in the park but must be on leads when going through ‘Waterland’. The swimming area for dogs is near to the main car park but watch out for anglers and obviously use the dog waste bins when necessary. A great day out for the whole family.
2. Brancaster Beach and Harbour, Norfolk
Famous for its mussels, the fishing village of Brancaster Staithe lies on the shores of the beautiful north Norfolk coast. Dogs can be off the leash but under control on the beach and on Scolt Head Island, they are allowed off the leash. It’s a stunningly beautiful area and perfect for families for a day out. Follow the history of the fishing industry at Brancaster Quay, enjoy one of the many courses available at the flagship Brancaster Millennium Activity Centre or be inspired at Brancaster beach.
/places/united-kingdom/norfolk/kings-lynn/beaches/brancaster-beach/Don’t miss: relax and picnic at Brancaster beach, follow the Norfolk Coast Path for great views and wildlife, enjoy the harbour and spectacular salt-marsh views from Brancaster Staithe, step back in time at the Roman fort of Branodunum
3. Swansea Bay, Wales
The Gower Peninsula is a very popular destination for dog-owners, with many of its beaches allowing year-round access for dogs. These include Rhossili, voted the UK’s No.1 dog-friendly beach by The Times.
The full list of Swansea Bay and Gower beaches which allow year-round access for dogs is as follows:
Swansea Bay from the slip (opposite Victoria Park/Patti Pavilion) to the beach access at Sketty Lane Car Park (opposite the Wales National Pool/Singleton Boating Lake), Mumbles (as far as the lighthouse), Pwll Du, Pobbles, Three Cliffs Bay, Oxwich Bay (including Crawley and Tor Bay), Horton (from the Lifeguard Station east towards Oxwich), Port Eynon (from the main steps west to the Salt House), Mewslade Bay, Rhossili Bay, Llangennith and Broughton Bay.
4. Cornwall
Cornwall is every dogs dream destination as there are hundreds of miles of space – wide open real space – to bound about with new smells to experience, golden sand to dig up, big waves to splash around in and plenty of other wet-nosed, waggy tailed friends to meet on the way. There are around three hundred beaches dotted around the Cornish coast and in winter almost all are open to dogs and although in summer access to dogs is restricted in some areas, you’ve still got eighty-five where you’re more than welcome to let Rover run free. More information available here.
5. Devon’s Dog Friendly Beaches
Devon has a lot of dog-friendly beaches but many are to be avoided from 1 May to 30 September. It still leaves a lot of wonderful places to take your dog out though! These are the Devon beaches where dogs are allowed all year round: Beacon Cove, Churston Cove, Fishcombe Cove, Shoalstone Beach (pictured), St Mary’s Bay, Fairy Cove, Goodrington, Dawlish Town Beach and Dawlish Warren Beach.
However, our favourite is Shaldon Cove – Ness Cove at Shaldon nestles in between magnificent red cliffs and is accessed via an original smuggler’s tunnel. At the tunnel’s end, you’ll discover the perfect getaway – life is truly a beach!
Where are your great places to walk the dog? Let us know by commenting below or join the discussion in our forums or on our Facebook page