[UPDATED JULY 2024]
With summer upon us and the great outdoors beckoning, people across the country are heading to the seaside to enjoy the sun, surf and sand. But if you're planning on heading to the beach, there’s no reason to leave your beloved canine companion at home. A beach walk can be bliss for your dog, too!
Here at YuMOVE, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK for you to visit with your furry friend, for a fantastic day out this summer.
Freshwater West Beach, Pembrokeshire
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @freshwater_west
Freshwater West is a must-visit beach in Pembrokeshire. This sandy beach is breathtakingly beautiful and is a firm favourite for family adventures. It's also a big hit with avid surfers.
With delicate sand, many a rock pool and a long stretch of coast to enjoy, this beach offers a fantastic day out for you and your pup!
Lossiemouth, Moray Firth
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @cazo_72
Lossiemouth is a charming seaside town on the North East coast of Scotland. Blessed with not one but two sandy beaches, glorious dunes, and beautiful countryside, the town is a great place to escape the stresses of modern life and enjoy a summery stroll along the beach with your furry friend.
Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @tmn_jojo
Perranporth Beach boasts miles of golden sand, making it perfect for families, avid walkers and those who love to surf or sunbathe – including your canine companion! For those who are a little more adventurous, there are caves to explore and interesting rock formations to investigate. Your dog will have a fabulous day out at this charming Cornwall beach.
Holkham Beach, Norfolk
Located at the top of the Norfolk coast, this picturesque, endless expanse of sandy beach is perfect for a brisk walk or long Sunday stroll with your dog. It's also situated adjacent to the Holkham National Nature Reserve, offering even more an opportunity for you, your family and your dog to enjoy beautiful scenery. There are no restrictions for dog walking on the beach, but it's advised that your dog is on-lead when enjoying the nature reserve.
Portland Bill, Dorset
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @colesy321
Portland Bill is located at the southernmost tip of the Isle of Portland. It is best known for its picturesque lighthouse, which boasts impressive views across the English Channel from the top. With Chisel Beach close by, this dog-friendly coastal walk is perfect for a day out with your furry friend in tow.
Portstewart Beach, County Londonderry
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @missjessieleigh
Portstewart Strand is located on the northern Atlantic Ocean coast of Ireland. This award-winning National Trust-owned beach boasts two miles of golden sands which you and your pup can enjoy together! Fun fact, this was actually used as a filming location for Game of Thrones!
Walmer Beach, Kent
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @pe8chyrose
Walmer Beach is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent. It is a continuation of Deal beach which is to the north, however, as you head south along the wide expanse of pebbles things become quieter. This picture-perfect pebbled beach is perfect for all the family and allows dogs all year round, with no restrictions.
Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
Image sourced from Instagram - Credit to @itsthelittle_things33
Whitley Bay is a charming seaside town nestled on the North East coast of England. It is home to Whitley Bay Beach, a golden sand beach which stretches from Whitley Bay North towards St Mary's Lighthouse. This two-mile stretch is dog-friendly and there is even an area where your pup can exercise, too.
How to keep your dog safe at the beach
While our list includes some of the best dog-friendly beaches, the rules for on-and-off-lead may vary at each beach destination. In some locations, it is a legal requirement for owners to have their dogs on a lead when out in public, for safety reasons. A lead is an essential tool which can not only aid in training during the early stages of puppyhood, but can also help keep you and your dog safe when you’re at the beach.
Chad Dodd, a vet with over 20 years of experience in the animal health industry and a consultant to YuMOVE, gives his expert advice on keeping your dog safe whilst on the beach: “When you head to the beach, it's best to keep your dog on a long lead (3 to 4 meters) at all times. They can still run around and swim but you'll be able to pull them back to shore if they try to swim too far out or the surf becomes too rough.”
Keeping your dog on a lead is also ideal if your dog is still in the early stages of behavioural training, gets anxious around new people or places, or if they have a tendency to get curious about their surroundings and try wandering off.
So there you have it, these are just some of our favourite dog-friendly beaches in the UK. To read more articles on pet care and trivia, check out our guides section!
