The Top 20 Dog-Friendly Beaches to Visit Across the UK
From the golden sands of the Cornish coast to the windswept bays of the Highlands, the UK boasts some of the world’s best beaches. Despite this, few beaches permit dogs all-year-round. To help you find the best places to take your four-legged friend for a walk, we’ve compiled an expert guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK along with the nearest place to camp.
Dog-friendly beaches in East Anglia
1. Covehithe Beach, Suffolk
Sitting on a thinly populated slice of the Suffolk coast, Covehithe Beach comprises sandstone cliffs, golden sand and the glistening waves of the North Sea. Make your way down the marked footpath, through the fields and to the golden dunes of this peaceful beach; where dogs are permitted all-year-round.
Nearest campsite: Kessingland Club Site (10 minutes*)
2. Mundesley Beach, Norfolk
Situated on the edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of Natural Beauty, a few miles southeast of Cromer, Mundesley Beach is backed by a raised promenade lined with colourful beach huts. Stretch your legs along the tranquil coastline before taking some time to rest in the pretty clifftop gardens.
Nearest campsite: West Runton Club Site (25 minutes*)
3. Old Hunstanton Beach, Norfolk
Located a short walk from the idyllic hamlet of the same name, the beach at Old Hunstanton is arguably Norfolk’s most picturesque stretch of coastline. Take your dog for a walk on the golden sand, backed by dunes and the iconic striped cliffs. The Old Hunstanton Beach is the only part of the East Anglian coastline that faces west.
Nearest campsite: Sandringham Club Site (20 minutes*)
Dog-friendly beaches in North East
4. Hunmanby Gap, Yorkshire
Sitting just 4 miles south of the seaside town of Filey, Hunmanby Gap is very popular among local dog-walkers due to its open landscape, sandy beach and the fact that it invites dogs all-year-round. Situated within Yorkshire’s Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast, Hunmanby Gap boasts a charming café that invites dogs to rest inside and out.
Nearest campsite: Scarborough Club Site (25 minutes*)
5. Low Newton Beach, Northumberland
Located within walking distance of two of our Northumberland Club Sites, Low Newton Beach is a beautiful stretch of the north-east coastline. Known locally as “Low Newton”, the picturesque village of Low Newton-by-the-Sea is almost entirely owned by the National Trust. After your walk, stop for some locally sourced seafood at the cosy Ship Inn.
Nearest campsite: Beadnell Bay Club Site and Dunstan Hill Club Site (10 minutes*)
6. Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Dunes, Lincolnshire
Set on the Lincolnshire coastline, Saltfleetby Theddlethorp Dunes are a designated National Nature Reserve boasting unspoilt beauty. Contrasting salt marshland and golden sand, Theddlethorp Beach is a vast expanse perfect for taking your dog for a long walk. Even in the height of summer, you won’t encounter many people on this beautiful part of the coast.
Nearest campsite: Mablethorpe Club Site (10 minutes*)
Dog-friendly beaches in North West
7. Meols Beach, Merseyside
Lying on the Wirral Peninsula, a short distance from the historic city of Liverpool, Meols Beach invites dog and owners all-year-round. At low tide, this shingle beach transforms into a vast expanse of sand and mudflats. During the winter, this part of the country is popular among birdwatchers, due to the abundant number of habitant seabirds.
Nearest campsite: Delamere Forest Club Site (45 minutes*)
8. Ravenglass Beach, Cumbria
Nestled on the Cumbrian coast, beside our Club Site of the same name, Ravenglass Beach comprises sand, mud and shingle. With cosy fisherman cottages running along the length of the beach, this beach welcomes dogs all-year-round. Take a detour to the nearby remains of Glannoventa – a former significant Roman fort.
Nearest campsite: Ravenglass Club Site (2 minutes*)
Dog-friendly beaches in Scotland
9. Big Sand, Highlands
Perched beside the shimmering waters of Loch Gairloch, Big Sand is a remote crofting village in the Scottish Highlands. Looking across to the Isle of Skye, Big Sand Beach lies near the snow-capped Munros of Torridon and Skye. Despite its remote location, this beach hosts toilets, showers and a shop.
Nearest campsite: Inverewe Club Site (20 minutes*)
10. Culzean Beach, Ayrshire
Nestled beside the spectacular architecture of Culzean Castle, this secluded beach is the perfect place for walking your dog. Sitting on the untamed Ayrshire coastline, Culzean Beach is mostly formed of rock and sand and backed by areas of dense woodland and sea cliffs. Our Culzean Castle Club Site is within walking distance of the beach.
Nearest campsite: Culzean Castle Club Site (5 minutes*)
11. Longniddry Beach, East Lothian
Sat in an undisturbed setting on the East Scottish coast, Longniddry Beach is a mix of sand and rock. Despite being just 10 miles from the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, this beach is surprisingly peaceful. Not only does Longniddry Beach welcome dogs all-year-round, but it also has a dog exercise area.
Nearest campsite: Dunbar Club Site (25 minutes*)
Dog-friendly beaches in South East
12. Abbots Cliff Beach, Kent
Located a short distance west of the Samphire Hoe Country Park, Abbots Cliff is a secluded beach set below the iconic chalk cliffs of Kent. Take caution when making your way down to the beach, before stretching your legs along this isolated part of the Folkestone-Dover coastline.
Nearest campsite: Folkestone Club Site (10 minutes*)
13. Norman’s Bay, East Sussex
Lying on the Sussex coast between Bexhill and Eastbourne, Normans Bay is a mixture of sand and shingle, sloping gently down to the English Channel. On a clear day, you can see the renowned white chalk cliffs at Beachy Head. Our Normans Bay Club Site sits directly beside the beach.
Nearest campsite: Normans Bay Club Site (2 minutes*)
14. Yaverland Beach, Isle of Wight
Sitting between Sandown and the cliffs of Culver Down, Yaverland Beach is arguably the best beach on the Isle of Wight. At low tide, this relatively small beach turns into a panoramic landscape of flat sand and sandy cliffs. Yaverland is one of the island’s dinosaur beaches, so keep an eye out for prehistoric fossils.
Nearest campsite: Adgestone Club Site (5 minutes*)
Dog-Friendly beaches in South West
15. Beesands Beach, Devon
Backed by fields and a freshwater lake, Beesands Beach is an award-winning Blue Flag, mile-long shingle beach close to Kingsbridge in South Devon. Here, you’ll find a pristine beach and fishing boats offering up the catch of the day.
Nearest campsite: Slapton Sands Club Site (10 minutes*)
16. Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset
Lying within a Special Area of Conservation, Kimmeridge Bay is one of the most dramatic beaches located on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Famous for rock-pooling and snorkelling, Kimmeridge Bay is also an excellent location for a dog walk. Clavell Tower sits proudly above the bay, boasting breath-taking views of the Dorset coast and countryside.
Nearest campsite: Moreton Club Site (32 minutes*)
17. Trebarwith Strand, Cornwall
Situated two miles south of Tintagel, Trebarwith Strand is one of the few easily accessible beaches along the untamed Cornish coast. Today, the beach is owned and maintained by the National Trust. The Strand is a long stretch of golden sand, backed by flat rocks and cliffs.
Nearest campsite: Bude Club Site (15 minutes*)
Dog-friendly beaches in Wales
18. Broad Haven Beach, Pembrokeshire
At high tide, Broad Haven Beach is a narrow strip of pebble beach. At low tide, the beach becomes a vast expanse of firm sand, with plenty of room for a dog to chase a stick or ball. Broad Haven Beach is a beautiful section of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Path, and the cliffs provide sheltered bays.
Nearest campsite: St David's Club Site (30 minutes*)
19. Cilborth Beach, Ceredigion
Lying in a picturesque cove, Cilborth Beach is a short walk north of the similarly beautiful Llangrannog Beach – and at low tide, you can walk between the two. Famed for its rock formation known as Carreg Bica, the beach is blanketed in soft sand. The area surrounding Carreg Bica is home to multiple rock pools teeming with marine life.
Nearest campsite: Cardigan Bay Club Site (15 minutes*)
20. Porthdinllaen Beach, Gwynedd
Sitting on the tip of the Llyn Peninsula in North Wales, Porthdinllaen Beach is a long sweeping bay in the village of the same name. Porthdinllaen is mostly owned by the National Trust and completely car-free – making it a secluded and peaceful haven for dog-walkers.
Nearest campsite: Llanystumdwy Club Site (25 minutes*)
*Please note that the distance between the event and the nearest open Club Site may vary. Always check travel times to the event from the nearest Club Site before booking.