10 dog friendly beaches and places to stay in the UK
Taking the whole family, including canine members, on holiday makes for an easier and more rewarding time away. Not only is there no need to worry about kennels or dog sitters, you also get to see your four-legged friend enjoy their holiday too!
Take that to the next level with our selection of beaches you can visit with them. There are few things more beautiful than watching your dog canter up and down the beach, sand (or pebbles) flying as they dodge the waves or head straight in for a dip. We’ve married our selection of dog friendly beaches in the UK with suggestions from the Further Afield collection of dog friendly places to stay.
The beaches we’ve chosen welcome dogs all year round, but it’s always worth checking before you go in case rules have changed or if it applies to specific parts of the beach only.
Holywell Bay, Cornwall and Old Pear Tree Barn
On Cornwall’s north coast this idyllic beach has it all. Golden sand. Beautiful views and there’s even a grotto to explore at low tide. There’s a pub nearby and you’re only a few minutes in the car from wonderful Old Pear Tree Barn. Now a lovely holiday cottage for four it’s surrounded by large dog friendly gardens too.
Find out more about Old Pear Tree Barn
Hannafore Beach, Cornwall and Trelugas Cottage
Spend an afternoon rock pooling on this lovely shingley beach with views across to Looe Island, which is now a nature reserve (and definitely not dog friendly!). Just under five miles from the beach is 150 acre Treworgey Farm with its selection of Cornish holiday cottages clustered around a pool and other great activities. Trelugas sleeps up to five and has a fenced garden as well as plenty of space to exercise dogs on the farm.
Find out more about Trelugas Cottage
Hallsands Beach, Devon and Beam Ends
Walk along the coast path from Beam Ends – a beautifully modernised Devon beach house for up to 8 – at Beesands and you come to Hallsands beach, (also known as Greenstraight). It’s a quiet spot and is perfect off season for those seeking windswept solitude.
Cogden Beach, Dorset and Wellhayes
In an area famed for its coastline this is a little known spot between Burton Bradstock and Abbotsbury – both lovely villages for an explore especially the latter with its famed swannery. It’s a steep shingle beach but welcoming to dogs all year round and a perfect spot for cobweb blowing!
The beach is about 25 minutes from the houses at Wellhayes, just outside of Lyme Regis. Down a wooded drive and overlooking a private lake the houses offer privacy and escape coupled with stylish interiors and incredibly comfy beds!
Barton on the Sea, Hampshire and Thatched Cottage Hotel
Edged by cliffs often used for paragliding, this lovely little beach is great for fossil hunters and swimmers, with safe tides and clearer waters. There’s lots to do along this coast, as there is back at beautiful Thatched Cottage Hotel where you can sample gin flights as well as make use of the wonderful walking routes in the New Forest on your doorstep. Brockenhurst is under 30 minutes from Barton on the Sea, but there are closer beaches.
Find out more about Thatched Cottage Hotel
Old Hunstanton, Norfolk and Cartshed Cottages
Oh my. Big skies and a sandy beach stretching off into the distance are the stuff of holiday dreams. It’s an open and windy stretch (very popular with kite surfers) but this is the perfect dog friendly beach. Not too many people and loads of space.
Once you’re done you can scoot back to the stylish and comfortable cottages at Cartshed Cottages, about 45 minutes away. There are beaches closer to Holt, but Old Hunstanton is totally worth a slightly longer drive through stunning countryside.
Find out more about Cartshed Cottages
Alnmouth, Northumberland and St Valery
So this is Roxy, the co host of St Valery’s in artsy Alnmouth. She’s always happy to welcome canine friends and share some of her fave walking routes. One of these is quite literally four minutes away; the wide open and windswept beach at Alnmouth. It’s amazing. And no car required.
The B&B is stylish and welcoming and Harvey’s a great host – one who also curates a rather nice honesty bar at the house.
Tan Y Bwlch Beach, Aberystwyth and Brynarth
This is proper wild, windswept but majestic Welsh coastline at its best. Not for swimming, it’s one for dog walks at any time of the year and taking in this wonderful landscape. It’s just outside of historic Aberystwyth which makes for a lovely day out if you combine the two.
A super easy 20 minute drive and you’re back at cozy and traditional dog friendly B&B, Brynarth Country Guest House, hosted by the charming James and Stuart.
West Sands and Kincaple Stables, St Andrews
These two cottages, converted from original farm buildings, are the perfect base from which to explore this beautiful area by foot and with hound. The Fife coastal path is really close by and there’s foot access to the town itself which takes you via some stunning coastline including skirting the famous West Sands which is doggy heaven.
Find out more about Kincaple Stables
Chapel St Leonards, Lincolnshire and The Elm Tree
A totally unspoilt and vast sandy beach this is dog walking heaven. It stretches away from the town in both directions and offers that open sky feeling that makes the soul soar! And the tail wag.
Less than half an hour in the car and you’re back to Georgian lovely, The Elm Tree in Hundleby, a sweet hamlet just outside of larger Spilsby. Be planned and you could get back in time to partake of afternoon tea at The Elm Tree!
Find out more about The Elm Tree
Whilst we’ve focused on those in the UK near beaches for more dog friendly place to stay check out our full collection of dog friendly places to stay.
