Skip to Content

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

10 of the best dog-friendly beaches

Dogs love a day by the sea, so here’s our selection of canine-friendly coastline where you can both enjoy a scamper on the sand.
Headshot of The Good Housekeeping Web teamBy The Good Housekeeping Web team
Body of water, Fluid, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Shore, Coast, Horizon, Beach, Ocean, Sea, Sand,
1

Compton Bay, Isle of Wight

Body of water, Fluid, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Shore, Coast, Horizon, Beach, Ocean, Sea, Sand,
Compton Bay on the southwest of the island is popular with families, surfers and dog walkers, as they are welcome on the beach between Hanover Point and Brook Chine all year. Rising behind the coast, there are further walking opportunities across acres of open downland, with stunning views out to sea. 
Find out more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
2

Broadstairs Beach, Margate

Body of water, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Coast, Shore, Tourism, Water, Sand, People on beach, Sea, Beach,
Dogs are welcome any time on beaches at Dumpton Gap and Kingsgate Bay in Broadstairs, and on certain others at specific times of the year or at set hours in the day. Check the web link below for full details.
Find out more: www.visitthanet.co.uk

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Formby, Liverpool

Shrubland, Chaparral, Walking, Dirt road, Sand,
Red squirrels, natterjacks, prehistoric footprints and miles of coastal walks are just waiting to be discovered in this ever-changing landscape where pinewoods meet the dunes. Dogs are welcome year round but must be kept on a lead due to vulnerable wildlife. 
Find out more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
4

West Wittering Beach, Chichester

Sky, Cloud, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Sand, Coast, Shore, Ecoregion, Cumulus, Grassland, Grass family,
The whole beach is accessible to dogs between the end of September and beginning of May. At other times, all zones are open except between groynes 14A and 18, the area in front of the beach huts. This is a great place to take the dogs to stretch their legs – and for yours.
Find out more: www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Berrow Beach, Burnham on Sea

Sunset, Dusk, Sunrise, Horizon, Evening, Afterglow, Red sky at morning, Sunlight, Calm, Dawn,
A glorious six-mile length of beach with dunes and firm sand perfect for walks. Look out for the famous ship wreck and various seabirds attracted by the adjacent marshland. From May to September, dogs are not allowed on the stretch of beach along the sea wall.
Find out more: www.burnham-on-sea.com 

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
6

Blundellsands, Sefton

Fluid, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Standing, Horizon, Shore, People in nature, Sunlight, Beach, Ocean, Wetland,
You can enjoy the cast-iron life-size sculptures by Antony Gormley on this open sandy beach, or watch the intrepid windsurfers out at sea. There are no restrictions for dogs, and you'll find parking and toilets close by.
Find out more: www.britishbeaches.info

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Snettisham Beach, Kings Lynn

Fluid, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Horizon, People in nature, Ocean, People on beach, Sea, Evening, Shore, Dusk,
This attractive Norfolk beach stretches north to Hunstanton and is the only west-facing one in Norfolk. The extensive sand and mud banks are a popular area for birds, and there are no restrictions for dog walkers.
Find out more: www.britishbeaches.info

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
8

Studland Beach, Poole

Coastal and oceanic landforms, Water, Rock, Outcrop, Bedrock, Terrain, Headland, Ocean, Promontory, Sea,
Owned by the National Trust, Studland Beach in Dorset is a wonderful place for dogs and owners to relax and have fun with three-and-a-half miles of beach and plenty of dunes to explore. Dogs are welcome at Studland but may need to be kept on a lead at certain times of the year.
Find out more: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

Milford-on-Sea, Bournemouth

Body of water, Coastal and oceanic landforms, Shore, Coast, Horizon, Fluid, Ocean, Sea, Azure, Aqua,
A long pebble beach, which offers a great length for walking. Dogs are welcome year round.
Find out more: www.britishbeaches.info

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
10

Thorney Bay Beach, Canvey Island

Coastal and oceanic landforms, Shore, Coast, Channel, Wetland, Beach, Lane, Bridge, Mudflat, Levee,
There’s parking, shops and a promenade close to this sandy beach, which is open to dogs all year round. Canvey Island is situated in the Thames Estuary off the southeast coast of Essex, and separated from the mainland by a channel. The beach is made up of sand and mud with a view of the Kent coastline.
Find out more: www.goodbeachguide.co.uk

Top UK places to visit
7 reasons to take your dog to Brighton
10 brilliant British days out
Our favourite beaches in the UK
See all of our great British breaks
Watch Next 
Video poster
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Lifestyle

2xttx4e sheridan smith on set filming for new itv drama i fought the law in shiremoor, north tyneside. the actress takes on the role of ann ming, a theatre nurse from tyneside and the mother of julie hogg, who vanished and was later found murdered. picture date: friday august 16, 2024.

Sheridan Smith's I Fought the Law is superb

kudos and imaginary friends foritvbroadchurchseries 2pictured:david tennant and olivia colman.this image is the copyright of itv.

Cry Wolf is the Olivia Colman drama to know about

london, united kingdom february 04: (embargoed for publication in uk newspapers until 24 hours after create date and time) catherine, princess of wales departs after attending the launch of the bobeam tree trail at the national portrait gallery on february 4, 2025 in london, england. the interactive trail is a new project, from the royal foundation centre for early childhood, based on the new shaping us framework aimed at supporting the development of crucial social and emotional skills in under fives. (photo by max mumby/indigo/getty images)

Kate's riding boots are a double for Primark's £26 pair

tx date:,tx week:,embargoed until:,people:anne (philippa dunne), amanda (lucy punch), felicity (joanna lumley),description:,copyright:merman,credit line:bbc/merman

7 “5-star” Joanna Lumley dramas to watch now

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
grantchesterc itvnote to editors usage rightsfor britbox related editorial use onlyif you use reproduce this image, you must specifically mention the programme in editorial copy and not reproduce simply to promote britbox as a platform this is due to agreed usage rights by copyright ownersthis image is under copyright and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes in your print or online publication this image cannot be syndicated to any other third partybritbox press picture publicity enquiries to iwonakarbowskaitvcom

8 “superb” new cosy crime dramas coming soon

senior caucasian woman cupping her ear to listen

10 daily habits to boost brain health

young woman wearing a scarf and coat looking at the camera

Remember Me is Jodie Comer’s “10/10” crime drama

mary berry silver soap bubble bob

Mary Berry shares her quick cauliflower soup

police officer standing near a car in front of a stone building

After the Flood is a 5-star drama to watch tonight

the princess of wales laughs as she speaks with members of the emergency services during a visit to southport community centre to meet the families of those caught up in the southport knife attack earlier this year. bebe king, six, elsie dot stancombe, seven and alice da silva aguiar, nine, died after a mass stabbing at a taylor swift themed dance class in the merseyside town on july 29. picture date: thursday october 10, 2024. pa photo. see pa story royal kate. photo credit should read: danny lawson/pa wire

Kate's polka dot blouse is timeless - shop Boden's £45 double

nigella bake off pink blazer

We've sourced Nigella’s pink Bake Off blazer

tx date:,tx week:,embargoed until:03 11 2026 00:01:00,people:di ruth calder (ashley jensen),description:,copyright:itv studios,credit line:bbc/silverprint films/jamie simpson

7 “fantastic” crime dramas to watch this November

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below