With so many fantastic beaches accepting dogs all year round, pet owners can now enjoy a family holiday without having to leave anyone behind. From North to South, here are my top 10 favourite dog friendly beaches in the UK.
If you want to find the nearest dog friendly beach to you, ‘Nearest Beach’ has it covered!
Durdle Door, Dorset
You may have seen this beach before as it is one of the most photographed beaches in the UK and why wouldn’t it be? It’s beautiful. The soft golden sand gently curves underneath the cliffs and finishes at the natural arch at the opposite end of the beach. The beach is not only popular with friendly dog owners but local kayakers, snorkelers and scuba divers too.
Access is available from the nearby caravan car park or its neighbouring beach, Lulworth Cove. Facilities include a shop, toilets and parking; however there will be a car park charge.
Perranporth Beach, Cornwall
If you’re planning a dog friendly break to Cornwall, add Perranporth beach to the top of your to do list. With one of the largest stretches of unbroken sand on the North Coast when joined with Penhale Sands at low tide, you are sure to wear out your little friend with a good run around. Take a picnic and relax on one of its many dunes or visit The Watering Hole, a local pub which not only looks over the beach, but is actually on it.
Other facilities include parking, toilets, shops and restaurants for a Cornish lunch or evening meal.
St Bees Beach, Cumbria
If you fancy a bit of shingle and sand on your beach, then St Bees has just that. Take an afternoon walk on Cumbria’s most westerly point and you will soon find yourself having a busy afternoon trying to cover the whole area. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade and set foot on the famous Wainwright ‘coast to coast’ walk.
St Bees is wheelchair friendly with a slipway, public toilets and a local cafe for refreshments.
Whitstable Beach, Kent
For charm culture and rich maritime history head to the town of Whitstable. Famous for its oysters (they even have a festival celebrating the oyster!) and other delicious delicacies, you will be spoilt for choice on where to dine from friendly local shops to cafes and restaurants. The pebble beach itself has wooden dividers, adding to the history and authenticity of the old town. There is plenty of space here for pets wanting to enjoy the waters or if you want to keep them dry, there are dozens of walks nearby.
Rhosilli Bay, the Gower
This beach not only has miles of golden sand and beautiful surroundings, but has recently been voted third in the top 10 beaches in Europe from a Trip advisor survey. Rivalling the hundreds of beaches from the rest of the UK, Spain, Italy, Turkey and Greece, it has since enjoyed visitors flocking here all year round.
If you fancy a bit of bird watching whilst your furry friend checks out the beach, grab some binoculars and look towards the cliffs.
Balmeadie Beach, Aberdeen
Bordered by grassy dunes this Scottish dog friendly beach is part of 208km of unspoilt coastline. Aberdeen locals are proud of the fantastic facilities including children’s swing area, toilets, picnic and BBQ area and wooden walkways across the sands and streams.
If your pets need time out from the sun, a frolic in the sea or the shade from the dunes will soon cool them down.
Camber Sands, East Sussex
Visit one of the most famous beaches in the South East of England and you and your pet will not be disappointed. With plenty of rock pools to keep the kids busy with a bit of crabbing, you can enjoy the natural beauty whilst giving your dog a good run around. The beach has a dedicated area for dogs, so you won’t be short of waste bins.
Facilities include toilets with disables access, dog bins, dog control zones, coastal control office for lost children and first aid. Make sure you take a packed lunch.
Druridge Bay Beach, Northumberland
Druridge Bay is a stunning stretch of golden sand, with over 7 miles of beautiful coastline. A visit here will more than likely give you plenty to see with the daily visits from local horse riders, walkers, cyclists and surfers. Nearby is the Druridge Bay country park where you will find ample wildlife including a new flock of friendly swans. A children’s play area, local cafe with toilets and a large lake are also at hand, you can even set sail to your own sailing boat!
We like the sound of that one.
Branscomb Beach, Devon
One of Devonshire’s most talked about beaches is Branscomb beach. Stretching east for 1 mile to Beer head, the pebble beach is perfect for an afternoon stroll. There are picnic areas available for a delicious lunch from the local cafe, or if you fancy making your own, we recommend some cream teas!
Of course there are hundreds of dog friendly beaches in the UK, each with their own uniqueness, but we can’t favour them all. Add one of these to your itinerary this summer and you as well as your furry friend will have a holiday to remember.
Contributed by Lowenna Pascoe, connect on Google+. Based in Cornwall, in her spare time Lowenna spends her time walking and adventuring with her 4 legged friends – by day she writes for Country View Cottages – who offer dog friendly accommodation all over Cornwall.
