If you're a seasoned, all-weather dog walker, you'll probably be interested in discovering scenic new routes for walking your dog this summer. With the weather cheering up, it really is the perfect time to be enjoying the great outdoors with your four-legged friend in tow.
Besides woodland walks and hilly hikes, some of our favourite routes take us along glorious British coastlines, which provide the perfect backdrop for that early Summer stroll. As most dogs love water, coastal adventures are some of the best, and the UK has so much to offer in this regard.
We've put together a list of some of the top dog-friendly beaches in the UK, from the wide, dramatic stretches of Cornish coastline, to the smooth, sandy expanses of Sussex seaside. If you have a favourite coastline you like to explore, please let us know so we can add it to our list! In the meantime, have a read of our suggestions for a fun-filled day out and get in touch if you've visited any of these exciting locations.
Note: Please check before heading out that there are no new restrictions in place at any of these locations.
1) Sandymouth, Cornwall
Cornwall is home to some of the best coastline in the world, never mind the UK. It is the perfect place for an exhilarating stroll come rain or shine, with its wide, sandy beaches and scenic coastal walks. Let your dog off-lead to enjoy the rock pools and rolling surf, or explore the cliffs and grasslands from a higher vantage point. Don't forget to bring your beach towels to dry your dog off on the ride home!
2) Brean Beach, Somerset
If your dog loves the sea, then Brean Beach offers the perfect place for that brisk seaside stroll. The beach is open year-round, so there’s no need to limit your walks to just the season. Covering 3 miles of sandy seafront and surrounded by countryside, Brean offers beautiful views and a generous stretch of beach to run along and discover.
If you want to go for a walk when the beach is a bit quieter, go at dawn and catch the sunrise over the water. This is a great time for exploring the sand dunes with your dogs and allowing for a peaceful (but chilly!) morning swim.
3) Danes Dyke, Yorkshire
As the weather brightens up, Danes Dyke is the ideal location for a coastal stroll with your pooches. Part of Yorkshire's Nature Reserve, Danes Dyke is part sand, part pebbles, and delivers stunning scenery at early turn. The route is largely unspoiled with white sandy stretches and chalk cliffs.
With all that Danes Dyke has to offer, it's no surprise the area has a quality coast award. Beside the numerous rock pools, rolling tide, flat forest walks, stunning views and ample space for running and play, Danes Dyke is surrounded by lovely areas such as Sewerby and Bridlington which are also worth exploring.
4) Holkham Bay, Norfolk
Voted one of the best beaches in Britain by more than 100 travel writers, Holkham Bay looks beautiful at any time of year, regardless of the weather. The pristine sands are smooth and golden, and stretch for miles along the beach (and equally far towards the sea!) Despite its beauty, Holkham Bay remains a fairly quiet coastal stretch - perhaps its seemingly infinite size helps give the illusion of solitude!
Your dog will enjoy running about the dunes and pine woods above the beach, as well as getting his paws wet in the surf. Why not take a picnic and make a day of it!
5) Milford-On-Sea, Hampshire
One of the few year-round dog-friendly beaches in the area, Milford-On-Sea is a popular shingle beach teeming with appeal. Take the beach at your own pace and admire the colourful huts lining the shoreline, or stop for a drink at one of the numerous cafes and kiosks (they also supply water for dogs so yours needn't go thirsty).
Beside the obvious pleasures of the beach, a lovely walk awaits along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle, which is worth taking advantage of.
6) Slapton Sands - Monument Beach, Devon
Despite its name, Slapton Sands is a shingle beach stretching 3 miles that lies parallel with the beautiful Slapton Ley Nature Trail in Dartmouth, Devon. There are no restrictions on dogs using the beach, which is just as well as it is recommended by the Marine Conservation Society for its excellent water quality, which makes for a refreshing paddle.
Slapton Sands is perfect for anyone who is keen to do a little walking and take in the stunning scenery with their dogs. Give them a run-out and enjoy a fun-filled game of fetch!
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If you have any thoughts or comments to share, or suggestions for dog-friendly beaches in the UK, please post below for our other readers to see! Alternatively you can email me: [email protected]
Written by: Hannah
