Dog friendly beaches- South and Southwest of England

Finally! After what feels like the worst summer ever, we at long last have nice weather predicted over the weekend. So, if you are looking for somewhere to go with your four-legged friend, we have gone hunting for the friendliest dog beaches around the UK, so you don’t have to. Here are our top picks in the South and Southwest of England!

North Devon

Woolacombe (Zone A – no dogs between April 1 and November 1; Zone B – dogs must be on a lead from May 1 to September 30; Zone C – no restrictions). Sandy. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Saunton Sands (left of the slipway only). Sandy. Nearest town: Barnstaple.
Lynmouth. Shingle. Nearest town: Lynton.
Broad Sands (not to be confused with Broadsands in South Devon). Shingle. Nearest town: Ilfracombe
Clovelly. Pebble. Nearest town: Bideford.
Grunta. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Heddon’s Mouth. Rocky. Nearest town: Lynton.
Hele Bay. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Mouthmill Beach. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Bideford.
Newberry Beach, Combe Martin. Pebble. Nearest town: Ilfracombe
Northam Burrows. Sandy. Nearest town: Northam.
Peppercombe. Shingle and rock. Nearest town: Bideford.
Rapparee Cove. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Rockham, Mortehoe. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Shipload Bay. Shingle and rock. Nearest town: Bideford.
Sillery Sands. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Lynton.
Spekes Mill Mouth. Shingle and rock. Nearest town: Bude.
Welcombe Mouth. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Bude.
Wildersmouth. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Wild Pear. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Ilfracombe.
Woody Bay. Shingle and rock. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Lynton.
Wringcliff Beach. Rocky. Nearest town: Lynton.

South Devon

Anstey’s Cove. Shingle. Nearest town: Torquay.
Babbacombe Beach. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Torquay.
Beacon Cove. Pebble. Nearest town: Torquay.
Beesands Beach. Shingle. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Bovisand Bay. Sandy. Nearest town: Plymouth.
Churston Cove. Shingle and rock. Nearest town: Brixham.
Dawlish Town Beach (dogs are permitted left of the breakwater up to 100m from Red Rock Beach). Sandy. Nearest town: Dawlish.
Dawlish Warren Beach (between Groyne 4 and 9 on the main beach). Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Dawlish.
East Portlemouth. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Elberry Cove. Pebble. Nearest town: Brixham.
Elender Cove. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Exmouth (only parts – check local signage). Sandy. Nearest town: Exmouth.
Fairy Cove. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Paignton.
Fishcombe Cove. Shingle. Nearest town: Brixham.
Gammons Head. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Goodrington Sands – North Sands. Sandy. Nearest town: Paignton.
Great Mattiscombe Beach. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Kingsbridge.
Hallsands. Shingle. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Holcombe Beach. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Teignmouth.
Institute Beach. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Torquay.
Landcombe Cove. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Dartmouth.
Livermead Sands. Sandy. Nearest town: Torquay.
Lannacombe. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Leas Foot Sands. Sandy. Nearest town: Kingsbridge.
Maidencombe. Sandy. Nearest town: Torquay.
Man Sands. Sand and pebbles. Nearest town: Dartmouth.
Mill Bay. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Moor Sands. Pebble. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Ness Cove, Shaldon. Sandy. Nearest town: Teignmouth.
Oyster Cove. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Paignton.
Peaked Tor Cove. Pebble. Nearest town: Torquay.
Petit Tor. Sand and pebble. Nearest town: Torquay.
Row Cove. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Plymouth.
Salcombe North Sands. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Salcombe South Sands. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Saltern Cove. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Paignton.
Scabbacombe Sands. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Dartmouth.
Seacombe Sand/Rickham Sand. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Seaton Beach (only parts – check local signage). Pebble. Nearest town: Seaton.
Shoalstone Beach. Shingle. Nearest town: Brixham.
Sidmouth Beach (only parts – check local signage). Pebble. Nearest town: Sidmouth.
Slapton Sands (Torcross). Shingle. Nearest town: Kingsbridge.
Slapton Sands – Monument. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Dartmouth.
Soar Mill Cove. Sand and rock. Nearest town: Salcombe.
St Mary’s Bay. Sandy. Nearest town: Brixham.
Strete Gate Beach. Sand and shingle. Nearest town: Dartmouth.
Sugary and Castle Cove. Sandy. Nearest town: Dartmouth.
Sunny Cove. Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Teignmouth Back Beach. Sandy. Nearest town: Teignmouth.
Thurlestone (South Milton Sands). Sandy. Nearest town: Salcombe.
Thurlestone North. Sandy. Nearest town: Kingsbridge.
Weston Mouth. Shingle. Nearest town: Sidmouth.
Wonwell Sands. Sandy. Nearest town: Plymouth.
Yarmer Beach. Sandy. Nearest town: Kingsbridge.

Reference: www.devonlive.com/whats-on/family-kids/devon-beaches-dog-friendly-6987026

Cornwall

Sandymouth, Bude, North Cornwall. Nearest town: Bude
Trebarwith Strand, Sandy. North Cornwall.
Daymer Bay, North Cornwall. Sandy with rock pools!
Harlyn Bay, North Cornwall. Sandy.
Mawgan Porth, North Cornwall. Nearby: Newquay.
Watergate Bay, North Cornwall. Three restaurants nearby!
Crantock Beach, North Cornwall. Sandy.
Porthkidney, West Cornwall. Sandy.
Nanjizal, West Cornwall. Nearby: Land’s End
Longrock Beach, West Cornwall. Sandy. Beware of some restrictions between May-September
Lansallos Beach, West Cornwall. Keep your eyes peeled for the small waterfall!
Mullion Cove, West Cornwall. More of a harbour than a beach, but at low tide there is a small section of sand that is accessible.
Porthluney Cove, South Cornwall. Sandy.
Polstreath, South Cornwall.
Hemmick Beach, South Cornwall. Sandy. Be aware that access can be limited!
Par Beach, South Cornwall. Facilities nearby!
Talland Bay, South Cornwall. Shingle.
Lantic Bay, South Cornwall.
Mother Ivey’s Bay, North Cornwall. Due to limited facilities nearby, can be quiet even in the summer months.

Reference: www.stayincornwall.co.uk/handbook/dog-friendly-beaches-in-cornwall

Dorset

Abbotsbury Beach, East Bexington. Nearby: Abbotsbury.

Chesil Beach at Abbotsbury to the Tank Teeth Boundary, dogs are welcome all year.

From the Tank Teeth Boundary at Abbotsbury to the Portland Boundary Stone, dogs are welcome on leads to the outer flank (seaward side) of the beach from 1 September to 30 April (at other times dogs are not allowed).

There is no public access outside of these dates. At the Fleet Lagoon Nature Reserve, access is only via the south-west Coast Path, there is no public access along the shorelines of the Fleet to protect wildlife.

Alum Chine, near Bournemouth.

Dogs are allowed all year between Branksome Dene Chine and Alum Chine Beach Office. For the rest of the beach, dogs are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are welcome off lead on all sections of Alum Chine Beach. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, zigzag paths and cliff paths at all times.

Boscombe Beach, near Bournemouth.

Dogs welcome all year at the dog-friendly section of Boscombe Beach at nearby Fisherman’s Walk Beach. For the rest of the beach, dogs are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are allowed off lead on all sections of Boscombe Beach. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, Pier, zigzag paths, and cliff paths at all times.

Bournemouth Beaches.

Dogs welcome all year round on Bournemouth beaches, however between 1 May and 30 September may only be exercised on the following signposted sections of beach:
Border between Poole and Bournemouth beaches to Alum Chine beach office, Middle Chine to Durley Chine, Fisherman’s Walk to Southbourne, and Hengistbury Head.
From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are welcome on all sections of Bournemouth's beaches. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, Pier, zigzag paths, and cliff paths at all times.

Bowleaze Cove. Nearby: Weymouth. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Branksome Chine. Nearby: Poole.

Dogs are welcome all year between Branksome Dene Chine and Alum Chine Beach Office. For the rest of the beach, dogs are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are welcome off lead on all sections of Branksome Chine Beach. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, zigzag paths and cliff paths at all times.

Burton Bradstock (Hive Beach), Bridport. Don’t forget to check out the beach café!

Dogs welcome all year at the dog friendly area of Burton Bradstock Beach heading east towards Cogden Beach, past the wooden chalet. No dogs on the main beach from 1 June - 30 September, except assistance dogs (at other times of the year dogs can be off lead).

Charmouth – East Beach.

Dogs are welcome off leads on Charmouth East Beach (on the Bridport side of the River Char) at any time of the year. Dogs should be always on leads in all car parks and footpaths around the beach.

Cogden Beach. Nearby: West Bay. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Durdle door and Man O’War. Nearby: Weymouth. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Durley Chine Beach. Neaby: Poole.

Dogs welcome all year at Durley Chine Beach between groyne 5 (Middle Chine) and groyne 7 (Durley Chine). For the rest of the beach, dogs are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are allowed off lead on all sections of Durley Chine Beach. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, zigzag paths and cliff paths at all times.

Eype Beach. Nearby: Lyme Regis. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Gundimore Beach. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Hamworthy Park Beach. Nearby: Bournemouth. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Hengistbury Head Beach. Nearby: Bournemouth. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Highcliffe Castle Beach. Nearby: Milford on Sea. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Highcliffe Beach. Nearby: Milford on Sea.

Dogs are welcome all year, off lead at Highcliffe Beach except for the section of the beach between groynes H4 and H8. From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are not allowed on the beach between groynes H4 and H8 (at other times, dogs are allowed off lead). Dogs should be always on a lead on the promenade and cliff paths.

Kimmeridge Bay. Nearby: Swanage. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Lulworth Cove. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Lyme Regis Beaches.

Dogs welcome all year, off lead on East Cliff Beach, Church Cliff Beach and Monmouth Beach. Dogs also welcome at Lyme Regis Front Beach on lead from 1 October to 30 April. No dogs on Front Beach (sandy beach) and Cobb Beach (shingle beach) from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs should be on lead on the pathways adjacent to the beaches.

Mudeford Sandbank. Nearby, Bournemouth.

Dogs allowed all year, off lead at Mudeford Sandbank. If accessing the beach via Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve, dogs should be always under close control to protect wildlife.

Ringstead Beach. Nearby: Weymouth. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!
Sandbanks Beach, Poole.

There is a designated dog beach area at the western end of Sandbanks Beach to Haven Point (by the chain ferry) which is available all year. Dogs are not allowed on the main beach from 1 May to 30 September (at other times, dogs are allowed off lead). Dogs should be always on a lead on the promenade.

Southbourne Beach. Nearby: Bournemouth.

Dogs welcome all year at the dog-friendly section of beach at Fishermans Walk Beach (Groynes 32 to 41) or Hengistbury Head Beach. For the rest of the beach, dogs are not allowed from 1 May to 30 September. From 1 October to 30 April, dogs are allowed off lead on all sections of Southbourne Beach. Dogs should be on a lead on the promenade, zigzag paths, and cliff paths always.

Studland Bay. Nearby: Swanage.

Dogs welcome all year at Studland Beaches, however restrictions apply at certain times of the year. Dogs should be on lead at all access points onto the beaches to protect wildlife on the adjacent heathland. Between 1 May and 30 September, dogs on the beaches must be on a lead less than 2 metres in length (at other times of the year dogs can be off lead).

Swanage Beach.

Dogs welcome all year, off lead at Swanage's Monkey Beach (between Stone Quay and Swanage Pier). Dogs welcome off lead on Swanage's main beach between 1 October and 30 April. On The Parade and adjacent roads leading to the beaches, dogs should be always on leads.

West Bexington Beach. Dogs welcome off lead all year round in designated areas.
Weymouth Beaches.

Dogs welcome all year, off lead, within an allocated dog exercise area at the Pavilion end of Weymouth beach. Dogs are also welcome off lead on the sandy section of the beach up to the Greenhill Groyne between 1 October and 30 April. There are no restrictions from Preston Beach through to Bowleaze Cove. Dogs should be always on lead on The Esplanade. No dogs on the sandy beach up to the Greenhill Groyne from 1 May-30 September.

Worbarrow Bay. Nearby: Swanage. Dogs welcome off lead all year round!

Reference: www.visit-dorset.com/ideas-inspiration/dog-friendly/dog-friendly-beaches/

Are you heading off to the beach with your pooch this weekend? Make sure to tag us in your photos on social media, and make sure to stay safe. You can find our summer and beach advice by heading over to our advice page. Keep a close eye on our website where we will do a separate article covering the South East and North of England next week!