Nine secluded dog-friendly beaches in the UK
The UK’s shores are the perfect playground for our four-legged friends but sometimes you want to do walkies away from the crowds. In this guide, you’ll find a list of secluded dog-friendly beaches that welcome dogs all year round. So you can escape the hustle and bustle and head off on a tranquil, coastal adventure with your pooch – no matter what the season.
1. Lantic Bay
Location: Cornwall
Best for: Dramatic views
Dogs allowed: All year round
Lantic Bay is a peaceful shingle shore fringed by rolling countryside and dramatic cliffs, this secluded dog-friendly beach is one of the best in Cornwall. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the car park – so take your time and enjoy the views.
Place to stay: Fowey Hall is a luxury family hotel that’s just a short drive from the tranquil shores of Lantic Bay.
2. Marloes Sands
Location: Pembrokeshire
Best for: Plenty of coastal walking
Dogs allowed: All year round
This hidden gem is nestled on the far-western side of Pembrokeshire. At low tide, you and your furry friend can enjoy over a mile-long of golden sands. Marloes Sands is set on a peninsula and offers plenty of coastal walks too.
Place to stay: Book a room at The Globe Angle. This 5-star hotel allows furry friends and puts on a great English breakfast.
3. Holkham Beach
Location: Norfolk
Best for: Coastal and woodland walks
Dogs allowed: All year round
One of the most unspoilt beaches in Norfolk, with ample room for your pooch to burn off some energy. Dog walkers will love admiring its wild beauty, as Holkham Beach is backed by sand dunes and pine woods which are great for exploring.
Place to stay: It’s just a short journey by car or bus to Holkham Beach from The Three Horseshoes.
4. Mouth Mill
Location: Devon
Best for: Exploring with your pooch
Dogs allowed: All year round
Not for the faint-hearted, Mouth Mill is known for its jagged rock formations and harsh North Devon coastline. But, don’t let that stop you from visiting this spot in Devon. There’s lots of exploring to do, most notably the Blackchurch Rock Arch and rock pools.
Place to stay: Stay at The New Inn Clovelly and you’ll be right on the coastal path that leads to the beach and National Trust’s Bideford Bay.
5. Haverigg Beach
Location: Lake District National Park
Best for: Its clean waters
Dogs allowed: Welcomes dogs all year round
Haverigg Beach is a secluded dog-friendly beach in the Lake District is a Blue Flag award winner. Your pooch will love having a little doggy paddle in the sea here and running around the sweeping expanses of sand.
Place to stay: The Pavilion Guest House is just a 20-minute walk to the beach.
6. Three Cliffs Bay
Location: Gower, Wales
Best for: Enjoying the views
Dogs allowed: All year round
A scenic, sandy beach in Wales, Three Cliffs Bay offers beautifully unspoilt seascapes. It's backed by sand dunes and characterised by three limestone cliffs and is perfect for walking your four-legged friends.
Place to stay: It’s a short drive from The Gower Hotel but worth it for the incredible panoramic views.
7. Luccombe Bay
Location: Isle of Wight
Best for: Having the beach to yourself
Dogs allowed: All year round
The only way to reach Luccome Bay is via a private lane, but it’s definitely worth it. Even on a summer’s day that you and your pooch will have this top dog-friendly beach in the Isle of Wight to yourselves.
Place to stay: Base yourself in the nearby seaside resort of Shanklin at the Brunswick Hotel.
8. Cayton Bay
Location: Yorkshire
Best for: Fossil hunting
Dogs allowed: All year round
Set on Yorkshire’s coastline, this unspoilt and quiet bay is probably most-loved for having some of the best waves for surfing on the east coast. But if you and your pooch don’t fancy a dip, Cayton Bay is a great spot for fossil hunting too!
Place to stay: Soak up Scarborough’s vibrant atmosphere at The Central Hotel and be just a short walk (or drive if you prefer) to the beach.
9. Singing Sands
Location: Scotland
Best for: Unspoilt, rugged landscapes
Dogs allowed: All year round
One of the most secluded dog-friendly beaches on our list is Singing Sands. It’s renowned for ‘singing sand’, caused by wind blowing over the surface of the shuffle of feet. Its wild and remote nature is a haven for those seeking the rugged landscapes and tranquillity of Scotland.
Place to stay: Loch Shiel Hotel is a pet-friendly hotel in the nearby town of Acharacle.
