Dog walking bans on beaches now in force across the UK
The dog bans are there to protect water quality and keep beaches safe and clean for visitors, but some pet owners may be unaware of them.
Chris Maxted, director of retractable dog gate supplier Dog-G8, shares the regions with beaches still available for dogs and how to check local regulations to avoid fines of up to £1,000.
What are seasonal beach bans?
"Seasonal dog bans on UK beaches are a practical measure to protect water quality and maintain the Blue Flag status that many coastal areas value,' Mr Maxted explained.
"Dog excrement and urine can have a significant impact on water quality, making it unsuitable for swimming.
"Public Spaces Protection Orders allow councils to enforce beach bans during peak seasons to reduce contamination from dog fouling.
"These rules aim to create a safer and cleaner environment for everyone, while making sure coastal waters remain suitable for bathing."
Where could I be fined?
"It's important for dog owners to check before visiting beaches, as the rules can vary significantly,' Mr Maxted said.
"Many beaches allow dogs from October 1 to April 30 but enforce restrictions from May to September under Public Space Protection Orders.
"Some areas will implement complete bans, while others impose partial bans, such as requiring dogs to be kept on leads or limiting them to promenades.
"Ignoring these rules can result in a £100 on-the-spot fine or, if escalated to court, a fine of up to £1,000."
To find out which beaches are open all year round and dog-friendly, it's best to check your local council website.
Regions with dog-friendly beaches
Devon: 79
Cornwall: 60
Northumberland: 37
Dorset: 37
Cumbria: 24
Yorkshire: 24
Norfolk: 21
Kent: 19
East Sussex: 18
Isle of Wight: 15
County Durham: 12
Merseyside: 11
West Sussex: 11
Suffolk: 9
Essex: 8
Lancashire: 8
Lincolnshire: 5
Hampshire: 4
Tyne and Wear: 3
Gloucestershire: 1
Isles of Scilly: 1
Recommended reading:
"Across England, many counties offer a variety of dog-friendly beaches all year round, with Devon leading the way with 79 locations,' Mr Maxted added.
"This gives dog owners plenty of opportunities to enjoy the coast with their pets without the worry of seasonal restrictions."
Guide dogs are allowed on beaches all year round but only when working, in a harness and controlled by a lead.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Passenger on Devon sea safari paralysed after ‘kamikaze seat' accident
A passenger on a sea safari tour in Devon was left paralysed after being thrown from a 'kamikaze' seat on a rigid inflatable boat that slammed into a high wave. The tourist was sitting on a 'jockey' seat at the front of the Lundy Explorer RIB when the accident happened in June 2023. The seats are designed for two people, and passengers sit astride it like on a horse. At the time of the accident, it was occupied by a single passenger, which exposed them to a 'high shock load' and a lack of lumbar support as the boat hit the waves. The RIB, which was operated by Ilfracombe Sea Safari, was leaving Ilfracombe harbour when it 'encountered a high wave, which caused it to slam into an oncoming wave,' a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found.
The Independent
7 hours ago
- The Independent
These islands could be mistaken for Barbados – but they're off the coast of England
From the beach at Pentle Bay, the sea looked tropical – not just blue, but electric, glass-clear and shallow for miles. It was hard to believe I was still in the UK. In recent years, I've travelled far in search of postcard beauty, but standing barefoot on the tide-smoothed sand of Tresco, staring out accross its aquamarine shallows, it was clear I'd found something rare. The Isles of Scilly aren't just beautiful by British standards – they're beautiful, full stop. The archipelago, 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall, is made up of five inhabited islands and dozens of uninhabited ones. St Mary's is the island that works – ferries come and go, posties amble past on foot, and chalkboards list the day's boat times according to tide. We explored on foot, tracing coastal paths past hedgerows, old walls and sudden sea views. At Juliet's Garden, the famed crab sandwich fully lived up to its billing: overstuffed, rich, and best eaten slowly in the sun. Getting between the islands is part of the joy. Each morning, you check the day's destinations scrawled on the harbour chalkboard, then hop aboard a boat skippered by someone who's clearly done it for decades. Some vessels featured a Springer Spaniel – loyal deckhands padding between benches, soaking up attention. Timetables flex around the tide, and nobody complains. If part of the joy is checking the chalkboards in the morning, part of the thrill is rushing back in time for the final boat. Miss it and you're left to your wits – there are no Ubers or late-night Lime bikes here. Tresco is the most photogenic of the five – privately owned, perfectly kept, and blanketed with imported palms and bougainvillaea. The beaches here genuinely rival the Caribbean. We wandered to Pentle and Appletree Bays, both long and near-empty, before swimming among crabs and small fishes in the bay. Bryher is rougher round the edges. The Hell Bay walk winds along cliffs and heath, where the wind knocks conversation flat. We paused for coffee at the Hell Bay Hotel, all sea-glass light and calm interiors, then crossed to Rushy Bay, a soft curve of sand facing the full Atlantic. Bryher invites stillness more than spectacle. It's not an island to 'do', it's one to sit quietly and observe. St Agnes, the southernmost island, felt elemental. We circled the coast on foot, passing gnarled trees, boulders and the occasional half-forgotten boat. The Coastguards Lookout cafe served strong coffee and excellent cake, while the Turk's Head – perched just above the quay – might be the best-placed pub in the country. You can sip your pint as you watch the boat come in, taking as long as you dare before walking the few hundred metres to the jetty And then there's St Martin's – gentle, quiet, and in some ways the most restorative of them all. We followed the coastal path to the lighthouse, winding through heather and ferns, before dropping to the beach where a few in our group knelt for more cowrie shell hunting. I admired their dedication before slipping back into the sea instead. The clearest memory of the trip came on our final full day, when we kayaked from St Martin's and skimmed across the water towards the uninhabited islets. The sea was calm and perfectly transparent, kelp waving beneath the boats like forest canopies. Before long, grey shapes appeared in our periphery – seals, curious and playful. They'd pop up ahead, fix their eyes on us, then vanish, only to reappear silently behind. They kept their distance, but not by much. Only then – after all of that – does the journey itself deserve a mention. The sleeper train from London to Penzance doesn't just get you there; it sets the tone. The Night Riviera has long held a certain romance – a final relic of slower travel – and the experience begins before you've even boarded. Paddington's first-class lounge leads you through Queen Victoria's old waiting room, adding a faint sense of theatre to the moment you step on board. Our twin cabin was compact but surprisingly comfortable – two bunks, soft pillows, and a light but sufficient duvet. Everything you needed was there: warm lighting, plug sockets, a washbasin, space for your bags. It felt less like a train and more like a narrow hotel room on rails. As we settled in, the train inspector came through the corridor, upbeat and dryly funny – the kind of person who makes the whole thing feel like an adventure, not just a commute. We were rocked gently to sleep somewhere past Reading, and woke to the soft curve of the Cornish coast in early light. Breakfast was honey porridge and tea, plus all the free packets of biscuits you could pocket. Not a bad way to start the day. That, really, is what the Isles of Scilly offer: rhythm, not rush. The food is quietly excellent. The beaches feel endless. Plans are made and gently reshaped by tide and weather. There's no push, no performance. Just slow, warm days and salt in your hair. Back in London, it's tempting to treat the Scillies like a mirage – a place too calm, too bright, too unlikely. But they're very real. Not hidden, not flashy, not curated. Just quietly magnificent. And sometimes, that's exactly enough. How to get there The easiest way to reach the Isles of Scilly from London is to take the train from Paddington to Penzance, followed by a ferry or flight. Great Western Railway (GWR) services run direct from Paddington to Penzance in around 5 hours, with advance tickets starting from £30-£60 one way, depending on the time of booking. The Night Riviera sleeper train is also an option for those wanting to travel overnight. Departing from Paddington around 11.45pm, it offers cosy single or twin cabins with access to the historic Queen Victoria Lounge before departure. Standard fares start from around £25, with sleeper berth supplements ranging from £34 to over £100 depending on cabin type and availability – so expect to pay between £60 and £120 in total. A light breakfast and hot drink are included, served in your cabin before arrival in Penzance. From Penzance, travellers can either: Take the Scillonian III ferry, which sails to St Mary's in around 2 hours 45 minutes Fly from Land's End Airport, a short taxi ride away, with Skybus flights taking around 20 minutes. Where to stay Accommodation on the Isles of Scilly ranges from boutique hotels to self-catering cottages. Standout options include: Star Castle Hotel (St Mary's) – A historic 16th-century fortress turned family-run hotel, offering stunning sea views, a vineyard, tennis court, and a much-loved seafood restaurant. Tregarthen's Hotel (St Mary's) – Just minutes from the quay, this harbourside hotel is ideal for island-hopping and exploring Hugh Town. Expect coastal charm and simple comfort. The New Inn (Tresco) – A relaxed pub-with-rooms on the privately owned island of Tresco, offering a mix of classic comfort and laid-back luxury. Guests have access to the island's famous Abbey Garden and spa facilities. Doubles from around £200 per night, including breakfast. Book now Karma St. Martin's (St Martin's) – A beachfront boutique hotel with uninterrupted sea views, private terraces, and a peaceful setting far from the crowds. Ideal for a more secluded escape. It's worth booking early, particularly during summer and festival periods, as availability on the islands is limited and prices rise quickly.
Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
I love this alternative seaside town away from the UK tourist traps – it has clean golden beaches and floating cafes
Plus, find out about Haven's biggest holiday park, which is close to the town COASTAL RETREAT I love this alternative seaside town away from the UK tourist traps – it has clean golden beaches and floating cafes Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORGET the usual tourist hotspots - one Devon seaside town is the ultimate hidden gem with a lengthy golden beach and a dramatic cliff face. Where the River Exe meets the English Channel, you'll find Exmouth - a quaint town usually overshadowed by its busier neighbours such as Dawlish and Teignmouth. 5 Exmouth in Devon can be found where the English Channel and the River Exe meet Credit: Getty Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here But as Devon's oldest seaside resort, Exmouth is home to a charming town with Victorian and Georgian buildings, multiple mouthwatering fish and chips spots and fun for all the family. As a child growing up close to the town, nothing beat a day trip to Exmouth Beach, with two miles of golden, soft sands wrapping around the coastline. Exmouth Beach sits at the entrance to the UNESCO Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. It is also a key part of the South West Coastal Path, making it the ideal spot for a long stroll to soak up the sea breeze and local marine life, such as seals. Children will love the beach as well - as a child, I was never bored when I visited as the beach boasts sand ideal for sandcastle making and thriving rockpools. And it has been awarded a Blue Flag seven years in a row. If you head further along the beach, you will reach The Engine Room, where you can grab a 'posh' fish finger sandwich for £11.50 and decadent ice cream sundaes from £6.50. Next to the restaurant is The Thirsty Turtle playground that only opened a few months ago and has wooden climbing frames and sandpits for kids. Parents can grab a drink or food from The Thirsty Turtle Tavern or head to one of the other shacks onsite, serving fish and chips and pizza. The English holiday resort that families say is a 'fancy Center Parcs' Further to the east of the town is Exmouth Beach East and Rodney Point, a dramatic red and orange cliff face which is a scenic picnic spot. The main beach is only a 10-minute walk from the train station and a short distance from the town centre too. In the town, there is everything you'd expect to find on a usual British highstreet, but make sure to head to Wetherspoons' Powder Monkey. The boozer was named after Nancy Perriam, a local woman who served as a 'powder monkey' - someone who carries the gunpowder from a ship's hold to the guns - in the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary Wars, so serves as a great historical spot as well as a pit stop. 5 The town is home to some great historic spots including the Powder Monkey Wetherspoons pub Credit: Wayne Perry - The Sun One of the best places to eat in the town though, isn't actually on dry land. The River Exe Cafe, which won a TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award in 2024, sits on a floating barge on the river. Only open between April and September, visitors have to hop on a water taxi from Exmouth Marina to get to the cafe, where they can enjoy a range of seafood dishes including the catch of the day. Tickets on the water taxi cost £8 per person, or £4 for children under 13 years old. 5 The marina is also pretty with many multi-coloured building Credit: Alamy The marina itself is also worth exploring with colourful houses and small boats bobbing in the water - I always feel lucky if I spot some fish swimming about too. On August 31, tourists can hop on a free vintage bus in the town as well. The Devon General Remembered event will celebrate the history of Devon buses and feature rides on a number of heritage buses from between the 1950s and 1970s throughout the day. If you want to continue exploring the local area, then head to A La Ronde, just outside of the town. This National Trust property is a quirky 16-sided house, dating back to the 18th century. It was built by two cousins who had returned from a tour of Europe, and at the time, was home to many objects they had collected from their travels. 5 And just outside the town is A La Ronde - a 18th century house with thousands of shells inside Credit: BBC Inside, visitors can explore the cousins' collection of souvenirs and even a shell grotto - a gallery and staircase decorated with thousands of shells. Visitors can explore the house and gardens from £11 per adult and £5.50 per child. A popular family attraction called the World of Country Life is a 10-minute drive from the town and it has lots of different things to explore including a 'vintage' soft play, replica Victorian street with shops and farm animal feeding sessions. Tickets cost £19.75 per adult and £16.20 per child. There are plenty of places to stay in and around Exmouth as well, including Haven Devon Cliffs Holiday Park a 12-minute drive away, with three-night stays costing from £109. Haven's biggest holiday park can be found near Exmouth HAVEN'S Devon Cliffs is the biggest of its holiday resorts in the UK, with 1,641 caravans and lodges. The park has a huge indoor water complex with slides, flumes, and tube slides. There's also an indoor soft play for younger kids. For those who don't mind the outdoors, activities include NERF camps, 4x4 off-roaders, and nature trails. The park has many on-site food choices, including Burger King and Papa Johns. You can find the cheapest caravan stays for just £49 for four nights, or go fancier with their lodges. It's also one of the highest-rated holiday parks in the UK, with more than 4,000 reviews on TripAdvisor. Devon is also home to a fairytale-esque beach town that isn't on the sea. Plus, there is a pretty seafront campsite on the English Riviera with heated swimming pools that still has summer pitches from £12.
