Now, we all know that pretty much all of us Londoners love ourselves a pooch. After all, we’ve got everything here from dog-friendly restaurants to afternoon tea for dogs. No, seriously! We’ve got a whole host of excellent walks for your four-legged friends in the capital, but if you’re ever wanting to get out and escape the hustle and bustle, then we’ve got you covered with this roundup below. So, without further ado, here’s our roundup of the best dog-friendly beaches near London:
1. Camber Sands, East Sussex
Kicking off this roundup of the best dog-friendly beaches near London is Camber Sands, which is regularly voted as one of the most impressive beaches in England. A five-mile stretch of sand, backed by rolling sand dunes, you’ll always be able to find a spot here which is away from the crowds – plus it’s perfect for your four-legged friends.
Set just down the road from the picturesque village of Rye, it’s also a great spot to watch the sunset, and after a long stroll along the coast, head for a drink and lunch at the Owl Pub and Grill country pub. Located at the foot of the dunes, this dog-friendly establishment is a top spot to relax beside the sea – perfect for a post-walk pint.
📍You’ll find Camber Sands at Camber Sands, Camber, East Sussex, TN31 7RT.
🚇 Approximately one hour from London (train from St. Pancras to Rye).
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed all-year-round just with one restricted section between May and September.
2. Whitstable, Kent
Wonderful Whitstable is famous for its oysters and seafood, but the beaches aren’t to be missed here either. Only a ninety-minute train ride from the big smoke, it makes for a fantastic day trip, and there’s a dog-friendly shingle beach here which is perfect for your pooch to play to their heart’s content on.
Post-walk, don’t miss the chance to peruse the craft shops and dog-friendly pubs here – they’ve got some of the best fish and chips. We’ve tried them so we can vouch for it!
📍You’ll find Whitstable at 32 Island Wall, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1ER.
🚇 Approximately one and a half hours from London (train from St. Pancras/Cannon Street/Victoria to Whitstable).
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed here all year-round.
3. Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex
Another one of the best dog-friendly beaches near London here, Walton-on-the-Naze is famous for its colourful beach huts and historic pier, which is the second-longest in the whole of England.
It’s also the entry point to The Naze – the most easterly peninsula in Essex which is an important nesting site for migrating birds and other species of wildlife. It’s got a rich history which dates back to 1720, and there are a wide variety of military relics to be found here – as well as species of porpoises and seals found just offshore. Dogs are allowed here all year round, and parking is available here too.
📍You’ll find The Naze at The Naze Nature Discovery Centre, Old Hall Lane, Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex, CO14 8LE.
🚇 Approximately one and a half hours from London (train from Liverpool Street to Walton-on-the-Naze).
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed here all year-round.
4. West Wittering, West Sussex
A Blue Flag beach due to its excellent water quality and plethora of facilities, West Wittering is a wonderful picnic spot that affords panoramic views of Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. It’s one of the most unspoilt beaches on the entire south coast, and it’s rumoured that Oscar-winner Kate Winslet and Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones reside here.
The entire estate of West Wittering is managed by none other than the National Trust, and is a RAMSAR designated wetland. Pooches are excluded from the main swimming beach between groynes 14a to 18 throughout May to September, but there are no restrictions throughout the rest of the year.
📍You’ll find West Wittering Beach at Pound Road, West Wittering, Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 8AJ.
🚇 Approximately one and a half hours from London (train from Victoria to Chichester).
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed all-year-round just with one restricted section between May and September.
5. West Hove, Brighton
There are several dog-friendly beaches in Brighton, making it the perfect day trip for you and your doggie! During the summer seasons, dogs are only aloud on certain parts of the long-stretch of coast available in the Brighton and Hove area, and the rules relax even further in the colder months.
From West Hove to East Brighton and Rottingdean, there are so many great options to choose from so your pooch has the perfect day at the seaside. For a full map of Brighton’s dog-friendly beaches, click here to visit the Brighton & Hove City Council website.
📍 There are several dog-friendly areas along the seafront at Brighton. Click here for more information.
🚇 Just over an hour by train from several London stations.
🅿️ There are several parking options dotted all around Brighton,
🐕 Dogs are allowed year-round just with more restrictions around summer.
6. West Mersea Island Beach, Essex
Mersea Island is located just ten or so miles to the South of Colchester at the confluence of where the River Blackwater joins the River Colne. It’s a peaceful and idyllic spot joined to the mainland by an ancient Roman causeway called The Strood – and twice a day, it becomes an actual island which is cut-off from the mainland.
It’s the perfect spot for a scenic drive, and dogs are allowed across the entire island – though it’s preferable if you keep them on leads throughout the Summer months. If you’re looking to add even more adventure, then head a bit further north to Horsey Island – a wildlife-rich spot with wide open skies that can only be reached at low tide. It should be noted however that both of these rural spots can only be reached via car.
📍You’ll find West Mersea Island Beach at 401 Victoria Esplanade, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, CO5 8AT.
🚇 Approximately one and a half hours via car from London. There are no trains here.
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed all-year-round.
7. Cuckmere Haven, East Sussex
Cuckmere Haven is perhaps most famous for its beach and cottage view, which has featured in blockbusters such as Robin Hood and Atonement – and many a postcard and Instagram-post too! Set at the bottom of the mighty Seven Sisters Cliffs, it’s a magical spot which is surrounded by nature reserves, wildflower meadows and wildlife-filled grasslands – perfect for taking your four-legged friends for a ramble then!
You’re also just a stone’s throw away from Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, and the landmark red and white lighthouse below – just make sure you keep doggoes on a lead up here!
📍You’ll find Cuckmere Haven at Cuckmere Haven, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 4AR.
🚇 Approximately two hours via car from London.
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed all-year-round.
8. Kingsgate Bay, Kent
Our penultimate addition to this roundup of the best dog-friendly beaches near London is Kingsgate Bay in Kent – a sheltered sandy cove just down the road from Botany Bay which is backed by a series of white chalk cliffs. It’s often much quieter than its northern neighbour, and is flanked by a whole host of sea caves – which are rumoured to be the best in the whole UK.
Dog-friendly all year round, you can also pay a visit to the Kingsgate Castle, which was built for Henry Fox – 1st Baron Holland – back in the 1760s, as well as The Captain Digby pub, which offers a whole host of excellent beers, wines and ales.
📍You’ll find Kingsgate Bay at Whiteness Road, Broadstairs, CT10 3QH.
🚇 Approximately two hours and 15 minutes by both car and train from London.
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed all-year-round.
9. Sandwich Bay, Kent
Rounding off this list of the best dog-friendly beaches near London is Sandwich Bay, a long sweeping inlet of the sea situated between Ramsgate and Deal. It’s a secluded spot, so you won’t really be fighting with the crowds at this one, and the flats nearby stretch for a whopping five miles. Plenty of space to walk your pooch then…
The northern end is an unofficial nudist beach, so keep that in mind if you’re not wanting to have a bit of a surprise, and there’s a neighbouring nature reserve with numerous birds and rare plants. It’s dog-friendly all year round, though you’ll need to pay a £7 entrance fee to access the bay.
📍You’ll find Sandwich Bay at Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9QD.
🚇 Approximately two hours and 15 minutes by car. There are no trains here.
🅿️ Paid parking is available.
🐕 Dogs are allowed all-year round.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best dog-friendly beaches near London. So when you want to take your pooch out of the big smoke and are looking to escape to some sand, sea and surf, then you know exactly where to head!