Dog-friendly beaches in the UK

beach · Norfolk Holkham Beach A vast, wild expanse of golden sand backed by pine woods and nature reserve — one of the most spectacular dog walks in England. All year

beach · Wales Rhossili Bay Three miles of dramatic surf beach on the Gower, regularly voted among Britain's best — and dog-friendly all year. All year

beach · Merseyside Formby Beach National Trust dunes and pinewoods running down to a broad sandy beach, famous for red squirrels and endless off-lead sand. All year

beach · Northumberland Bamburgh Beach Wide, wild sands beneath a clifftop castle — quiet, dramatic and dog-friendly all year round. All year

beach · Dorset Studland Bay Four miles of gentle sand curving around the mouth of Poole Harbour, backed by National Trust heathland. Zoned

beach · Devon Woolacombe Beach A three-mile Blue Flag surf beach on the north Devon coast with dedicated dog-friendly ends open all year. Zoned

beach · East Sussex Camber Sands The only dune system in East Sussex — wide, flat golden sands and a favourite off-season dog walk near historic Rye. Zoned

beach · Norfolk Brancaster Beach A vast, unspoilt north-Norfolk beach with big skies, a low-tide shipwreck and miles of dog-friendly sand. All year

beach · Northumberland Embleton Bay A quiet curve of pale sand beneath the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle, dog-friendly all year. All year

beach · Devon Saunton Sands Three and a half miles of flat golden sand backed by the Braunton Burrows dunes, loved by walkers and surfers. Zoned

beach · Pembrokeshire Barafundle Bay An award-winning, National-Trust-owned cove reached only on foot, with dogs welcome all year. All year

beach · Isle of Harris Luskentyre Turquoise water and white shell-sand on the west coast of Harris, regularly rated among the world's best beaches — and dog-friendly. All year

beach · Aberdeenshire Balmedie Beach Miles of dune-backed North Sea sand just north of Aberdeen, with a country park and endless off-lead walking. All year

beach · Ceredigion Ynyslas Beach Golden sand and a rare dune nature reserve at the mouth of the Dyfi estuary, with dog-friendly beach and views to Eryri (Snowdonia). All year