The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk

With endless stretches of glowing beaches the public can enjoy throughout the year, Suffolk is undoubtedly one of the best destinations for a holiday for you and your dog to explore the wonderful east coast.

From the month of October through to April, Suffolk’s beaches do not impose any restrictions on your dog, so your fluffy friend can enjoy exploring miles of any beach of your choice.The summer months, however, do come with some restrictions on a select group of beaches starting from the first of May to the 30th of September. 

Below is a list of town-by-town restrictions to take note of before you travel to Suffolk. Also, keep an eye on some local notices when you reach a beach in Suffolk.

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk

Aldeburgh

Despite the main town beach imposing some restrictions during the summer, fortunately, just north of Aldeburgh, you’ll find a wide-open shingle beach that is completely dog-friendly year-round. This beach is well-indicated and reaches from Wentworth all the way to Thorpeness. Learn more about Aldeburgh here.

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Amakuru, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

During your time at this lovely beach, be sure to visit The Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh. This family-friendly hotel serves as the ideal location for a relaxing beach holiday. Moreover, the hotel welcomes well-behaved dogs.

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk

The Wentworth Hotel is another dog-friendly accommodation option, found right across from Aldeburgh beach. The hotel is known to welcome pets and families with open arms.

Dog Friendly Suffolk

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk

With fantastic beaches, open coastlines, and very few places you can’t take your canine pals, plan a day out on the Suffolk Coast today. For dog-friendly places to take your hounds in Suffolk, please see
Dog Friendly Suffolk.

Felixstowe

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Beach huts along Old Felixstowe beach by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

From May through to September, the main beach of Felixstowe imposes some restrictions on dogs. However, on both sides of the restricted area, you’ll find long stretches of dog-friendly beaches starting from Spa Pavilion all the way to Arwela Road. These dog-friendly areas are clearly indicated, and you’ll find them with ease. Note that dogs must still be kept on leashes in these areas.
Learn more about the Services in Felixstowe here.

Dog Friendly Pubs in Suffolk

Find the perfect place for some light refreshment for you and your four-legged friend in Suffolk by clicking on the link above!

Dunwich

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Dunwich Beach by Ashley Dace, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The combination of a fantastic dog-friendly beach and the beautiful National Trust site makes Dunwich an idyllic place for a beach holiday. Enjoy long strolls along the fantastic coastlines and the crystal-clear waters with man’s best friend. Dunwich beach is a wide-stretched shingle beach that is relatively steep, particularly during high tide. If you walk around two miles north, you’ll find Walberswick and, just over the river, Southwold. Heading South will allow you to walk past RSPB Minsmere Nature Reserve and Sizewell beach. Both of these walks can be quite strenuous, so be ready for a challenge. Also within easy walking distance to a great dog-friendly pub, The Ship at Dunwich, this village is a wonderful place to enjoy a full day of dog-friendly fun with your best friend. 

Because Dunwich houses RSPB MInsmere, certain dog restrictions may apply on the Heath, which runs parallel to the beach when nesting season comes around. If this troubles you and your dog is fond of roaming, you would be better off checking with Aldeburgh TIC (check out Suffolk TICs) just to ensure there will not be any pet restrictions in place when you arrive due to nesting.

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
The Ship Public House sign by Geographer, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ship, Dunwich, boasts wonderful accommodation and refreshment and welcomes well-behaved dogs! Enclosed in breathtaking nature reserves, heathland, and long stretches of gorgeous beach, this dog-friendly hotel is the perfect getaway for you and your four-legged buddy.

Sizewell

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Sparkley sea, Sizewell beach by John Goldsmith, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Beautifully sheltered between Thorpeness and Dunwich is Sizewell beach, displaying stunning coastlines and having no restrictions on dogs. Whether your furry friend likes to roam around under sunny skies or sprint a few miles across sandy beaches, Sizewell is the place to be. It also serves as the ideal base for a walk towards Dunwich in the northern end, where you’ll pass RSPB Minsmere or a stroll toward Thorpeness beach in the south.

Thorpeness

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Fishermen on Thorpeness beach by John Goldsmith, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Thorpeness is home to one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Suffolk. The beach is a wide stretch of steeply shelving shingle leading that leads down to sandy expanses when the low tide comes around. There is no place better to explore if you are looking to take a traditional seaside vacation with your family or friends than Thorpeness.

Spending the day on this dog-friendly beach in Suffolk is a great way to experience English seaside fun. The town’s rich history and heritage make for a wonderful time with your furry friend. From this beautiful beach, you can explore all the stunning landscapes Thorpeness boasts or enjoy a round or two at the local golf course.

There are no pet restrictions on this beach, even during the busy summer season, and the site offers great facilities, including a picnic site, toilets, cafes, shops, and restaurants.

Southwold

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Southwold beach by Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons



One of the most renowned beaches in Suffolk, Southwold is a wonderful holiday destination for the whole family. From the 1st of April to the 30th of September, the main Southwold beach prohibits dogs from frequenting the area between the northernmost point of the promenade, north of the colourful beach huts, to its southernmost point at Gun Hill Café. However, just north of the main beach at a place called Southwold Denes beach, where dogs are welcome year-round.

Be sure to check out the golden beaches toward the south of Southwold in the direction of Waberswick, where dogs are always welcome.


Why not stay a little longer at Haw Wood Farm Caravan and Camping Park, close to Southwold? This site is dog-friendly, provided dogs are kept on leashes.

How could you possibly leave your faithful companion behind when you go away on holiday? With lots of dog-friendly accommodations available in Suffolk, you won’t have to. Please see Dog-Friendly Accommodation in Suffolk for more information.

Walberswick

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Dogs playing on Walberswick beach by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


This picturesque seaside village houses many big names in Britain, along with hosting the annual Crabbing Championship every August. This area welcomes dogs and does not impose any restrictions on furry ones, so your best friend will love exploring Walberswich’s huge dunes. You will find an easily-accessible car park just a short walk from the sand dune backed beach in Walberswick on Ferry Road. Find out more about Walberswick here.

The Anchor Inn is a wonderful dog-friendly accommodation in Walberswick, boasting delicious cuisine and comfy beds in the newly renovated chalets. This spot is certainly worth checking out.


Covehithe

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
The tide is coming in, Covehithe beach by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


Easily reachable from the A12, the doggy paradise of Covelithe is nestled between Southwold and Kessingland. This area offers wide-open sandy beaches where your furry buddy and explore the scenic surroundings any time of the year. The coastal erosion has given rise to interesting tree sculptures and soft sand. You can visit this beach by walking or cycling.

Leave your car near the village church and follow the indicated footpath on the opposite side. Your dog will love the extra walk and indulge its senses in the aromatic heathland and fields before reaching the large beach. Keep them on a leash until you arrive at the beach, as some surly pigs in the area may provoke them.

Kessingland

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Marram grass on Kessingland Beach by Evelyn Simak, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons



The unrivalled sand and shingle beach at Kessingland, just south of Southwold, welcomes dogs throughout the year. Woof woof, hooray! Kessingland beach is one of the best Suffolk dog-friendly beaches and one of the few Suffolk beaches you will likely have to yourself. Being quiet and peaceful, this scenic beach is ideal for dog walkers who don’t want to worry about running into other dogs or limiting seasonal dog restrictions.

Lowestoft

The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches, Suffolk
Beach huts, Lowestoft by Richard Law, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons



From the 1st of May until the 30th of September, dogs will not be allowed to frequent any one of the Lowestoft main beaches. This includes the stretch from the main beach to the South Pier and south toward the point next to the CEFAS building, and Corton Beach from the east side of Baker’s Score and south toward the east of Tibbenham’s Score. All these areas are clearly indicated. To find out more about the surrounding beaches at Lowestoft, check out East Suffolk Council for information on Lowestoft.

For specific local information, please contact the local Tourist Information Centre

What are your favourite dog-friendly beaches your hound love to race around on?! Please let us know at [email protected].

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