by Holkham beach, Norfolk
Dog friendly all year round but with a lead rule between 1st April and 31st August to protect ground nesting birds, Holkham beach is a great family destination. The walk down to the golden sand is delightful – on the boardwalks and through the pine forest – and there is a café serving sandwiches and homemade cakes. Lots of great local walks too.
Wait Pet-friendly Sueda Cottage, with its own walled garden, is a minute’s walk from the harbor and pub. Oh £89 night (sleeps 4, plus two dogs)
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Stretching from Budle Water at the northern point to the town of Seahouses in the south, it is a wonderful beach of soft sand, backed by a large castle. There is plenty of space for dogs to walk – even in the height of summer – and grassy dunes to explore, but dog owners should be aware of the presence of salmon in warmer weather.
Wait Brunton House & Cottages has a large house and several cottages to let, with a dog or two allowed; cottage for two from £85 night
Saunton Sands, Devon
Backed by the Unesco-protected Braunton Burrows biosphere reserve, Saunton Sands is a spectacular three-mile stretch of sand on the north Devon coast. Perfect for families with dogs, there’s a takeaway cafe and hatchery selling everything from fish and chips to ice cream, a surf school and toilet facilities. The entrance to the beach is at the north end, the further south you walk the less people you will see.
Wait Lake Tree House at Pickwell Manor, near Croyde, has sea views. and dogs take. From £220 night (sleeps 2, one dog allowed for £15)
Portobello, Edinburgh
One of Edinburgh’s most vibrant seaside neighbourhoods, Portobello has a seafront promenade where cafes and pubs line the street, and a lovely wide beach with space for dogs to play. There are plenty of places to get fish and chips or ice cream to eat on the sand, and homemade dog snacks can be bought from Harry’s Gourmet Treats on the high street.
Wait in nearby Stockbridge the dog-friendly Garden Apartment on St. Bernard’s Crescent there is an enclosed garden, oh £225 night (sleeps 4, plus one dog)
Dungeness beach, Kent
This shingle range on the District coast is dog-friendly all year round and has many interesting features such as the gloomy, black lighthouse and former home of artist and activist Derek Jarman. You can get there on the steam railway from nearby Hythe. A path leads down to the water from Lydd beach car park, and excellent fish and chips can be found at the Britannia Inn.
Wait North Stable, a stylish stable conversion but a short drive away costs from £110 night (sleeps 4, plus two dogs)
Broad Haven South, Pembrokeshire
There is a car park on the cliffs surrounding Broad Haven South, but a much better way to get to it is via the footpaths at Bosherston Lakes where magnificent lilies spread out over the surface of the water in June. Walk across paths and over dunes to reach the beach, with dramatic views of Church Rock in the distance. It is also on the Wales Coast Path with easy walks to many other beaches.
Wait Whimsy by the Sea is a dog friendly cabin on Wood Hill Estate. From £90 night (minimum stay of 7 nights, sleeps 4, plus two dogs)
Man O’War beach, Dorset
Few beaches enjoy such sheltered swimming as Man O’War beach in Dorset; Its almost perfect crescent shape and rocky outcrops keep out the wild currents. That makes it great for swimming – especially for children or dogs who don’t know such activities – and a good bet on blustery days. Walk along the coastal path to catch a glimpse of the Durdale sea arch.
Wait The Castle Inn in West Lulworth has pet-friendly rooms, from £112 for doubles (£20 extra for a dog)
Tynemouth Longsands Beach, Tyne & Wear
Stick to the north end of gorgeous Longsands beach and you can take the dog with you all year round. This is a great spot for swimming and surfing, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars within a few minutes’ walk of the town center – including the excellent fish shop Riley’s.
Wait Tilly’s Hut at Hillside Huts & Cabins, a shepherd’s hut with a glass roof for stargazingand lots of space to explore. Oh £160 night (sleeps 2, pets welcome)
Lytham St Annes beach, Lancashire
Lytham St Annes is a few miles from the Blackpool challenge and certainly not as busy, but still has a pretty quay with ice cream shops and fish and chip sellers, as well as beach huts you can hire in the face of the day.
Wait The Boot Room, located west of the coast and next to the Forest of Bowland, costs from £156 night, minimum stay 4 nights (sleeps 4, plus two dogs)
Kinabeen Beach, Sutherland
On the popular 500 North Coast route, Cairns Head is a geological wonder. A sloping path from the car park leads down to soft yellow sand with rocky cliffs behind, with pink outcrops and gray slates from its surface. It is part of the Lewisian gneiss, a complex of rocks estimated to be between 1.7 and three billion years old. The beach is dog-friendly all year round, and adventurous types can try the zipline that zips over the sand.
Wait The Scourie Hotel is a small, stylish hotel bolthole 45 minutes drive from the beach on the North Coast 500. Doubles from £115 B&B (two dogs allowed per room, £20 each)
Dog Days Out, 365 things to do with your dog in the UK and Ireland, by Lottie Gross in association with Sawday’s, is on sale now from sawdays.co.uk for £20, including free P&P.
