Norfolk's top 10 dog-friendly beaches

Dogs and responsible owners are welcome on many Norfolk beaches year-round. In fact, on these beaches you’ll look positively under-dressed if you don’t have a canine friend! Check time tides as well, because many of these beaches are best at low tide.

At the bottom you'll find lists of beaches where dogs are allowed year-round and beaches where there are restrictions. But don't worry, you'll always find an unspoilt stretch of sand where you and your chum can enjoy a good walk!

Best Norfolk dog-friendly parks and woods

Brancaster

Miles and miles of unspoilt shimmering sand and shallow water to splash in. A doggy delight. Car park is by the Royal West Norfolk Club.

Holkham

Park at the end of Lady Anne’s Drive, opposite the entrance to Holkham Hall, then walk along the boardwalks through the pine woods until you find yourself on a huge expanse of beautiful sand.

One word of caution: this is a popular beach with horse riders too, so be careful in the car park in particular.

Wells-next-the-Sea

As picturesque as it gets, with 200 higgledy-piggledy multi-coloured beach huts. Enter with dogs from the car park at the far end. Best at low tide, when the beach is, as we say in Norfolk, WHOOGE!

Old Hunstanton

With shallow tidal waters this is popular with kite surfers too. Enjoy the backdrop of stripy-coloured cliffs.

Gorleston-on-Sea

Park up on the cliffs and take your pooch to the southern end of the beach.

Great Yarmouth

The marram grass-studded beaches to the north of the resort are a doggy playground.

Winterton-on-Sea

Great for sniffing around sand dunes and then haring off across the sand.

Sea Palling and Waxham

A quiet tucked-away stretch of fine sand which your dog will love.

Mundesley

Lovely sandy beach reached by walkways down from the cliffs. Best at low tide.

Happisburgh

This is on Norfolk’s Deep History Coast so you’ll be treading in the footsteps of the first humans to visit Britain – walking on a land spur from Holland.

What is Deep History Coast?

Some more beaches to enjoy...

Caister-on-Sea

Bacton

California

Sheringham

Gorleston

Hemsby

Happisburgh

Sea Palling

Scratby

Holme-next-the-Sea

West Runton

Waxham

Weybourne

Beaches where dogs are allowed

North

Brancaster
Cley Beach
East Runton
Heacham - South Sands Club
Heacham - South Beach
Holme next the Sea
Old Hunstanton Beach
Snettisham Beach
Weybourne

East

Caister Point
Great Yarmouth South
Great Yarmouth South Denes
Happisburgh
Horsey (but be careful of seals)
Waxham
Winterton-on-Sea

Beaches where dogs are restricted

Please look for guidance where dogs can be taken, and at what times of the year.

North

Cromer
Holkham
Hunstanton Beach
Hunstanton South
Sheringham
Wells-next-the-Sea
West Runton

East

Bacton
California
Gorleston
Great Yarmouth North
Great Yarmouth Pier
Great Yarmouth Power Station
Hemsby
Mundesley
Overstrand
Scratby Beach
Sea Palling
Walcott

Don't get the bird!

Do remember that Norfolk’s coast is home to globally important bird species so please look out for any restricted areas and put your dog on a short lead.

As well as looking out for and observing these restrictions, please:

In the breeding season (April to July)

Avoid shingly areas near the top of beaches.
Avoid groups of terns and protective rope and stake cordons.
Don’t approach too closely. Watch from a distance and avoid disturbing the birds.
Keep dogs on a lead near any colonies or likely nesting areas.
Keep a sharp eye out for small waders with chicks on the beach and give them a wide berth.
Help to inform others.

In the migration and wintering season (August to March)