The Best Year Round Dog Friendly Beaches

If you're like me, your dog is a member of your family, your best friend and you want them to join you on adventures all the time. These are my favourite beaches to visit with my pup that allow dogs ALL YEAR so you never have to worry.

East Portlemouth Beaches

These beaches feel like you've stepped off a plane and arrived in the Mediterranean somewhere. There is a car park at Mill Bay beach which is National Trust, but honestly, the roads to get there and particularly to that car park are a nightmare, so my favourite way to access them is to park in Salcombe opposite, and just get the East Portlemouth ferry across which takes a couple of minutes. During low tide, you can walk from beach to beach and it truly is a heaven for your dog, as well as for you.

Gara Rock

A soft golden sand paradise, this beach is a dream. Again, it's not my favourite to get to because the Devon lanes are a bit of a drag, especially when it's busier in the summer, but it's well worth it when you get there. There is a non-residents car park that you can use for free at Gara Rock Hotel, and then it is a short but steep walk down to the beach.

It's pretty sheltered here, so you really can pitch up for the day if you want and enjoy swimming in the sea and being with loved ones, or you can just use it as pit stop as you walk along the South West Coast Path.

South Milton Sands

This beach couldn't be more family or dog friendly. South Milton is a great sized beach with soft golden sand and clear waters. The car park is large and is National Trust owned so it will be free for members and about £6 for non-members. There is a small hut restaurant, The Beach House, at the beach which offers lunch, dinner and takeaway snacks.

Saunton Sands

What more could your dog love than three miles of soft, wide, golden sand, backed by the largest sand dune system in the UK? I think the answer is nothing, that is literally dog heaven. I love Saunton because your dog can just run and run. If you stay away from the main car park, you will often find that you can have large parts of the beach to yourself so if you have an older or more reactive dog that maybe doesn't like a lot of attention, this is a great option for you.

Parking is either at the Saunton Sands car park or the Braunton Burrows Sandy Lane Car Park which will give you the option to walk through the dunes and get to the beach.

Wonwell

Wonwell is a local's beach, and parking can be a nightmare as there are only a few spaces along a woodland road, BUT I'm including it because at low tide it is just perfect for our furry friends. This is the mouth of the Erme Estuary and opens up in to large sandy expanse at certain times of the day which is perfect for the dogs to run around. There aren't any facilities, but that makes it all the more beautiful, and if you continue walking east along the coast path, you will find some more beautiful beaches which are also dog friendly.

Slapton Sands

Three miles of beautiful shingle beach is a great option for you and your dog to enjoy a sunny day relaxing on the beach, or you can walk point to point and give both of you a good work out (walking on shingle isn't the easiest!) Parking is convenient at the designated car parks at Torcross, Strete Gate and at the Monument.

Mattiscombe Sands

Another one of my favourite more 'off the beaten track' beaches is Great Mattiscombe Sands near Start Point. You can combine a visit to this beach with a stunning walk along the coast path. If you start at Start Point car park, you can begin the 3.5km trail following the easy trail to Start Point Lighthouse which you really can't miss. Then follow the coast path along the sides of the cliffs which offer dramatic scenery at every turn. Eventually you'll come face to face with this beautiful beach, which is the perfect place to relax and have a swim or a picnic. There are often sheep on the coast path here so do bear that in mind.

Putsborough

Another North Devon favourite. It's the quieter, but equally beautiful version of Woolacombe and what makes it great is that it is dog friendly all year round. Enjoy a day of relaxing here where there is plenty of space for your dog to run and explore, or incorporate it in to a walk. My favourite from here is Putsborough to Croyde Bay circular.