Dog Friendly Beaches in Essex

Brightlingsea

Restricted access for dogs

Brightlingsea Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September (from West Marsh Point covering the paddling pool area and both beaches east of pool). Beach is backed by a promenade lined with colourful beach huts. A popular resort with plenty of amenities – Type of beach: Sandy.

Canvey Island

Dogs welcome all year

Thorney Bay – A small, sheltered beach with great views across to the Kent coast. To the rear of the beach is a large flat grassy area with a play park for the kids. Café, Shops, Promenade and Toilets. Parking available – Type of beach: Sandy.

Restricted access for dogs

Canvey Island Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Areas near the Paddling Pool and adjacent to the beach are out of bounds to dogs all year round. Café, Shops, Promenade and Toilets. Parking available – Type of beach: Sandy.

Clacton

Restricted access for dogs

Clacton Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Decent sized stretch of sand which is popular with families and is close to amusements, cafes and entertainment – Type of beach: Sandy

Clacton Pier – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. A popular family destination due to the high number of activities and entertainments on and around the beach – Type of beach: Sand/Shingle

Holland-on-Sea Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September (from breakwater south west of Queensway to café north west of Queensway and north from café opposite Haven Ave for 3 sections of beach south west). only four miles up the coast to Clacton and a much less developed part of the coast. Two promenades run alongside the beach with benches – Type of beach: Sandy

Jaywick Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. mid-way between Clacton and Colne Point this beach is never as busy as Clacton. Car park on Tamarisk Way and toilets, walled promenade, popular with dog walkers to the rear of the beach – Type of Beach: Sandy

Martello Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Named after a small defensive fort which dates back to the nineteenth century. Plenty of facilities including beach huts and a campsite – Type of beach: Sandy.

Frinton-on-Sea

Restricted access for dogs

Frinton-on-Sea Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September (from the seafront Warden Station below Connaught Ave to the public conveniences below Cambridge Road) to the rear of the beach is an extensive promenade and there is also an extensive grassy area (The Greensward). Type of beach: Sandy with pebbles near the top of beach.

Harwich

Dogs welcome all year

Irlam’s (Earlham’s) Beach – Backed by dunes and marshes this is a quiet spot to relax and walk your dog – Type of beach: Sandy

Wrabness Beach – Located on the Stour Estuary between Manningtree and Harwich. Good size beach backed by an array of beach huts and chalets on stilts – Type of beach: Sandy

Restricted access for dogs

Beacon Hill Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Views towards the cranes and industrial buildings of Felixstowe. Type of beach: Shingle

Dovercourt Bay – Dogs banned from certain parts of the beach between 1^st May and 30^th September (from Mill Lane subway to end of promenade at Spa Cabins and from slipway south west of swimming pool, to upper Lighthouse, south west of Beach Road).  Facilities on the promenade. Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle

Sailing Club Beach – Dogs banned from certain parts of Harwich beach between 1^st May and 30^th September (from Mill Lane subway to end of promenade at Spa Cabins and from slipway south west of swimming pool, to upper Lighthouse, south west of Beach Road). Type of beach: ShingleHarbour

Maldon

Dogs welcome all year

Osea Island Beach – Set in the Blackwater River Estuary, island is reached by a narrow causeway at low tide only. Type of beach: Shingle.

Southend-on-Sea

Restricted access for dogs

Chalkwell Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. At low tide a wide area of mud, sand and shingle is revealed. Parking, toilets, cafes and kiosks. Type of beach: Sandy

Jubilee Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Also known as City Beach it can be a busy beach located just away from the main attractions, a favourite with families. At low tide a wide expanse of wet sand and mud is exposed. Parking, toilets and food – Type of beach: Shingle

Leigh Bell Wharf Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. A small strip of sand alongside Leighs’ renowned cockle sheds. When the tide is out it can become muddy. Parking, toilets, nearby café and restaurants. Type of beach: Sandy

Shoebury Common Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Despite being within a short walking distance of Southend this beach is a great escape if you fancy somewhere a little more relaxed. Parking, toilets, café, beach huts and promenade. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle

Shoebury East Beach – no dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. Beach is next to a MOD firing range. Beware of tides, at low tide you may have more than a mile to walk out to the sea and back. Parking (some areas are seasonal), toilets, disabled facilities, slipway, outside shower. Type of beach: Sandy/Shingle.

Thorpe Bay Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. The Southend Marine Activities Centre is located on the beach which makes it a top destination for water sports. Parking, toilets, cafes, restaurants and a promenade Type of beach: Sand/Pebble

Three Shells Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. This beach is in the middle of Southend by the pier. Parking, toilets, food outlets and sailing club with slipway. Type of beach: Sandy

Westcliff Bay Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September. At high tide the beach can be entirely submerged, whereas at low tide a large expanse of wet sand and mud is exposed. Parking, toilets, disabled facilities, first aid point, Deck chair hire and café. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle.

Walton-on-the-Naze

Dogs welcome all year

The Naze Beach – A peaceful stretch of sand backed by crumbling cliffs. A popular location for dog walkers. Parking with facilities – Type of beach: Sandy

Restricted access for dogs

Walton-on-the Naze Beach – No dogs between 1^st May and 30^th September (north east from Percival Road to Naze Park Road). Walton is home to the second largest pier in Great Britain. Facilities close by. Type of beach: Sandy

West Mersea

This is an island and you may find restricted access on and off during high tide as the causeway may flood. Check for high tide times and chances of causeway flooding before visiting.

Dogs welcome all year

West Mersea Beach – The beach is backed by some grass areas and beach huts. Parking, toilets, beach café, and small children’s play area . Type of beach: Sand /Shingle

Cudmore Grove Beach – Located at the eastern end of the island within the Cudmore Grove Country Park. The beach backs onto grassland and marshes. Popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Parking, toilets and picnic area. Type for beach: Sand/Pebble

Mersea Stone Beach – On the eastern most tip of Mersea Island. The beach is the landing point of the foot ferry to St Osyth and Brightlingsea. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle