Dog Friendly Beaches in Norfolk

North Norfolk

Dogs welcome all year

Burnham Overy – A secluded Norfolk beach, parking is a mile away but makes for a superb walk along a sanded walk way, through reclaimed salt marshes and dunes. Type of beach: Sandy

Cley Beach – Beach has exceptional views on either side and is a popular starting point for a walk to Blakeney Point. Parking close to beach. Surrounding area is owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust which has access restrictions for dogs. Type of beach: Shingle

East Runton – A long, sandy beach backed by sloping sandstone cliffs. Beach is of interest to geologists and fossil hunters alike. Also, one of Norfolk’s most popular surf spots. Parking/toilets close to beach. Type of beach: Sandy

Happisburgh – A quite secluded beach backed by cliffs which have suffered the effects of coastal erosion. Parking/toilets close to beach. Well-known for its striking red and white lighthouse. Type of beach: Sandy

Holkham – Miles of golden sand and is popular with horse riders as well as dog walkers. Parking is about a mile from the beach. Type of beach: Sandy

Horsey – A wild, unspoilt sandy beach, backed by sand dunes. Beach is popular with seals who have their pups here from November to January, so dogs need to be kept under close control. Parking close to beach. Type of beach: Sandy

Trimingham Beach – A secluded beach which is popular with surfers, jet skiers, night-fishermen as well as dog walkers. Parking is close to beach and is located at the end of a steep narrow lane. Type of beach: Sandy

Weybourne Beach – Steep shingle beach with car park just behind. Usually a quite location. Type of beach: Pebbles

Waxham – A quiet tucked-away stretch of fine sand. There are no official car park/amenities close to the beach. Type of beach: Sandy

Winterton-on-Sea – A popular beach with dog walkers with miles of sandy beach stretching into the distance. This beach is also popular with seals and they can be seen regularly basking on the beach or popping their heads above the water. Car park/toilets close to beach as well as a dog friendly café, dogs are not allowed in the café but there are beach huts outside where you can enjoy your food/drinks with your dog(s). Type of beach: Sandy.

Restricted access for dogs

Bacton – A pleasant quite sandy beach even though there are two caravan sites right by the beach. parking close to beach. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Brancaster – The beach is four miles long and very wide. Parking/toilets close to the beach. Restricted access in areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Cromer – A traditional Victorian seaside resort, popular for swimming and surfing. Parking/facilities close to the beach. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle

Mundesley – A long sandy beach with all the amenities and charm of a popular seaside resort. Beach is backed by a promenade lined with beach huts. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Overstrand – Located along the Norfolk Coast path. Beach is only accessible at low tide so check tide tables before visiting. Parking/ toilets close to beach, access to beach is down a long slope. Close to Cromer but a much quieter location. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Sea Palling – A clean well looked after beach and because of the formation of reefs which can be seen from the beach, the sea is much calmer than elsewhere. A very short walk from the car park with cafes, pubs and amusements along the way. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Sheringham – A stony beach with sand and rock pools at low tide. Parking/toilets on the clifftop. Seaside town with shops and cafes. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sand/Rocks

Walcott – The Beach is divided up by wooden groynes and backed by a sloping, concrete sea wall. Parking is available by the beach on the main road, which runs parallel to the beach. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

West Runton – The beach is backed by cliffs and is home to some important geology. At high tide the beach can be quite shingly but at low tide a large expanse of fine sand is revealed. Parking/toilets close to beach as well as a dog friendly café. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle

Wells-next-the-Sea – Beach is backed by woods (dogs allowed) with parking/toilets and a dog friendly cafe close by. When the tide comes in the beach is transformed into a harbour. Does have dog exclusion areas but still plenty of beach to walk. Type of beach: Sandy

West Norfolk

Dogs welcome all year

Snettisham – The beach is more shingle than sand but is easy to get to. The tide goes out a long way and can become very muddy so don’t paddle out too far! Parking close to beach. Type of beach: Shingle

Heacham (North & South) – A vast open beach that can get busy during the summer. There are caravan parks close to the beach. Known for its spectacular sunsets. Parking/toilets and café are close by. Type of beach: Sandy

Old Hunstanton – Expanse of fine golden sand, backed by dunes and the renown striped cliffs. A popular beach. Parking/Toilets and dog friendly café close to the beach. Type of beach: Sandy

Holme – A quite location. Parking/toilets (fresh water tap to give your dog(s) a drink) 10/15 minutes’ walk from beach. Towards high tide the sand is soft mixed with shingle but when the tide goes out which is a long way it reveals a vast expanse of golden sands. Type of beach Sand/Shingle

Restricted access for dogs

Hunstanton – A very popular beach backed by a promenade and Hunstanton Town. Gets very busy in the summer. Parking/facilities close to beach. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle

East Norfolk

Dogs welcome all year

Scratby – Good size stretch of sand and shingle set along low sandy cliffs. Popular for fishing, swimming and in the winter Surfing. The beach stretches for many miles in either direction. Parking/Toilets close to beach, access to beach involves descending a narrow path and steps. Caravan park located close to beach. Type of beach: Sand/Shingle

Caister-on-Sea – Long beach stretching for miles, backed by sand dunes and sea defences. Quieter than some beach with parking close to the beach. Caravan park along part of the beach front. Type of beach: Sandy

California Beach – Lovely sandy beach which sits at the foot of sloping cliffs beyond which is a number of caravan parks. Parking/Toilets close to the beach with access to the beach down a slope with steps at the bottom. Type of beach: Sandy

Great Yarmouth North – Backed by sand dunes this wide sandy beach faces towards Scroby Sands Wind Farm. Not as busy as Central Beach. Close to parking/toilets and a range of beachside cafés. Type of beach: Sandy

Great Yarmouth South – A generous stretch of sand with sand dunes behind. Part of the beach is backed by Great Yarmouth’s Pleasure Beach with its roller coaster and Scenic Railway. Does not get as crowded as Great Yarmouth Central Beach which has dog restrictions in place. Parking/Facilities close to beach. Type of beach: Sandy

Restricted access for dogs

Gorleston-on-Sea – A 2 mile stretch of golden sand which curves around the bay, with a promenade just under one mile in length running alongside the beach and has a number of benches along the length. This beach is popular with young families, surfers, kite-flyers and can be very busy during summer months. Parking/Facilities close to the beach. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Great Yarmouth Central – A wide stretch of sandy beach that has plenty to entertain everyone, with Britannia Pier on one side and Wellington Pier on the other. Parking/Facilities close to the beach with ramps in locations along the beach for wheelchair access. No dogs allowed on this beach between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy

Hemsby – A 2 mile stretch of sandy beach, backed by large grassy sand dunes. This is a busy beach with plenty of holiday parks close by and is also close to amenities, Cafes, arcades, shops and fun fairs. Dog exclusion areas between 1^st May to 30^th September. Type of beach: Sandy.

After your walk, why not treat yourself to a nice meal at a local pub? Many pubs in Norfolk are dog friendly, and it is the perfect way to refuel before heading home.