The Ultimate Guide to Dog-Friendly Beaches in Suffolk
Suffolk’s stunning coastline not only offers breath taking views and golden sands but also welcomes our beloved canine companions with open arms.
If you’re planning a beach day with your furry friend, Suffolk has an array of dog-friendly beaches where wagging tails and happy barks are part of the scenery.
From charming seaside towns to secluded coves, this comprehensive guide will help you discover the best dog-friendly beaches in Suffolk.
Suffolk Beach Restrictions
There are no restrictions for taking your dog on Suffolk beaches from October through April.
There are Summer restrictions on some beaches, below is a list of restrictions from circa 1st May through to circa 30th September (and please check notices locally when you get to the beach).
All beaches – No restrictions from October through April
Felixstowe – No dogs allowed from May through September
Kessingland – Dogs allowed off-lead all year round
Dunwich – Dogs allowed off-lead all year round
Aldeburgh
Although the main beach has restrictions during the summer months, there is a mile of wide dog-friendly shingle beach just to the North of Aldeburgh which is well signposted, and stretches from the Wentworth Hotel to Thorpeness.
When visiting this fantastic beach, why not check out The Brudenell Hotel, Aldeburgh, this family friendly hotel is the perfect place to stay for a seaside holiday, and well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome.
Another dog friendly option for Aldeburgh accommodation is the Wentworth Hotel which is situated directly opposite Aldeburgh beach and Cakes & Ale Holiday Park which is a short drive from the beach. Both offer dog friendly accommodation for couples and families alike.
Find out more about Aldeburgh here.
Covehithe
Accessible from the A12, between Kessingland and Southwold, Covehithe is a slice of secluded doggy heaven! A lovely expanse of soft sandy beach where dogs are allowed to roam all year round. Wild and quiet, the scenic beach is accessible on foot or cycle only (park near the church in the village and walk along the well signposted footpath opposite) So furry friends can have an extra walk and a good sniff around the fields and heathland before you surprise them with a great big beach to stretch their legs on. Be sure to keep them on a lead until you reach the beach tho as the surrounding area is home to some quite surly pigs!
Find out more about Covehithe.
Dunwich
Dunwich Heath – With the beautiful National Trust site of Dunwich Heath (pictured above) and a beach (part of which is pictured below) that’s dog-friendly all year round, Dunwich makes a fantastic dog friendly location with plenty of long walks and refreshing water on offer. The beach at Dunwich is a very wide open shingle beach, quite steep, especially at high tide. Walking in a northerly direction you can reach Walberswick in about 2 miles, and then Southwold over the River (the ferry in the Summer does take dogs), or heading south you’ll walk past RSPB Minsmere & then onto Sizewell beach. Both walks are highly recommended but reasonably strenuous = flip flops not advised!
Dunwich Beach – Bear in mind also that Dunwich is the home to RSPB Minsmere so there are occasional restrictions on dogs on the Heath that runs parallel with the beach during the nesting season.
The Ship, Dunwich – The Ship, Dunwich offers fantastic refreshment and accommodation, and also happily welcomes dogs. Surrounded by magnificent nature reserves and heathland as well as miles of beautiful beach, this dog loving hotel makes for a great place for both you and your four-legged friend to visit.
Find out more about Dunwich here.
Felixstowe
While the main beach of Felixstowe has dog restrictions in place from May through September, there are dog friendly beaches on either side of the restricted area, streching from Spa Pavilion to Arwela Road. These areas are well signposted and easy to spot. However dogs have to be kept on leads even on these stretches.
Kessingland
Just south of Lowestoft is the large, unspoilt beach at Kessingland where dogs are permitted all year round. Woof woof hooray!
Find out more about Kessingland here.
Lowestoft
Dogs are prohibited on both Lowestoft beaches from the 1st of May to the 30th September. This covers the main beach between the South Pier, southward to a point adjacent to the CEFAS building and Corton Beach from a point to the east of Baker’s Score, southwards to a point to the east of Tibbenham’s.
Find out more about Lowestoft.
Sizewell
Discreetly situated between Dunwich and Thorpeness, Sizewell beach boasts fantastic coastlines which have no restrictions on dogs year-round! Whether your pooch prefers a stroll in the midday sun or a sprint on a frosty morning, Sizewell beach caters for all! It also makes a perfect middle ground for a stroll north to Dunwich, past RSPB Minsmere, or south to Thorpeness.
Southwold
One of Suffolk’s most famous beaches, Southwold offers a fantastic holiday resort for the family. The main beaches of Southwold have pet restrictions in place from 1 April to 30 September, dogs are prohibited from a point adjacent to the northernmost extremity of the promenade (at the northern end of the beach huts) to a point adjacent to the southernmost extremity of the promenade (Gun Hill Café). Southwold Denes however, just north of the main beach, is dog-friendly throughout the year. Simply follow the A1095 from Southwold to the Denes.
Also the stunning sandy beach to the South of Southwold, down towards Walberswick, is pet friendly and welcomes dogs all year round.
Why not extend your visit by staying at Haw Wood Farm Caravan & Camping Park, near Southwold? The park welcomes dogs but they must be kept on a lead whilst on site.
Find out more about Southwold.
Walberswick
This picture-perfect coastal village is holiday home to many British celebrities, as well as playing host to the yearly Crabbing Championship in August. It’s also completely dog friendly, with no pet restrictions in place. Click here for more information on Walberswick. The Anchor Inn is a dog friendly place to stay in Walberswick, offering fantastic food & comfortable accommodation in recently renovated chalets, so check it out.
More Suffolk Guides