Chasing after balls, splashing in the sea and zoomies across the sand - dogs love beaches! Nothing makes tails wag faster than hearing “walkies!” so why not treat your four legged friend to a seaside adventure?!
It’s been a while since some of us enjoyed a fun day out with our pooch so a trip to the beach is just what you need! We’ve sniffed out five of the best dog-friendly beaches, from secluded spots to wide-open stretches of sand, and all within driving distance from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire that your four-legged best friend will be sitting up and begging to be taken to!
1.West Wittering
Satnav: PO20 8AJWest Wittering is privately owned, and famous for its row of lovely beach huts.
There are some restrictions for dogs in summer. In summer (May to Sept) you can take your dog on the beach, but you must be outside groynes 14A-18. This is more-or-less the area between the beach huts and the sea. It is marked. Dogs are allowed everywhere on the beach between the end of September to the end of April.
2.Ruislip Lido
Satnav: HA4 7TYRuislip Lido is a dog-friendly place. Although dogs must be kept on a lead in the area around the Lido and are not allowed on the beach used by the general public, if you walk past the Woodland Centre you will find, as a partly separate area, the dog beach!
Ruislip Lido is also home to the Ruislip Lido Railway, which runs around the Lido through the woods. According to Ruislip Lido Railway’s Conditions of Carriage, dogs are allowed to board the train but at the discretion of the driver and must remain on a lead.
It’s not all about the Lido or beach either, with woods covering 700+ acres, Ruislip woods is one of the largest woodland areas in Greater London so plenty of opportunities for long walks.
3.Canvey Island - Thorney Bay Beach
Satnav: SS8 0AUThere’s parking, shops and a promenade close to this sandy beach which is open to dogs all year round. Canvey Island is situated in the Thames Estuary off the South East coast of Essex and separated from the mainland by a channel. The beach is made up of sand and mud with a view of the Kent coastline.
4.Bournemouth Beach (Boscombe Beach / Alum Chine)
Satnav: BH4 8HSThe beaches of Bournemouth welcome dogs but there are some regulations in place. Throughout the winter season, from 1st October to 30th April dogs can enjoy the beach freely. However, between 1st May and 30th September dogs are only permitted on certain parts of the beach.
During this time, dogs are allowed at:
- Alum Chine beach between the Alum Chine beach office (Groyne 3) and the border with Poole’s first beach, Branksome Dene Chine beach.
- Durley Chine beach dogs are only permitted between Groynes 5 (middle chine) and Groyne 7.
- From Groyne 32 on Fishermans Walk beach to Groyne 41 on Southbourne beach.
- From Groyne 45 to Hengistbury head beach.
5.Milford on Sea – Lymington
Satnav: SO41 0PTJust a 10 minute drive from Lymington is Milford-on-Sea, a traditional seaside village with colourful beach huts along a shingle beach where dogs are welcome year round, plus there are plenty of places to shop and eat for humans. It has a stony beach with excellent views of the Isle of Wight and there is a great walk from the beach along Hurst Spit to Hurst Castle.
Have you visited any of these beaches and what did you think? Which dog-friendly beaches do you recommend?
If you fancy a non-beach day out here's a list of our favourites!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing, please ensure you check carefully before starting your journey.
Enjoy your day out but make sure you keep cool – click here for our top tips to help your dog keep cool in the heat.