Our Favourite Dog Friendly Retreats with Beach Access
Beach holidays are always better when you bring your dog along for the fun. Watching their joy as they dart across the beach, dig their paws in the sand and lift their noses to the sea breeze is heart-warming. Early morning walks and sunset strolls create unforgettable moments when shared with your pup because they slow us down and make us fully savour the beauty of the coast. While our dogs bound around relishing the freedom, the open space and every different scent, we cherish their companionship and laugh at their unbridled joy making precious, bonding memories.
So for this guide we’ve cherry-picked our 10 favourite dog-friendly retreats with beach access, where dogs aren’t just tolerated, but genuinely welcomed. Each beach home sits right on or above a dog-friendly beach, making seaside escapes completely fuss-free. Imagine direct beach access, sea-view terraces, beach gardens and endless coastal paths, all paired with beaches that welcome dogs with no restrictions all year or provide spacious, decent dog-friendly areas. From Cornwall and Devon to Wales and Scotland, these dog friendly coastal cottages combine spectacular locations with every creature comfort, guaranteeing a genuinely relaxed beach holiday where everybody, including your furry friend get to enjoy beach life at its best.
1) Treyarnon Bay Dog Friendly Cottage, Cornwall
Book Online: Treyarnon Bay beachfront cottage >
5 Bedrooms | Sleeps 11
This dreamy, detached dog friendly cottage in Cornwall is great for a large group and beloved pup, sleeping 11 and overlooking Treyarnon Bay Beach, which is totally dog friendly all year round and one of the best beaches in the South West. The cottage boasts direct beach access to the beach below with a sea facing terrace and large rolling garden, which is equipped with garden furniture and a BBQ for outdoor fun. Ample parking is provided for a maximum of 4 vehicles, should you be holidaying with family or friends.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Treyarnon Bay beach is literally on the doorstep, dog-friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions. It’s soft sand, rock pools (including a natural swimming pool) and dunes are perfect for exploring and there are lovely walks to Constantine Bay. It also has a beach shop and pop-up seasonal cafe located in the main car park. There’s public toilets and RNLI lifeguard cover during the summer months (May to September). Just be mindful of the cliffs near the headland.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Apart from Treyarnon Bay, try the nearby dog-friendly beaches at Booby’s Bay (with no seasonal restrictions) and Gunver Head Beach (totally dog-friendly), both of which are excellent for exercising your canines without any summer bans.
2) Hope Cove Beachside Cottage, Devon
Book Online: Hope Cove beachside cottage >
4 Bedrooms | Sleeps 8
For memory making dog friendly beach holidays in Devon look no further than this gorgeous holiday cottage in Hope Cove. It sleeps up to 8 guests and lies steps from two golden sandy beaches, one of which is dog friendly all year round. Originally a coastguard cottage, it literally straddles both beaches of Outer and Inner Hope in the middle of Hope Cove village with everything a family could need to hand. The front of the cottage has two benches and faces a footpath between the beaches, and out back there is a communal lawn. Note: children should be supervised as the land leads to a cliff. A large garage provides parking for one car.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
The closest beach is the dog friendly Harbour Beach (dogs must be on a lead), and Mouthwell Sands which has seasonal restrictions, banning dogs from May 1st to September 30th (10 AM – 7 PM), but allowing them off-lead in the other months.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Soar Mill Cove offers dog-friendly access all year round with no restrictions, as do the National Trust-owned beaches of South Milton Sands and Thurlestone Beach, which are connected at low tide and make for a wonderful day of exploring.
3) Luxury Sandbanks Beach House, Dorset
Book Online: Sandbanks luxury beach cottage >
4 Bedrooms | Sleeps 8
Try and resist this luxury, pet friendly cottage in Sandbanks with 360-degree views across Sandbanks Beach and Poole Harbour. It sleeps 8 guests in three king size bedrooms with fabulous living areas and boasts a stunning beachfront terrace with table, chairs, loungers and steps leading directly to Sandbanks beach. But it’s the top deck roof terrace that steals the show with its breathtaking sea views. Whilst there is off-road parking on the drive, you don’t need a car here with amenities just a stroll away and the shore steps from the gate, where you can drop your paddle board straight on the water, while the kids play.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Sandbanks Beach is pet-friendly all year round at this western end, near the beach house. Also, from May 1st to September 30th, dogs are still allowed on the main beach promenade/paths on a lead so you can always access other parts of the beach throughout the year, despite the main beach restrictions. Apart from offering award winning golden sand, this premier beach resort in Dorset offers every water sport, music events, beach volleyball, sand polo and access to nature parks and destinations such as Poole Harbour, Brownsea Island, Studland Bay and the Jurassic Coastline.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
If you can tear yourself away from Sandbanks there are some other great dog friendly beaches including Branksome Dene, Alum Chine and Hamworthy Park, and a little further away the windswept Studland Bay (on a lead in summer) and the iconic beach of Durdle Door.
4) Heacham Dog Friendly Cottage, Norfolk
Book Online: Heacham beach access cottage >
3 Bedrooms | Sleeps 6
A fabulous dog-friendly cottage in Norfolk bang on Heacham’s North Beach, which welcomes dogs all year round without restrictions. With direct access to the sandy shore and uninterrupted sea views this beautiful home in Norfolk sleeps 6 guests and their dog within 3 lovely bedrooms and living areas, including a balcony and a large terrace with amazing panoramic sea views. Walk your pup along North Beach promenade to Hunstanton for a muse or explore local trails like Peddars Way by bike.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Heacham Beach has two ends: North Beach, which is totally dog friendly and right in front of the cottage and imposes no dog restrictions on the beach, but dogs on the promenade should be on a lead. Dogs are also allowed on South Beach all year round but should be on a lead, due to nesting birds from April – August.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Some nearby dog friendly beaches in Norfolk with no or minimal dog restrictions, include Old Hunstanton (no restrictions), Snettisham Beach (on a lead due to bird nesting from April – August) Holme-next-the-Sea (no restrictions apart from roped-off dunes) and Thornham (no restrictions).
5) Aldeburgh Dog Friendly Cottage, Suffolk
Book Online: Aldeburgh seafront holiday cottage >
3 Bedrooms | Sleeps 7
Not only is this dog friendly cottage in Suffolk right opposite Aldeburgh beach offering direct beach access, it is also bang in the centre of town, close to all amenities. Sleeping seven guests in total comfort, this pretty Victorian villa makes for a fun, fuss-free beach holiday with your loved ones. Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near the Aldeburgh estuary and marshes, boasting amazing sea views from most rooms and the balcony.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Although Aldeburgh’s main town beach has restrictions from May 1st – September 30th, dogs are welcome all year-round south of the main area, with Crag Path (just outside the property), also allowing dogs year-round and promising glorious walks. The northern stretch of beach towards Thorpeness is also dog friendly year round. So the bottom line is, you can enjoy Aldeburgh’s coast with your dog, but you’ll need to stick to the northern or southern sections during peak summer months
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Alternative dog-friendly beaches nearby include Sizewell Beach (with few restrictions and a tea hut), Walberswick Beach (no restrictions) and Southwold Denes Beach (no restrictions).
6) Alnmouth Dog-Friendly Apartment, Northumberland
Book Online: Alnmouth beachside apartment >
3 Bedrooms | Sleeps 6
This elegant and spacious dog friendly rental in Northumberland sleeps 6 guests plus dogs in Scandinavian-style luxury just metres from the golden sandy beach in Alnmouth. The apartment boasts wonderful sea views and enjoys a close proximity to local shops, bars, restaurants and a golf course. Local attractions include the fascinating Farne Islands and coastal castles.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Alnmouth Beach is dog-friendly all year round, with no seasonal restrictions, offering loads of space perfect for dogs to run wild and enjoy this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Note: Keep an eye on the rip tides during wild weather.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Very close to Alnmouth in Northumberland are other great beaches such as Beadnell Bay, Bamburgh Beach, Embleton Bay, Druridge Bay, and Warkworth Beach which are all dog-friendly year round.
7) Aberdovey Dog Friendly Cottage, Wales
Book Online: Aberdovey beachfront retreat >
3 Bedrooms | Sleeps 6
This Wales dog friendly cottage sleeps 6 guests plus pets and is located right next to Aberdovey beach. With the village centre just a stroll away and the beach on your doorstep there’s no need to hire a car. For those looking for some action, try surfing or even hire a boat and explore the estuary and the bay. Keen walkers might like to attempt part of the Wales Coast Path to Tywyn (4 miles). And as you walk along Cardigan Bay, you might be lucky enough to spot some dolphins!
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
The gorgeous sandy beach at Aberdovey is dog-friendly but has seasonal restrictions near the car park from April 1st – September 30th. The rest of the beach, heading north towards the dunes and Tywyn, is dog friendly all year-round, but dogs should be on a lead on the promenade.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Other dog-friendly Wales beaches close by include the southern end of Tywyn Beach, towards Aberdovey, so avoid the northern end, which has some seasonal restrictions. A little further north there’s Fairbourne Beach where dogs are allowed all year round, apart from a little zone near the car park during the summer season.
8) Freshwater East Beach Home, Pembrokeshire
Book Online: Freshwater East beach house >
3 Bedrooms | Sleeps 6
Hidden amongst the beautiful national park sand dunes on Freshwater East Beach, this idyllic dog friendly Pembrokeshire cottage sleeps six guests, with direct access to the beach. Perfect for families, this has to be one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire. Outside the cottage there’s a large furnished patio with sea views perfect for al-fresco dining and an enclosed lawn for your pup to stretch his legs. There is ample off-road parking for three cars and a sandy path that leads to Freshwater East beach promising sheltered bathing and scenic walks. The village has a local pub and there is a seasonal shop. Local attractions include Tenby’s cobbled streets, harbour and beaches, Oakwood, Heatherton, Folly Farm and the castles of Manorbier, Carew and Pembroke.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Freswater East Beach is well known for being a fantastic expanse for dogs, welcoming them all year round. It’s family-friendly, especially at low tide and offers facilities including toilets. There are sand dunes, a stream, wide sands, shallows and rock pools making it a fabulous playground for your dogs and the kids.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Near Freshwater East there are many other incredible dog-friendly beaches with no restrictions worth visiting but the most beautiful ones have to be Barafundle Bay Beach and Manorbier Beach, both of which have gorgeous golden sand and dunes to play in.
9) Bude Pet Friendly Beach Cottage, Cornwall
Book online: Bude dog friendly beach house >
3 Bedrooms | Sleeps 6
Relish the roar of the ocean as you stay in this exquisite three bedroom dog friendly cottage in Bude located directly on Northcott beach in Cornwall. It sleeps six guests with pets and is the perfect bolthole for families and couples wanting sea air and beach adventures. The enclosed garden has a deck, lawn and dining area overlooking the beach just metres away. With the South West coastal path on your doorstep, the bird sanctuary, nature reserve and surf beaches nearby, you won’t be short of coastal activities to keep everyone entertained.
Closest Dog friendly Beach:
Northcott Mouth Beach is completely dog-friendly all year round without seasonal restrictions, though care should be taken around marine birds and rock-pools. This beach connects to Sandymouth Beach at low tide.
Other nearby dog-friendly beaches:
Other alternative beaches that promise year-round dog-friendly playgrounds include the neighbouring National Trust Sandymouth Bay, and slightly quieter spots like Stanbury Mouth and Duckpool, both offering sand, rock pools, and coastal paths.
10) Ullapool Waterfront Cottage, Scotland
Book online: Highlands cottage with beach access >
6 Bedrooms | Sleeps 12
Last but not least is this classic dog friendly cottage in Scotland that sits on Loch Broom near Ullapool. With six gorgeous bedrooms it sleeps up to 12 guests plus pets surrounded by the unspoiled natural beauty of the North West Highlands. Witness wild seabirds, seals and maybe even dolphins on a boat trip across the loch stopping at Tanera Mor. Or visit Inverpolly National Nature Reserve to spot see pine martens, buzzards and golden eagles.
Closest Dog friendly Beaches:
Apart from your very own little private beach, Ullapool boasts several dog-friendly beaches nearby including Ullapool Beach, Ardmair Beach, Achmelvich Bay beach and Gruinard Beach, which are all perfect for exercising your dog.
Book your Dog Friendly Coastal Cottages on Beachlets
As you can see, taking your dog along with you on holiday doesn’t have to compromise comfort, location, or style if you find the perfect holiday home by the sea. If anything, your pup will enhance it. When you have such easy access to dog-friendly beaches, thoughtfully designed homes and outdoor spaces and are surrounded by such incredible sea views, its impossible not to have a truly relaxing coastal holiday. Whether you’re waking up to the sound of the waves in Cornwall, exploring the expansive beaches of Norfolk, or strolling along the shores of the Scottish Highlands, these dog-friendly cottages by the sea make it simple to unwind, explore, and reconnect with nature.