Are you looking for the top dog friendly beaches in Brighton and East Sussex? Brighton and Hove are, of course, well-known for their fantastic seaside scenes, and there are no reasons why you can’t bring a dog along to enjoy the coastal fun. It’s worth checking out the best dog beaches!
The city is arguably the jewel of East Sussex, though other spots such as Hastings, and of course Hove, are worth exploring with your pets. In this guide, we are looking purely at the best dog friendly beaches near Brighton – which can include Hove, as the two areas are linked!
Do also take the time to check out our list of the top dog friendly days out in Brighton for more information on what you and your dog can do in the local area. For now, however, let’s check out the best of the beaches the city has on offer.
When are dogs allowed on beaches in Brighton
If you’d like to take your dog for a walk or two down the beach scene (beyond the West Marina Wall, for example), you must look for dog restriction before you visit. In Brighton, you will generally be able to take your dog to any beach in the area between October and April.
However, you should always check this information with the main Brighton Hove GOV UK website. A dog ban may be in place when you’d like to visit, so click through to the website to avoid disappointment!
The Best Dog Friendly Beaches Brighton & Hove Have to Offer
Brighton Beach
Naturally, Brighton Beach was always going to be the first of all the beaches we covered for this list! This Blue Flag beach is very famous not only in the east of Sussex but up and down the UK. Very popular with dog owners, it’s also likely to be full of people during the summer seasons.
In fact, Brighton Beach falls under the ban for dogs mentioned above, so you won’t be able to visit with your own pooch between May and September. This is all the more beneficial to you and your dog if you are looking for a quiet stretch!
Brighton’s beach is probably best known for its Victorian Brighton Pier, though there are also restaurants, sports facilities, boutique hotel spots and more besides. If you are looking for the best dog walk spots on the map, you’re sure to enjoy the promenade in the off-season. There’s lots of food and drink in the area, too, meaning you’ll never be too far from sweet treats.
Look out for the Meeting Place Cafe on the sandy border with Hove, too!
- Seasonal Restriction: Yes (May to September)
- Lifeguards: Yes
- Address: Brighton Beach, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1TW
- Facilities Near By: Pier, cafes, toilets, car park, family attractions
Kemp Town Beach
If you’re looking to sample the top Brighton dog friendly beaches scene but don’t fancy the big crowds at the main beach, then the stretch along Kemp Town is likely to be the place you want to look for. You’ll find that the Kemp Town beach extends along towards the Brighton Marina and is around 15 minutes from the central pier. This area tends to be popular with sunbathers, and it is worth noting this zone is a naturist beach.
As with the main beach, you can take your pet down to the seafront along with Kemp Town between October and April each year. As with the bigger beaches in the area, you can still expect an array of facilities. Just in case, it’s worth keeping your dog under control with a lead during busier times. That said, as a quieter front to the main beach itself, you can already expect a fairly peaceful promenade.
Kemp Town beach and seafront is often manned by lifeguards but this may vary in the off-season. Clip those leads on and take a walk with your pooch down this lovely beach!
- Seasonal Restriction: Yes (May to September)
- Lifeguards: Yes
- Address: Kemp Town Beach, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1EN
- Facilities Near By: Pier, marina, hotel rooms, shops, cafes
Hove Lawns and Hove Beach
Looking for dog friendly Brighton cottages? You might want to book places close to the best of Hove’s beach scene. A wonderful alternative to the bustling Brighton Beach, Hove Beach is a quieter yet still popular zone where you and your dogs can go ahead and enjoy the shingle straits. Once again, the block on dogs walking on the sand between May and September extends here, too.
This dog friendly beach also backs onto lovely lawned areas and is a fair way east of the city of Brighton. It’s easy for pet lovers to park up here and explore the local lagoon, complete with various clubs and boating spots. However, keep aware that not everywhere in the lagoon will accept dogs!
If you are looking for a dog friendly beach in Brighton where you can take your dogs for a simple walk without the world and his wife joining you, Hove Gardens and Beach are places to head for. If you are tired of the same old cities, you and your dogs will adore the change of pace.
- Seasonal Restriction: Yes (May to September)
- Lifeguards: Yes
- Address: Kingsway, Hove, BN3 2WJ
- Facilities Near By: Lagoon clubs, car park, cafes, railway
East Sussex Fun for Dogs and Owners Alike
There’s more to Brighton than just beaches, of course, there are also plenty of the best dog walks in Brighton. Head on down towards Sackville Gardens or the Royal Pavilion Garden for glorious greenery. Why not go spot some aquatic wildlife over at the Volks Railway Aquarium? We highly recommend the Lawns Cafe for a bite to eat and a quick rest, too. If you need more options for places to eat, see all the pet friendly pubs in Brighton.
There are lots of lovely spots for you and your pet to head down on the coast. One of the best pieces of advice we can give is that you always make sure to take your leads, of course – as you never know when you’re going to need to pop your pup under close control.
Otherwise, head on down to the seafront and marina scene in this end of Sussex and enjoy a dog friendly seaside adventure – with a wide range of dog friendly pubs in Brighton available.
Last Word
Brighton, Hove, East Sussex – all provide lovely walking spots for you and your dogs. While the city does have dog bans in place some of the time, there’s still plenty of freedom. What’s more, you and your dog can enjoy the seaside fun during quieter times of the year!
Do also take a look at our guide to the best days out for dogs in Brighton, too – and plan ahead!