3 Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Scarborough (+ Beach Rules)

Are you thinking of heading to one of the many dog friendly beaches in Scarborough? We’re here to help. There are two or three brilliant beaches in and around the seaside town that are well worth bringing pets to for sandy walks and sea views galore. The bright and breezy coast is sure to leave you with some great memories.

Of course, it’s always worth checking out a beach guide before you head to any sandy stretches in Yorkshire. from North to South Bay, it pays to know if and when there are any dog restrictions. On the whole, however, dog friendly beaches in Scarborough are really easy to find. It’s just a case of making sure you’re heading out during the best season.

Why not check out a few pet friendly pubs in Scarborough while you’re in the area? You’ll be surprised how many establishments welcome dogs – Yorkshire really is a pet friendly paradise, and we’ve lined up the top Scarborough beach scenes for you and your four-legged friend below. Make it part of your Yorkshire coast checklist!

When are dogs allowed on beaches in Scarborough?

Whether your searching for a dog friendly beach near Scarborough or heading straight down to Scarborough North or South Bay beach, there may be times and seasons where you won’t be able to take pets. Dog restrictions on Yorkshire beaches help to keep the sands clean for public use during busier months. Thankfully, there isn’t too much of a dog ban across the best of Scarborough’s beach walks, and rest assured, we’ve found details for you on what you can expect below. Why not look for some of the best dog walks in Scarborough too – such as across Robin Hood’s Bay, or closer to Whitby and Filey?

The Best Beaches in Scarborough for Dogs

Scarborough North Bay

Scarborough North Bay is one of the most celebrated beaches across the Yorkshire coast, offering a delightful clifftop walk as well as an extensive stretch of dunes that are likely to entice any families with dogs. The best news is, of course, that this beach welcomes dogs across most of the year, though it definitely pays to check out a local beach guide before you visit.

This is a great quality tourist beach with plenty of facilities close by, and areas for you to rest. In fact, you may find a selection of pet friendly cottages in Scarborough close to the North esplanade, too. Sandy paws will love trotting along the wide open stretch here, though it can feel a way more rugged than the South Bay alternative.

Very popular with watersports fans and surfers alike, this end of the beach tends to be a little more traditional than the south, which is certainly more weighted towards tourists and guests visiting for a seaside day out or holiday. Regardless, it’s one of the best areas on the Yorkshire map for sandy walks and sea views.

  • Seasonal Restrictions: Yes (May to September)
  • Lifeguards: Yes
  • Address: North Bay Beach, YO12 7TP
  • Facilities Near By: Shops, food and drink, toilets, slipway

South Bay

South Bay is certainly the biggest tourist hotspot as far as seaside stretches go, though it’s also one of the best Scarborough dog friendly beaches. It’s replete with various shops, cafes and all the family-friendly facilities and sights you’d expect from an authentic seaside town in the North of England.

It’s definitely worth noting that this side of the beaches in Scarborough will welcome pets during the offseason, which means you won’t be able to trot those paws across the sand here between May and September. That might actually work in your favour, as it will mean the beach is a little quieter!

As with the northern end of the beach scene here, the southern tip makes for an absolutely gorgeous walk with vantage points over the sea, as well as a few rugged strolls further up the paths. It makes bright and breezy alternatives to some beaches elsewhere on the coast, such as the popular Runswick Bay, Tate Hill, or the West Pier over in Whitby.

Head down here for ice cream parlours, gorgeous waters and more. Other dog friendly beaches can only dream of offering such a fantastic experience! The North and South beaches amazingly dog friendly and definitely deserves a close look.

  • Seasonal Restrictions: Yes (May to September)
  • Lifeguards: Yes
  • Address: South Bay Beach, YO11 1NT
  • Facilities Near By: Cafes, amusements, food and drink, toilets, car parking / car park

Cayton Bay

You’ll need to head a few miles out of the town centre itself to sample the lovely walks along Cayton Bay. This is a very quiet beach, at least compared to the main tourist zones, meaning if you do want to take your furry friends away from the hustle and bustle of people, you know where to go. Not all dog friendly beaches in Yorkshire are full of crowds!

This tends to be a pretty bracing walk on the whole and is therefore just the type of place that’s well-loved by surfers. Therefore, do make sure that you and your dog are well prepared for some pretty breezy weather. The area is also very popular with history lovers thanks to connections with World War II and the fact that it’s a bit of an ancient stretch. There are fossils buried in the sands here from Jurassic times!

When it comes to dogs, you’ll be really pleased to hear that Cayton is easily the most dog friendly beach in Scarborough on our list. There are absolutely no restrictions, meaning you can take your pups for sandy strolls down here all year round, even during peak season.

  • Seasonal Restrictions: No
  • Lifeguards: Yes
  • Address: Cayton Bay, YO11 3NP
  • Facilities Near By: Shop, food and drink, toilets

Last Word

There are lots of lovely walks in Scarborough for dogs, and many of them take place across the area’s gorgeous sandy beaches. This guide to the beautiful beaches that allow dogs in this corner of Yorkshire is really only scratching the ice.

There are a number of wonderful reasons why taking your dogs beyond the lovely town centre towards the friendly beaches in Scarborough make perfect sense. It’s one of the breeziest yet friendliest places on the Yorkshire coastal map, with the friendly beaches over in Filey and Whitby also worth a scan. Many people take their four legged friends here, and we’re certainly amongst them – hence why we wrote this list!

Do take the time to dive into more details on dog friendly beaches you’d like to visit, and across Yorkshire, in fact. For example, it’s worth looking into parking facilities, whether or not your dogs are restricted on the sand, and more besides. It’s the place to be for all kinds of dog walking fun, but you must make sure you pay attention to the rules.

There are lots of lovely things for dogs to do across Yorkshire. If you and your dog have had your fill of Whitby Abbey or Robin Hood’s Bay, then the town is only a short distance away. The same goes for Filey – why not take a full tour of dog friendly Yorkshire and see how you get on? It’s a corner of England we can always highly recommend, from country to coast. Our dogs certainly feel the same way, and we’re sure your dogs will too.

Plan for your visit to beaches – check any restrictions on dogs in the area. While you’re guaranteed that Yorkshire hospitality, you’re going to need to make sure your pups are allowed around the various zones. Just because some areas are listed as dog friendly beaches doesn’t mean there won;t be no dogs zones. It’s all in the name of protecting the best of the Yorkshire beach scene!

We hope you’re found our guide to these Yorkshire dog friendly beaches useful. Why not head down to a beach or two with your dogs and explore it all for yourself?

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