There’s nothing quite like spending time in the countryside and getting back to nature. The Suffolk coast just happens to blend the best of British country trails and coastal walks, meaning it shouldn’t be hard to hunt down some wonderful dog friendly beaches in Suffolk. However, in this guide, we’re making hunting down the perfect beach for dogs that little bit easier.
Suffolk is largely dog friendly, which is a huge bonus. We’ve taken a good look at the beaches Suffolk locals and dog walking tourists recommend, meaning you know the picks below come from seasoned sources.
Keep in mind that there are some beaches along the Suffolk coast that are going to restrict dogs. We’ve included all the essential details you’ll need to keep in mind when you travel. Why not check out our guide to the best dog walks in Suffolk, too?
When are dogs allowed on beaches in Suffolk?
Finding the right dog friendly beaches Suffolk has to offer to you and your pet shouldn’t be too difficult! Suffolk is definitely a dog-friendly area on the whole. That being said, it can be a bit of a pain finding ideal times of year for walks with your dog on certain beaches and sticking to the stretches of land that have been designated for dogs.
There are some Suffolk beaches that have dog ban restrictions in place all year, while others have restricted zones. Others, thankfully, are welcoming to dogs across the year. It really does pay to look up this information before you visit Suffolk.
While looking for the perfect dog friendly beach near Suffolk for you and your pooch, why not take a trip out to some of the pet friendly pubs in Suffolk, too? Work up a thirst on your walks!
The Best Dog Friendly Beaches Suffolk Has Available
The Denes Beach
The Denes in Southwold offers a brilliant dog-friendly beach zone that’s relaxed and peaceful. This beautiful beach happily welcomes dogs and owners year-round. The beach also happens to be particularly popular with surfers, canoeists, dog walkers and swimmers alike. The blue water here will provide you with large enough waves to keep your board moving!
There’s no need to worry about the waves being too dangerous though, as, during the summer season, a lifeguard cover is available at The Denes.
The little town of Southwold also has plenty of facilities that will keep everyone occupied throughout the day, including cafes and restaurants, as well as a nearby car park.
The Denes serves up a sand and shingle beach, great for collecting pebbles from as well as for walking the dog across!
This beautiful beach backed by dunes is great for a family fun day out in Suffolk, whether you have a dog or not.
- Seasonal Restrictions: No
- Lifeguards: Yes, only during the summer
- Address: Ferry Rd, Southwold IP18 6HQ, UK
- Facilities Near By: Cafes and restaurants, car park, toilets, beach huts
Dunwich Heath Beach
Dunwich Heath Beach is a must-see for nature lovers hunting down wild and wonderful dog friendly beaches near Suffolk. This beautiful nature reserve, owned by the National Trust, is made up of sand and shingle and is backed by colourful sand dunes, heathland and lagoons. It also happens to be a space that is ripe with wildlife, making it a wonderful day out for the whole family! This dog friendly beach in Dunwich really does tick the right boxes.
The beach itself is loved by the locals, as it is a remote and quiet place year-round – and it provides ample space for all of your sandcastle-making, running, jumping, playing and swimming needs. It is simply perfect for a day out in nature and most of all, it is dog friendly! You can bring Fido to this wonderful nature reserve at any point during the year, even during the summer.
The small town of Dunwich itself will not disappoint either, with wonderful cafes and little shops, you are bound to please everyone in the family, including the dog. Take a look at some pet friendly holidays in Suffolk nearby if you fancy making a holiday of it!
- Seasonal Restrictions: No
- Lifeguards: No
- Address: Coastguard Cottages, Dunwich, Saxmundham IP17 3DJ
- Facilities Near By: picnic area
Thorpeness Beach
This dog friendly beach really does have it all. For anyone looking to take a traditional seaside holiday with their family and/or friends, then there really is no better place to explore than Thorpeness. The little seaside town itself is a wonderful place to spend the day, thanks to its rich history and heritage. This dog friendly beach in Suffolk really does offer that quaint English seaside fun.
You can go boating on the Meare (the man-made boating lake), play a round at Thorpeness Golf Club, and, of course, spending hours wandering along the beach fronts and the other beautiful landscapes Thorpeness has to offer.
Thorpeness and its beach are by far some of the most dog friendly spots in the local reaches. Your dog will love spending the day with your family discovering all of the different areas, including the beautiful seaside village and shingle beach, revealing glittering sand at low tide.
If you’re looking for more than a simple dog friendly beach, Thorpeness ticks all of the right boxes for dogs and their owners alike. If you’re tired of the beach after beach just being simple stretches of sand, check out this well-loved tourist spot.
- Seasonal Restrictions: No
- Lifeguards: No
- Address: Thorpeness Beach, Aldeburgh Road, Thorpeness, IP16 4NW
- Facilities Near By: Picnic area, a village nearby with various facilities including cafes/restaurants, public toilets, shops
Kessingland Beach
This stretch is perfect for nature lovers out there, as to this day it remains quite a wild beach, made up of miles and miles of soft sand and shingle as well as views over beautiful blue waters beyond. Moreover, Benacre National Nature Reserve is situated at the south end of the beach, and is a blissful place to take a stroll, especially if you are interested in bird watching.
The key selling point of this beach for you is most likely that is is open to dogs all year round! Your dogs will love being able to roam free along the sand and paddle in the water. Due to the size of the beach, it is rarely at full capacity and will therefore always offer plenty of space for you and your pup to have some quality time together. It is, however, important to know that your dog must be on a lead once you reach the Nature Reserve, in order to protect all wildlife there.
With absolutely no dog restrictions, Kessingland remains one of our favourite dog friendly beaches in Suffolk – great for stretching the legs and paws alike.
- Seasonal Restrictions: No
- Lifeguards: No
- Address: Kessingland Beach, Kessingland, Lowestoft NR33 7SB
- Facilities Near By: Promenade, cafes, caravan park, car park
Last Word
There are plenty of beaches that are dog friendly in Suffolk, including ones that haven’t been included in this list! However, the Suffolk dog friendly beaches in this list welcome dogs all year round.
Do always check out potential dog restrictions at the beaches you’d like to visit. You’ll find that plenty of Suffolk is welcoming to dogs, but it really does you no harm to check your beach-going rights. Some beaches exercise a dog ban or two due to animal nesting season.
From Aldeburgh and Lowestoft, near the River Deben and Claremont Pier, to Southwold Pier, Felixstowe and the best of East Anglia, a dog friendly beach or two out in Suffolk will but you at a wonderful advantage to explore some of the most stunning areas towards this end of the country.
Once you’ve found perfect beach huts to settle down in, explore the east coast with your furry friend – and check out our list of the top Suffolk dog friendly days out, too. Who knows -there might be a golf course or two you can take your dogs to. In any case, this is one end of the country you and your dogs won’t forget in a hurry.