The Kent coast wraps around the end of the county stretching from the Thames Estuary to Dungeness. There are a number of dog friendly days out in Kent, so your pet enjoys the holiday as much as you.
The Best Places To Take Dogs in Kent
Each Kent seaside town has a special character of its own – Whitstable has a hipster feel with its oyster house, craft beers and rustic harbour. Herne Bay is all about family fun, and Margate has the Turner Contemporary gallery, Dreamland and vintage shops galore.
Broadstairs has a sandy cove, ice-cream parlours and mini-golf, and Folkestone has a long prom, harbour arm and cobbled streets.
Dungeness is the only official desert in the UK and is a pebble beach dotted with railway-carriage homes and a lighthouse.
With so many different seaside areas to stay in, you can book a holiday location that suits you, your family and your four-legged friend. Check out some more dog friendly attractions in Kent:
Activities & Things to Do
Find below 7 of the best days out in Kent for dogs
1. Run On The Sands At Broadstairs
Kent has one of the longest coastlines in England, and the beaches are a mix of sand, rock and shingle, so you have your pick in this county. The busier beaches have doggy restrictions from May to September, but at Kingsgate Bay on the edge of Broadstairs there’s a lovely stretch where pooches can run 12 months of the year. Take a picnic with you, there are no refreshments on this beach, or bring your chips from the town, it’s only a few minutes away.
2. Walk On The Weald Of Kent
The Weald stretches in sections from East Sussex to Kent and it offers peaceful walking trails through the countryside. In Tunbridge Wells, there’s an area of ancient woodland that makes up part of the Weald where you can walk and enjoy the wildlife that lives amongst the trees. Called Barnett’s Wood there are easy-to-navigate trails with a picnic area and playground for the family to enjoy. See the bluebells in early spring and butterflies in summer – it’s a lovely place for dogs in all seasons.
3. Tour The Grounds At Hever Castle
Once the home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle has 700 years of history to its name. Inside, the rooms hold tapestries, antique furniture and ancient bibles that are fascinating to see. Outside, the gardens sprawl for 250 acres and include a maze, boating lake and model village. Dogs are allowed in the outside areas on a lead, and you can walk for hours with them in the grounds if you want to stretch your legs.
4. Walk The White Cliffs Of Dover
The white cliffs are an iconic sight – there’s even a song about them! Walk your dog here and take in the thrilling landscape. The area is run by the National Trust to make sure the cliffs are protected. There are often ponies grazing on the grasses, and birds nest in spring so there are times when you need to put Fido on a lead.
5. Take A Trip On The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway
This miniature railway line goes from Hythe to Dymchurch and is a family favourite attraction. The 13-mile stretch takes 1 hour 15 minutes from one end to the other and there are 5 stops along the way if you want to alight at Romney Sands or St Marys Bay. Doggies can ride as a passenger so it’s a day out you can all enjoy together.
6. Mess About On The River Stour
Just outside of Canterbury, Canoe Wild hires out self-paddle kayaks for just an hour or the whole day. You can venture along the River Stour to Fordwich – it’s about 5 miles one way. There are single canoes and double kayaks, and man’s best friend is welcome to sit in the vessel with you. What a great way to see the Kent countryside and the wildlife that lives along the water’s edge.
7. Hike The Viking Coastal Path
This trail is 25 miles long in total and is a circular path that goes along the coast at Thanet. Passing the seaside towns of Westgate-on-Sea, Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate, it turns inland to Minster and St Nicholas At Wade. Unless you are after a challenge, just pick a section where you and your doggy can enjoy one of the dog walks in Kent and stroll a few miles breathing in the fresh sea air.
Looking at Visiting the Area
So, there you have our recommendations of dog-friendly places in Kent to visit and if you want to enjoy the garden of England for more than a day we have also created a directory of places to stay with your dogs
Holiday Cottages
Contemporary or Modern, beach or countryside, the choice is endless so to make it easier we have listed our favourite Kent dog friendly cottages for you to peruse at your leisure, as well as our top picks for Kent hot tub cottages for pets.
Log Cabins
Fancy something a bit more rural nestled in the spectacular countryside, these dog friendly lodges in Kent could hit the right note.