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Dog Friendly Beaches in Norfolk

Published date: November 2018

Dog Friendly Beaches in Norfolk

Whether you live in Norfolk or are holidaying in the county, it’s important to understand the restrictions regarding dogs on the beach. With around 30 beaches in Norfolk, there are many vast expanses of sand to play fetch on, places to dig, and some great destinations for those 4-legged creatures who love a little doggy paddle or are wave chasers. Some Norfolk beaches allow dogs all year round whereas others do not permit dogs in certain areas during the summer months.

Norfolk’s beaches offer a variety of different terrains, from small pebbles, to large rocks, and those that are mainly sand. They are a great place to wander with your woofer all year round, but there are some restrictions during the summer months, 1st May to 30th September and during the nesting season. The following information is subject to change, so please check with each individual beach and observe the clearly marked signs when you arrive. As a rule of thumb, if you avoid the crowded areas during the summer months, you will probably be on a stretch of dog friendly beach.

Caister-on-Sea

This has a dog friendly beach with no restrictions and has a vast stretch of sand to exercise your dog.

Snettisham

This is a dog friendly beach and has no restrictions summer or winter. Snettisham is uncommercialised and is mainly shingle and has an abundance of wildlife. When the tide is out there is a vast sandy beach and mudflats that attract a wide variety of wading birds. It’s a popular beach for birdwatchers and is home to RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve. Dogs are welcome in the reserve but should be kept under control.

Heacham

Heacham (both North and South) is dog friendly with no restrictions. Heacham South is backed by sand dunes and is a popular beach with dog walkers. Heacham North, with its promenade gets busy during the summer months and therefore dogs should be kept under control at this time.

Old Hunstanton

This part of beach is dog friendly and has no restrictions. Popular with dog walkers, Old Hunstanton is a beach where you can walk for miles and miles.

Holme-next-the-Sea

This beach is dog friendly and has no restrictions. A popular dog walking beach, you may like to walk from here to Snettisham.

Thornham

Thornham beach is dog friendly with no restrictions. Dogs should be kept under control though during the nesting season as birds use the dunes and the beaches for nesting.

Burnham Overy Staithe

A dog friendly beach with no restrictions. However, this is part of the Holkham National Nature Reserve, so consider putting dogs on a lead at nesting times. Generally, this is a very quiet beach and perfect for those who love a long walk.

Holkham

Dog friendly with no restrictions. A lovely walk that includes a pine forest, dunes and golden sand. Be mindful during nesting times. Great for those looking for a longer walk; go west towards Burnham Overy or walk east towards Wells-next-the-Sea.

Horsey

There are no dog restrictions on Horsey beach but when the seals have their pups (October-February) dogs should be kept on leads and under control.

Scratby

Scratby beach is dog friendly and has no restrictions all year round. It’s an ideal place to walk your dog and stretches along the coast for many miles in both directions. To the south, you can walk to Caister-on-Sea or Great Yarmouth and if you walk to the north you will come to Hemsby and then to Winterton.

Waxham

There are no dog restrictions during the summer months at Waxham. Dog friendly all year round.

Winterton-on-Sea

There are no dog restrictions at Winterton-on-Sea but as it is part of the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve, it is requested that dogs are kept under control during the nesting season.

Wells-next-the-Sea

Dogs are welcome on part of the beach all year round but during the summer months, 1st May to 30th September there are restrictions. A vast beach that is hugely popular with dog walkers, part of Wells beach is roped off to protect nesting birds during the nesting season and it is requested that dogs are kept on leads.

Sheringham

During the summer months, 1st May to 30th September, dogs are not allowed on the main beach in Sheringham.

West Runton

There is a small area were restrictions apply 1st May to 30th September in West Runton. You can walk your dog on a lead past this restricted area and then enjoy this beautiful stretch of beach.

East Runton

Restrictions apply 1st May to 30th September on part of the beach. You can walk from here to Cromer along the beach.

Cromer

During the summer months, 1st May to 30th September, dog restrictions apply on Cromer beach. However, there are parts of the beach, away from the crowds of people that dogs are allowed to be walked. Follow the signs.

Overstrand

Dog restrictions apply on the central part of the beach at Overstrand, the length of the promenade, during the summer months - 1st May to 30th September. When the tide is out this beautiful Norfolk beach has a vast expanse of sandy shoreline. The promenade allows dogs on leads all year round and once past the restricted area, dogs are able to go on the beach.

Mundesley

No dogs are allowed on the beach in the summer months (1st May to 30th September) the length of the promenade. However, they are allowed to be walked on the promenade all year round on a lead, so it is very easy to walk past the restricted area and then onto a dog friendly section of beach.

Bacton

Dogs are not allowed on the beach between the main groynes during the summer period 1st May to 30th September. Low tide is the best time to walk your dog on this beach as it is mostly covered at high tide. Walking dogs out of this restricted area is easy, just follow the clearly marked signs.

Walcott

There are dog restrictions on Walcott beach during the summer months (1st May to 30th September) between the main groynes. Other parts are dog friendly – see signs for details. During nesting season, March and August, dogs should be kept on a lead so that they don’t disturb nesting birds.

Happisburgh

There are dog restrictions on Happisburgh beach, south of the lighthouse (1st May to 30th September). To the north of the lighthouse the beach is very quiet and unspoilt and ideal for dog walking.

Brancaster

During the summer months there are restrictions on the main beach from 1st May to 30th September and nesting season is March and August. However, the beach is extensive, so it’s easy to avoid the dog free areas during these times.

Sea Palling

Sea Palling has dog restrictions in the summer months, 1st May to 30th September and these areas are clearly signposted. This beach is a great destination if you want a long walk, especially at low tide.

Hunstanton

Restrictions apply during the summer months at Hunstanton. Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Hunstanton between the cliffs and the power boat launch ramp between Good Friday and 31st October. This is a particularly busy beach, with a promenade and many facilities.

Hemsby

Dog restrictions apply during the summer months, 1st May to 30th September and the main stretch of beach becomes very busy. However, if you walk left past the crowds you will soon come to a quieter part of the beach where dogs are allowed.

Great Yarmouth

During the summer months, 1st May to 30th September, there are dog restrictions on Great Yarmouth’s beaches. The main sections, where the visitors all flock, do not allow dogs between the aforementioned dates. However, if you walk past these popular areas you will find lovely stretches of beach where dogs are permitted. The signs are quite clear in Great Yarmouth, so it’s easy to see where dogs are and are not allowed.

Gorleston-on-Sea

Dogs are not permitted on the beach at Gorleston during the summer months, 1st May to 30th September, between the harbour mouth and the ravine.

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