The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Kent

Despite being best known as the Garden of England, Kent is still brimming with stunning beaches, many of which welcome pampered pooches! So if you’re looking for the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent, you’ve come to the right place!

Kent offers a wide range of stunning coastlines and is a paradise for beach lovers. It’s also a dream destination for dogs! With miles of sandy or shingled shores and rugged cliffs, there are plenty of spots where your four-legged friend can run free and enjoy the fresh sea air together.

Whether you’re looking for wide-open sands or more peaceful coves for a relaxing stroll, these dog-friendly beaches in Kent have it all. In this guide, we’ll explore the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent, ensuring a cracking day out for both you and your furry companion.

Read on to find the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent….

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• The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Kent
• A Map of the Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Kent

7 of the Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Kent

1. Deal Beach, Deal

Wondering where the best dog-friendly beaches are in Kent? Then you’ve come to the right place, and first up, kicking off our guide is Deal Beach. This long stretch of pebbly shoreline provides plenty of room for a scenic walk, with the fresh sea breeze and rolling waves creating a relaxing atmosphere for you and your dog to explore.

There is a ban on dogs on the beach from the 1st of May until the 30th of September between the hours of 9am – 6pm, but you and your furry friend can still enjoy the beach at the quieter times when the beach is less crowded, meaning there is more room for your dog to burn off all of their energy. During the off-season periods, you are free to roam the whole beach and the charming seafront promenade.

After spending the day upon the shores of this dog-friendly beach in Kent, enjoy a stroll past the striking Deal Castle, which was built on the orders of King Henry VIII. There are also a great number of local cafés and pubs which welcome dogs, so you can both stop for a well-earned break, perhaps enjoying fresh seafood while your pup relaxes at your feet.

Whether you’re after a brisk morning walk or an evening stroll, Deal Beach in Kent is a fantastic spot for a coastal adventure with your dog.

Key Information about Deal Castle Beach:

Type of beach: Shingle
Parking: There are a number of car parks in Deal and some close to the seafront
Parking Charge: Middle Street – Maximum stay 3 hours – £5.40
Dogs Friendly: Dog ban in place from 1st May until 30th September between the hours of 9am – 6pm
Postcode: CT14 7BA
Lifeguards: No lifeguards on this beach

2. Dungeness Beach, Dungeness

Next up on our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent is Dungeness beach. Dungeness Beach is a truly one-of-a-kind destination, being one of the most unusual landscapes in the UK.

This area is covered in shingle and stretches along the coast, offering a rugged, almost otherworldly charm, it is known as the only desert in the UK. This wild, open space is a paradise for dogs, giving them the freedom to roam and explore to their heart’s content. Listen to the sound of waves breaking against the shore, and the occasional glimpse of a fishing boat or container ship out to sea.

As you wander along the beach and the surrounding area you will come across weathered fishing boats, abandoned railway tracks, and the iconic Dungeness Lighthouse. The old lighthouse also allows you to climb up to the top with fantastic views of the horizon, all for a small fee.

If you and your dog loves a good trek, the circular walk towards the RSPB nature reserve offers a mix of beach and marshland, where you might spot unique wildlife like marsh harriers and rare seabirds. But please be mindful of the delicate ecosystem and keep an eye out for nesting birds in certain areas.

Afterwards, you can stop by one of the local fish shacks for some freshly caught seafood or head to a number of the pubs from the Britannia Inn to the Pilot Inn, both offering great food and drink options after your walk in this unique part of the country.

Dungeness Beach promises a perfect day of adventure with your four-legged companion.

Key Information about Dungeness Beach:

Type of beach: Shingle
Parking: Lydd Beach Car Park and & End of the Line Restaurant
Parking Charge: Free
Dogs Friendly: Dog-Friendly all year round
Postcode: TN29 9NB
Lifeguards: No lifeguards on this beach

3. Greatstone Beach, Greatstone

 

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Greatstone beach is the next on the list, this two-mile sandy beach provides a perfect setting for most beachgoers.

The majority of the beach comprises flat, soft sand, which makes it perfect for kids to run around and build sandcastles but also dogs, who will love the opportunity to chase after their favourite tennis ball.

Just like Dungeness beach, you have a great choice of eateries around the beach, including the Jolly Fisherman and Demetrio’s close to the main Greatstone car park as well as the Pilot Inn and Dungeness Snack Shack a little further along towards Dungeness.

The location also offers a chance to head Romney Sands train station and take a ride on the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, which does also allow dogs, so you can all enjoy a trip on the train after your visit to Greatstone Beach.

Greatstone Beach is one of Kent’s best beaches and ideal when looking for some of the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent too!

Key Information about Greatstone Beach

Type of beach: Mainly sandy
Parking: There are two main car parks available along the beach road – Coast Drive and the Lade
Parking Charge: 2 hours – £3.60
Dogs Friendly: Dog ban in place from 1st May until 30th September with dogs are not allowed on the beach around the Romney Sands Holiday Park and from the main car park next to the Jolly Fisherman. All areas should be signposted
Postcode: TN28 8NX
Lifeguards: Nearby RNLI station at Littlestone but no lifeguards on patrol
Other information: There are public toilets on-site at the main Greatstone car park. They are open 8am to 7pm from 1 May to 30 September, and 8am to 5pm from 1 October to 30 April.

4. Hythe Beach, Hythe

When you’re looking to uncover the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent, then Hythe Beach has to be part of that discussion!

This mostly pebbly stretch of coastline provides plenty of space for a leisurely walk, with perfect areas for your dog to enjoy a refreshing paddle. You can also take a walk along the promenade running alongside the shore which offers scenic views out towards the channel, on a good day you may even be able to spot France.

There is a dog ban in place between the 1st of May until the 30th of September but the part of the beach between Hythe and Sandgate has restriction. So, even if you visit in the summer months, there are still areas of this landscape to visit with your furry friend.

After making the most of the beach, head into the historic town of Hythe, which is full of character, welcoming pubs, and dog-friendly cafés where you can stop after your trip to the beach.

If you’re up for a another walk, then make your way on the Royal Military Canal which was built between 1804 and 1809 during the invasions of Napoleon. Recently restored, it makes for a an easy peaceful walk for the family and the dog.

Key Information about Hythe Beach:

Type of beach: Shingle
Parking: Princes Parade Car Park
Parking Charge: £2.50 per hour
Dogs Friendly: Dog ban in place from 1st May until 30th September
Postcode: CT21 6AJ
Lifeguards: No lifeguards on this beach

5. Kingsgate Bay Beach, near Margate

The next beach on this list of the best dog-friendly beaches in Kent is Kingsgate Bay Beach. A bit of a hidden gem and the perfect place for coastal adventure with your dog, this beach had to feature.

Despite being a relatively small beach compared to some of the others on this list, Kingsgate Bay still packs a punch. With the soft golden sand providing the ideal terrain for your pup to run, dig, and play to their hearts content.

Accessible via steep steps, this sheltered cove feels like an exotic beach and a little slice of paradise. At low tide, you can walk along the shoreline, but be mindful of the tide times to avoid getting cut off as the tide starts to make its way back in.

Although there is no parking at Kingsgate Bay, there is parking nearby at Joss Bay Beach which is only a 10-minute walk away and adds extra walking in for you and your pup.

After your visit, head to the Captain Digby Pub, which was also built by the same owner of Kingsgate castle, Lord Holland. With dogs allowed outside in the beer garden, it’s a perfect location to enjoy a meal and a drink on a warm summers day.

So, whether your dog loves sprinting across the sand or simply lounging by your side, Kingsgate Bay offers a great coastal experience for you both.

Key Information about Kingsgate Bay Beach:

Type of beach: Sandy
Parking: Parking is limited at this beach, Captain Digby pub has parking but it will be used for visitors to the pub only
Parking Charge: Joss Bay car park – 2 hours – From £2.40
Dogs Friendly: Dogs are welcome all year round
Postcode: CT10 3QL
Lifeguards: No lifeguard provisions or public toilets

6. Walpole Bay, Margate

The penultimate beach on the list of dog-friendly beaches in Kent is Walpole Bay. Walpole Bay is a fantastic spot to explore, with the beach revealing an expansive stretch of sand and rock pools at low tide.

The tidal pool, one of the largest in the country, creates a scenic backdrop, giving your dogs plenty of room to roam. During the peak season, dogs must be kept on leads from 10am to 6pm. But this still gives you time in the mornings or the later evenings when it is still light to let your dogs run freely in the sand.

If you both prefer longer walks, then head along the coastal promenade towards Margate. Here you’ll find a wide range of dog-friendly cafés and pubs where you can stop for a coffee while your pup rests beside you and watch the world go by.

Whether your your dog enjoys paddling in the shallows or trotting along the promenade, Walpole Bay provides a refreshing seaside escape.

Key Information about Walpole Bay Beach:

Type of beach: Sandy
Parking: Thanet Indoor Bowls Club
Parking Charge: Free
Dogs Friendly: Dogs to be kept on lead from 10am – 6pm from 1st May until 30th September
Postcode: CT9 3AB
Lifeguards: No lifeguard provisions or public toilets

7. Whitstable Beach, Whitstable

Last but by no means least on a guide to the best beaches for dogs in Kent is Whitstable Beach. This beach area is mostly shingle and can get busy during the summer months, but there are plenty of quieter spots where your pup can enjoy a seaside stroll.

This beach is dog-friendly throughout the year, so no matter what time you head to this part of Kent, you know your dog is always welcome to explore. Take in the atmosphere of this town’s charming, rustic character, with weathered fishing boats making it a great backdrop for a relaxed walk.

If you fancy a break, Whitstable is full of dog-friendly cafés and pubs, where you can enjoy fresh fish and chips while your pup relaxes at your feet. A wander through the town’s narrow streets reveals a range of independent shops which also welcome your four-legged visitors.

If you are looking for some great shops to visit or you’re just here for the beach, Whitstable Beach offers a perfect day out for both dogs and their owners.

Key Information about Whitstable Beach:

Type of beach: Sandy
Parking: Keam’s Yard Car Park
Parking Charge: £3.10 per hour (Peak) | £1.90 per hour (Low)
Dogs Friendly: Dogs are welcome all year round
Postcode: CT5 1EP
Lifeguards: No lifeguard provisions or public toilets

 A Map of the Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Kent

 Secure your stay at one of these Kent coastal cottages to ensure you’re in a perfect position to enjoy these dog-friendly beaches in Kent! For further inspiration, check out more of the best beaches in Kent and our list of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK.

Image Credits: Nigel Mykura – (CC BY-SA 2.0)