The Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the UK
Looking for dog-friendly beaches near you? Whether you’re on a UK holiday or looking for a new spot to...
by Rob Hayes / Travel Tips
If spending your holiday on an overcrowded beach doesn’t sound appealing, then we have a solution! Check out this list of the UK’s best hidden beaches and find the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle.
With a coastline spanning just over 11,000 miles, the British Isles have no shortage of secret beaches tucked away between its popular coastal tourist hotspots. And whilst we all love flocking to the seaside as soon as the sun comes out, it can be stressful finding a place to unwind and relax on one of the UK’s many busy beaches.
So, if you’re up for a bit of exploration and some peace and quiet; we’ve put together a list of the best secret beaches that the UK has to offer!
Continue reading to uncover the 11 best hidden beaches in the UK…
Kicking off our guide to the UK’s best hidden beaches is a wonderful beach found along England’s southern Jurassic Coast. Man O’War Beach in Dorset sits on the edge of the Dorset National Landscape Area of Natural Beauty and is steeped in a rich history.
This serene and scenic spot makes for a brilliant way to escape the crowds and enjoy one of the best secret beaches in the county. Situated right next to one of Dorset’s most popular scenic spots, known as Durdle Door, this secluded beach has a car park situated just half a mile away that it shares with its neighbour.
However, because of the steep downhill steps you’ll need to take to get to it, this hidden beach is a lot less busy than its counterpart, making it a wonderful place to consider spending the day enjoying the unforgettable views of Durdle Door Arch and relaxing on this sandy, fine-pebbled secret beach.
Type: Shingle
Parking: Durdle Door Car Park (BH20 5PU)
Parking Charge: Pay and Display parking
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: BH20 5PU
A lovely, secluded beach just around the corner from the stunning village of West Pentire, Porth Joke (known as ‘Polly Joke’ locally) is one of the lesser-known beaches in the area. This hidden beach is the perfect place to escape the crowds lining up at the nearby Crantock Beach.
Known for its golden sands, this secluded beach boasts a number of deep coves, all of which can be accessed from the main beach when the tide is out. Dotted with rock pools and caves, this beach also allows dogs, making it a great place to go exploring with your four-legged friend.
With a car park situated just under half a mile away, Port Joke makes for a wonderful place to spend the day in the Cornish sunshine.
Type: Sandy
Parking: National Trust car park at West Pentire
Parking Charge: Free parking for National Trust members or pay and display
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: TR8 5SE
Tucked away between the popular towns of Margate and Broadstairs on the eastern edge of Southern England, Botany Bay is a beautifully secluded beach that can be found at the end of a residential road in the Cliftonville area.
Perfect for those looking for a quiet and relaxing place to take in the views, this secret beach is surrounded by striking white cliffs and even has a brilliant beach kiosk that you can retreat to for a drink and a bite to eat.
So, whether you’re hoping to spend the entire day relaxing in the Kent sunshine or you’re hoping to try your hand at a range of watersports such as canoeing, kayaking and surfing, you simply can’t go wrong with a trip to Botany Bay, one of the best hidden beaches in the UK.
Type: Sandy
Parking: End of Botany Rd (CT10 3SD) or Palm Bay Beach Car Park, CT9 3PP
Parking Charge: Limited parking at the end of Botany Road, however, there is free parking at Palm Bay Beach Car Park which is a short cliff-top walk from Botany Bay.
Dog-friendly: Yes. However, there is dog ban in place from 1st May until 30th September, when dogs are not permitted between 10am and 6pm.
Postcode: CT10 3LG
Situated just around the corner from the popular Woolacombe Beach, Barricane Beach makes for a quiet and serene place to enjoy the Devon sunshine. This hidden beach in the UK could easily be mistaken for an exotic beach and is best known for its seashells that, according to local folklore, originate from the shores of the Caribbean.
Despite being one of the best hidden beaches in Devon, Barricane Beach isn’t isolated! In fact, it’s only situated a short walk away from the village of Woolacombe and even boasts its own beach café, serving up mouth-watering treats for hungry beachgoers.
Not only that but there’s also a car park situated half a mile down the road that’s used mainly for Woolacombe Beach, which also has public toilets for tourists to use. Once you’re all finished soaking up the sunshine for the day, you’ll be no more than a 15-minute walk to a host of fantastic pubs in Woolacombe where you can relax and reconvene after a busy day.
Type: Sandy
Parking: The Esplanade Car Park (EX34 7DJ)
Parking Charge: Pay and display parking.
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: EX34 7DB
A hidden beach in the UK famous for its appearances as a Harry Potter filming location in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and Kevin Costner’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Cuckmere Haven Beach can be found just a short drive away from the town of Seaford.
Situated at the mouth of the Cuckmere River, this secluded beach and its surroundings are dominated by the white chalk cliffs that this region is known for, with the most famous collection known as the Seven Sisters being right next door and Beachy Head located slightly further along the coast.
An idyllic spot for hikers, dog walkers, sun worshippers and watersports enthusiasts, this is also one of those secret beaches where you can simply immerse yourself in the area’s rich history, being a place where smugglers operated heavily during the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.
Type: Pebble
Parking: South Hill Barn Car Park (BN25 4JQ)
Parking Charge: Free parking
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: BN25 4AR
Located just a few miles from Haverfordwest in the stunning Welsh county of Pembrokeshire, Druidston Haven is a quaint and quiet beach that offers unparalleled views of St Brides Bay and the Irish Sea.
When the tide comes fully in, the golden sands of this secluded beach are completely submerged, making it totally invisible from the nearby road. Because of this, Druidston Haven is often overlooked by passing tourists, making it a wonderfully hidden beach to those in the know, and one of the best beaches in Pembrokeshire!
With a network of coastal paths, hidden coves and dramatic cliffs surrounding it, this secret beach can make for the perfect place to stay, especially if you’re staying nearby in one of these wonderful Pembrokeshire cottages.
Type: Pebble and Sandy
Parking: Nolton Haven car park (SA62 3NH) or half a mile south at Haroldston Chins
Parking Charge: Pay and display
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: SA62 3NG
Situated just a short distance from the nearby village of Aberffraw, Treath Mawr is one of Anglesey’s best hidden beaches, being much more secluded and less visited than the popular neighbouring beaches in Rhosneigr and Newborough.
Stretching over half a kilometre, this secluded beach is surrounded by sandy dunes and can be reached via coastal paths leading back to the village. Because of a lack of parking facilities and road access, Treaeth Mawr is easily one of the best secret beaches in North Wales!
Although this hidden UK beach doesn’t have any on-site facilities, you can spend a full day here soaking up the sunshine and taking in the stunning views of the Irish Sea before making your way back into Aberffraw at the end of the day.
Type: Sandy
Parking: Parking is a little walk away, off the A4080, 53.19261,-4.4628454.
Parking Charge: Free
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode:LL63 5EX
A stunning and secret beach situated on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula, Kynance Cove is a beautiful sandy beach that’s nestled amongst rugged coastland and towering rock formations. This hidden beach is arguably most famous for its uniquely green Serpentine rocks, known as The Lizard Complex.
Protected by the National Trust, this hidden beach is home to a network of caves and coves, making it a wonderful place to explore the best of the Cornish coast. With a seasonal café and public toilets nearby, you can easily spend a full day on the golden shores of Kynance, one of the best hidden beaches in the UK.
And aside from all of that, Kynance Cove also has its own naturally-formed ‘mermaid pool’, perfect for those who are feeling a bit adventurous and are up for some wild swimming in Cornwall!
Type: Sandy
Parking: Kynance Cove National Trust Car Park (TR12 7PJ)
Parking Charge: Free for National Trust members, otherwise pay and display
Dog-friendly: Yes, however, dogs are banned between 1st July & 31st August, 10am-6pm (Coastal paths excluded.
Postcode: TR12 7PJ
The next entry on our guide to hidden beaches in the UK is situated just a couple of miles from the village of Pendeen in the Penzance area of Cornwall. Portheras Cove is a wonderfully secret beach that’s tucked well away from any major road, making it one of the best-kept secrets on Cornwall’s northern coastline.
Reachable via the South-West Coastal Path, this secluded beach is well worth the trek if you’re looking for a serene spot that boasts turquoise-blue waters and unforgettable views of the open sea.
If you’re up for a bit of exploration and adventure, you’ll find a natural pool around the headland called ‘Boat Cove’ where wild swimmers come to take a dip. Nearby, you’ll also find some interesting landmarks to explore such as Pendeen Manor House and Pendeen Lighthouse, both of which are well worth checking out.
Type: Sandy
Parking: Pendeen Watch Car Park (TR19 7ED) or Portheras Cove Car Park (TR19 7TU)
Parking Charge: Free at Pendeen Watch, small charge at Portheras, please check the singposts.
Dog-friendly: Yes.
Postcode: TR19 7TU
Tucked away on the stunning Llyn Peninsula on the western edge of North Wales, Porth Iago is easily one of Wales’ best hidden beaches, due to the fact that it’s only reachable via winding country roads.
Noted for its crystal blue waters and crescent shape, this secret beach is much less busy than the popular neighbouring beach known as Traeth Porthor, which is often packed full of tourists during the summer months.
With a myriad of coastal paths passing through the fields and headlands surrounding this stunning hotspot, this secluded beach makes for a great place to bring your dog. With a car park situated just next to the entrance to the beach, you can spend all day exploring the coast, splashing in the sea or simply admiring the breath-taking sea views.
Type: Sandy
Parking: Porth Iago Camping Car Park (LL53 8LP)
Parking Charge: Pay and display
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: LL53 8LP
Last (but certainly not least) in this list of hidden UK beaches is Lantic Bay, a stunning stretch of sandy coastline situated just a few short miles away from the popular villages of Fowey and Polruan.
Preserved and protected by The National Trust, this beautifully sandy and secluded beach is surrounded by rugged headlands and a myriad of coastal walks. It’s no surprise that it is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall as these routes make it an ideal place to take your four-legged companion for walkies if you’re staying nearby in one of these dog-friendly cottages in Cornwall.
Not only that, this hidden beach is another of those secret beaches where you can embrace your adventurous side, as Lantic Bay also makes for a brilliant place to go surfing, kayaking or swimming, depending on how brave you’re feeling!
Type: Sandy
Parking: Lantic Bay National Trust Car Park (PL23)
Parking Charge: Free to National Trust members otherwise pay and display
Dog-friendly: Yes
Postcode: PL23 1NP
Looking to book your next staycation by the sea? If so, take a look at these coastal cottages or these luxury coastal cottages and find the perfect place to stay on your next break.
Images : Jeff Buck – (CC BY-SA 2.0); Chris Morriss – (CC BY-SA 2.0)
by Rob Hayes / Travel Tips
I'm Rob and I joined the Sykes team in March 2024. I am a passionate writer and have always enjoyed holidays in the UK, especially...
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