Discover the dog-friendly beaches of Yorkshire

Stretching for 45 miles, the Yorkshire coast is a heavyweight when it comes to dog-friendly beaches.

With ties to Dracula and Robin Hood, the vast area also connects well with dog-loving holidaymakers who frequent the charming villages and the large swathes of golden sand.

Below we showcase the best dog-friendly beaches in Yorkshire, so go ahead and scroll. Alternatively, search our wonderful collection of dog-friendly cottages and find your Yorkshire getaway today. Just tap the button.

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Marske Sands

Marske Sands, as the name would suggest, is a sandy beach with a little shingle further away from the shoreline. It’s located opposite the quaint village of Marske-by-the-Sea and when taking your pup there, you can watch the surfers, windsurfers and fishermen who regularly visit the beach.

There’s plenty of sand at low tide for zoomies and an abundance of facilities in the village.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Another great spot for surfing in Yorkshire, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is also a top dog-friendly place on the Yorkshire coast. This seaside resort has nods to its Victorian past including a pier and a cliff tramway which is the UK’s oldest water-balanced funicular lift.

As with many popular tourist beaches, there is a section that restricts dogs during the summer months. However, this is only the small section from the right of the pier to Hazelgrove. The rest of the sandy beach is free to use for the entirety of the year and the small aforementioned section is available to dogs during the off-season.

Staithes

Staithes is a great location for a bit of fossil hunting if you have a bark-eologist on your hands. But aside from that, the village is said to be one of the prettiest on the east coast! Staithes Beck runs through the settlement and meets the sea where a small, sandy beach and a harbour await.

This is the spot where the North York Moors National Park meets the craggy cliffs of the coast. Bring your pooch here for a run and snap a shot of the photographic village whilst Fido goes scampering off.

Runswick Bay

Runswick Bay is a large arcing cove backed by grass-laden dunes with the former fishing village nestling under the cliffs at the top end of the beach. It’s a gorgeous village that has no cars passing through it allowing you and your pup to enjoy the winding streets and honey-hued stone cottages in peace.

The beach is another that’s popular with fossil hunters and is sandy with rocks scattered here and there. The rock pools will provide dogs with plenty to investigate, and the curving beach offers plenty of space for running around and building up an appetite… one that can be satiated at the nearby dog-friendly pub.

Kettleness

Just east of Runswick Bay lies Kettleness, a remote rock and sand beach that juts outs like a finger at low tide and gets swallowed whole at high tide. Although this can be a great beach for you and your dog, we wouldn’t recommend it for a family beach day due to its accessibility; getting down to the beach requires you to negotiate a steep and uneven path whilst holding onto a rope!

Once down on the beach, there are plenty of rock pools to investigate and ammonites to be found by the keen fossil finder. And if your pup gets too sandy, encourage him to take a shower in the beautiful waterfall that cascades from the rocks above down to the sand below.

Whitby Tate Hill to Sandsend

The stretch of shoreline emanating out of Whitby has no less than four beaches to speak of. Let’s cover them off.

Tate Hill Beach is in the harbour and looks over towards Whitby. Dogs are welcome all year round on these sands and it’s great for a little paddle with your four-pawed friend.

Over on the other side of the River Esk is Whitby West Cliff Beach, which starts west of the pier and extends all the way along Whitby seafront to Upgang Beach. There are dog restrictions at West Cliff but out of season, it’s an excellent expanse of sand to frolic upon.

Upgang Beach sits between Sandsend and West Cliff; it’s an unspoiled span of sand accessed from the adjacent golf course. There are no restrictions to dog owners here and it is likely to be far less crowded than the beaches at either end of this shoreline.

Sandsend Beach lies at the west end of the bay. It’s bisected by East Row Beck which your pooch will adore splashing around in. The currents at this end of the beach can be quite strong so be careful with the dog. However, the beach itself is one of the prettiest along the North Yorkshire Heritage Coast and there are some dog-friendly cafes just off the sand.

You can discover more about dog-friendly Whitby with our pet-friendly town guide.

Robin Hood’s Bay

Although the walk down to the beach from the car park at the top of the village may be steep (and therefore steep back up), you are forced to walk through the narrow streets of this picturesque village and that in itself is a treat. Visit at low tide and you’ll have plenty of sandy beach to play fetch on and lots of rock pools teeming with life will be revealed.

The backdrop of rugged cliffs and the terracotta rooftops of the village make this a top spot to snap a memorable holiday photo. Just be careful when walking away from the village as the tide has been known to come in deceptively fast.

Scarborough

Like Whitby, Scarborough is blessed with a couple of options when looking for a dog-friendly beach in Yorkshire. Although adjacent to South Bay, North Bay feels a little more untamed than its more commercial neighbour. The long, sandy bay is backed by hills and cliffs, and at the southern end of the bay, there is a wide expanse of sand that’s perfect for sitting upon to take five whilst your poochy friend has a romp in the waves.

Beyond the dominating presence of Scarborough Castle lies South Bay. This beach is a livelier affair, with traditional seaside resort entertainment including ice cream parlours, cafes, shops and theatres, so be aware you may not have as much space as you might at North Bay. After cavorting on the beach, why not take the dog-friendly Spa Cliff Lift to the town centre and visit a dog-friendly eatery?

Cayton Bay

Travel south along the coast for 3 miles and you’ll reach Cayton Bay, a much wilder and quieter beach compared to those found in Scarborough. Backed by cliffs that were formed during the Jurassic period, this is another great spot for fossil hunters or amateur bird watchers.

If you’re into water sports or just like to watch mankind harnessing the power of the ocean, you’re in luck as one of the UK’s oldest surf schools is located here. You can watch some carving whilst your dog plays on the large expanse of fine sand.

Reighton

Another excellent destination for bird watching as well as dog walking, Reighton comprises a long stretch of sand that flanks Hunmanby Gap and overlooks Filey Bay to the north. At low tide, the beach comes into its own as the sand provides an excellent space for letting off steam as well as becoming a suitable spot for taking in the impressive views of the cliffs that hug the coastline.

The beach is popular with swimmers, so a little doggy paddle might be in order. And if you still need an activity to tire Rover out, the Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve is located to the east of the beach along the coastal path. It’s a wonderful cliff-top walk that may even reward you with sightings of whales and dolphins in the briny deep.

Flamborough (North Landing and South Landing)

On either side of Flamborough headland lies a pair of small yet beautiful beaches. Both are backed by stunning, grassy chalk cliffs and although proximal to each other, both offer something a little different.

North Landing is comprised of soft sand and pebbles, and offers plenty of rock pools to scrutinise at low tide, although care should be taken on the slippery rocks. Swimmers and snorkelers frequent the waters and there is plenty of bird life to observe as you play fetch. South Landing is a designated Local Nature Reserve and it too offers an excellent space for bird watching. The shingle and pebble beach is somewhat sheltered from sea winds and there are a number of interesting walking trails behind the beach.

Map of dog-friendly beaches in Yorkshire

Plan your dog-friendly Yorkshire holiday

With so many dog-friendly towns and villages in Yorkshire, especially along the coast, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing somewhere to visit. Have a look through our collection of cottages on the Yorkshire coast and find the perfect pad for your pup and you.