Life’s a Beach

One of life’s great joys is seeing dogs run like the wind on a sandy beach. Maybe it’s the feel of sand on their paws, the smell of fresh, salt sea air or the endless horizons but there are few dogs who don’t relish beach time.

Some beaches allow dogs all year round while others have restrictions in place, usually during the summer months.

We take a quick look at some of the UK best dog-friendly beaches.

England
Sandymouth Beach, Cornwall is three miles to the north of Bude, near the Cornwall-Devon border. Owned by the National Trust it looks like a pebble beach but at low tide, Sandymouth reveals large stretches of sand and lots of rock pools. Dogs are welcome year round. There are coastal walks along a cliff path too.

Scotland
Gairloch Beach in the Scottish Highlands is on the outskirts of the village of Gairloch, near Uig, This beach is surrounded by dunes and mountains. It’s a safe, sheltered, secluded bay that affords island views and stunning sunsets. There are no dog restrictions.

“This wide stretch of beach is practically untouched by travellers, and the sand’s smoothness is offset by the rugged backdrop of wild heather and jagged rocks,” enthuses Visit Scotland.

Wales
Poppit Sands lies at the mouth of the Teifi Estuary at the start (or end) of the Pembrokeshire coastal path. Large areas of the beach are dog-friendly all year round with restrictions only on the western end of the beach (1 May – 30 September). It is a vast sandy beach and is backed by dunes.

Northern Ireland
Waterfoot Beach at the foot of the Antrim Glens is very popular yet manages to retain a tranquil feel. It is around 1km in length and backed by extensive dunes to its southern end with the village of Waterfoot to the north. The backdrop of Glenariff Forest Park makes for some breath-taking scenery.

A few dog care tips:
Watch out for hot summer sun. Ensure your dog has access to fresh water.
Some breeds will need sun protection too.
Once playtime is over do bathe your dog as sand and salt water can be drying to skin and can tangle the fur.