The beautiful county of Norfolk is home to some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the country. From the vast and empty beaches of North Norfolk to the bustling shores of the Sunrise Coast, there’s something for every type of dog and their owner.
Norfolk’s dog-friendly beaches offer miles of unspoiled coastline and breathtaking views and are perfect for a good walk, playing fetch in the surf, or simply soaking up the sun while your dog enjoys splashing about in the sea. Many of the beaches are also close to dog-friendly cafés and restaurants, so you can refuel after a long trek.
With two cockapoos to keep exercised, I’m familiar with Norfolk’s beaches and where best to take your dog, and in this post I’ll share information about beach restrictions and dog-friendly facilities for you and your furry friend.
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Which of Norfolk’s beaches don’t have any dog restrictions?
If you don’t want to read all the information about each beach including seasonal restrictions and just want to grab the lead and get out for a walk, these are the dog-friendly Norfolk beaches which have no dog restrictions year round;
- Burnham Overy Staithe Beach
- Caister-on-Sea Beach
- Cart Gap Beach
- East Runton Beach
- Happisburgh Beach
- Holme-next-the-Sea Beach
- Old Hunstanton Beach
- Scratby Beach
- Thornham Beach
- Trimingham Beach
- Waxham Beach
- Weyborne Beach
Bacton
Is Bacton Beach Dog-Friendly?
Bacton Beach has dog restrictions on parts of the beach between 1st May and 30th September. This does mean in the high season you can’t take dogs on some areas of the beach.
The nearest year-round dog-friendly beach is Happisburgh.
Other Bacton Beach Info
Bacton is a beautiful sandy beach that all but disappears at high tide. When the tide is out, the sand is firm underfoot making it perfect for long walks with your pooch up and down the coast.
This beach stretches all the way to Mundesley in one direction and Walcott in the other, and you can walk between the two on the pathway along the coast at the back of the beach, or along the beach itself at low tide.
Parking & Facilities at Bacton
There is a small car park for the beach, and on-street parking if this is full. There are a few dog-friendly pubs and cafés, as well as public toilets, in Bacton village.
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Blakeney Point
Is Blakeney Point Beach Dog-Friendly?
There are no dogs allowed on Blakeney Point between 1st April and 15th August, to help minimise disturbance to ground-nesting birds. The beginning of the dog restriction zone is marked with signs along the width of the beach.
Other Blakeney Point Beach Info
The beach at Blakeney Point is a three mile sand and shingle spit, home to England’s largest colony of Atlantic Grey seals, and where over 2,000 seal pups are born every year.
You can reach Blakeney Point by walking (not far enough to see the seals though) but it’s quite hard work and can be challenging, and potentially dangerous, if you don’t get the weather and tides right.
You can find out more about walking to Blakeney Point and the route here.
Parking & Facilities at Blakeney Point
Park at Blakeney Carnser car park in Blakeney village to start the walk. There are public toilets there and cafés and shops in the village itself. There are no facilities at the beach.
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Brancaster
Is Brancaster Beach Dog-Friendly?
From May to September, there is a small dog-free zone to the left of the entrance once you walk onto Brancaster Beach, but past that on either side of the entrance, dogs can run free all year round.
Other Brancaster Beach Info
Managed by the National Trust, Brancaster Beach is blessed with miles of soft sand perfect for walking your dog.
The beach is so vast, that even in summer there’s plenty of room for families, kite surfers and dog walkers, and you’ll even see horses exercising in the surf.
Parking & Facilities
There is plenty of parking in the Brancaster Beach car park, which is right at the entrance to the beach.
The road to Brancaster Beach car park can flood at high tide, and it’s usually too deep for cars to pass. Use the RWNGC website to check the tides and for the best time to visit.
Dog bins are available next to the toilets which are opposite the car park, and there is also a small food stand and shop.
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Burnham Overy Staithe
Is Burnham Overy Staithe Beach Dog-Friendly?
The beach at Burnham Overy Staithe is very dog-friendly and popular with dog walkers because there are no dog restrictions whatsoever.
Other Burnham Overy Staithe Beach Info
A fabulously unspoilt and secluded beach, Burnham Overy Staithe can only be reached by walking for a mile to get there. The huge expanse of beach stretches as far as you can see, and you can walk all the way to Wells along this unspoilt bit of Norfolk coast.
The walk to the beach is along the raised banks of the Burnham Overy Footpath, a section of the Norfolk Coast Path, which is well-signposted from the village. You’ll pass boats, salt marshes, creeks, sand dunes and many birds along the way.
Parking & Facilities
Parking is in and around the harbour at Burnham Overy Staithe. Most of the time, ‘the hard’ is the best place to park. This is a flat and hard piece of land on the harbour, but if there is a high spring tide, the hard floods and cars have been submerged here in the past!
Check the tide times here. You can also park on the verges along the one-way system if you get here early enough.
In summer, there is usually a coffee and cake bike around the parking area on the hard, and in the village is the excellent dog-friendly pub The Hero where four-legged friends get biscuits after long beach walks.
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Caister-on-Sea
Is Caister-on-Sea Beach Dog-Friendly?
This is the ultimate dog-friendly beach, with no restrictions at all, whatever the time of year. Enjoy!
Other Caister-on-Sea Beach Info
Sandwiched between Great Yarmouth and the Norfolk Broads, Caister Beach stretches for miles and is backed by sand dunes and sea defences. It is predominantly a sandy beach, but there are lots of pebbles mixed in, which can help to firm the sand when you’re walking.
Parking & Facilities
Caister Beach parking is next to the RNLI Lifeboat Station. There are no facilities.
Cley next the Sea
Is Cley Beach Dog-Friendly?
There is a total dog restriction to the west of the beach because of the nearby bird reserve. You can find out the exact restrictions here.
Outside of the total dog ban, the beach is surrounded by nature reserves to the east and west, which means its important that you keep dogs under control.
Other Cley Beach Info
Cley Beach (pronounced cl•eye) is a great place for walkers, birders and fishermen. If you’re looking for solitude, big skies and miles of shingle, then Cley is where you’ll find it!
However, it can be difficult to walk for any distance on this beach due to the pebbles, which move about a lot underfoot.
The beach also borders one of the best bird-watching reserves in the UK, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes, meaning the area is a haven for wildlife and nesting birds during spring and summer.
Parking & Facilities
There is a small car park very close to the beach at the end of Beach Road. It’s free in the winter, but there is a parking charge in the summer unless you’re a member of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, in which case the parking is free all year round.
There are no facilities at the beach.
Cromer
Is Cromer Beach Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are banned from Cromer Beach from 1st May to 30th September, and they must be on a lead if they are walked on the Promenade during this time of year.
Other Cromer Beach Info
One of the best Blue Flag beaches in Norfolk, Cromer Beach is long, sandy and safe for kids, with a lifeguard on duty in the summer months. The beach is popular for swimming and surfing and there are always lots of things to do in Cromer along the sands.
If you’re looking for a quieter alternative to Cromer Beach, the adjacent beach of Overstrand is a short drive away. This is a peaceful and long stretch of beach without any attractions at all.
Parking & Facilities
There are plenty of car parks in Cromer, all of which require a short walk to reach the beach. You can’t park close to the beach unless you have a Blue Badge.
Runton Road NNDC car park is vast and a ten minute walk from the pier, but you can also access the beach using the path down to the Esplanade. Cadogan Road NNDC car park is a town centre car park with a ten minute walk to the beach.
If you do walk your dog here, check out one of Cromer’s top cafes, The Doggie Diner, where you’ll find all sorts of treats for your pooch!
There are lots of facilities in Cromer itself and public toilets along the Promenade.
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Eccles on Sea
Is Eccles on Sea Beach Dog-Friendly?
This beach is a dog walkers’ paradise and has to be one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk. There are no dog restrictions at any time of the year.
Other Eccles on Sea Beach Info
The beach at Eccles on Sea is actually called Cart Gap Beach. It’s a bit of an unspoilt Norfolk gem and located at the end of a narrow, single-track lane on the beach, it’s definitely off the beaten path.
As with all the beaches along this bit of the North Norfolk Coast, Cart Gap is a beautiful sandy beach, with a few pebbles mixed in. It also sadly faces the same problems with erosion, and the beach is protected by wooden groynes and backed by a seawall.
Cart Gap Beach is at one end of the Deep History Coast (the other being Weybourne), a 22 mile stretch of coastline which has revealed the most spectacular finds, and provided the earliest evidence for human occupation so far discovered in northern Europe.
Parking & Info
There is a pay and display car park at the top of the ramp which leads to the beach. There are public toilets in the car park.
A two minute walk from the beach is Smallsticks Café, where you can get hot and cold drinks, snacks and yummy homemade cakes. You and your dog can sit outside or use one of the cute beach huts if it’s raining.
East Runton
Is East Rubton Beach Dog-Friendly?
There are no dog restrictions on East Runton Beach, meaning your dog can walk and run, splash in the waves and generally have an amazing time!
Other East Runton Beach Info
East Runton is a long, sandy beach which is backed by sloping sandstone cliffs and the countryside beyond. You can catch a glimpse of Cromer’s pier in the distance, and walk there along the beach in around ten minutes.
Towards the high tide mark, the beach is somewhat pebbly, however, as the tide goes out acres of sand is revealed. Along with a seasonal lifeguard service and plenty of rock pools, East Runton is a family favourite for Norfolk visitors and residents alike.
Parking & Facilities
There is a small car park sandwiched between static caravan holiday parks at the entrance to East Runton Beach. You’ll find toilets, cafés, pubs, restaurants and shops close by.
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Gorleston-on-Sea
Is Gorleston Beach Dog-Friendly?
You cannot take dogs onto the main section of the beach between 1st May and 30th September.
Dogs are allowed on the beach south of the tennis courts all year round.
Other Gorleston Beach Info
Just across the River Yare from Great Yarmouth the much less visited Gorleston-on-Sea Beach was voted by TripAdvisor as the number one Best Beach in the UK and number twelve Best European Beach in 2023.
Gorleston Beach is a delightful two mile stretch of lifeguarded (in season) clean, golden sand which curves around the bay and when the tide goes out, a vast expanse of soft sand is revealed, perfect for walking your four-legged friend.
Parking & Facilities
There are two car parks for the beach, both of which are free. One is close to the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre, and another is halfway along the beach.
There is also some roadside parking available along the road at the top of the beach, but this fills quickly in summer.
Behind the beach at the harbour end, there are plenty of facilities including public toilets and cafés. Make for the fabulous Gorleston Doggy Diner where dogs are welcome and can enjoy a wide selection of canine treats.
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Great Yarmouth
Is Great Yarmouth Beach Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are not allowed on the main tourist sections between 1st May and 30th September. You can find maps showing which areas are restricted here.
You must keep dogs on a lead at all times on the adjacent promenade.
More Great Yarmouth Beach Info
Great Yarmouth Central Beach runs for nearly four miles along the whole of the town’s seafront, north from the River Yare to Caister-on-Sea Beach. Passing the Pleasure Beach and numerous other attractions, this is where holidaymakers come for a bit of respite from the lively attractions.
Busy in summer, and often deserted in winter, Great Yarmouth Beach is a long stretch of sandy beach which is perfect for a dog walk all year round.
Parking & Facilities
Paid parking is available along Marine Parade either within the designated beach car parks of North Drive and Euston Road or on the roadside.
The stretch close to town has lots of facilities like deckchair hire, access ramps for the disabled, play areas, shops, cafés, fast food outlets, ice cream sellers and public toilets.
Munchies and Sara’s Tearooms are popular dog-friendly cafés near the beach where you’ll be welcomed inside with your furry friend.
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Happisburgh
Is Happisburgh Beach Dog-Friendly?
Happisburgh is an ultra-friendly dog beach, with no dog restrictions whatsoever, at any time of the year.
Other Happisburgh Beach Info
Happisburgh (pronounced hayz•bruh) Beach has been devastated by coastal erosion, and the beach has been formed by years of battering by both sea and the wind, losing cliffs and even houses to the weather.
What remains is a beautiful and unspoilt bay with amazing views of the iconic red and white striped Happisburgh Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in East Anglia.
To the north is Walcott and to the south is Cart Gap – you can walk the whole stretch between them when the tide is out, and even further if you and your dog have the legs!
Parking & Facilities
There’s a good beach car park here with a pay and display machine, public toilets, and a play area for the kids with wooden equipment.
Just along Beach Road before the car park is Sarnies by the Sea, a food stand serving hot drinks, sandwiches and homemade cakes. There is outdoor seating and dogs are welcome, with water provided.
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Heacham
Are Heacham Beaches Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are welcome on Heacham South Beach but must be kept on a lead during nesting season which is from 1st April to the 30th August, to protect the birds that lay their eggs directly on the shingle and sand.
There are no dog restrictions on Heacham North Beach.
Other Heacham Beach Info
Heacham in West Norfolk actually has two beaches, Heacham North Beach and Heacham South Beach. There are bands of sand but both Heacham beaches are predominantly shingle.
The south beach, known locally as ‘Stubborn Sands’ is quite rugged and good for long walks with a dog, sea fishing and romantic sunset strolls, as it’s located on the west coast of Norfolk. However, that also means the beach is on the Wash, so when the tide goes out, you’re left with estuary mud, not hard sand.
The north beach tends to be busier, with easy access to the promenade and holiday cottages beyond. Jet skis are also allowed to operate from here. The prom is stepped down to the beach, making a perfect place to perch with an ice cream and admire the sea view, without getting your feet in the shingle.
Parking & Facilities
Each beach has a designated pay and display car park, for which you can buy a rover ticket if you’re a holidaymaker. Find out more here.
Between the beaches are a couple of good dog-friendly cafés and there are public WCs at both beaches.
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Hemsby
Is Hembsby Beach Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are not allowed on Hemsby Beach between 1st May and 30th September, but outside those times there are no restrictions.
Other Hembsby Beach Info
The spectacular wide and soft sandy Hemsby Beach, with its grassy dunes, is a popular choice with visitors all year round. With good water quality, a boardwalk for access and lifeguards in the summer, this is a family and child-friendly beach.
If you need a break from all that, you can walk north along Hemsby Beach all the way to Winterton Beach, which is one of the highlights of the North Norfolk Coast and a great place for seal-watching.
Parking & Facilities
Paid parking is available in a large car park next to the beach.
There are lots of facilities just a stone’s throw from the sands, with eateries, amusements and public toilets in Hemsby village.
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Holkham
Is Holkham Beach Dog-Friendly?
Dogs that are kept under close control or on a lead are welcomed on the beach but there are seasonal restrictions and dog zoning in place on some areas of the beach to help protect ground-nesting birds.
The restrictions and zones will be signed and are usually at the entrance to Holkham Bay as you walk onto the beach – but this still leaves a lot of beach to explore!
The beautifully shady pine woods and dunes which back the beach are part of Holkham National Nature Reserve so you should be mindfulful during nesting times (usually between April and mid-September) and keep your dog under close control or on a leash.
Other Holkham Beach Info
Famous as the beach in the closing scene of the film ‘Shakespeare in Love’, Holkham Beach is simply vast and probably the best beach in North Norfolk.
Bizarrely the tide is out more often than in at this remote beach, leaving wonderful hard sand, perfect for beach activities, including dog walking.
Parking & Facilities
Parking for Holkham Beach is along either side of Lady Anne’s Drive in Holkham village, just off the A149, opposite The Victoria Inn.
Sitting at the top of Lady Anne’s Drive, The Lookout is a stunning modern building which blends into the landscape. You can get drinks, snacks and food here as well as using the loo, and it’s all very dog friendly.
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Holme-next-the-Sea
Is Holme Beach Dog Friendly?
Holme is a popular dog-walking beach, with no restrictions at all.
Occasionally, some areas of the dunes behind the beach may be roped off to protect nesting birds, so please keep dogs under control near those areas.
Other Holme Beach Info
Holme is the beach of my childhood. I love the huge expanse of sand, the dunes perfect for running around with the dogs, and the happy family memories it holds for me.
Many prefer the more lively Hunstanton Beach, but for me, the far-reaching views and the soft sand make this one of Norfolk’s best beaches. It’s a bit of a hidden gem too, not many people head for Holme Beach – or not enough to make it feel crowded anyway!
To the east is nothing but endless skies and Thornham Beach. Behind you, is the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Holme Dunes Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and an important area for nesting birds.
Parking & Facilities
The pay and display car park on Beach Road at Holme is easily accessible and has public toilets, but you do need to walk through the golf course and dunes to get to the beach – look out for flying golf balls!
There is also parking closer to the beach at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Holme Dunes Nature Reserve. The car park is free to NWT members, non-members will need to pay a parking charge.
In summer there is a refreshments kiosk in the car park selling hot and cold drinks, ice creams and snacks.
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Horsey
Is Horsey Beach Dog Friendly?
Horsey Beach is dog-friendly but you must keep your dog away from swimming seals in the water during the summer months.
In the winter months, you won’t be able to walk on the beach, although you can take your dog, but it must be leashed and controlled.
Other Horsey Beach Info
A gloriously unspoilt stretch of sand and dunes, Horsey Beach is the point where the ferocious North Sea and the gentle Norfolk Broads almost, but not quite, meet.
For much of the year, Horsey Gap Beach is deserted, apart from dog walkers and those that want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Great Yarmouth or Norwich.
Horsey Gap is one of the best places in the country to see the annual spectacle when hundreds of female seals come onto the beach to give birth and nurse their pups. The beach is out of bounds during this time, but the viewing platforms along the beach are easily accessed, so you can ooh and ahh at the very cute seal pups!
Parking & Facilities
Horsey Gap pay and display car park is a few minutes walk from the beach. The dog-friendly Nelson Head car park in the village is a good alternative and provides a longer walk, but please have a drink in the pub if you use their parking 🙂
There are no facilities at Horsey Beach itself, but The Hatch food truck can be found in the car park, and just down the road from the Horsey Gap car park is the Poppylands Tearoom where you can get hot and cold drinks and snacks, and tasty doggie dinners for your pooch.
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Hunstanton
Are Hunstanton’s Beaches Dog-Friendly?
Old Hunstanton Beach is dog-friendly with no restrictions.
Dogs are not allowed on Hunstanton South Beach or North Beach (the main beach) during the summer months.
Other Hunstanton Beach Info
Hunstanton is the only seaside town in Norfolk which faces west, even though it’s on the east coast! This means Hunstanton Beach is relatively sheltered from sea breezes and a great place to enjoy watching the setting sun.
Hunstanton actually has three beaches. Hunstanton South Beach is perfect for families looking for a great sand-castle building beach with traditional beach activities.
Hunstanton North Beach, sometimes called the main beach, is close to the amusements, SEA LIFE centre and all the towns facilities, and as the beach extends north its red chalk, white chalk and carrstone striped cliff face becomes more prominent. This part of the beach is best for rock pooling, fossil hunting and dog walking outside of summer.
Further north still, the delightful beach of Old Hunstanton has a vast expanse of fine, golden sand when the tide is out and is considered the best kitesurfing beach in the UK.
Parking & Facilities
Parking is fairly easy for the south and north beach. There are plenty of pay and display car parks in Hunstanton where you don’t have to walk far to reach the sands.
There are toilets and disabled facilities, as well as a beach office next to the Alive Oasis Leisure Centre.
For Old Hunstanton Beach, use the Clifftop car park, where there are also public toilets.
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Mundesley
Is Mundesley Beach Dog-Friendly?
There are summer restrictions for dogs on Mundesley Beach, but once you head east or west from the prom, there’s lots of empty space for your pooch to run around outside of the restricted zone.
Other Mundesley Beach Info
Located midway between Cromer and Happisburgh, Mundesley is considered by many to be one of Norfolk’s finest beaches.
Long and sandy, the beach is backed by a promenade lined with brightly painted beach huts and small cliffs.
Parking & Facilities
Pay and display parking is available nearby, with a short walk and steps down to the prom and beach. There is a public toilet in the car park.
The Beach Hut Café at the top of the beach ramp is dog-friendly and provides water bowls outside for dogs. The Ship Inn a few minutes along Beach Road welcomes dogs into the bar and has plenty of outdoor seating.
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Overstrand
Is Overstand Beach Dog Friendly?
Dogs are welcome on the beach and promenade for much of the year, however, from May 1st to 30th September inclusive there is a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that covers the main beach, promenade and access slopes.
Other Overstrand Beach Info
If you’re looking to escape the lively Cromer Beach, then Overstrand is the beach for you. Wide and sandy at low tide, this beach is just a good as Cromer’s, but much, much quieter.
When the tide comes in at Overstrand, it comes right to the sea wall, so check the Overstrand tide times here, before planning a dog walk. If you’re looking for a beach where tides don’t really matter, then Holkham or Wells are the best nearby beaches for you.
Overstrand Beach is on the Norfolk Coast Path, and the walk from here along the path to Trimingham is one of the prettiest clifftop walks along the trail.
Parking & Facilities
Overstrand Beach car park sits above the beach, with access provided by a long sloping ramp down to the beach. There is a public WC in the car park, and usually, in summer you’ll also find the all-important ice cream van!
In the village of Overstrand, there are cafés, a pub and a village shop. Check out the Cliff Top Café which welcomes dogs on leads inside and offers a range of organic dog treats.
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Scratby
Is Scratby Beach Dog-Friendly?
Scratby Beach is supremely dog friendly and has no restrictions at any time of the year.
Other Scratby Beach Info
Scratby Beach actually belongs to the civil parish of Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby, which is made up of the inland village of Ormesby St Margaret and the adjacent seaside resorts of Scratby and California. Scratby Beach and California Beach are really one large beach merged together.
The beach is a long stretch of sand and shingle beneath low sandy cliffs, ideal for dog walking as it stretches along the coast to Caister Beach to the south, Hemsby Beach to the north and even on to Winterton Beach and the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve.
Parking & Facilities
There is a small car park along Rottenstone Lane with a narrow sloping path and steps to the beach. There are no public toilets here.
In the village of Scratby, a short walk from the beach, there are a few small cafés, pubs and shops, including the dog-friendly Tastebuds Tearooms.
Sea Palling
Is Sea Palling Beach Dog-Friendly?
There are dog restrictions between May and September, but your pooch can run free outside of these months.
For an alternative dog-friendly summer beach, head to nearby Waxham or Happisburgh, which have no dog restrictions at all.
Other Sea Palling Beach Info
The closest beach to Norfolk’s capital city of Norwich, Sea Palling is an excellent sandy beach with nine artificial offshore reefs created as part of a flood prevention scheme.
Backed by sand dunes, the series of curved beaches are usually pretty quiet, making this a good option for a dog walk, especially out of season.
Parking & Facilities
There’s a large pay and display car park just a short walk from the sands. There are also amusements, cafés and amenities set back from the beach, just enough to keep everyone entertained and fed, but not enough to make it into a really touristy beach.
Head to Reefs Bar, a pet-friendly beach bar serving drinks, bar snacks and a carvery on Sundays.
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Sheringham
Is Sheringham Beach Dog-Friendly?
Sheringham Beach has dog restrictions between the Lifeboat Station to the west and the start of the beach huts to the east from 1st May to 30th September.
There are no restrictions from October to April. The nearest all-year-round dog-walking beach is Weybourne.
Other Sheringham Beach Info
The award-winning Blue Flag Beach at Sheringham is made up of sand with areas of shingle and larger stones, as well as wooden groynes which divide the beach and reduce the erosion and movement of sand.
The beach is very popular with families and RNLI lifeguards patrol here during the summer months. There’s also lots going on in the town, which sits behind the beach.
Parking & Facilities
East Cliff NNDC car park looks down onto the beach and access is provided down the stairs to the prom.
The other large car park is the Station Approach car park which is adjacent to the North Norfolk Railway. This involves a ten minute walk to the beach, but it’s a good alternative if East Cliff is full.
There are public toilets along the Esplanade, close to Sheringham Boating Lake and plenty of dog-welcoming eateries in town.
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Snettisham
Is Snettisham Beach Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are welcome on Snettisham Beach but must be kept on a lead during nesting season which is from 1st April to 30th August. This is to keep the birds that nest directly on the shingle and sand, and their eggs and young, safe from interferance.
If you’re looking for a nearby dog-friendly beach without restrictions try Holme.
Other Snettisham Beach Info
Snettisham Beach is the closest beach to King’s Lynn and one of three Norfolk west-facing beaches, the others being Hunstanton and Heacham. The shingle beach is vast, making it a great place for long dog walks and wildlife watching, as well as catching a wonderful Norfolk sunset.
The beach backs onto the Snettisham Coastal Park, a wild area full of heathland, marshland and reed beds that stretch all the way to Heacham, a great route for a peaceful and easy walk.
The Coastal Park is adjacent to the RSPB Snettisham Reserve which hosts the incredible ‘whirling wader spectacle’, when tens of thousands of wading birds take flight when the conditions are right.
Parking & Facilities
Snettisham Beach car park is right by the beach, making access very easy.
The dog-friendly Rose and Crown pub is in the village, along with a fish and chip shop. There are no public toilets – the nearest are at Hunstanton South Beach.
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Thornham
Is Thornham Beach Dog Friendly?
Thornham Beach has no dog restrictions, although it does border the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Holme Dunes Nature Reserve so it’s advisable to keep your dogs on a lead during nesting season.
Other Thornham Beach Info
Thornham Beach is my go-to beach when I want bracing sea air, a good walk with the dogs and a big dose of solitude. Thornham is the most remote beach in Norfolk, making it perfect for my needs!
Set in the North Norfolk Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, getting to the beach requires a walk of half a mile or so, and this is why the beach is never crowded.
The beach is covered with fine soft sand and a few small shingle areas. When the tide comes in, you can retreat to the sand dunes, which remain dry and a great place to shelter from any wind.
As with most North Norfolk beaches, when the tide is out, you’re left with an endless stretch of hard sand, ideal for dog walking and exploring the beach.
To get to the beach, take the raised bank from Staithe Lane along a small stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path, passing the Old Coal Shed (where smugglers used to operate) fascinating salt marshes and meandering creeks.
Parking & Facilities
There is no designated car parking for Thornham Beach, but there is a small amount of off-road parking along Staithe Lane, which runs alongside the raised path to the beach. Beware of spring tides in this spot, which are capable of covering a car!
There are no facilities, but at the top of Staithe Lane is the excellent dog-friendly Lifeboat Inn, the perfect place for a pie and a pint after your beach walk. If you have a table booked, check with the pub and you may be able to park and start your walk from there.
There is also parking closer to the beach at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Holme Dunes Nature Reserve. The car park is free to NWT members, non-members will need to pay a parking charge – although part of the charm of this beach is really the walk to get there!
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Titchwell
Is Titchwell Beach Dog Friendly?
Dogs are permitted along the West Bank path to the beach provided they are kept on leads. This is the only part of Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve where dogs are allowed.
Once on the beach, there are no restrictions, although some areas may be cordoned off to protect nesting birds.
Other Titchwell Beach Info
Titchwell is probably best known for the RSPB Titchwell Marsh Nature Reserve and its diverse habitats that include reedbeds, saltmarsh and freshwater lagoons where avocets, bearded tits and marsh harriers nest.
But Titchwell is also home to an often overlooked wide and sandy beach, backed by low sand dunes and with far-reaching views over the Wash. At low tide, the sand extends for miles in every direction, to Brancaster in the east and Thornham to the west.
Titchwell Beach is accessed via a public right of way from the RSPB car park, which is also the main West Bank path through the nature reserve. The walk is just under a mile along an easy track, which passes through freshwater and tidal lagoons, reedbeds, woodland and marshes.
Parking & Facilities
The RSPB car park is really the only place to park. It’s free for RSPB members and pay and display for everyone else.
RSPB Titchwell Marsh has a large visitor centre close to the car park, with a café (dogs on leads and outside only) toilets, an information desk and picnic areas. You can take part in guided walks, follow nature trails and even hire binoculars here.
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Trimingham
Is Trimingham Beach Dog-Friendly?
There are no dog restrictions at all on Trimingham Beach.
Other Trimingham Beach Info
Trimingham is a secluded Norfolk beach where you can escape the crowds. Located at the end of a steep and narrow lane, sandwiched between caravan parks, only the dedicated come here!
The beach is popular with watersports enthusiasts, dog walkers and sea anglers. It’s also a favourite haunt of fossil hunters due to the young age of the chalk cliffs that back Trimingham Beach.
The cliffs at Trimingham suffer from extreme coastal erosion and have had a couple of bad collapses in the past few years. A number of sea defences have been erected to help reduce this, but don’t get to close to the edge of the cliffs if you visit.
Parking & Facilities
There is a small car park at the top of the lane down to the beach, and more parking along the lane and at the bottom. There are no facilities.
Walcott
Is Walcott Beach Dog Friendly?
There are dog restrictions on Walcott Beach from 1st May to 30th September, between the main groynes. Other parts are dog friendly, and there is signage at the beach providing more detail.
During nesting season, which is March to August, dogs should be kept on a lead so that they don’t disturb nesting birds.
Other Walcott Beach Info
This beach at Walcott is a pretty unassuming stretch of sand. The constant erosion this beach has suffered has shaped how it looks today – the fine sand divided up by wooden groynes and backed by a sloping, concrete sea wall.
You might notice something unusual if you visit Walcott Beach – the main coastal road actually runs right next to the beach. This is the only place in Norfolk where that happens. It makes access to this beach the easiest in the county. Don’t worry though, during severe storms, the road is blocked off.
Parking & Facilities
There is parking all along Coast Road, the B1159.
There are a couple of cafés and ice cream shops along the seafront here along with toilets, and a really good fish and chip shop, the Kingfisher Fish Bar, which has outside seating.
Waxham
Is Waxham Beach Dog-Friendly?
Dogs are welcome throughout the year on Waxham Beach, with no restrictions.
Other Waxham Beach Info
The relatively undiscovered Waxham beach is delightfully off the beaten track and just down the road from the impossibly small village of Waxham, which is really just a crumbling church, a farm and the historic Waxham Great Barn, home to the excellent dog-friendly Dunes Café.
This stretch of coast falls within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As with near neighbour Horsey Beach, Waxham Beach is a great spot for seal spotting.
Parking & Facilities
There is no car park at Waxham Beach, but parking is allowed along the verges of Church Road, which encircles the small village. Other than the Dunes Café, there are no facilities.
Wells-next-the-Sea
Is Wells Beach Dog Friendly?
Dogs are allowed on the beach at Wells all year round subject to certain restrictions. A dog-free zone operates for the first 200 yards of the beach from the main entrance so that people can dig in the sand without fear of finding something unpleasant, but there are no restrictions from the Pinewoods entrances.
Other Wells Beach Info
Award-winning Wells-next-the-Sea Beach is probably the most perfect Norfolk beach for families. With endless expanses of soft, golden sand just right for sandcastle building, raised and sheltered dunes to picnic in, space to fly a kite or play games, and the beautiful clear water of the North Sea, a day spent here is always a good one.
There are also the gorgeously shady Pinewoods to explore, just on the other side of the sand dunes nearest the car park. The Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way run through these woods, crisscrossing from the trees to the beach. You can also follow the path all the way to Holkham Beach.
Parking & Facilities
There’s an excellent car park here – literally get out of your car, climb the wooden steps to the top of the dunes, climb down the other side, and you’re on the beach!
If the main beach car park is closed, park at Wells Town car park, at the start of Beach Road, and walk or catch one of the Wells Beach buses (fully pet-friendly) to the sands.
The dog-friendly Wells-next-the-Sea Beach Café is at the western side of the car park and offers puppuccinos, treats and doggy ice creams from the Bark Up Bar, alongside your regular human cuppa and slice of cake!
There are also public toilets, and in the summer, an ice cream van – of course!
RELATED POST: Wells-next-the-Sea Beach – Complete Visitor Guide
West Runton
Is West Runton Beach Dog Friendly?
West Runton Beach is dog friendly. From 1st May to 30th September there is a small restriction on the beach, from the right of the slipway for around 200 metres which must be adhered to by all dog owners.
Other West Runton Beach Info
Situated between the towns of Sheringham and Cromer the lovely sands of West Runton are often overlooked in favour of their more famous neighbours. Most people visit this beach for its history and geology though, and it’s an important location on Norfolk’s Deep History Coast.
A designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), West Runton Beach is home to the largest chalk reef in Europe, making it popular with divers and surfers.
Parking & Facilities
Head for the large Seaview car park on Water Lane at the top of the beach access ramp. You’ll also find toilets and the dog-friendly Seaview Beach Café here – where you can also buy poo bags if you forget your supplies.
Weybourne
Is Weyborne Beach Dog Friendly?
Weyborne is a dog-friendly beach but quite hard going due to the pebbles underfoot.
Other Weyborne Beach Info
The steeply shelving pebble beach at Weybourne is said to have been the haunt of smugglers due to the ease with which they could land large boats full of contraband. These days you are more likely to see fishermen than smugglers!
Parking & Facilities
The car park is set right behind the beach, so it’s easy to get to. The section of the beach in front of the car park is situated in a gap between the cliffs on either side – the Norfolk Coast Path descends on one side, crosses the beach and ascends again on the other.
There are no facilities at Weyborne Beach.
Winterton-on-Sea
Is Winterton Beach Dog Friendly?
In the summer months, Winterton-on-Sea Beach is wonderful for dog walking, regardless of whether the tide is in or out, and there are no restrictions.
In winter, the beach is closed to dog walkers to keep breeding seals and their pups safe, but you can still walk around the Winterton Dunes behind the beach.
More Winterton Beach Info
The village of Winterton on Sea is at the further point south of North Norfolk and Winterton Beach is a cracking three mile stretch of sandy beach, backed by the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve and some of the finest sand dunes in Norfolk.
Parking & Facilities
There is easily accessible cliff-top parking, where there is also a café with outdoor seating. There are public toilets at the entrance to the car park.
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Have I missed your favourite Norfolk dog-walking beach off this list? Scroll down to leave a comment so I can take my pooches for a run there!
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