5 Dog-Friendly Beaches To Visit In Hampshire

 

It’s a curiosity that Hampshire doesn’t receive the accolades of neighbouring Dorset and West Sussex as a coastal destination. After all, there are 60 miles of stunning shoreline here… and as there are plenty of dog-friendly beaches in Hampshire, it’s a particularly appealing spot for those seeking a South East seaside holiday with a dog in tow.

Along this varied and vibrant coastline are natural harbours, marinas and fishing villages, plus a rich maritime history around the likes of Portsmouth. And there are miles of beaches in Hampshire too. Most are of the shingle variety — ideal for dog days out without trailing half the beach back with you in sandy paws and coats. Many of the shoreline stretches are pretty peaceful, so they’re suitable for even the most energetic bounding hounds. (Incidentally, lots of the Hampshire walks are great to take your dog on too.)

There are some restrictions on the county’s beaches that you’ll need to be aware of when you’re off for the day with your dog. So, here are the five best dog-friendly beaches that you can visit on a holiday in Hampshire at any time of the year.

Browndown Point

Browndown Point, between Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport, makes for an interesting doggy day out. The land is owned by the Ministry of Defence so fences and lookout towers dot the perimeter. No one really knows what the ‘Browndown mushroom’ is – you’ll recognise it when you see it –though it’s probably a vent so plenty speculate as to what underground facility lies beneath the shingle beach. Dogs are welcome at any time, except for the occasional days on which the army uses it for training. Watch out for red flags flying to warn you away during periods when beach access is restricted.

The beach is generally very quiet with an air of hush only broken by a round of blanks being fired somewhere in the vicinity. There’s rare heathland all around with an abundance of butterflies during the summer; watch out for the occasional adder basking in the sun, too.

Calshot

Calshot beach is a place to lie back and watch the ships coming and going from Southampton while your dog plays happily in the sea. The beach forms part of a mile-long shingle spit jutting out from Southampton Water. There’s a lot of history here as the entrance to one of the biggest ports in the UK has long been of strategic importance.

At the head of the spit is Calshot Castle, built by Henry VIII. A naval air station was established here during World War I, from where Aircraftman Shaw (better known as Lawrence of Arabia) flew. Today, the hangar that once housed flying boats is used as a watersports centre. Dogs are welcome on the beach and outside the seafront cafés at any time.

Search dog-friendly sites near Southampton

Milford-on-Sea

The beach at Milford-on-Sea, a vibrant village with a folksy and foodie vibe, is a long stretch of shingle with sandy bits revealed at low tide. A strip of colourful huts off the promenade looks out to the Isle of Wight with views of the Needles. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, and a walk along Hurst Spit promontory to the castle can be rewarded with a cup of tea and sharing a bowl of water with the pair of resident black labradors. 

Alternatively, an hour-long ramble along a low clifftop takes you to Barton-on-Sea, where dogs are also permitted on the beach at any time.

Find dog-friendly holiday sites near Milford-on-Sea 

Hayling Island

The south coast of Hayling Island is effectively one long sandy beach. Dogs are not permitted on the most popular resort sands between 1 May and 30 September, but parts of Ferry Beach and the western end of Eastoke Beach are dog-friendly all year round. You can happily walk along the promenade at Eastoke with dogs on leads, too. There are also walks to be had on the island (reached by a road bridge from the mainland), with the Hayling Billy route along the old railway line to Havant and the World War II Heritage Trail to follow.

Find a campsite that welcomes dogs on Hayling Island

Southsea Beach

The Victorian seaside town of Southsea has a long stretch of beach where the coastline curves round from Old Portsmouth to Eastney. Dogs are allowed on the section eastwards from the Royal Marines Museum and westwards beyond Henderson Road at the end of the esplanade. The beach is of the large shingle variety and the sea deepens really quickly off the beach – good for a plunge as long as your dog is a good swimmer.

Happy holidays in Hampshire

Whether you're holidaying as a couple with a pair of dogs, a single traveller with your solo travel companion, or a family with a pack of hounds, there’s plenty to do and see in Hampshire to make it a truly memorable break.