Best Dog-Friendly Beaches To Visit In West Sussex

 

Can you name a better travel buddy than your dog? We’ll wait…

We humans take it for granted that we can explore hundreds of different beaches without a care in the world. Our four-legged friends, however, have a harder time of it, as there are rules that must be followed. But with plenty of dog-friendly West Sussex beaches to choose from, they too can have a brilliant day out at the seaside.

West Sussex has 50 miles of stunning coastline which means lots of space for dogs to enjoy. Your furry pals are encouraged to have the time of their lives on many of the shingle beaches and sandy stretches in the area. In fact, at some point it’s likely that your pooch has dreamt about being let loose on the sand and splashing around in the sea. So take a look at our list of the best dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex and make their doggy dreams come true...

 

Play in the water at West Wittering Beach

The seaside resort of West Wittering in Chichester is a popular holidaying destination and home to one of our favourite dog-friendly beaches in Sussex. It’s in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also known for its traditional wooden beach huts that line the shore.

Well-behaved dogs are allowed anywhere and everywhere on this beach from the end of September to the end of April. For the rest of the year, they’re still allowed to visit but must stay and play outside of groynes 14A-18 (the low walls built out into the water). That’s unlikely to stop them having a pawsome time though…

There’s also a number of water taps conveniently dotted along the beach path, so you and your (possibly rather sandy) pup can get cleaned up before heading home. Remember to pack some extra towels for your trip – they always come in handy when travelling to the seaside with your pooch.

If you’re all out of play and want to take it slow for a bit, browse walks in West Sussex.

Explore East Head

Within walking distance of West Wittering is East Head – a truly sublime wild and natural coastline that’s protected and managed by the National Trust. You and your pooch can admire the impressive views here together, as dogs are welcome all year round. Do make sure to keep them on a lead at all times and away from any roped-off areas, as this helps to preserve and maintain the wildlife and rare habitats in the area.

Want to plan some more walks by the sea? Take a look at 5 coastal walks in West Sussex.

Go fetch at Goring Beach

This sand and shingle beach is particularly popular in the summer months, but playful pooches are welcome here most of the year. There are, however, some dog restrictions in place from 1st May to 30th September. During this time, dogs are only allowed between two clearly marked groynes. Handily, these boundaries happen to be near the Sea Lane Café, where there’s a large outdoor seating area for you both to have a spot of lunch in the sun.

Do some digging at Littlehampton 

The coastal town of Littlehampton has two award-winning beaches –  East Beach and West Beach  – that sit either side of the River Arun.

In summer, East Beach is reserved for sunbathing humans only. So if you’re here with your doggo in the warmer months, cross the river to West Beach– one of the only places in West Sussex to have sand dunes and as such, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Here, you can follow the wooden walkway around the back of the beach café (where dogs can always join you in the outdoor seating area) and end up at a section of beach that’s reserved just for man’s best friend. 

If you and your dog need a little peace and quiet, then stroll along the coast to Climping Beach. It’ll take you an hour or so to walk here but if you decide to drive instead, there’s a dog-friendly car park right by an unrestricted and off-lead stretch of sand.

Camber Sands Beach

 

Even though technically it’s in East Sussex, this gorgeous sandy beach had to have a place on the list. Camber Sands is the only sand dune system in this part of the county, and it welcomes dogs throughout the year. There are miles and miles of sand and sea for you both to explore here, so all in all, it’s a heavenly beach for dogs and humans alike.

There are a few restrictions between May and September though, so keep an eye out for the council’s noticeboards to understand where your four-legged friend is and isn’t allowed. 

If you’re spending the afternoon here, pack a picnic (doggy biscuits included) or head to the historic town of Rye to enjoy a bite to eat at William the Conqueror, a dog-friendly gastropub in the harbour.

Still not got your fill of sea and surf? Browse our list of sandy beaches in West Sussex for more places to explore. It’s not easy to do it all in a day, so take a look at our dog-friendly campsites and stay in the area overnight.