Top Dog-friendly Somerset Beaches You Need To Visit This Summer
Hoping for a holiday at the Somerset seaside? So is your four-legged friend. However, as not every stretch of sand and shingle in this county allows animals at all times of year, we’re throwing you a bone by sharing this selection of the top dog-friendly Somerset beaches. Each one permits pets in all seasons – not just during winter.
Leash at the ready? Let’s go.
Porlock Weir beach
This pebble beach in Exmoor National Park is a superb spot for a dog walk. You can amble from the pretty village towards the stone-covered coastline reaching far into the distance. Wander all the way east on the South West Coast Path for just under an hour and you’ll reach Bossington, another dog-friendly beach in Somerset backed by wildlife-rich marshland.
Find dog-friendly campsites in Porlock Weir.
Glenthorne Beach
One of the best dog-friendly beaches in West Somerset, Glenthorne is accessible through a set of woods that’s ideal for walkies. It belonged to a country estate in the past, so you can spot the remains of a boathouse and lime kilns scattered around. Look out for the mini waterfall and intriguing rock formations while your pet has a nosey in all the caves.
Go camping with your dog near Glenthorne beach.
Doniford Beach
You can easily walk from the Exmoor harbour village of Watchet to Doniford Beach. But make sure you tackle the terrain – a mix of sand and mud – at low tide as it's impassable when the water’s high. If you’re lacking time and just want to give the dog a quick runaround, Doniford Beach also has a small car park.
Discover dog-friendly campsites at Doniford Beach.
Kilve Beach
Curious canines love Kilve Beach because of its various nooks and crannies, including rock pools aplenty. If your pooch isn't a fan of pebbles, take them for a walk on the grassy area behind the beach instead. This intriguing destination is slightly north of the Quantock Hills, so ambles through an area of outstanding natural beauty can also be on the cards during your holiday.
Bag yourself a spot at a dog-friendly campsite near Kilve.
Sandy Bay
Weston-super-Mare’s main beaches don’t allow dogs all year around, including on the stretch between Royal Sands and the Grand Pier – which is a pity, as we’re sure your canine companion would love to chase all the kitesurfers around. Instead, take your way to nearby Sandy Bay, a quieter beach where you can let your furry friend off their lead. Continue three miles across the headland to Middle Hope beach for a longer hike.
In Weston, dogs are allowed between the Grand Pier and Knightstone Island and from Royal Sands to Uphill at any time of year.
Set off for dog-friendly campsites near Sandy Bay.
Brean Beach
Brean goes on for a whopping seven miles – it’s said to be the longest stretch of sand in Europe – so heading off for walkies here is a top thing to do in Somerset with dogs. There’s a 97-metre-high headland right at the end, where you and your puppy pal can trek to a 19th-century fort (as long as they’re kept on a lead). Take in Weston-super-Mare, as well as the views out over a couple of uninhabited islands towards Wales' Cardiff Bay across the Bristol Channel. Brean's such a spectacular spot that it's also on our list of the best places to walk in Somerset.
Browse dog-friendly campsites near Brean Beach.
Berrow Beach
Part of the super-long Brean Beach, this destination is a delight for four-legged friends. Stroll south during low tide and keep an eye out for the 19th-century remains of the Norwegian SS Nornen shipwreck poking out of the sand. Whichever way you head, just be careful not to venture out too far on the mudflats.
Dogs are banned from the nearby Burnham-On-Sea Main Beach all year round, so Berrow Sands is a great alternative.
Check out dog-friendly campsites near Berrow Sands.
Blue Anchor Beach
Dogs aren’t allowed on Minehead Beach between the harbour and the Golf Club Groyne from the 1st May to 30th September, so we’d recommend walkies on Blue Anchor Beach instead. This shingle beach runs for miles along the Bristol Channel. Bring the dog for relaxed strolls along the sand that’s revealed at low tide. Don’t forget to pack a treat for pup to wolf down as you enjoy a takeaway from The Driftwood Cafe.
Browse dog-friendly campsites by Blue Anchor Beach
Audries Bay
Humans come to Audries Bay to admire the waterfalls plunging from the moss-clad cliffs. But their canine companions? Well, they prefer to splash underneath them. This beach is also full of fossils for humans to hunt out while dogs snuffle around for driftwood and other interesting bits and bobs hidden among the rocks. This brilliant bit of coastline is also on our list of the 10 best beaches in Somerset.
Opt for a dog-friendly campsite near Audries Bay.
After sniffing around these beaches with no dog restrictions, take a look at these five Somerset nature reserves to visit next.