Dog Friendly Beaches in Kent 2022
See our 2024 Dogs & Beaches blog here.
Dogs & Beaches in Kent 2022
Dog Friendly Beaches in Kent 2022 is our round up of beaches and the rules for your four-legged friend on the beaches in Kent this Summer. Each area highlights coastal parts you can take dogs, as well as the restrictions or bans in place.
By Sophie Bland
Beaches in this area are an excellent spot for dog walking and although some do have seasonal bans, there are others without restrictions that can be enjoyed all throughout the year.
Dogs are welcome off their lead at any time of the year at:
Sandwich Bay
Shakespeare Cliff Beach, Dover
Walmer Beach, Deal
Not allowed from 1st of May to the 30th of September between the hours of 9am and 8pm at:
Deal Beach – from Sandown Castle to Deal Castle. Dogs on leads are permitted on the pier and on the promenade.
Dover Seafront Beach, Waterloo Crescent to Marine Parade. Dogs are to be kept on leads on the promenade and grassed areas (including Marine Parade and Granville Gardens) at Dover Seafront, and from the junction with Union Street roundabout to roundabout with Jubillee Way off A20.
St Margaret’s Bay Beach- from the south-west end of the slipway to Ness Point.
More information: : https://www.whitecliffscountry.org.uk
The coastline stretches across 26 miles of sand and shingle beaches, offering some great walks for dogs and their owners with a number of award winning beaches. Lots of the coastline have no restrictions except the nine listed here.
Between 1st May and 30th October, dogs are banned from these beaches:
Folkestone
Sunny Sands
Dogs to be kept on a lead on the promenade at:
Folkestone
Mermaid Beach
Sandgate/Seabrook – Sandgate Castle to Seabrook BP Garage
Hythe
Hythe Beach – Twiss Road to St. Leonard’s Road
Dymchurch Beach – Sycamore Gardens to Martello Car Park
St Mary’s Bay – The Fairway to river outfall
Littlestone Beach – Water tower at Madeira Road to Clark Road
Greatstone – Jolly Fisherman car park through to 17 The Parade & 114 The Parade through to 172 The Parade
More information: https://www.folkestone-hythe.gov.uk/environmental-protection/dogs-on-beaches
HERNE BAY & WHITSTABLE
The beautiful beaches of Herne Bay & Whitstable are a great destination for holiday makers, take a peaceful stroll along the seafront or make the most out of the many activities and watersports that are available. Only two exceptions in this area:
Dogs are not allowed on the following beaches between 1st May and 30th September:
Herne Bay Central – from Herne Bay pier heading west to Lane End, dogs are not allowed on the beach and must be kept on a lead on the promenade.
Tankerton Beach, Whitstable – level with Pier Avenue West to The Street, dogs are not allowed on the beach and must be kept on a lead on the promenade.
The Isle of Sheppey has always been a popular seaside resort full of nostalgic childhood memories, with their fantastic beaches and arcade amusements which can be enjoyed by all of the family. There are miles of beaches around the Isle of Sheppey, many of which are dog friendly, with the exception of the three seasonal bathing beaches where restrictions do apply.
Dogs are not allowed on the following beaches between 1st May and 30th September:
Sheerness – centre point of the headland Jacobs Bank eastward to west side of the steps leading over the sea wall immediately to the east of Sheerness Swimming Pool.
Minster Leas – from the east side of the Lifeguard Station on the seafront opposite the Playa Public House to opposite the Little Oyster Café.
Leysdown on Sea – from Stokes Amusements, eastwards to beach steps opposite the small roundabout at the seaward end of ‘The Promenade Road, Leysdown.
More information: https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/info/20050/things_to_do/255/dogs_on_the_beach
ROCHESTER – The Isle of Grain
The Isle of Grain is a village located within the Medway district in Kent, the area was previously an island, however, it now forms part of the Hoo Peninsula instead. Although it is known for being remote and tucked away from the rest of the Kent coast, it does have some excellent spots to visit and moreover there is plenty of wildlife around as it is a major habitat for diverse wetland birds.
Dogs are welcome off their lead at any time of the year:
The Isle of Grain Beach
Allhallows Beach
THANET
Thanet has always been one of the most popular holiday destinations in Kent, with 15 sandy beaches and bays that stretch from Pegwell Bay in the south to Minnis Bay in the north.
Dogs are welcome off their lead at any time of the year:
Broadstairs
Dumpton Gap
Kingsgate Bay
Ramsgate
Western Undercliff
Eastcliff
Margate
Foreness Point
Palm Bay
Sacketts Gap
Fulsom Rock
Birchington
Epple Bay
Grenham Bay
Northern Seawall
Dogs must be kept on a lead 24 hours a day all year round:
Ramsgate
Pegwell Bay
Not allowed on the mudflats and saltmarshes
Dogs must be kept on a lead between 10am and 6pm from 1st May to the 30th September:
Broadstairs
Louisa Bay
Margate
Walpole Bay
Westbrook Bay
Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10am and 6pm from 1st May to the 30th September on the beaches below
Broadstairs
Stone Bay
Joss Bay
Botany Bay
Margate
St Mildred’s Bay
West Bay
Not allowed at all from 1st May to 30th September:
Broadstairs
Viking Bay
Ramsgate
Ramsgate Main Sands
Margate
Margate Main Sands
Birchington
Minnis Bay
More information: https://www.thanet.gov.uk/info-pages/dogs-and-our-beaches/
Picture Credit: Top to bottom Joe Hepburn and Celyn Bowen from unsplash.com.
