Whilst the moors and dales provide wonderful walks for furry friends and their owners, why not swap muddy paws for sandy paws and visit some of the amazing selection of dog-friendly beaches in Yorkshire too. With wonderful coastal villages, vast swathes of sandy beaches, sand dunes, soaring cliffs and secret coves there’s plenty of gorgeous off the radar beaches to explore.
We’ve sniffed out 10 of the best dog-friendly beaches in Yorkshire, some of which are dog-friendly year round and all of which will provide the perfect playground for four-legged friends.
Cayton Beach
Located about three miles south of Scarborough in North Yorkshire, Cayton Beach is one of those under-the-radar beaches. It’s wide and safe with a large expanse of sandy beach backed by cliffs with wonderful dramatic scenery. It really is a doggy paradise – there’s a car park and cafe and it’s also popular with surfers, especially beginners and fossil hunters. Best of all, it’s dog-friendly year-round.
STAY AT: Bike & Boot, North Yorkshire
Flamborough North Landing
Definitely one of the most delightful beaches in Yorkshire and dog-friendly year-round, Flamborough North Landing is a sand and pebble beach that attracts visitors with its white cliffs and deep blue waters. A beachside stop-off point on a walk to Flamborough Head your dog will love running along the beach and splashing in the sea.
STAY AT: Gull Newk, East Riding of Yorkshire
Fraisthorpe Beach
A real gem of a beach just south of Bridlington, it’s perfect for active dogs that love to run as it’s a flat sandy beach backed by low clay cliffs. Fraisthorpe Beach extends from part of Bridlington Bay as far as you can see all the way to the Humber Estuary. Your dog will love bounding along the beach and there’s even a dog-friendly cafe, the Cowshed cafe with spectacular views out to sea and a car park. Especially popular with dog walkers the beach is dog-friendly year round.
Robin Hoods Bay
Dog-friendly Robin Hoods Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Yorkshire, preferably visited when the tide is out and backed by craggy cliffs and is dog-friendly year round. It is situated between Scarborough and Whitby along the Heritage coast of the North Yorkshire Moors. Your dog will love running through the seaweed playing catch. There are plenty of dog friendly places to eat in the quaint cobbled town with a car park at the top of the hill.
STAY AT: Sheen Cottage, North Yorkshire
Marske Sands
Marske Sands is a gentle sloping sandy stretch beach which is opposite the village of Marske-by-the-sea, Marske Sands between Redcar and Saltburn. One of our favourite dog-friendly beaches in Yorkshire it is dog-friendly year round. Enjoy a visit with your beach-loving hound for a winter walk or a longer stroll in warmer weather. Enjoy a picnic in the dunes or visit the dog-friendly cafes and pubs in the village.
STAY AT: Grinkle Park, North Yorkshire
Kettleness Beach
Situated in a remote cove to the east of Runswick Bay, Kettleness Beach is for very adventurous dogs and owners only! To gain access to this gorgeous beach you need to scrabble down a very steep hill with the aid of a rope. Beloved by fossil hunters this secret cove is where dinosaur and ammonite are regularly found along the foreshore and in the cliff. Dog-friendly year round.
STAY AT: Crab Cottage, North Yorkshire
Runswick Bay
Runswick Bay is one of the most picturesque seaside villages in Yorkshire. Nine miles north of Whitby, the sandy beach is simply gorgeous and definitely worth a visit. All facilities are also available in the village. Fossil hunters flock here and there are also some lovely dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in the village including the Runswick bay hotel and the Badger Hounds.
Reighton Beach
Reighton Beach is a lovely long stretch of sand for your best furry friend to play along Hunmanby Gap all the way to Filey. You will be enchanted by the awe-inspiring cliffs. Fossils are often found on this beach when wandering along. There is a cafe here and you can combine your beach visit with a walk to Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve on the east of the beach for the chance to see several species of birds and sometimes whales and dolphins.
STAY AT: 2 Station Cottages, North Yorkshire
Sandsend Beach
Sandsend is a lovely sandy beach close to Whitby. There is a gorgeous dog-friendly cafe called the Sandsend cafe with great views over the beach. Explore the caves and walk a few miles along the beach to Whitby. Although there are restrictions in place between May to September you will still find parts of the beach to walk your dog.
Scarborough North Bay
One of the most iconic beaches in Yorkshire, a Blue Flag award beach, Scarborough North Bay has gorgeous stretches of sand dunes backed by an esplanade, hills and cliffs and spectacular views all around. Enjoy walks with your dog across the sandy beach as well as fabulous cliff-top walks. And although there are restrictions in the summer you will still find a stretch of the beach available to your dog.
STAY AT: Highview, North Yorkshire