Dog Friendly Beaches in Suffolk: Guidlines for Pets on the Beaches in the County of Suffolk
With miles of beautiful beaches open to the public year round, Suffolk is a great place for a lazy walk along the coast with family. Suffolk coasts are famously dog-friendly, and there’s never a dog-friendly beach too far away from one of the area’s many coastal towns. Below are the most up to date guidelines for bringing your dog out for a day on the beach (May 2008). First, the good news — from October through April, there are no dog restrictions in force in Suffolk, and you can feel free to bring the family pet to any stretch of beach you like.
However there are restrictions during the summer on some beaches, so a town by town listing of restrictions from 1st May through the 30th September follows below.
Aldeburgh
Though the main beach is restricted, there is a mile of dog-friendly beach just to the North of Aldburgh which is well signposted, and stretches from the Wentworth Hotel to Thorpeness.
Felixstowe
While the main beach of Felixstowe has dog restrictions in place from May through September, there are dog friendly beaches on either side of the restricted area, which runs from Spa Pavilion to Wheeler Road. These areas are well signposted and easy to spot.
Dunwich
With the beautiful National Trust site of Dunwich Heath, and beach that’s dog-friendly almost year round, Dunwich makes a fantastic day out. Be warned, however, that Dunwich is the home to a bird nesting site, and there are occasional restrictions on dogs during nesting season. Please contact nearby Southwold TIC at 10502 724 729 before you make your trip to ensure these nesting restrictions aren’t in place.
Lowestoft
While Lowestoft itself has restrictions on the Pavilion and town beach, nearby Gunton Denes is dog-friendly, and is signposted off the B1385, north of Lowestoft. For information on the beaches around Lowestoft, please contact the Tourist Information Centre at 01502 533 600.
Kessingland
Just south of Lowestoft is the large, unspoilt beach at Kessingland where dogs -including Molly above — can roam til their hearts content all year around. The beach is a combination of marshland, shingle and sand, and it’s HUGE! There isn’t much on the beach by way of entertainment but there is a restaurant with a terrace outside, and a dog-friendly pub too!
Sizewell
Tucked between Dunwich and Thorpeness, Sizewell beach boasts fantastic coastlines which have no restrictions on dogs year-round. A perfect middle ground for a stroll north to Dunwich or south to Thorpeness.
Southwold
One of Suffolk’s most famous beaches, Southwold is a fantastic day out for the family. The main beaches of Southwold have pet restrictions in place year-round, however Southwold Benes, just north of the main beach, is dog-friendly. Simply follow the A1095 from Southwold to the Denes. Southwold is also home to the Latitude Festival.
Walberswick
This picture perfect coastal village is holiday home to many British celebrities, as well as being host ot the yearly Crabbing Championship every August 10th. It’s also completely dog friendly, with no pet restrictions in place.
With fantastic beaches, open coastlines, and very few places you can’t take your canine pals, plan a day out on the Suffolk Coast today.
——————————————————————————————-
Will Averill is a writer for the Suffolk Tourist Guide. The Suffolk Tourist Guide is the Guide for all your tourist information needs and Suffolk days out including Suffolk Hotels, bed and breakfasts, shops, attractions, restaurants, pubs. Check out What’s On in Suffolk.
