_The best dog-friendly beaches in Suffolk

Holidays are best shared with loved ones, including our four-legged companions. Here we explore exhilarating beach walks where you don’t have to leave your beloved pet behind. In fact, the Suffolk coast is well-explored and loved by our trusty companions. 

A few beach areas are designated as dog-free during the busier months of the year. Restrictions are in place in Felixstowe, Aldeburgh, Thorpeness, Lowestoft and Corton from 1 May to 30 September and in Southwold from 1 April to 30 September.

Start exploring our dog-friendly beaches here...

Felixstowe

At the southerly tip of Suffolk is the picturesque beach of Felixstowe with its golden sandy beach, pier and attractive seafront gardens. From Groyne 4 Opposite Manwick Road through to Landguard Nature Reserve. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. Dogs are also allowed on the beach off leads all year round at Clifflands.

Dogs need to be on a short lead in the Landguard Nature reserve and Martello Park.

Kessingland

In the northerly region of Suffolk lies Kessingland; a stunning beach where dogs off the lead are permitted all-year-round. And with the beach growing instead of receding, there’s plenty of space to roam. If you’re looking for something a little quieter, without all the fussy regulations and with great facilities, then this is the perfect spot for you and your four-legged friend.

Dogs need to be on a lead in the nearby Benacre nature reserve.

Walberswick

Best known for crabbing, kite-flying and surfing, Walberswick is a popular Suffolk coastal village with its iconic black beach huts, cafés, a great dog-friendly pub The Anchor and a lovely green with a few nick-nack shops. Make your way through the sand dunes, where dogs off the lead are allowed on the beach throughout the year.

For a longer walk head from here across the boardwalks to Dunwich, home of Suffolk’s Lost City, or take the rowing boat ferry or footpath over to Blackshore Harbour and Southwold.

Thorpeness

Perhaps one of the most unique coastal destinations in Suffolk is Thorpeness. Its existence is due to one man with a single vision; Stuart Ogilvie created an adult playground for his family and friends in the early 1900s. This attractive coastal village is dominated by colourful seafront houses, mock Jacobean and Tudor style houses, a golf club and an attractive boating lake, Thorpeness Meare. 

Dogs are allowed on the beach and off leads all year round apart from a small exclusion zone opposite car park.

Why not try the coastal walk between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh featuring The Scallop sculpture by Maggi Hambling.

Dunwich

Once a thriving city which famously disappeared beneath the waves centuries ago, Dunwich has an atmosphere all of its own. The shingle beach is much quieter than some of the surrounding beaches. The National Trust’s Dunwich Heath and Beach site welcomes dogs off the lead throughout the area, as does its rather tempting tearoom. However, if walking with dogs through the heathland, be mindful of birds and other wildlife.

Denes Beach, Southwold

During the peak season (1st April to 30th September), dogs are banned from the main beach at Southwold. However, an area just north of the main Southwold Beach, is Denes Beach (off Ferry Road) in between the northern end of the beach huts and Gun Hill Café. Not overwhelmed with facilities, dogs are welcome on this quiet stretch of shingle beach. Out of season, dog-walkers are welcome back onto the main beach with its quirky pier and colourful beach huts.

Aldeburgh

Dogs are allowed on Aldeburgh Beach all year round, but there are restrictions in place from 1 May to 30 September. During this period, dogs must be kept on a leash and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets. Outside of these restrictions, dogs can roam freely on the beach

Lowestoft

Dogs are allowed on the North Denes Beach and off leads all year round up to Tibbenham's Score in Corton. In 2021 Banksy created his ‘Great British Spraycation’ work on the seawall featuring a rat enjoying a cocktail and a year later Ed Sheeran chose the beach as the backdrop of videos for his songs Boat and Salt Water on the Subtract album.

Pakefield

A bolthole from the busier main Lowestoft beach, dogs are allowed on the beach and off leads all year round. There’s ample parking and local amenities.

Sizewell

Dogs are allowed on the shingle and sand dune beach and off leads all year round. You can take a look at how the construction of the Sizewell C nuclear power station is getting on.