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Planning a beach trip with your furry friend requires finding dog-friendly beaches that cater to your canine companion’s needs. Whitby, a stunning coastal town situated on the North Yorkshire coast of England, boasts a range of picturesque beaches where dogs are more than welcome. It does depend on the time of year; during the busy summer months until the end of September, some areas do have dog restrictions, but there are still a lot of beaches to choose from and specific areas to head to on others.
From beautiful stretches of sand to rugged cliffs and hidden coves, Whitby offers a diverse selection of dog-friendly beaches to explore in this beautiful North East area of England.
In this blog post, we will delve into the best dog-friendly beaches in Whitby and the surrounding area, allowing you and your four-legged friend to get some sea air and enjoy a memorable seaside getaway together!
Just a few miles north of Whitby, you’ll discover the charming village of Runswick Bay. This idyllic destination offers a beautiful dog-friendly beach that stretches across a sweeping bay. With its sandy expanse, dogs have plenty of space to roam and play freely. The calm waters of Runswick Bay make it a great spot for dog walkers and provide a perfect opportunity for leisurely coastal walks. The best part? This is a year-round dog-friendly beach, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy a seaside adventure with your furry companion at any time.
The nearest car park to the beach is reasonably small, so you will often only get parked at the top of the hill, particularly during the warmer months, and it is a pretty steep walk down, so it may not be suitable for everyone so make sure you bear this in mind if you visit.
The beaches are accessible via slopes.
Continuing our exploration along the North Yorkshire coast, we arrive at a firm favourite of ours, Robin Hood’s Bay, another must-visit destination for dog owners. This historic fishing village offers a stunning sandy beach, providing plenty of sand for long walks and exciting games of fetch.
At low tide, the beach reveals mesmerizing rock pools, creating an environment perfect for exploration, particularly if you have children with you. We have spent hours here clambering over the rocks and rock pooling together, searching for crabs.
There are no seasonal restrictions at Robin Hood’s Bay, so dogs are allowed to roam freely with you. With its quaint ambience and coastal charm, Robin Hood’s Bay is a captivating spot for you and your furry friend to visit.
You can also get your walking boots on and enjoy the sea breeze by taking on the 7-mile coastal walk from Whitby Harbour to Robin Hood’s Bay. This stretch of the Cleveland Way takes in some of the best views of the North York Moors National Park, with a cliff-top path that looks out over the beautiful bays and beaches below. The pathway is easy to follow, with some climbs along the way, so it is suitable for anyone with moderate fitness ability.
A mere two miles west of Whitby lies Sandsend Beach, a popular beach that caters to both locals and visitors. When we are in Whitby, this is our most-visited beach as it is not too far away from where we stay, and dogs are always allowed on certain parts. There are lots of dog-friendly cafes around Whitby, and whilst the cafe overlooking the beach at Sandsend doesn’t allow dogs inside, you can sit outside after a brisk walk and enjoy a hot chocolate overlooking the sea.
The sandy shores of Sandsend Beach offer an abundance of space for dogs to run, play, and revel in the seaside ambience. Sandsend Beach is ideal for an active day out, as its vast expanse allows dogs to stretch their legs and play in the surf to their heart’s content. The beach’s shallow waters and breathtaking views make it a prime location for your canine companion to cool off with a refreshing dip. There is plenty of parking available all along the road, although it does get busy on nicer days, and part of the beach welcomes dogs throughout the year – from May to the end of September, they are not allowed in certain areas, but this is clearly signposted at the different entrances to the beach.
There are public toilets across the road from the beach (opposite the cafe) or you can use the ones at the cafe if you are enjoying a hot drink and a piece of cake from there.
Nestled at the foot of Whitby’s iconic Abbey, close to the pier, and located within the harbour walls, Tate Hill Beach is a unique pebble beach that embraces dogs year-round. Its proximity to Whitby’s historic landmarks adds an extra layer of charm to this coastal treasure. While some areas of the beach require dogs to be on a lead during high tide, there is still ample space for them to explore and relish their beach adventure.
Tate Hill Beach provides a scenic setting for leisurely strolls with an ice cream whilst you take a break from the amusement arcades (well-behaved dogs are allowed in some amusements!) and enjoy a fossil-hunting expedition with your four-legged companion or just sit and admire the view.
North-East facing, Saltwick Bay looks out over the North Sea, unveiling its hidden beauty along the North Yorkshire coast. Sandy in parts, Saltwick Bay, offers a unique experience for coastal exploration with your dog, with its partly pebble beach and rugged cliffs creating a dramatic backdrop for long walks and exciting fossil-hunting adventures.
Steps from Whitby Holiday Park lead down to the beach, and as with many coastal areas, access to certain parts of the beach may be limited during high tide. Therefore, it is recommended to plan your visit during low tide to fully enjoy the wonders that Saltwick Bay has to offer.
Slightly further afield, Marske Sands awaits, providing a dog-friendly beach that combines sand and shingle. The vast expanse of shoreline at low tide ensures that dogs have ample space to roam, play, and enjoy their beach experience. Marske Sands exudes a tranquil atmosphere, offering a perfect escape from bustling crowds. With year-round access and plentiful parking options, Marske Sands promises a serene getaway where you and your furry friend can unwind and indulge in the natural beauty of the North Yorkshire coast.
Nestled between Sandsend and Whitby Beach, Upgang Beach is a hidden gem along the North Yorkshire coast that dog owners will truly appreciate. This tranquil and often less crowded beach offers a mix of sand and pebbles, providing a serene environment for you and your furry companion to enjoy. With its peaceful ambience and picturesque surroundings, Upgang Beach is perfect for leisurely strolls, playtime with your dog, or simply basking in the beauty of the coastline.
The beach is accessible year-round, allowing you to plan your visit at your convenience. It’s worth noting that as with other coastal areas, it’s advisable to check the tide times to make the most of your experience at Upgang Beach. Soak in the tranquillity, take in the stunning views, and create lasting memories with your canine companion at this hidden gem along the North Yorkshire coast.
No exploration of dog-friendly beaches in Whitby would be complete without mentioning the iconic Whitby Beach itself. With its sweeping two-mile expanse of sand and stunning views of the historic Whitby Abbey perched on the cliffs above, Whitby Beach offers a quintessential seaside experience for both humans and their four-legged friends.
Dogs are welcome on the beach year-round, allowing you to enjoy the coastal beauty in any season. The beach provides plenty of space for dogs to run, play, and splash in the waves. Take a stroll along the shore, admire the brightly-coloured beach huts, breathe in the fresh sea air, and watch as your furry friend discovers the joys of the sand and surf.
Whitby Beach is big and long enough to find your very own secluded spot at low tide and is a very short walk from the centre of Whitby town.
With its convenient location near the town centre, Whitby Beach is a great place to go as part of a day out in the centre of Whitby, offering easy access and plenty of amenities, including nearby parking and dog-friendly establishments.
The main part of the beach is accessible via a slope, and the sands are generally quite firm. There is also a lift (although, at the time of writing, it isn’t working) from the pavilion down to the lower promenade (but you can’t get onto the beach that way).
It is also possible to hire wheelchairs, including beach wheelchairs, from the Whitby and District Disablement Action Group (DAG), which operates from the Church House Centre, Flowergate.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this picturesque beach and create cherished memories with your beloved canine companion.
Whitby and its neighbouring areas boast some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK. It is our favourite place to visit ourselves as a family with our dog, whether in the winter or summer period – we always have a great time and get as much sea air as we possibly can whilst there.
From sandy stretches to pebbled shores, the region offers a diverse range of options for dog owners seeking seaside adventures with their furry companions. Whether you prefer leisurely coastal walks, thrilling fossil hunting expeditions, or simply relaxing by the water, Whitby has something to suit every dog and their owner.
With year-round dog-friendly beaches, seasonal restrictions to keep in mind, and a variety of landscapes to discover, Whitby ensures an unforgettable beach getaway for you and your four-legged friend. So, pack your bags, grab your dog’s lead, and embark on an extraordinary seaside adventure to the best beaches along the breathtaking North Yorkshire coast.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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