The Northumberland Coast snakes its way 40 miles down the edge of England, from Berwick Upon Tweed to the River Coquet Estuary. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it is made up of more than 30 miles of beaches, interspersed with spectacular natural scenery and glorious seaside towns. It’s the sort of place which most dogs can only dream of – fresh sea air to fill the lungs, mile-upon-mile of golden sand and coastal walks for days of adventure. If you’re looking for beaches for dogs whilst discovering Northumberland, you’ll be pleased to discover that the vast majority welcome our four-legged friends with no restrictions. 

Some beaches, such as Beadnell Bay and those within Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, have limited access or require dogs to be on leads to protect breeding birds, but on most beaches, your dog can run free and enjoy splashing around to their hearts' content. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland where you’ll find seaside fun with no restrictions, right through the summer months and beyond. 

Take a look at our top picks below and find your perfect dog-friendly retreat within our collection of holiday cottages in Northumberland.

Dog-friendly cottages in Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle Beach

An enticing expanse of golden sand, backed by grass-topped dunes and overlooked by the imposing Bamburgh Castle, this stunner of a beach is just waiting for your pup to zip across it, revelling in their limitless freedom! Great for family fun and frolics in the summer, or just as magnificent for a bracing winter stroll, the beach’s breathtaking views out over the Inner Farne Islands make it hard to beat in terms of scenery.

While the surf may be of no concern to your four-legged friend, it’s one of the top Northumberland spots for reliable waves. Take a long and leisurely stroll towards the north end of the beach, and your dog can enjoy nosing around in the rock pools below the lighthouse.

Alnmouth Beach

If you’re looking for dog-friendly Northumberland beaches which aren’t too far from a hot cup of coffee or refreshing ice cream, Alnmouth is a good choice. The red roofs of the village perched on the estuary make a pleasant backdrop for your wanderings on the long, sandy beach. A handful of pubs and cafes can be found in the village; the dog-friendly Red Lion Inn makes a great pitstop for post-walkies lunch.

You may find your dog isn’t the only animal enjoying the beach – time your visit right and you could be walking alongside galloping horses or timid seabirds tiptoeing across the sand. One thing you probably won’t see, however, is anyone swimming, as there are dangerous currents around the river mouth. There are lots of lovely coastal Northumberland places to stay like Alnmouth, read our handy guide to find more.

Seahouses Beach

Traditional seaside fun is to be had in spades at this one of our top Northumberland beaches for dogs. It is the long expanse of sand to the north of Seahouses which secures its place in our list, but there’s also the small harbour area and its rock pools which you can explore with your dog when the tide is out, as well as another fine sandy stretch to the south of the village, behind the golf course.

The pleasant village with its pubs, cafes and shops offers the promise of shelter on a rainy day, or you can strike out and walk all the way to Bamburgh if the weather is in your favour.

Rumbling Kern

This gem of a beach lies off the beaten track, boasting scenery which wouldn’t look out of place in a fantasy film. Characterful cliffs tower from the beach, sheltering the small cove which harbours plenty of rock pools and nooks and crannies for your dog to enjoy sniffing out new scents.

Hunker down for a day here, with a picnic and supplies as there won’t be an ice cream van for miles! It’s not hard to see why smugglers got away with using the beach as a drop-off point, and later, Earl Grey (of tea fame) had a family retreat, The Bathing House, here.

Druridge Bay

A sprawling 7-mile stretch of beach reaches all the way from Amble in the north towards Cresswell in the south – a playground for energetic dogs and their owners. As dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland go, this one has something for everyone. Those who prefer their beaches with amenities and places to potter at your leisure will enjoy a stroll around the Harbour Village development, while those who favour solitude can take their pick of the beach car parks and make the most of the quieter sections of beach.

Embleton Bay

Embleton Bay is a lovely choice if you’re looking for Northumberland beaches for dogs who like to run! With the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle at one end, the uninterrupted golden sand curves around, backed by tufted dunes which give way to Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Club. What this beach lacks in amusements and distractions, it makes up for in natural beauty. An abundance of wildlife can be found amongst the dunes, and inquisitive dogs are sure to love sniffing around the rock pools which are revealed at low tide. If you’re feeling energetic, you can walk all the way to the next beach on our list – Low Newton.

Newton Haven

The ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle make this a romantic and scenic beach, whatever time of the year you visit, and your dog will love it for the freedom to hurtle around and dip their paws in the sea. Sometimes, you may spot seal pups basking on the rocks, so be sure to give them a wide berth so as not to disturb them.

Combine your beach walk with a bite to eat in the welcoming Ship Inn, where they will be as happy to see your well-behaved dog as they will to see you.

Warkworth Beach

Warkworth Beach, to the north of Amble, is less than a mile from Warkworth Village and offers yet another expanse of golden, dune-backed sand. Perfect for an exhilarating winter walk or a family bucket and spade day, it’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland and great for swimming and water sports too.

If you’d like to make a day of it, have a wander around Warkworth Castle (dogs on leads welcome) and enjoy a stroll around the village, stopping in at one of the pubs or tearooms to muster the energy for your Northumberland coastal walk.

Cheswick Sands

If you’re looking for a dog-friendly beach in Northumberland for a scenic walk, Cheswick Sands could be the one for you. Bucketloads of golden sand with beautiful views all around means there is plenty of space for dogs and their owners to stretch their legs. When the weather is fine, you can see all the way up to the border with Scotland; turn the other direction and enjoy views of Holy Island.

Amble Links Beach

Amble Links beach looks out over Coquet Island, which can be approached by boat trip to view the puffin colony, but landing on the island is not permitted. The beach itself is sand and shingle and with free parking and the village of Amble nearby, it’s a good compromise between remoteness and proximity to amenities! Around the corner at Low Hauxley, a petrified forest has recently been revealed, with footprints of adults and children from 5,000 BC.

Northumberland’s best beaches on a map

Dog-friendly cottages in Northumberland

With a wealth of dog-friendly beaches to choose from in Northumberland, and dog walks which take in some of the most beautiful scenery in the county, it’s a fabulous destination for a holiday with your four-legged friend. If you’re thinking of booking a break in this corner of the UK, take a look at our range of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Northumberland where you can settle in with your hound.

Whether you’re a family planning your next adventure, a couple searching for a relaxing break away with your pet, or a group hunting for a special place to celebrate in style, pups included, you’re sure to find the perfect cottage within our collection.

Dog-friendly cottages in Northumberland