You may know Cumbria as a brilliant place for a dog-friendly holiday, with endless fell walks through the Lake District National Park, dog-friendly days out, trips across placid lakes and cosy places to eat and drink. But there are also many fantastic dog-friendly beaches in Cumbria that are begging to be explored too!
We’ve rounded up eight dog-friendly beaches in the Lake District and Cumbria that have no dog restrictions, meaning your four-legged best friend is free to scamper, swim and scoot to his heart’s content, all year round. Visit Victorian resorts, wander through wildlife-rich areas and set off on long-distance trails with your faithful friend by your side.
Read on to find our favourite dog-friendly beaches in Cumbria, or click below to view our collection of Cumbria dog-friendly cottages.
Cumbria dog-friendly cottages
Askam-in-Furness Beach
On the northern coast of the Furness peninsula, Askam is one of the best dog-friendly beaches in South Cumbria. It has a long stretch of sandy beach backed by dunes, with a distinctive pier stretching out into the Duddon Estuary. The area used to be a popular place for mining iron ore and the pier is made from the slag produced at the old iron works close by. You can also see reminders of the area’s industrial past in the former slag heaps across the coastline which have now been taken over by nature and are rich with flora and fauna, leading Askam-in-Furness to be designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Facilities: Toilets, parking and picnic area by the beach; more facilities in the village. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: The Old Parsonage | Sleeps 10 + 2 dogs
Seascale Beach
Seascale Beach is one of the most popular dog-friendly beaches in West Cumbria (maybe even one of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK!) and it’s easy to see why. The seaside resort grew in popularity in the Victorian era with the introduction of the railway and still remains a charming place for a dog walk. Choose from the traditional promenade or let your pup run free on the beach which appears to stretch for miles at low tide – or stretch your hound’s legs further by joining the Cumbria Coastal Way which runs adjacent to the beach. On a clear day, you can gaze across the Irish Sea towards the Isle of Man and Scotland’s Galloway mountains; it’s a very picturesque spot. What's more, there are lots of dog-friendly cottages in Seascale waiting to welcome you and your pup.
Facilities: Free parking, toilets, children’s play area, picnic area. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: Beech Cottage - Seascale | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Silecroft Beach
On the edge of the Lake District National Park, Silecroft has a large shingle beach which gently shelves into the sea, with a stretch of sand exposed at low tide. There’s plenty of space for your dog to let off some steam, although you may have to keep an eye out for the anglers and horse riders who also love to visit this beach. The coastline here is easily recognisable as it’s overlooked by the 600-metre-high Black Combe Fell which creates a distinctive backdrop to the beach. It’s also a haven for wildlife, with birds such as oystercatchers, gannets and swallows spotted here.
Facilities: Car park, toilets, seasonal refreshments. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: Croft View Getaway | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
St Bees Beach
St Bees is probably one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Cumbria due to the fact it’s so well-known – your pup will find loads of furry friends to play with! Also a popular Victorian resort, it has a large promenade and huge sandy beach, with the huge red sandstone cliffs of St Bees Head providing a dramatic backdrop at the northern end. This section of coastline is the only Heritage Coast between Wales and Scotland, and is also home to an RSPB seabird reserve, so it’s well worth a visit. St Bees also marks the start (or finish) of the popular Coast to Coast walk, so if your dog has a seemingly endless reserve of energy, this could be a good option for you!
Facilities: Car park, toilets, play areas, café. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: Kyrenia Cottage | Sleeps 7 + 1 dog
Allonby Beach
On the north-west coast of Cumbria, Allonby is another brilliant dog-friendly beach with a 5-mile-long sandy stretch perfect for your four-legged best friend to run, chase and dig. Allonby used to be a sea-bathing resort, where it was thought to be healthy to bathe in and even drink the seawater – although your dog might not agree with the latter part! As you walk along the sand, you can enjoy the views across the Solway Estuary, towards the fells of Southern Scotland and even as far as the Isle of Man.
Facilities: Parking, toilets. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: North Lodge Cottage 8 | Sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
Maryport Beach
Maryport is a lovely seaside town with a huge beach that stretches out from the harbour mouth. It’s a brilliant option if your dog likes a little more peace and quiet on his walks. The pretty beach is peppered with red sandstone rocks and you can see across to Scotland, around 20 miles away, on a clear day. Maryport, situated where the River Ellon and the Solway Firth meet, should also be top of the list for anyone who is interested in maritime history as both the harbour and marina have plenty of stories to tell.
Facilities: Parking, toilets; pubs and places to eat in Maryport. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: Swallows Nest - Dearham | Sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Ravenglass Beach
One of the best dog-friendly beaches in the Lake District, Ravenglass is a great place for a paw-friendly day out with your pup. You can explore the beach together which is made up of sand, mud, shingle and grass so there are plenty of scents for your hound to sniff out. There are also lots more walks from the beach further into the Lake District. You can also visit Muncaster Castle and the town’s former Roman Fort, both close to the beach, and even ride on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway together!
Facilities: Parking, toilets; plenty of places to eat and drink in Ravenglass. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: Cragg Cottage - Eskdale | Sleeps 6 + 2 dogs
Silloth Beach
Another great dog-friendly beach in Cumbria, Silloth Beach has a huge expanse of sand backed by dunes and offers incredible views of the Solway Firth. As well as being a great place for a dog walk, you can enjoy the wild scenery and the peaceful atmosphere here. It’s also a good beach to visit for nature lovers as it’s home to a wide range of flora and fauna, from migrant birds to larger creatures such as porpoises which you can sometimes see from the promenade.
Facilities: Parking, toilets; more facilities in Silloth. No lifeguard.
Dog restrictions: None.
Stay nearby: The Retreat - Mawbray | Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Map of dog-friendly beaches in Cumbria
- Aldingham
- Arnside
- Askam-in-Furness
- Bardsea
- Braystones
- Grange-over-Sands
- Haverigg
- Maryport
- Millom
- Nethertown
- Newbiggin
- Parton
- Ravenglass
- Roan Head
- Seascale
- Siddick
- Silecroft
- Silloth
- Skinburness
- St Bees
- White Rock
- Whitehaven
- Workington
Stay with us in Cumbria and the Lake District
Cumbria and the Lake District are brilliant areas to visit on a dog-friendly holiday, with plenty of walks, beautiful beaches and wonderful places to eat and drink. We have a wide range of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Cumbria, whether you’re looking for a place close to the coast or want to be surrounded by the majestic hills of the national park. Click the button below to find your base for your next dog-friendly holiday.
Cumbria dog-friendly cottages
