If there's one thing to love about Norfolk, it's the untouched golden sands which stretch for miles, perfect for walking your four-legged friends. There are broad expanses of sand where you’ll likely be the only souls around, and popular family beaches with plenty of amenities where you can all enjoy beach days together.
The question is, which are the best Norfolk beaches for dogs? There are plenty of absolutely beautiful pet-friendly beaches where you can walk for miles, and you'll just want to keep exploring. We’ve picked out some of our favourite dog-friendly Norfolk beaches, most of which are completely free of restrictions so you and your dog can play fetch and enjoy a paddle to your hearts’ content.
If you’re planning a stay in Norfolk, take a look at our dog-friendly holiday cottages where your four-legged friend will be as welcome as you are.
Dog-friendly cottages in Norfolk
Old Hunstanton (nr. Hunstanton)
If you’re looking for dog-friendly beaches near Hunstanton, Old Hunstanton fits the bill and is probably one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk! Old Hunstanton is less popular for crowds of tourists than its busier neighbour, Hunstanton, so you’ll find plenty of space for your pooch to run around. The stretch of golden sand is very inviting; once you start walking, you’ll just want to keep going and, with less people using the beach, it’s ideal if you’re looking for some time to yourself.
If you don’t have time for a long stroll but need to tire your pooch out, there will be so much space around you; simply standing still and throwing a ball in different directions should do the trick!
Facilities: Public WCs at Old Hunstanton car park and Hunstanton Cliff Top car park; beach café; pub nearby; Hunstanton town 1 mile.
Dog restrictions: No restrictions, dogs allowed all year round.
Stay nearby: The Burrow, Old Hunstanton | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Old Hunstanton cottages
Holme-next-the-Sea (nr. Hunstanton)
Just around the corner to the south of Old Hunstanton is another beautiful dog-friendly beach, this time one that even fewer people visit. Due to its slightly more secluded position and lack of facilities, fewer people opt for a beach day here, which is great for dog walkers! In one direction, you’ll see as far as the lighthouse and in the other, just sea and sand.
Backed by the Holme Dunes Nature Reserve, it’s a very picturesque spot. If you’re looking for long walks, somewhere peaceful to relax or you’re in favour of a day on the beach with the family and aren’t bothered by the lack of facilities, this is the beach for you.
Facilities: Seasonal kiosk in car park selling drinks and snacks.
Dog restrictions: Dogs allowed all year round, but must be kept under control near the Holme Nature Reserve.
Stay nearby: Elma Cottage, Holme-next-the-Sea | sleeps 7 + 3 dogs
Hunstanton cottages
Holkham
This is another beach which could see you walking for miles. As part of the Holkham estate, a visit to the dog-friendly Holkham Beach could be included in a fun-filled family day out which your four-legged family member can enjoy too.
If it’s a decent walk you’re after, you can head east all the way to Wells-next-the-Sea or west to Burnham Overy Staithe, or spend some time wandering the well-worn paths in and out of the sand dunes and pine forests of the estate. This is a truly stunning beach which we guarantee will not disappoint you or your pooch!
Facilities: The Lookout visitor centre at the entrance to the beach has free drinking water, WCs and packaging-free snacks.
Dog restrictions: Dogs allowed all year round on Holkham Beach, but not allowed on the eastern end of adjoining Wells Beach, in front of the beach huts.
Stay nearby: Lapwing Cottage, Holkham | sleeps 4 + 3 dogs
Holkham cottages
Happisburgh
Happisburgh is well known for being home to the oldest working lighthouse in Britain, the red candy-striped tower which is open to the public. The beach itself is another example of Norfolk’s coastal gems, and one of the loveliest dog-friendly beaches in North Norfolk.
Like many of the region’s beaches, you can walk for absolutely miles with your pooch – if you’re looking for a long jaunt you could walk for 6 miles along the sand to Sea Palling. On a sunny day, take a picnic with you and make the most of the glorious stretch of sand.
Facilities: WCs.
Dog restrictions: No restrictions, dogs allowed all year round.
Stay nearby:Phoenix Cottage, Happisburgh | sleeps 6 + 1 dog
Happisburgh cottages
Winterton-on-Sea
Slightly busier than some of Norfolk’s dog-friendly beaches but still offering loads of space, it’s another top choice for dog walking. With miles of sand to explore in either direction, Winterton-on-Sea is an ideal location to let your pet feel the sand between his paws.
Your dog will love running in and out of Winterton dunes too, a sea of sandy mounds which stretch for miles. The beach does get busy during the summer months, but due to the vast amount of space, it never feels crowded!
Winterton-on-Sea cottages
Waxham
With no facilities or designated car parks, Waxham Beach is well and truly a hidden gem, shaded by trees and rolling sand dunes. The soft sand makes for the ideal location for your pet to stretch his legs!
Like most of Norfolk’s beaches, the sand extends for miles in front of you and, as a very popular dog-walking beach, it’s the ideal spot for you and your pooch to make some new friends. It's situated halfway between Happisburgh and Winterton-on-Sea.
Facilities: No facilities. Village of Sea Palling nearby.
Dog restrictions: No restrictions, dogs allowed all year round.
Stay nearby: Cobble Barn, Winterton-on-Sea | sleeps 6 + 3 dogs
Horsey cottages
Snettisham Beach
A real Norfolk gem, this long sandy beach is not only completely dog friendly with miles of space for your pooch to stretch their legs, but it is always a good choice for couples. Set deep in Norfolk’s sunset coastline, here you can soak up the most breathtaking sunsets while lying back against the sand dunes or paddling your feet in the water.
The beach is actually around 2.5 miles from the village of Snettisham which doesn’t make it the most accessible beach, but for some, this is where the appeal lies.
Facilities: Car park. No WCs.
Dog restrictions: April – end of August is nesting season for vulnerable beach-nesting birds (ringed plover and oystercatcher) on Snettisham and Heacham South beach, and the eggs and young are extremely vulnerable. So, from April to the end of August each year, dogs must be kept on a lead and visitors are asked to walk at the bottom of the beach away from fenced-off areas. If in doubt, just ask the RSPB staff or volunteers who monitor the birds during nesting season.
Stay nearby: Gaggys Hut, Snettisham | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Snettisham cottages
Great Yarmouth North and South
Great Yarmouth is one of the most popular seaside resorts in Norfolk so it’s understandably a hub of activity. With this in mind, it’s not difficult to see why dogs are banned on the main beach but don’t worry, there are some dog-friendly beaches in Great Yarmouth! Both Great Yarmouth North and South beaches are dog friendly throughout the year.
The great thing about Yarmouth is that it has retained much of its seaside charm and if you hate to leave your pooch at home, you can be sure that you can still all enjoy Great Yarmouth together – you just need to avoid the main beach!
Facilities: Car park, WCs, beach hut hire.
Dog restrictions: Some seasonal restrictions in certain parts.
Stay nearby: Polly's Cottage, Gorleston-on-sea | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
Great Yarmouth cottages
ThornhamAll dog-friendly beaches with no restrictions in Norfolk
There’s no arguing that Norfolk is absolutely packed with beaches that could be mistaken for those of exotic countries. Take a look at the list below for more dog-friendly Norfolk beaches, including dog-friendly Thornham Beach, Weybourne and Brancaster. Please note that while every effort has been taken to make this list at the time of writing, you should check dog restrictions before you visit.
- Brancaster
- Burnham Overy Staithe
- Caister
- Cart Gap
- Cley Beach
- East Runton
- Great Yarmouth South
- Happisburgh
- Heacham North (Heacham South has some summer restrictions to protect the birdlife)
- Holkham
- Holme-next-the-Sea
- Horsey
- Old Hunstanton
- Scratby
- Snettisham
- South Denes, Great Yarmouth
- Thornham
- Trimingham
- Waxham
- Weybourne
- Winterton-on-Sea
Norfolk dog-friendly beaches on a map
Planning a dog-friendly holiday in Norfolk?
With so many dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk to explore, it’s likely that you’ll want to spend a bit of time here! We have a whole range of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Norfolk where you and your pooch will find a warm welcome and all sorts of features which will make a holiday with your pet a fun and memorable experience.
Dog-friendly cottages in Norfolk
