If you’re searching for dog-friendly beaches in Sussex where you and your canine companion can soak up salty sea air, splash through rippling waves and dine in beachfront cafes, you’ll soon find a wonderful pet-friendly beach in our guide. The county is blessed with some breathtaking beaches, and what's more, many of them welcome pups.
With dog-friendly golden beaches in Sussex where you can leave pawprints in the sand, to pebble and shingle shores with magnificent chalk cliffs as their backdrop, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
We’ve selected a few of our favourite dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex and East Sussex for you to uncover, or head to our guide to discover some of the best dog-friendly beaches across the UK. Take your pick and begin planning an exciting holiday where you and your best friend can get exploring or relax with the family.
Dog-friendly cottages in Sussex
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Dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex
Dog-friendly beaches in East Sussex
The best dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex
Climping Beach
A Site of Special Scientific Interest just west of Littlehampton, Climping Beach is a shingle beach full of wildlife with a designated Local Nature Reserve called West Beach nearby. Look out for birdlife as you explore this exquisite dog-friendly beach in West Sussex. It’s a quiet, rural beach and made up of shingle and pebbles with sand exposed when the tide is out - one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Sussex for nature enthusiasts.
Dogs: Dogs allowed to roam freely and on a lead in one of the car parks
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: Beach café, car parks and accessible WCs
Stay nearby: The Cart Barn, Chichester | sleeps 2 and 1 dog
Goring Beach
Backed by a large grassy area and colourful, traditional beach huts, Goring Beach by Goring-on-Sea is a typical West Sussex beach with a pebble and shingle shore leading to a wide expanse of sand exposed by the retreating tide. Let your canine companion race across this pretty West Sussex dog-friendly beach before settling down with the whole pack for a picnic by the sea – don’t forget the dog treats!
Dogs: Dog-friendly, however, between 1 May and 30 September dogs are only allowed between the two groynes near the Sea Lane cafe
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: There’s a beach café, car park, WCs, and plenty more facilities in Goring-on-Sea behind Goring Beach, including parks and gardens
Stay nearby: Little Oakwood, Steyning | sleeps 2 and 1 dog
Middleton-on-Sea Beach
Otherwise known as Elmer Sands, Middleton-on-Sea Beach is a sandy Sussex beach for dogs to enjoy. Let playful hounds splash through the lapping waves and dig in the sand at this wonderful Sussex beach. It’s relatively quiet with impressive sea defences, and mostly used by locals for dog walking so chances are, your pup might make a few friends during their coastal dog walk.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome all year
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: While there isn’t a host of beach facilities, there are plenty in town right behind Middleton-on-Sea Beach – from chip shops to corner stores.
Stay nearby: East Chenies, Middleton-on-Sea | sleeps 8 and 1 dog
Shoreham-by-Sea Beach
An intriguing destination with the winding River Adur immediately to the west and home to a historic harbour that you may like to explore during your day out to the coast, this is a unique spot if you're looking for dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex. The shingle beach has occasional rocky areas with a wide expanse of sand when the tide is out and it is particularly popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers. The Monarch’s Way long-distance footpath runs close by, so perhaps you and Fido might like a rural dog walk after your beach adventures are completed?
Dogs: Dogs are welcome all year
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: There are cafes, restaurants, shops and accessible WCs in Shoreham-on-Sea
Stay nearby: Little Oakwood, Steyning | sleeps 2 and 1 dog
Littlehampton Beach
Families will love this glorious spot, one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Sussex if you've got little ones in tow. The wonderful seaside resort boasts a promenade, amusements, beach huts, theme park, seafront gardens and the unusual addition of the UK’s longest bench. You can enjoy beach games while dogs will have a wonderful time playing fetch with the family on this great sand and shingle beach.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome on West Beach all year round and restricted on Long Beach during the spring and summer
Lifeguard: RNLI lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer
Local information: Promenade, amusements, car parks, theme park, gardens, and cafes, pubs and restaurants
Stay nearby: The Beach Hut - Felpham, Felpham | sleeps 4 and 1 dog
The best dog-friendly beaches in East Sussex
Glyne Gap
A hidden gem of the Sussex coastline, this East Sussex beach has its own Galley Hill Viewpoint from which you can look out across the sandy shore and take in miles of coastal views. There are lots of rock pools exposed when the tide rolls away, which your dog can sniff about in and kids can enjoy investigating, and there's a delightful café on the beach which you can pop into when you’re done exploring.
Dogs: There are restrictions along the St. Leonards stretch of beach during the spring and summer months
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: Beach café and pubs, as well as big-name shops including a Tesco superstore behind the beach
Stay nearby: Fish-tales, Bexhill-on-Sea | sleeps 6 and 1 dog
Norman’s Bay
A shingle beach divided up by wooden groynes provides a wonderful setting for afternoon dog walks in the Sussex village of Little Common. Kitesurfers and windsurfers make the most of the winds that sweep this coastline and dogs will love racing between the water and their owner.
If you're looking for dog-friendly beaches in East Sussex where you can enjoy a substantial walk, this is a good choice. If you head east, you’ll reach the shingly dog-friendly Sussex beach of Cooden, before hitting the sandy shores of Bexhill Beach which is a fantastic place for dogs to explore during the cooler months, but restrictions come into place during the summer. At low tide, be aware and avoid the potential sinking sands that appear.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: Train station, pub and WCs by Norman’s Bay; two pubs in the nearby village of Little Common
Stay nearby: The Beach House, Pevensey Bay | sleeps 7 and 1 dog
Holywell Beach
Set to the eastern edge of Eastbourne, this exquisite little beach backed by sky-high chalk cliffs is a picture-perfect setting for a dog walk. This East Sussex dog-friendly beach is quaint and a delightful stop during your holiday, with Italianate gardens for you and your four-pawed pal to wander through, and a tearoom with lots of outdoor seating where you and your pet can unwind and soak up the sea air.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: Cafes, pubs, gardens, WCs, shops and a car park
Stay nearby: Glebe Cottage, Eastbourne | sleeps 6 and 5 dogs
Seaford Bay
A 4-mile stretch of shingle provides the perfect place for a long, relaxed beach walk with your dog by your side. It’s entirely pebble and shingle but a great location for a family day out splashing in the sea, playing games, and picnicking on the rocks – all activities your playful pup will happily join in with!
Sailing, kayaking and canoeing, and swimming are popular activities here and there’s a cycle trail that runs behind the beach which you may like to take advantage of too.
Dogs: Dogs welcome all year but with a seasonal ban in the central area of the beach
Lifeguard: The voluntary lifeguard service, Seaford Lifeguards, patrol the beach at weekends and Bank Holidays from May to September
Local information: There are a host of places to eat, drink and shop in nearby Denton and East Blatchington. Seaford Head is an impressive place to take in the views and where Fido can survey his territory – it is requested that you stay more than 5 metres away from the head, however, so please keep your dog on a lead near the cliffs if they don’t immediately come to heel.
Stay nearby: Starlings, Brighton | sleeps 5 and 2 dogs
Cuckmere Haven Beach
With one of the best-known and most magnificent beach views on the Sussex coast, Cuckmere Haven Beach is a wonderful choice for a seaside dog walk. It’s set within a national park; venture inland for a walk along the banks of Cuckmere River or take in the impressive Seven Sisters chalk cliffs during your beach day out.
While you enjoy the views, your pup can scamper about on the beach or sniff through the grass, uncovering sticks and animal trails in the national park behind this dog-friendly beach in East Sussex.
Dogs: Dogs are welcome all year
Lifeguard: There is no lifeguard service
Local information: Seven Sisters country park visitor centre, café, WCs and car park
Stay nearby: Pump Cottage - Beddingham, Lewes | sleeps 2 and 2 dogs
Map of dog-friendly beaches in Sussex
Discover dog-friendly places to stay in Sussex
Escape to any one of these fantastic dog-friendly beaches in Sussex for an unforgettable day out on a coastline lined with towering chalk cliffs and charming towns waiting to be explored.
Once you’ve decided on your favourite dog-friendly beach, why not browse through our range of pet-friendly cottages in Sussex for more holiday inspiration? You’ll soon find a wonderful place to stay on your next getaway to the Sussex coast with your four-pawed pal.
Dog-friendly cottages in Sussex
