Top dog-friendly beaches in Somerset

We know dogs love days out, so we’ve listed our top dog-friendly beaches in Somerset that are sure to get tails wagging.

Somerset is better known for its cheese and cider than its beaches and is often overlooked for its neighbouring counties of Devon and Dorset, but with the M5 running through the middle and located within easy reach of Bristol, Bath and Cardiff, Somerset is a great place to escape the city and enjoy the sea air at short notice - and with our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Somerset, there's no need to leave your best friend behind.

On the edge of the Bristol Channel, Somerset’s beaches are a mix of sand and shingle, often backed by grassland and dotted with interesting shipwrecks, the perfect place for coastal walks on two legs or four.

With many beaches along the Bristol Channel coast, swimming is not recommended (for humans or their four-legged pals!) as the currents can be very strong. If you are a keen swimmer, check which beaches are likely to have a lifeguard on duty. 

Dog-friendly cottages in Somerset

Terminus Beach

Terminus Beach is a sandy beach in Minehead that can be found at the end of the West Somerset Railway. The beach was nearly completely washed away during a violent storm in 1990 but was replaced as part of a multimillion-pound project in 2001, when a sea wall was added for protection. This beach is the start of the South West Coast Path so there are plenty of options for walks as well as amusements, shops and cafes.

Dogs are not allowed on a section of the beach but are free to roam the rest all year round.

Doniford Beach

Doniford Beach is a wide stretch of sandy, shingle mix beach with various rock pools revealed at low tide, making is a great place for curious dogs to explore. There are no dog restrictions in place here and the beach is within walking distance of Watchet with its town centre and harbour.

There is a car park here but be careful not to drive right past as it is hidden by bushes! Drive towards the Haven holiday camp and look out for the unmarked turning which takes you to a small car park overlooking the beach.

Porlock Weir

Porlock Weir beach is a 4-mile-long stretch of beach. Comprised of pebbles and shingle the beach is of significant archaeological and geological significance. The beach is backed by a grassy marshland which the South West Coastal Path passes through, providing many footpaths and walks around the areas and across Exmoor.

Nearby facilities include parking and toilets as well as shops, dog-friendly pubs and restaurants all within walking distance. Dogs are allowed all year and dog bins are provided so remember to scoop the poop!

Watchet Harbour

This beach is the area exposed when the tide is out at the harbour town of Watchet. During low tide, up to half a mile of rocky sandy shore is exposed. There are no dog restrictions in place here and with plenty of nearby pubs and cafes as well as shops, parking and toilets, Watchet is a great place to bring the whole family for a day out.

Watchet experiences very high tides which come is very fast which means that the sand barely has time to dry, so wear wellies and keep an eye on the tide to make sure you don’t get caught out.

Berrow Beach

Berrow Beach makes our list of top dog-friendly beaches in Somerset for two reasons. The first is that dogs are allowed on the beach all year round and secondly, this beach is huge as Berrow Beach is the second-longest stretch of sand in Europe!

This beach also wins points for its secluded sand dune system and famous shipwreck, however, it comes with a big warning - at low tide, a large area of soft sand and mud is exposed near the water’s edge which is very dangerous. This beach is best explored a few hours either side of high tide to avoid the soft mud.

Parking is available nearby at the church or on the beach itself. Dogs can be walked on a designated stretch of the beach.

Brean Beach

Brean Beach is part of the same 6-mile stretch of sand as Berrow Beach and its great for those who like to grab a bite to eat whilst walking the dogs, as fast food and ice creams are often sold in the car park during spring and summer.

Once again, avoid walking on the beach when the tide is out as this is when dangerous stretches of mud are exposed.

Blue Anchor Bay

A sand and shingle beach with pretty alabaster rocks offers plenty of space for your canine companion to race about and play fetch or to stretch out on the sand while you all enjoy a coastal picnic. Take in views that stretch across to Wales and North Hill at Minehead during a dog walk here. Go fossil hunting by the grey cliffs which are full of ancient fish remains – the red cliffs the other end of the beach don’t contain any fossils but looks spectacular.

The West Somerset Railway stops nearby so hop aboard for a scenic way to reach this beautiful dog-friendly beach in Somerset.

Bossington Beach

Cared for by the National Trust, idyllic Bossington Beach is part of the Holnicote Estate and backed by the beauty of the Exmoor National Park. It’s a wonderful expanse of pebble beach with a marshland ecosystem behind where you can spot rare species of birds during your day out at the beach. This unique stretch of coastline also boasts relics from history including World War II pillboxes on the beach and lime kilns.

The currents here are strong so swimming is not advised for either you or your dog, but with so much to do on land, you’ll still have a fantastic trip. After your beach day, you could pop into quaint Bossington village to explore the winding streets.

Ladye Bay

A quiet cove where you and your canine companion can enjoy a peaceful stroll, Ladye Bay is a pretty seaside spot on the Somerset coast near the seaside town of Clevedon. There are lots of large rocks - it is popular among rock climbers – and it’s a true hidden gem of the region. There is a small stretch of sand and the cliffs behind are covered in foliage adding to the scenic nature of this location. This beauty spot is a great place to relax with a BBQ and enjoy the sunset.

Again, swimming is not recommended as the currents can be very strong so keep an eye on your canine companion while enjoying your time on this delightful, secluded beach.  

Middle Hope Beach

Middle Hope Beach is another beautiful National Trust beach that is perfect for long dog walks that your happy hound will go head over tail for! Just north of Western-super-Mare, this remote shingle and rock beach is once again just the place for a bit of peace and quiet. Currents are strong so swimming should be avoided however, there are plenty of beautiful sights to discover.

Follow the 3-mile walking route up to Sand Point for exquisite views, and look out for a variety of birdlife that nest in the scrub behind Middle Hope Beach.

Somerset dog-friendly beaches on a map

Stay with us in Somerset

If you fancy heading to Somerset for a holiday with your four-legged friend, take a look at our range of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Somerset.

Dog-friendly cottages in Somerset