Dog Friendly Beaches East Sussex – If you’re dreaming of a dog-friendly seaside getaway this summer, our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex is just what you need. Located on the south coast between East Sussex on one side and Hampshire on the other, West Sussex is one of the most accessible seaside areas in London and has many dog-friendly beaches all year round, even in summer. This means you can enjoy a day at the beach with your dog in London whenever you want in less than two hours.
At many of the beaches we visited, you might have imagined you were abroad, a beach shimmering in the blue-green sea sun against a clear blue sky! The beaches in West Sussex are usually pebbly, but when the tide is out there are miles of fine sand just waiting for the kids to play on. Let’s be honest, from a dog’s perspective, they don’t care if it’s high or low – they’re just happy to have an ocean adventure with their human!
Dog Friendly Beaches East Sussex
I grew up in West Sussex and it’s an area I know and love. However, I never would have guessed that years later I would go back and visit old haunts, not to find great beach spots like I did years ago, but to find great beaches where dogs are allowed and people can do it. Get to know them. the dog
Brighton, Worthing And Eastbourne Dog Ban On Beaches Begins
We’ve been busy visiting lots of beaches in Sussex (as anyone has to) and have considered a number of factors in compiling this list… the beach itself, dog restrictions, how easy it is to get there from London and nearby dog facilities. Although the beach has dog-friendly facilities, always bring water for your dog to stay hydrated, and even a cool coat or scarf if you think they might need it.
Here are some of our favorite dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex and the essential information you need to know to make the most of your pooch’s day at the beach.
Top tip: When planning your day at the beach, don’t forget to check the tide times on this website – if your pup isn’t used to the sea yet, it’s best to go at low tide. Rest assured, whether you go at low tide or high tide, whether the beach is pebbly or sandy, there’s a feeling you can’t beat when you’re “at sea”…with your dog, of course.
Littlehampton West Beach is one of the few places in West Sussex where you can find sand dunes (the best sand dunes I found so far were at Camper Sands which is dog friendly in East Sussex). The west coast is close to the River Arun and stretches for several kilometers as it climbs (more on that below). Littlehampton actually has two beaches – East and West Beach, one on each side of the river. The east coast is reserved for bathers in the summer, which makes sense since the west coast has a beach reserved for dogs. You can walk past the West Beach Cafe or walk the wooden walkway along the sand dunes behind the cafe (our pick) to the beach.
Dog Friendly Beaches Ranking Contains Sussex’s Cuckmere Haven Beach
It may not be as well known as some others, but it’s a great beach to visit with your dog thanks to the wide beach, the cool wooden Lansing Beach Cafe, and the large green area behind the beach where dogs can run. Perch has a pet dog named Harry, plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for people and dogs, and a varied menu for lunch or dinner (dinner available in summer).
Another popular stretch of dog-friendly beach is the cafe we specifically visited… The Bluebird Café. The cafe has a real beach feel and is colorful and friendly to both people and dogs. You’ll also find a lovely row of colorful beach huts right next to the sand – not quite as big as the beach huts at West Wittering, but great for taking photos.
Reachable by train from London, the quick beach, like all of its West Sussex counterparts, offers miles of self-contained, dog-friendly beach all year round. However, we are always looking for a dog-friendly hotel after the beach, and since it is not suitable on the beach, we recommend taking the one-stop train to Lansing Beach, see #2 above.
Climbing Beach is the beach to come to if you want to get away from it all. Although the next beach is Littlehampton’s West Beach which is within an hour’s walk (remember if you leave your car at Climping you will have to walk). We had the beach to ourselves apart from a few other swimmers and dog walkers so it’s a good beach if your dog needs some space.
Dog Friendly Bognor Regis Beach, West Sussex
Dogs even have their own ‘dog friendly parking’ when you arrive which we thought was great! This is actually because when you arrive the car park and beach area to the left is an off-leash area and the car park and beach area to the right is dog friendly. There is ample parking and a small cafe housed in a converted shipping container with plenty of seating outside on the grass.
When it comes to dog-friendly beaches in West Sussex, West Wittering Beach is the canine equivalent of Camber Sands in West Sussex, which despite being a long way from London in this guide, is more difficult for the public to access by transport. However, in the summer, dogs are not allowed between Groynes 14a and 18, the area where the cute beach huts are. East Head has many more places for dogs to enjoy the beach all year round, just a short walk from the beach huts and around the corner. However, the beach is usually very crowded on hot summer days, so it’s something to do on weekdays in summer or late summer.
Do you have a favorite dog-friendly beach in West Sussex? Let us know in the comments below if you do…
Hi, I’m Teresa… the person behind London’s favorite dog blog, The Dogvine. We bring you features on London dog events, London and lifestyle products for dogs in the city. Think of us as Timeout for dogs!
Top Dog Friendly Destinations In The Uk 2023
Privacy and cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you agree to their use. Dig through the sand, chase pebbles or splash around in the dark depths of the English Channel – you can’t beat coastal renegades. Sussex has some of the best dog friendly beaches on the south coast. Unlike the sandy beaches of Cornwall, Devon and Dorset, Sussex beaches are mostly pebbly, so you won’t have to deal with wet sandy feet. From Hastings to Bognor Regis, camping to climbing, we’ve picked out our favorite dog-friendly beaches to explore with your four-legged friends.
Sussex Beach has several long stretches of sand, but Camper Sands is one of the nicest because dogs love jumping on the golden sand dunes. A 10-minute drive east of Rye – a charming Cinque port town full of dog-friendly pubs, shops and cafes – Camper is one of the best stretches of sand on the south coast.
The sand flats, which stretch for five miles, are covered in shallow water, making them ideal for cooling off after a day in the sun. It gets very busy during the summer months and not all of the beach is open to dogs, but there is always a well-marked section. Watch in the off-season and watch the dogs run, frolic and play in Camper’s endless sand like in the “Who Let the Dogs Out” video.
Hastings is a great place to holiday with your dog. With beaches, castles, dog-friendly sailing, not to mention great dog-friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants, it’s the perfect beach holiday for salty sea dogs.
People Walking Dogs On The Beach Of Newhaven, East Sussex Stock Photo
Most beaches allow dogs all year round, but those that don’t are well signposted. After your prom walk, grab a bag of vinegary chips from the excellent Maggie’s Fish & Chips and wander the tall, tar-blackened net shacks of Fisherman’s Beach. If your furry companion gets tired, you can always visit the Hastings Miniature Railway where dogs can ride freely.
At the other end of the prom is Hastings Pier. More contemporary than most seaside piers and somewhat dog-friendly, it hosts live music and art events in the summer. What makes Hastings so special is its unwavering commitment to crazy golf. Host of the annual Crazy Golf World Championship
