Holkham Beach, Norfolk
Dog-friendly all year round but with a permit rule in place between 1 April and 31 August to protect ground-nesting birds, Holkham Beach is a great family holiday destination. The walk to the golden sands is fascinating, along boardwalks and through the pine forest, and there is a café serving homemade sandwiches and cakes. There are also lots of great local walks.
To stay Featuring its own walled garden, pet-friendly Sueda Cottage is a minute’s walk from the harbor and pub. From £89 one night (4 people plus two dogs)
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Stretching from Budle Water at the northern point to the town of Seahouses in the south, Bamburgh Beach is a huge stretch of soft sand backed by an imposing castle. Even in the height of summer, you can explore grassy dunes and a large area for dogs to run; However, dog owners should be wary of the presence of vipers in hot weather.
To stay Brunton House & Cottages has a large house and several cottages for rent; one or two dogs allowed; cottage for two from £85 one night
Saunton Sands, Devon
Backed by the Unesco-protected Braunton Burrows biosphere reserve, Saunton Sands is a spectacular three-mile stretch of sand on the north Devon coast. Perfect for families with dogs, it has a café and takeaway service selling everything from fish and chips to ice cream, a surf school and toilet facilities. The entrance to the beach is at the northern end, as you walk south you will see fewer people.
To stay Loft Treehouse on Pickwell Manor near Croyde has sea views and accepts dogs. From £220 one night (persons 2, one dog allowed for £15)
Portobello, Edinburgh
Portobello, one of Edinburgh’s liveliest seaside neighbourhoods, has a coastline where cafes and bars spill onto the street and a wide and beautiful beach where dogs can play. There are plenty of places to grab fish, chips or ice cream on the sand, and homemade dog snacks can be purchased from Harry’s Gourmet Treats on the main street.
To stay Stylish, dog-friendly Garden Apartment on St Bernard’s Crescent in nearby Stockbridge It has an indoor garden £225 one night (4 people plus a dog)
Dungeon beach, city
This tiled stretch of urban waterfront is dog-friendly all year round and has plenty of interesting features, including the bleak, black lighthouse and the former home of artist and activist Derek Jarman. You can get there by steam railway from nearby Hythe. There is a boardwalk leading down to the water from Lydd beach car park and you can get excellent fish and chips at the Britannia Inn.
To stay North Stable, a stylish and stable conversion just a short drive away Costs from £110 one night (4 people plus two dogs)
Broad Haven South, Pembrokeshire
There’s a car park in the bluffs surrounding Broad Haven South, but a much better way to get there is via the trails at Bosherston Lakes, where magnificent lilies spread across the water’s surface in June. Wander among the boardwalks and dunes to reach the beach with impressive views of Church Rock in the distance. It is on the Wales Coast Path, offering easy walks to many other beaches.
To stay Whimsy by the Sea is a dog-friendly cabin At Timber Hill Mansion. From £90 one night (minimum stay 7 nights, 4 people plus two dogs)
Man O’War beach, Dorset
Few beaches offer as much sheltered swimming as Man O’War beach in Dorset; Its near-perfect crescent shape and rocky outcrops keep out wild currents. This makes it perfect for swimming—especially for kids or dogs new to such activities—and a good bet on stormy days. Walk along the coastal path for views of the Durdle Door sea arch.
To stay The Castle Inn in West Lulworth has pet-friendly rooms from £112 for a double (£20 extra for a dog)
Tynemouth Longsands Beach, Tyne & Wear
Stick to the northern end of the gorgeous Longsands beach and you can bring your dog with you all year round. It’s a great place for swimming and surfing, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars in the town center a few minutes’ walk away, including the excellent Riley’s fish shop.
To stay Tilly’s Hut at Hillside Huts & Cabins, a glass-roofed shepherd’s hut for stargazingThere is so much space and space to explore. From £160 one night (for 2 people, pets allowed)
Lytham St Annes beach, Lancashire
Lytham St Annes is a few miles from bustling Blackpool and is certainly less busy, but still has a lovely pier with ice cream shops, fish and chip vendors and beach huts you can rent for the day.
To stay Located off the coast and close to Bowland Forest, Boot Room costs from £156 one night, minimum stay of 4 nights (4 people plus two dogs)
Ceannabeinne Beach, Sutherland
Ceannabeinne, on the popular North Coast 500 route, is a geological wonder. A sloping path leads from the car park to soft yellow sand backed by rocky cliffs, with pink and slate-gray outcroppings jutting out from its surface. They are all part of the Lewisian gneiss, a complex of rocks thought to be between 1.7 and 3 billion years old. The beach is dog-friendly year-round, and adventurous types can try the zipline that glides over the sand.
To stay Scourie Hotel is a small and stylish hotel. bolt hole 45 min drive to the beach on the North Shore 500. Double bed and breakfast from £115 (two dogs allowed per room, £20 each)
Dog Days Out, 365 things to do with your dog in the UK and Ireland, by Lottie Gross in collaboration with Sawday’s, is on sale now For £20 including free P&P from sawdays.co.uk.