11 dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk

1. Brancaster

Location: King’s Lynn

Dogs allowed? Yes but only to the left of the beach entrance

Car park: Paidparking is located close to the beach

Part of the National Trust, Brancaster Beach, is a wide expanse of golden untouched sand inKing’s Lynn. It’s perfect for sandcastle building in the summer and lovely romantic walks in the winter. It’s not only great for families and individuals, but it’s also a popular spot for windsurfing and kite surfing. Dog walkers will love this beach as they can feel the sand between their feet while their dogs splash in the sea. At low tide, the shipwreck of the SS Vina can be seen breaking through the sand.

2. Caister Point Beach

Location: Caister-on-Sea

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car park: The car park located on the beach road, adjacent to the beach

A short walk from Great Yarmouth, Caister Point Beach is great for families and dog owners alike. This quiet, tranquil beach in Caister-on-Sea is a mix of golden sands and pebbles backed by sand dunes. There’s a visitors centre nearby as well as shops in the local town, and restaurants and cafes to eat at. You also won’t miss the view of Scroby Sands Wind Farm in the distance.

Heacham South Beach

Location: Heacham

Dogs allowed? Yes all year round

Car park: Two car parks are available

Heacham South Beach, also known as ‘Stubborn Sands’, is found along the long stretch of sandy coastline in Heacham near Kings Lynn. It’s the only beach in Norfolk that faces west, meaning it's the perfect place to witness some spectacular sunsets. There is a cafe on the beach where you can purchase food and drinks, as well as small kiosks where you can buy beach toys for children and dogs.

4. Old Hunstanton Beach

Location: Hunstanton

Dogs allowed? Yes all year round

Car park: Parking can be found at Hunstanton Cliff Car Park

Old Hunstanton Beach is made of golden sands and is backed by sand dunes and the renowned striped cliffs. It’s an extremely popular spot but you can definitely find a quiet spot to relax. Explore the surrounding cliffs, shipwreck or beach boulders by using the path that leads from the car park at the top of the cliff. The beach cafes in Hunstanton are all dog-friendly and often offer treats and water for dogs while you enjoy a bite to eat or a drink.

5. Cart Gap Beach

Location: Cart Gap

Dogs allowed? Yes all year round

Car park: The car is located on Brush drive

Cart Gap Beach is a hidden and unspoilt gem for dog owners. It’s a long sandy beach along the coast of Norfolk and is divided up by wooden groynes to help combat erosion. You and your canine friends will love walking for miles along this beach in either direction before stopping at the Smallsticks Cafe on the way back to the car. The cafe allows dogs in the garden should you want to grab breakfast, coffee or lunch.

6. Gorleston Beach

Location: Gorleston-on-Sea

Dogs allowed? Yes, but only on the beach south of the tennis courts

Car Park: Parking is available near the beach

Most visitors come to Gorleston Beach for its two-mile stretch of clean, golden sand, which is perfect for building castles. The beach offers great walks for you and your canine friends along the cliffs, however in bad weather, the path up to the grassy cliffs may be closed. There is also plenty to do around Gorleston-On-Sea including shops, restaurants, tennis courts, pitch & putt, and amusement arcades.

7. Happisburgh Beach

Location: Happisburgh

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car park: The car park can be found at the end of Beach Road

Happisburgh Beach, pronounced haze-bruh, is a relatively peaceful stretch of sand that is home to the red and white candy-striped lighthouse. The lighthouse is still working and offers great views from the top. There are plenty of coastal paths to walk along the cliffs for you and your canine. The beach is only accessible via a sloped path and is rather secluded, making this beach quite peaceful. The local village of Happisburgh is also worth a visit as there are lots of shops, cafes and restaurants to explore.

8. Holkham Beach

Location: Wells-next-the-Sea

Dogs allowed? Yes, but only on Holkham Beach.

Car park: Parking is available near the beach

Holkham Beach is a beautiful stretch of unspoilt sand and is widely recognised as one of the finest beaches in Norfolk. At low tide the beach can seem to go on for miles. If you’re looking for some solitude you’re bound to find some here even in summer. Be careful though, dogs are not allowed on the eastern end of Wells Beach, in front of the beach huts. The beach is located in Wells-next-the-Sea and is part of the National Nature Reserve which covers 11 miles of the Norfolk Coast and form a number of habitats for rare animals, ground nesting birds, and plants.

9. Weybourne Beach

Location: Weybourne

Dogs allowed? Yes all year round

Car park: The car park is situated behind the beach

Weybourne Beach is a pebbled beach that’s great for walking along and fishing, but not so great for swimming as it gets deep quite quickly. Weybourne’s beach is really easy to get to and great for dogs as there are no dog restrictions. This means your dogs can run along the water's edge for as long as you’ll let them. It offers lush views of Blakeney Point and the east cliffs. You are also likely to hear steam trains as they pull into North Norfolk Railway station.

10. Winterton on Sea

Location: Winterton on Sea

Dogs allowed? Yes, but keep them away from the sand dunes

Car park: The car park is located at the top of the beach

Winterton on Sea has mile upon mile of golden sand. Even at its busiest, you’ll still find a quiet part on this beach away from other people. The sand dunes are arguably some of the best in Norfolk, and are home to an array of wildlife. Overlooking this beach are the eye-catching colours of the African round houses which are modelled on the huts at Hermanus Bay, South Africa. Just inland, you’ll see the wind farm at Blood Hill in Winterton-on-Sea.

11. Horsey Beach

Location: Horsey

Dogs allowed? Yes, but only during summer months

Car park: Parking is available by the windpump

Often deserted outside of summer, Horsey Beach is a wild, unspoilt beach where nature thrives. Known mainly for the seals that are present all year round, from November to January, the seals can be seen all over Horsey, where they give birth to their young. During winter, it’s also a great time to take a walk along the beach and get a closer look at these wonderful animals. In summer, however, you’ll find them bobbing about in the water just off the shore.

As well as Norfolk, you can also find other dog friendly beaches across the UK. Discover the best friendly beaches in the UK here!