Dog-Friendly Beaches In East Sussex

 

There are plenty of dog-friendly beaches in East Sussex, from long stretches like Camber Sands to Birling Gap with its spectacular chalk cliffs. Some have no dog restrictions at all, while at others you can walk for miles with the hound in tow as long as you take note of a few simple rules. Just watch out for signs in the car parks.

Shingle beaches are the most common in the area, meaning it’s worth noting that low tide, when the water recedes and leaves more sand, is often the best time for dog walking. 

So pack the lead, a bit of water and a few treats ready to check out our favourite dog-friendly beaches in East Sussex.

Cuckmere Haven

Set where the Cuckmere River meets the sea, this quiet cove just west of the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs is worth a visit for the amazing views. You’re liable to have just a few fishermen for company here, so it’s also a peaceful spot. Dogs are allowed in the clifftop Seaford Head Nature Reserve too, and you can follow the river inland for a pint at the Cuckmere Inn where your four-legged pal is welcome in the garden and the bar.

Birling Gap

You’re one step closer to the Seven Sisters on this narrow shingle strip, where the cliffs tower up to 500 feet directly overhead. There’s also tons of space for hounds to splash among the rock pools at low tide. This is another beach where dogs are allowed all year round, but it’s advisable to keep them on a lead at the top of the cliffs or when walking near grazing cattle and sheep.

Camber Sands

Something of a novelty among the mainly pebbly Sussex beaches, this massive sandy expanse stretches for an impressive five miles, so if you’re after space and solitude, you’re in the right place. Dogs are allowed here all year round, and although some areas are restricted in summer, there’s so much room that it really doesn’t matter. The dunes at the western end are a pup’s idea of heaven, making this one of the area’s best beaches for dogs.

Kids feeling left out? Take a look at the best beaches in East Sussex for families.

Pett Level Beach

Aptly named, this is another of the top sandy beaches in the area for dogs and has the added interest of rock pools and a petrified forest at Cliff End during low tide. Parking by the roadside behind the beach is free.

Bexhill-On-Sea

Bexhill beach is a long, gently sloping strip of shingle and pebbles, with ample space for your hound to run and impressive views east to Beachy Head. Just back from the Sussex coast, the neighbouring Egerton and Polegrove parks are open grassy spaces that both allow dogs too.

Royal Parade Beach, Eastbourne

Set away from the busiest parts of this lengthy promenade, where some areas are off limits at times, the Royal Parade beaches still have cafés where you can stop for a cuppa (or a bowl of water) and have the added benefit of being a lot quieter. Avoid the area between the pier and the Wish Tower and you’ll still have a healthy stretch of seaside to explore.

St. Leonard’s Beach

The western end of the sweeping stretch of shingle at St. Leonard’s has free parking, no restrictions at all, and fewer tourists. You’re likely to meet plenty of other dog walkers here – excellent news if your hound loves a bit of company. Feeling fit? You can walk all the way to Bexhill at low tide.

Pevensey Bay

Pevensey, a quiet shingle bay where dog walkers are allowed all year round, was the spot where William the Conqueror first came ashore in 1066. Just inland, you can stroll among the birds and wildflowers at Pevensey Levels Nature Reserve, which allows dogs on leads.

Beaches aren’t the only places where your four-legged friend can frolic. Here’s a list of more walks in East Sussex that you might like to try. If you need a holiday haven where your canine companion will feel at home, browse the best dog-friendly campsites in East Sussex. Or if you love strolling in the shade, then check out some of the best woodland walks in East Sussex.