The best dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland

One of the best things to do on holiday with the dog is go to the beach. Whatever the destination, if the coast is nearby, you should absolutely try and get to it! It is both a freeing and exhilarating experience to be beside the sea.

The county of Northumberland is at the top of many lists when it comes to amazing beaches for fun days out. Whether you are looking for a quiet spot to do some sunbathing, or a full-on day of water sports, you will be able to find a beach that is perfect for you. Northumberland's beaches have it all for dogs -  lots of space to stretch their legs, plenty of unusual places to explore and sniff, and most importantly – a happy human to play with!

Northumberland makes a brilliant destination for a dog-friendly holiday as the vast majority of beaches welcome dogs all year round. But to help you narrow it down, here are the best dog-friendly beaches in Northumberland which can offer brilliant days out with the pooch.

Alnmouth Beach

At the mouth of the River Aln lies the lovely Alnmouth Beach. Located by the idyllic seaside town of Alnmouth, this is a lovely spot to come to for a relaxing dog walk or a mosey along the sand. They will be able to dig in the sand, splash in the sea and enjoy a lazy picnic with you all at once. If the beach is busy, it is best to keep them on a lead and quite often there will be horses trotting about which some of our fluffy friends will be wary of. For a super relaxing visit to Alnmouth beach, choose a book from nearby Alnwick's Barter Books, one of the quirkiest bookshops in the country and dog friendly too!

Keep note of the signs about swimming in the sea; there is a strong current that can take anyone by surprise, and this includes dogs too! This dog friendly beach is part of the Northumberland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so we know the scenery and wildlife on offer will not disappoint. If you want to find out more, check out our guide to Alnmouth. 

Helpful hint: The beach to the south of the estuary can be a bit quieter and is often empty – great if your dog doesn't like crowds.

Dog rules: There are no dog restrictions.

Beadnell Bay 

This bay is a wide, sandy beach which is in the shape of a horseshoe, just south of the village of Beadnell. The town itself is a popular with holidaymakers, with its characterful streets lined with cafés and independent shops, and its pretty harbour is a nice place to sit and watch the boats at work. This is where the beach starts and welcomes you onto its sandy shores lined with grassy dunes. The dogs will love digging, running, jumping, and splashing. Beadnell Bay is also recognised as being particularly good for surfing, due to it's exposure and reef break, so is perfect for adventurous humans too!

There are lots of opportunities for dog walks here and, being part of the North Northumberland Heritage Coast, there is lots of wildlife and nature to be spotted. At any time of year, this bay is the perfect spot for ball games and sandy fun, for both humans and dogs!

Helpful hint: From the south of the beach, you can walk along the sand dunes behind the beach, all the way to the village of Low Newton.

Dog rules: Dogs need to be kept on a lead during certain seasons when the birds are breeding; keep an eye out for informative visitor signs.

Craster

Another of Northumberland's best dog-friendly beaches is Craster, best known for its smoked kippers. Here you will find a small sandy beach within the harbour of this quaint and quiet vilage. It’s nice to walk along the shoreline spotting seals and sea birds, and if you look far enough out you may even spot a dolphin or two. Afterwards, pop into the Jolly Fisherman Inn for a bite to eat – it's one of Northumberland best dog friendly pubs and offers up some top notch grub.

Arrange a picnic and a ball game, a wander or a digging contest, or simply pop out for a breath of fresh air if you are staying locally in a Craster cottage. If you want to know more about this town, enjoy our local’s guide to Craster. 

Helpful hint: There is a handy parking spot behind the Tourist Office which has public toilets too. It is safer to park here than park in the town and risk a ticket!

Dog rules: There are no dog restrictions.

Druridge Bay

Druridge Bay is one of Northumberland’s hidden gems and the perfect spot for a long refreshing dog walk. Get the walking boots on, or bare feet out, and head here for a wander in the sand and a good dose of fresh sea air. The middle section of the beach can be easily reached from the village of Widdrington. You will find a pub here, The Widdrington Inn, which you could refuel at on your return; there is a nice outdoor dining area where the dogs are welcome!

Fascinatingly, there are the remains of pill boxes and anti-tank blocks which have been standing there since they were constructed during the Second World War. Whilst the dogs won’t really understand their importance, it will be nice to soak up a bit of history during your visit. Read all about the Bay in our helpful guide. 

Helpful hint: A few miles up the coast, you will find Amble where there is a wider choice of restaurants and an ice-cream parlour too!

Dog rules: This beach is dog-friendly all year round.

Seahouses Beach

This beach is one of the most popular beaches in Northumberland, where many come year-on-year to experience its large stretch of sand, open blue skies and the refreshing coastal air. It lies between the historic villages of Bamburgh Castle and Beadnell, giving you the choice to beach-hop if that’s something that takes your fancy. Seahouses is a lovely fishing village which you will love exploring, with everything from tasty restaurants to gift shops at your fingertips, as well as a number of dog-friendly pubs and places to eat. 

The beach is really popular with fishermen and bird watchers and, whilst the dogs are welcome and it’s not essential that they stay on a lead, it’s sensible in certain months where the bird populations are higher. There are lots of grassy dunes for the dogs to run between and sand to dig in, as well as wide open spaces where they can splash about in the salty water. Why not take a journey across to the Farne Islands from here? Some of the boat trip operators allow dogs on the boat, and will even dog-sit whilst you explore the islands and their wildlife populations.

Helpful hint: Seals have been spotted from the coast so keep your eyes peeled as they are fun to see bobbing about in the water when on your travels.

Dog rules: There are no dog restrictions. 

Embleton Bay 

This is a lovely wide beach which curves around the coast giving it a very exotic feel, and the grassy sand dunes frame it beautifully. Again, this is another lovely beach in which you can come with your loved ones and enjoy a brisk walk or a lazy day.

There is so much nature and wildlife for you to see here, with all sorts of plants and species for the nature enthusiasts out there. All sorts of seabirds are known to shelter and breed in the nearby cliffs and these are visible from the beach itself. When there are more birds around, it is a good idea to keep the dogs on a lead. Read more about this great place in our guide to Embleton. 

Helpful hint: You can reach the beach easily down a small lane from the village of Embleton.

Dog rules: There are no dog restrictions.

Bamburgh Castle Bay

Who doesn’t want to spend time on a beach with a wonderful view of a historic castle? Bamburgh Castle Beach stands out as a great place for dogs due to the sheer size and width of it. If you walk north along the beach, you will come to a rocky part of the beach where you will see a white stag painted on the rocks. The dog will love sniffing and exploring the many rock pools in this area and humans will love discovering the small lighthouse.

The beach here gets amazing waves which are always fun for everyone to splash about in, you will always see kids and adults alike taking a dip, even though the sea is usually cold! For more inspiration, check out our guide to six things to do and see in Bamburgh. 

Helpful hint: Behind the beach there are dunes and sandy hills which have been declared as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Here you can spot all sorts of fauna, flora, and insects. It's also worth a visit just a little further up to coast, to the peaceful sands at Budle Bay.

Dog rules: Visitors are asked to clean up after their dogs and use the bins provided.

We hope you have enjoyed finding out about these dog-friendly Northumberland beaches. For more inspiration on how to spend time with the dog in Northumberland, make sure you check out our guide to dog-friendly holidays where we cover everything from dog-friendly attractions to places where you can all go to eat. Get all the helpful hints and tips today. 

Inspired to visit some of Northumberland's dog friendly beaches?

We have a whole range of dog-friendly cottages that can act as the perfect base for your next holiday in Northumberland. For some great ideas, check out our guide to the best dog-friendly cottages in Northumberland and for even more dog-friendly activties to enjoy during your Northumberland stay, explore our ultimate dog-friendly guide to Northumberland.

Whether you need a family-sized cottage or are keeping your eyes out for a luxury retreat, we have a great collection with lots of choice. Plan your next dog-friendly adventure on the coast with us!