Dog Furiendly
Looking for the pawfect place to enjoy sun, sea, and sand with your dog in the South Downs? Whether you’re heading out for a coastal walk, a weekend getaway, or just soaking up the sea air, the South Downs is home to several dog friendly beaches that will have tails wagging.
From sandy stretches and scenic promenades to pebbled bays and sand dunes, here are some of the best dog friendly beaches in the South Downs to explore with your four-legged friend.
West Wittering & East Wittering
West Wittering is a popular summer hotspot in Chichester but is also great for dog walks all year round. With rows of colourful beach huts and white sandy dunes, your dogs will love running free with the sand between their paws.
There’s a large car park which you pay for on arrival, on popular dates it is best to pre-book this online, but off-peak dates you should easily get in.
During the summer months dogs are not allowed on the main section of beach in front of the beach huts (1stMay-30th September). However the rest of the beach is so large that you can still enjoy the sand dunes and sea with your four-legged friends.
East Wittering beach is the twin beach to West Wittering, just a couple of minutes away in a car. This is a sand and shingle beach with no restrictions to dogs all year round. You could walk between East and West Wittering to explore both beaches with your dog.
Brighton & Hove Beaches
Brighton and Hove beaches are typically pebble beaches. If your dog isn’t a fan of pebbles beneath their paws you can still enjoy the coastal views whilst strolling along the promenade in front of the beach huts.
Finish your beach walk with a stroll through Brighton’s Lanes, where you’ll find a mix of independent cafés, shops, and restaurants. Many of them welcome dogs, making it a great spot to grab a coffee or bite to eat with your four-legged friend by your side.
Check out some of the best dog-friendly restaurants while you’re there here.
Some of the beaches in Brighton allow dogs all year round, but others are limited to only allowing dogs from the 1st of October – 30th April. It’s best to check the rules before visiting in the summer months.
Hayling Island
Located between Portsmouth and Chichester harbour Hayling Island is a popular windsurfing beach as the sport was invented here. When the tide is out there is a huge amount of space for dogs to run free uninterrupted.
Hayling Island is a Blue Flag awarded beach meaning that it is recognised for its cleanliness and environmental management. This means there are plenty of dog poo bins along the main beach so you can keep the area clean and tidy after your visit.
Between 1st May-30th September dogs are not allowed on certain area’s shown in red, and the other sections they must remain on lead. Find out more on the Hayling.co.uk website.
Ready to explore the South Downs with your pup?
The South Downs isn’t just for hikers and history lovers – it’s a paradise for dogs too. Whether you’re splashing in the shallows at East Wittering, chasing balls on Hayling Island, or enjoying a breezy promenade in Brighton, there’s a perfect beach adventure waiting.
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