Dog-Friendly Beach Day Trips & Weekend Escapes from London — Button’s Top Picks
Button’s Beach Adventures: Our Favourite Dog-Friendly Beaches You’ll Love Too
Button is a big fan of the beach, especially the sand and digging! Although he won’t jump into the water to swim, he absolutely loves the beach vibe.
We typically travel by train, and our priority is always finding sandy beaches that are easy to get to without a car. If you’re a dog parent like me, finding perfect dog-friendly beaches is key to a great day out with your furry friend.
Here’s our carefully curated list of favourite dog-friendly beach destinations where pups are welcome between 1st May and 30th September.
Rye - camber sands
The charming coastal town of Rye and its surroundings are wonderfully dog-friendly, offering plenty of exciting places to explore with your pooch! Camber Sands and Winchelsea Beach are two top sandy spots where dogs can roam freely. Local rules kindly ask dog owners to clean up after their pets and keep them on a lead near livestock.
Distance from London: Approx. 1 hour 6 minutes
Departure Station: London St Pancras International
Arrival Station: Rye Station
Route: Requires one change at Ashford International. Take a Southeastern High-Speed train from London St Pancras to Ashford International, then transfer to a local Southeastern service to Rye.
Getting to the Beach: 10-minute taxi ride from Rye village
Bonus tip: Stay at The Gallivant Hotel, a fantastic dog-friendly spot just minutes from the beach.
While the beach areas where dhere are always plenty of spots to choose from, such as those at Camber Sands and Winchealsea beach. The local authorities only ask that you clean up after your dog and use a leash when near livestock.
Bournemouth and Sandbanks
Button’s very first beach is Bournemouth. is a fantastic destination for dog parents. They have a mapped Dog Friendly Zones system along the coastline from 1st May to 30th September. Avoid the red zones and head to the green zones for the best experience. Dogs on leads are also welcome along the Bournemouth seafront promenade.
Distance from London: Approximately 1 hour 44 minutes
Departure Station: London Waterloo
Arrival Station: Bournemouth Station
Route: Direct South Western Railway trains run frequently from London Waterloo to Bournemouth. Look for trains headed to Poole or Weymouth that stop at Bournemouth.
Getting to the Beach: 10-minute taxi ride from Bournemouth town centre
Bonus tip: Stay at The Nicci Hotel, a modern 5 star hotel just minutes from the beach.
Margate
Margate’s main beach is popular year-round with families and has great parking. Dogs are allowed on the main beach only from 1st May to 30th September. Just behind the Turner Contemporary art gallery in Margate , about a minute away, there’s a dedicated dog-friendly beach perfect for a day out with your furry pal.
Distance from London: Around 1 hour 26 minutes
Departure Station: London St Pancras International
Arrival Station: Margate Station
Route: Direct trains are available. Southeastern High-Speed services run from London St Pancras to Margate.
Getting to the Beach: 15-minute walk from Margate Station
In fact, the local authorities offer a handy colour-coded guide so that their beach regulations are easy to follow and you can enjoy beach time with your fluffy friend all year round.
chicester - West Wittering
Chichester offers lovely coastal walks and the beautiful West Wittering, a favourite sandy spot for dogs. From Chichester Station, you’ll need a short taxi ride (around 10-15 minutes) to reach the beach. This makes a great day out especially if you combine it with a visit to the Goodwoof Festival, held nearby annually, where you and your dog can enjoy treats, entertainment, and plenty of fun activities.
Distance from London: Around 1 hour 28 minutes
Departure Station: London Victoria
Arrival Station: Chichester Station
Route: Direct trains are available. Southern Railway services run from London Victoria to Chichester.
Getting to the Beach: 10-15 minute taxi ride from Chichester Station
Brighton - HOVE
Brighton is a summer hotspot for both humans and dogs! Dogs are allowed on central Brighton beach only between 1st October and 30th April, but the promenade is dog-friendly all year round as long as dogs are kept on a lead.
Distance from London: Around 58 minutes
Departure Station: London Victoria or London Bridge
Arrival Station: Brighton Station
Route: Direct Southern Railway trains run frequently from both London Victoria and London Bridge to Brighton.
Getting to the Beach: A 10-minute walk from Brighton Station takes you to the promenade and nearby dog-friendly beach areas.
Bonus tip: Walk to Rockwater in Hove (About 1.5 miles, around 30 minutes along the beautiful seafront promenade from Brighton to Hove), A modern dog friendly seafront venue is the perfect spot to unwind after a scenic beach walk. Address: Rockwater, 1 Kings Esplanade, Hove BN3 2WW
So there you have it—a full-proof list of tested tips for taking your dog to the beach, as well as the beaches that Buttons and I approve! I wonder, which are your favourite dog-friendly beaches? We'd love to hear from you.
