Dog-friendly beaches in Sussex
Sussex has an abundance of sand, sea, and fresh air - perfect for a dog-friendly holiday by the beach. The county also benefits from more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in the UK, increasing the opportunities for walkies. Trust us, with the quality of beaches that Sussex provides, you’ll be as keen as your four-legged friend to get the lead out and head to the coast.
In Sussex, dog-friendly beaches mean wide-open spaces for your pooch to run around in, rock pools for them to explore and minimal restrictions on their freedom to roam. From wild and secluded shingle beaches to expansive golden sands, there are plenty of options when selecting a beach on the South Coast. So, before embarking on an adventure with your dog, check out our five favourite dog-friendly beaches in Sussex to give you some inspiration.
Climping Beach, Atherington
Dogs allowed: all year round
This is a lovely little beach with fabulous coastal walks where dogs can run free and play to their heart’s content. There are no restrictions on dogs here so expect to see your pooch mingling with their fellow canines and enjoying the sea. The beach is a mix of pebble and sand, so waterproof shoes are advised especially at high tide when much of the sandy beach is covered in water.
Older fans of the BBC’s Doctor Who will be excited to know that the beach was used as a filming location for episodes in the 60s and 70s. There’s a car park at the beach on an all-day or by-the-hour basis. There are toilets at the car park and a cafe/ice-cream hut available with a fine selection of food and drink at reasonable prices.
Goring-by-Sea Beach, Worthing
Dogs allowed: everywhere 1 October - 30 April. 1 May - 30 September: only between the two groynes near the Sea Lane cafe
The beach around Goring and Ferring is so long it never feels busy, making it one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Sussex. It’s a stretch of beautiful, old-school English seaside with high water quality and a delightful promenade. The beach is also popular for water sports such as kitesurfing, jet skiing, sailing and stand-up paddleboarding, so there’s always something to watch out at sea.
The beach is mostly pebbles and shingle separated by wooden groynes, beyond these is an expanse of flat sand that is exposed at low tide. Two of the groynes also mark the boundaries of the dogs-permitted zone between 1st May and 30th September, though they are free to roam the whole beach the rest of the year. This section is found in front of the Sea Lane Café which, incidentally, is well worth stopping in for a meal or hot drink, not least because they welcome your pooch with open paws. There's also easy free parking, toilets, and plenty more facilities in Goring-on-Sea behind Goring Beach, including parks and gardens.
Littlehampton West Beach, Littlehampton
Dogs allowed: all year round
Just across the River Arun from the East Beach is Littlehampton’s West Beach, geographically close it may be, but it is miles apart in terms of vibe and atmosphere. You won’t find any of the development and seaside amusements here, just a magnificent stretch of pebbles and patches of sand that is beloved by dogs of all shapes and sizes.
What’s not to love about this side of Littlehampton? There are sand dunes for walks, clean toilets behind West Beach Café, and lots of places to dine or cool down with a pint in the sun whilst the dog relaxes alongside you. Littlehampton is a classic holiday destination and fills up nicely with sunseekers and their children as a result, so beware when driving as the car park can fill up fast on clear sky days.
Lancing Beach, Lancing
Dogs allowed: all year round
Lancing is a great beach for those wishing to get away from the main attractions of Worthing or Brighton. Not a touristy beach by any means, Lancing is pebbly rather than sandy, but is one of the best dog friendly beaches in Sussex. This is because the beach is serene and peaceful, there’s plenty of space and clean waters that your pooch will be grateful to wet their paws in. Kite and other wind surfers have their own designated section, but this shouldn’t be a nuisance to you and might even give you something to watch as you let your four-legged friend off their lead for a run around.
There are two cafes by the beach serving fish & chips, burgers, churros, ice cream and other popular beachy food. The toilet is open until 19:00 and there's paid parking available.
Pevensey Bay, Pevensey
Dogs allowed: all year round
Pevensey Bay is a small seaside resort with a shingle and pebble beach that welcomes dogs all year round, making it canine heaven. There are no rules and regulations for rover to adhere to here, only respecting other canines and ensuring his mum or dad brings a bag for any mess to keep the beach clean.
You and your furry companions can enjoy miles of soft sand and a refreshing sea breeze in relative peace and quiet. The beach can get a little busy on hot days as Pevensey is only a small seaside village but running into other dog walkers is half the experience for you and your sociable four-legged friend. The beach also has the ruins of Pevensey Castle and Pevensey Levels Nature Reserve close at hand to explore but dogs must be kept on a lead at these locations. The car park is right next to the beach with toilets and cafes nearby.
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*New holiday homes from £29,995 – UPDATED 29 August 2024
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Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.
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Images are shown for representational purposes. Access to holiday home is subject to park opening times.
Park cannot be used as a permanent residence. Haven Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 01968698) and is a FCA appointed representative of Bourne Leisure Limited (t/a Haven). Bourne Leisure Ltd is registered in England (No. 04011660) and is authorised and regulated by the FCA (Financial Services Register No. 312847) as a credit broker and insurance distributor. Registered office: One Park Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 4YL. We may receive commission from the finance provider if you enter into an agreement with them.