List of UK beaches which are banning dogs from May

13 April 2022, 14:04

Dogs are banned from some beaches this summer. Picture: Alamy/Getty Images

By Heart

Dogs have been banned from sandy beaches across Cornwall and Devon again this year.

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Councils up and down the country have recently set out restrictions which ban dogs from visiting the beach during busy seasons.

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Some of the bans start from as early as May, and carry through to as late as September.

Local councils enforce the rule under the Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO), with the orders stating that meat-based excrement dogs leave behind can cause risk of toxicara in humans.

So if you’re thinking about taking your furry friend to Cornwall or Devon this summer, it’s important to check out our list of beaches below.

Dogs will be banned from many beaches next month. Picture: Alamy

Bournemouth beaches

These beaches do not allow dogs from May 1 and September 30:

Alum Chine
Durley Chine
West Cliff
East Cliff
West of Fisherman's Walk beach
East of Southbourne to just before Hengistbury Head

Torbay

These beaches have banned dogs between 1 May and 30 September:

Breakwater Beach
Broadsands Beach
Corbyn Head
Goodrington Sands - South Sands: between the cliffs at the southern end and the signs at Middlestone to the North
Hollicombe Beach
Meadfoot Beach- South western part between notices displayed on the foreshore
Oddicombe Beach
Paignton Sands
Preston Sands
Shoalstone Pool
Torre Abbey Sands

During these peak times, dogs must also be kept on a lead on promenades opposite the beaches listed above.

Stacey Solomon shows off montage of sweet new dog

Cornwall

These beaches have a ban on dogs between 10am and 6pm from July 1 to August 31:

Cadgwith Cove
Castle Beach
Cawsand Beach
Chapel Porth Beach
Church Cove
Harveys Towans (Godrevy Point, Hayle)
Housel Bay
Kennack Sands Beach
Kynance Cove
Maenporth Beach
Mousehole Beach to Skilly Beach
Wherry Town to Battery Rocks
Longrock level crossing to Marazion
Perranuthnoe
Poldu Beach
Polurrian Cove Beach
Porthcurno
Porthgwarra Beach
Porthgwidden Beach
Porthleven West
Porthpean Beach
Portmellon Cove
Porthreath Beach including Harbour
Praa Sands Beach
Readymoney Cove
St George's Well
St Ives Harbour Beach
Summer's Beach
Swanpool Beach
Tattam's Beach
Tunnel Beach

Some beaches in Cornwall also have restrictions from May 15 to September 30.

Those areas with Blue Flag and Seaside Awards are required to have longer restrictions and include:

Carbis Bay Beach
Crackington Haven
Crooklets Beach
Gyllyngvase Beach
Polzeath Beach
Porth Beach
Porthmeor Beach
Porthminister Beach
Porthtowan Beach
Sennen Beach
Trevone Beach
Widemouth Beach

There are also some beaches which have an all year round ban on dogs, including:

Carnsew Pool
Copperhouse Pool
Hayle Estuary

If a pet owner were to break these rules, they could face a hefty fine between £100 to £1,000.

Dogs could be banned from a beach near you. Picture: Alamy

Christchurch

These beaches have a dog ban between May 1 and September:

Avon Beach
Friars Cliff Beach
Highcliffe Beach between groynes H8 and H8

Poole

Dogs are banned from these beaches between May 1 and September 30:

Shore Road
Flaghead Chine
Canford Cliffs
Branksome Chine
West of Fisherman's Walk beach
East of Southbourne to just before Hengistbury Head

Bridport

There is a ban on dogs between May 1 and September 30 from these beaches in Bridport:

Seatown Beach
West Bay Beach

Charmouth and Lyme Regis

Charmouth Beach - ban between May and September 30
Lyme Regis front beach - ban between May 1 and September 30

Purbeck

Swanage Beach - ban between May 1 and September 3

East Devon

Exmouth beach - ban from May 1 to September 30 in the central beach.
Sidmouth Town Beach - ban from the main town beach from May 1 to September 30.
Sidmouth Jacobs Ladder beach - ban from immediate area of Jacobs ladder from May 1 to September 30.
Seaton Beach - ban from the middle section between May 1 and September 30.
Beer Beach - ban from the western half from May 1 to September 30.
Budleigh Salterton Beach - ban from the centre portion of the beach between May 1 and September 30.

If you want more information, please visit your local council's website.