Essex has a lot going for it if you’re a dog owner. As well as idyllic woodland walking trails and dog-friendly pubs, it’s got some great beaches. Unfortunately, like a lot of other local councils throughout the UK, Essex has implemented dog bans on many of its beaches during the summer, with fines of £75 and over if owners breach the rules. Luckily we’ve scoured this cracking county to find beaches that welcome you and your four-legged friends throughout the year. Whether it’s you or your trusty dog walker who’s looking for a dog-friendly beach in Essex to visit, we’ve got you covered!
And before you hit the beach, make sure you read our tips for taking your dog to the beach and check out our article, Why You Shouldn’t Walk Dogs on a Beach in Windy Weather. It’s also important to note that assistance dogs are allowed on beaches all year round.
1. Mersea Beach
Nearest town: Harwich
Postcode & map: CO5 8AT
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here all year round but the local council would prefer you to keep your dogs on a lead on the beach during the busy summer season.
About: The UK’s most easterly inhabited island is known for its seafood, its history, and its beach. Though dogs have to be kept on their leads when it’s busy during summer, they’re allowed on every part of the extensive beach, from the pebbly part of its easternmost tip to the sandy resort-like end in the west. On the eastern shore you’ll find the remains of a Tudor fort in addition to the remains of a World War II pillbox, and if you’d like to learn more about the island’s history it has its own museum with artefacts dating back to pre-Roman times, as well as heritage walks. West Mersea has a traditional seaside town feel to it, with holiday parks and picturesque beach huts. Take it easy and watch the yachts from the club sail by, do some crabbing off one of the jetties or grab an oyster or two and a glass of wine and kick back with the little fella by your feet.
2. Thorney Bay
Nearest town: Southend on Sea
Postcode & map: SS8 0AY
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here all year round. Yay!
About: While the main beach on Canvey Island restricts dogs during summer months, your four-legged friends are more than welcome all year round on Thorney Bay, a lovely stretch of sand facing the River Thames estuary. There’s a large, flat grassy area with a play park directly behind the beach as well as a cafe that sells ice cream and the like right nearby so it’s an ideal spot to bring the whole family along to. From the beach you’ll have fantastic views across the Thames over to the Kent coast and you can also spend hours watching the boats and windsurfers go by.
3. Irlams Beach
Nearest town: Harwich
Postcode & map: Map
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here all year round. Yay!
About: Irlam’s beach (also known as Earlham’s) is virtually unknown which makes it the ideal place for you and your dog to get away from it all. There’s lots of lovely sand for your furry beach bud to go nuts on and great views across the sea and up the coast towards the docks. You might also enjoy spotting some wildlife in the marshland and dunes behind the beach. Not too far away you’ll find the more popular Dovercourt Bay—parts of which are not dog-friendly between 30th April and 1st October—where you can go jet-skiing, sailing, and windsurfing.
4. Osea Island Beach
Nearest town: Maldon
Postcode & map: CM9 8UH
Type of beach: Pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here 365 days a year!
About: Osea Island is an inhabited island in the estuary of the River Blackwater. During the summer the 400-acre island is popular with both families looking for a bit of R&R and party-goers attending low-key raves on private estates. It’s surrounded by several miles of delightful, pebbly beaches where dogs are allowed to run free year round. Keep in mind that the island is only reachable at low tide by a narrow causeway.
5. The Naze Beach
Nearest town: Walton-on-the-Naze
Postcode & map: CO14 8LG
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None, dogs are allowed here all year.
About: Unlike neighbouring Walton-on-the-Naze beach, The Naze beach allows dogs year round. You’ll find this peaceful stretch of sand a little further up the coast, backed by crumbling cliffs. The area is rich in history and a part of The London Clay Formation which means that it’s known for its high fossil content. Look out for sharks’ teeth and other fossils in the rocks from the cliffs. You’ll also notice various World War II fortifications, as well as Naze Tower, a striking tower built in the 18th-century which now contains an art gallery, a museum, and a rooftop viewing platform.
6. Jaywick Beach
Nearest town: Clacton-on-Sea
Postcode & map: CO15 6JS
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs can roam without a lead 365 days a year west of Jaywick’s Martello Tower.
About: This sandy beach just down from Clacton-on-Sea is never as busy as its neighbour. And while there may not be quite as much to do here as on Clacton beach, there is a narrow walled promenade that’s popular with dog-walkers as well as a converted historic fort. Built during the 19th century to defend against attacks from across the English Channel, the Martello Tower (a small round fort) at Jaywick beach now functions as an arts, heritage, and community venue. There’s also a car park and public toilets can be found at either end of the beach.
7. Clacton Beach
Nearest town: Clacton-on-Sea
Postcode & map: CO15 6JS
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are not allowed on the beach between the Pier to West Road out-fall pipe on Martello Bay from May to September (inclusive).
About: If you’re looking for a classic seaside holiday, look no further than Clacton-on-Sea, the jewel in the crown of the Essex coast. As well as its Victorian pier with seaside amusements like an aquarium and an arcade, there are cafes and restaurants galore on this long golden sand beach. It has a seasonal lifeguard service and lots of parking options making it a popular choice during the school holidays.
To make your escape to the seaside even easier, you can take up to two dogs with you on all British trains free of charge—find out more in our article Can I Take My Dog on the Train? We hope you get a chance to explore some of these incredible beaches with that furry special someone but if your dog isn’t into the sea and sand, Rover.com is here to help you find someone who’ll take great care of your dog while you’re getting your tan on. We’ve got plenty of awesome local sitters who provide dog boarding in Colchester, Chelmsford and throughout Essex so look forward to meeting your dog’s perfect match.
___
Featured image: THE GUARDiAN