You love beaches. Dogs love beaches. You love being with your dogs on beaches. And whether you’re adrenaline junkies or you just like to kick back on the sand and soak in the scenery, you’re guaranteed to find a beach in North Wales that will make your day. Unfortunately, however, some local councils have implemented dog bans on many beaches throughout the UK during the summer with fines of £75 and over if owners breach the rules. Bans typically run from the start of May to the end of September. Read on to find out about the dog-friendly beaches in North Wales where your bezzie mate can play in peace all summer long.
And if you’re just visiting Wales, take a look at our article on dog-friendly cottages in Wales.
1. Tywyn Beach
Nearest town: Cardigan, Gwynedd
Postcode & map: LL36 0DF
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome on the southern section of the beach all year round. A small section along the promenade has restrictions between April and September.
This five-mile-stretch of sand never really gets packed, even during the height of summer, so you and your hairy little angel will practically have the place to yourselves come winter. Though you can’t take your dogs on a small section of the beach between April and September, there’s still plenty of room for them to go nuts, especially south of the promenade. Surfers are drawn here thanks to the westerly Atlantic swells, and wildlife lovers come to spot porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. As the Wales Coastal Path passes through the town there are some lovely walks with cracking views of Cardigan Bay, Snowdonia, and the Cambrian Mountains.
2. Talacre Beach
Nearest town: Prestatyn, Clwyd
Postcode & map: CH8 9RP
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None, dogs are allowed here 365 days a year.
Visitors of the four-legged as well as the two-legged variety flock to Talacre Beach in the summer. Luckily it’s a vast sandy expanse with plenty of room for everyone. The beach’s most prominent feature is the 18-metre Point of Ayr lighthouse which dates back to 1776 and was decommissioned in 1884. Take note, the tide comes in around the lighthouse so if you wander out there make sure you don’t get stuck—the ghost of the old lighthouse keeper is said to roam the site.
3. Towyn Beach
Nearest town: Abergele, Clwyd
Postcode & map: LL22 9HS
Type of beach: Pebble
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here all year.
About: On a clear day Towyn Beach offers amazing views across Colwyn Bay towards the Isle of Man. The village of Towyn near Abergele is popular with families so you’ll find typical seaside entertainment like old fashioned funfairs and amusement arcades close to the sea. Though the beach is primarily a pebble one, when the tide recedes you can enjoy a vast area of sand that’s perfect for running on, digging in, and building sand castles with! You’ll find plenty of toilets, shops, cafes, and pubs on the promenade nearby, and several car parks in Towyn.
4. Aberffraw Bay
Nearest town: Llangefni, Anglesey
Postcode & map: LL63 5EX
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None, dogs are allowed here 365 days a year.
Also known as Traeth Mawr—which means “the Great Beach” in Welsh—this unspoilt arc of sand is backed by low dunes which have been designated a Special Area of Conservation. The famously dog-friendly beach has received both the Marine Conservation Society Recommendation and the Green Coast Award. It feels tranquil and remote throughout the year, in part due to its distance from the nearest amenities which can be found beyond the dunes in the village of Aberffraw half a mile away. The beach is reached by walking along the River Ffraw until it meets the sea at the northern end of the bay.
5. Rhosneigr Beach
Nearest town: Holyhead, Anglesey
Postcode & map: LL64 5JR
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here all year.
About: Also known as Traeth Llydan, which means “Broad Beach” in Welsh, this is one of the village of Rhosneigr’s two main beaches. Though it’s smaller than its neighbour Treath Crigyll, it’s still over one mile long. The beach has a distinctly rural feel to it as it’s backed by dunes and beyond these, fields, yet it’s still just a few minutes walk away from the bustling village of Rhosneigr. If you’re feeling particularly active, make a day of it and do a bit of surfing, swimming, boating, kayaking or snorkelling while you’re there.
6. Penllech Beach
Nearest town: Pwllheli, Clwyd
Postcode & map: LL53 8PA
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None, dogs are allowed here 365 days a year.
Located near the northern tip of the beautiful and remote Llyn Peninsula you’ll find Penllech Beach, a sandy haven backed by sloping, grass-covered cliffs. As well as some lovely rock pools, the mile-long beach features a small waterfall where the Afon Fawr cascades down the cliff. Lifeguards don’t operate on this beach at any point during the year and there are said to be some strong currents so make sure your dogs don’t go in too deep if they like to swim. There’s a free parking area as well as picnic tables just a short walk from the beach so pack a lunch and make a day of it!
7. Penrhos Beach
Nearest town: Holyhead, Anglesey
Postcode & map: LL65 2TJ
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: None, dogs are allowed here 365 days a year.
This pretty, dog-friendly beach isn’t just a hit with dogs and their owners, it’s loved by all locals. Head here if you fancy having a dip in the water, picnicking with friends and fam, or just relaxing on the white sand and watching the ferries go in and out of nearby Holyhead port. There’s a grassy area and coastal path to the back of the beach, and at either end you’ll find free car parks. If you’d like to take the train with your dog, Holyhead railway station is under a mile away.
8. Porth Dinllaen Beach
Nearest town: Pwllheli, Gwynedd
Postcode & map: LL53 6DY
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here throughout the year.
About: At the northern end of the Lleyn peninsula, on a remote stretch of coast (much of which is owned by the National Trust) you’ll find the picture-perfect fishing village of Porth Dinllaen. Its long, sweeping, sandy bay is sheltered by the rugged, bracken-covered Carreg Ddu headland. The village of Porth Dinllaen runs along the seafront so you’ll have everything you need, including a dog-friendly pub. Enjoy a well-earned drink and views over the Irish Sea from the Ty Coch Inn with your little buddy at your feet. This area has largely escaped development and as such it’s delightfully car-free but there’s a car park by the golf course which is a 15-minute walk away.
9. Porth Padrig Beach
Nearest town: Amlwch, Anglesey
Postcode & map: LL67 0LH
Type of beach: Sand and rock
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here all year.
Porth Padrig Beach is named after St. Patrick who is said to have taken shelter in a nearby cave after being shipwrecked on Middle Mouse Island. The secluded, crescent-shaped cove flanked by cliffs is also called White Lady Bay because of a column of rock in the centre of the beach known as The White Lady. It refers to Ladi Wen, a figure from Celtic mythology whose ghost is said to haunt Ogmore Castle near Bridgend. There’s free parking next to St. Patrick’s church on the clifftop.
10. Aberdyfi Beach
Nearest town: Pwllheli, Gwynedd
Postcode & map: LL35 0EA
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are allowed in most areas other than children’s play areas and the section of beach directly in front of the main car park between 1 April and 30 September.
About: Though you’re asked to keep your dog away from the area of the beach in front of the main car park, just a short walk down you can let them run riot! This three-mile-long sandy beach located in the idyllic village of Aberdyfi at the foothills of Snowdonia National Park is an unspoilt gem. People come from far and wide to sail, swim, and watch the stunning sunsets. Once you and your four-legged companion have tired yourselves out you can hit one of the local pubs or cafes for a much-needed bite to eat. There’s a large car park in the village next to the tourist information centre, from which there is direct access onto the beach via a ramp or a short flight of stairs.
If you’re interested in discovering more dog-friendly beaches in Wales, check out these articles:
- Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches in Wales
- Top Dog-Friendly Beaches in South Wales
- Top Dog-Friendly Beaches in Pembrokeshire
- Top Dog-Friendly Beaches in Anglesey
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Featured image: DAILYPOST.CO.UK
