Wales has many treasures crammed into its compact territory—big skies, ancient architecture, spectacular wildlife, rugged mountains, and some blinding beaches. Unfortunately, the peak tourist season brings a wave of restrictions on local beaches for our canine companions. As you’re probably aware, many beaches throughout the UK ban dogs during summer months, with local councils fining owners £75 and over (some districts have higher fines than others) on the spot if they breach the rules. Luckily we’ve done our research for you and found out where your dog will be able to enjoy the sand and surf without getting in trouble. Here are the top ten dog-friendly beaches in Wales!
To make your escape to the beach 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?
1. Jackson’s Bay
Nearest town: Barry, Glamorgan
Postcode & map: CF62 5TU
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here throughout the year.
About: This cute little cove backed by cliffs softened by verdant greenery is located on Barry Island, a seaside resort with a rich maritime history. To the east there’s a harbour wall with a small lighthouse and if you fancy a nice stroll, a concrete path leads over the rocks to Clements Colly Walk on the far side of the beach. With its soft golden sand, shallow waters, and nearby eateries and amusements, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy a day out with the fam, including four-legged members. Watch out for unstable rocks under the cliffs as well as submerged rocks and strong currents if your dog’s a swimmer. There are public toilets as well as plenty of places to park and grab a bite close to the beach.
2. Ogmore Central Beach
Nearest town: Bridgend, Glamorgan
Postcode & map: CF32 0PH
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here throughout the year.
About: This much-loved beach on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast hit headlines for its Sausage Dog Walk, where more than 500 dachshunds and their owners from all over the country congregated to go for a nice walk along the beach. The sandy part is exposed when the tide goes out but the rest of the time there are craggy rocks, rockpools, and large caves alongside the river mouth to explore. Conditions here are great for surfing, fishing, diving and swimming, plus there’s a coastal walk which offers stunning views out to sea from above the clifftops. There’s a large car park with public toilets and a ramp that descends to the beach, and you’ll find places to eat just a short walk away in the village of Ogmore-by-Sea.
3. Marloes Sands
Nearest town: Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire
Postcode & map: SA62 3BH
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here throughout the year.
About: Winner of the Green Coast Award 2019 and Seaside Award 2019, Marloes Sands is a remote mile-long stretch of beach enveloped by dramatic cliffs. When the tide’s out you’ll have golden sand to stroll along, rock pools to explore, and the odd seal and seabird to watch, but at high tide the beach all but disappears so check the tide forecast to make sure you have plenty of time to safely leave the beach. Rocks and strong currents make swimming here a tad dangerous. There’s a National Trust car park half a mile from the beach and the closest facilities are further away in the village of Marloes. There are no dog bins so you’ll have to dispose of your li’l angel’s waste elsewhere.
Find out more of the top dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire here.
4. Barafundle Bay
Nearest town: Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Postcode & map: SA71 5LS
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are welcome here throughout the year.
About: Once the private domain of the Cawdor family who owned the historic Stackpole Estate, today pristine Barafundle Bay is managed by The National Trust but remains part of the estate. Its golden sands and crystal clear-waters have rightfully earned it some attention and visitors now flock here to enjoy its ever-so-slightly tropical vibe. Your dog is more than welcome to join in on the fun all year round on this award-winning beach that’s flanked by cliffs and backed by dunes and pine trees. The car park is half a mile’s walk over the cliffs and there are a number of steep steps to traverse to get down to the beach so it unfortunately isn’t suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. The closest facilities are at Stackpole Quay so you’ll have to take everything you need to the beach and back up the cliffs again when you leave.
5. Little Quay Beach
Nearest town: New Quay, Ceredigion
Postcode & map: SA45 9SL
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here throughout the year.
About: Just up the road from New Quay and Aberaeron, you’ll find Little Quay Beach, a quiet, sheltered stretch of sand and pebbles that’s known as Cei Bach in Welsh. The beach is in a prime location overlooking Cardigan Bay so make sure you get there in time for the spectacular sunsets. If you and the dog are into wildlife, you’ll be excited to hear that dolphin pods and seals have been spotted from the shore! You can even take a boat out to see them from the pretty village of New Quay which is only a 20-minute walk from Little Quay at low tide. As well as a heritage coastal path that takes you over the waterfall footbridge towards Aberaeron, there’s a trail dedicated to the life of Dylan Thomas who used to spend his holidays in New Quay. Parking and toilets are available near the beach and a there’s a host of cafes, pubs, and other dog-friendly delights in nearby New Quay.
6. 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 beautiful and 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 there are lots of amenities on hand and you can admire the views over the Irish Sea whilst enjoying a well-earned drink at the dog-friendly Ty Coch Inn (Red House in Welsh). 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.
7. 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.
8. Church Bay Beach
Nearest town: Holyhead, Anglesey
Postcode & map: LL65 4EU
Type of beach: Sand and pebble
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here all year.
About: Almost all of Anglesey’s coastline has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and its secluded beaches are popular with both two- and four-legged visitors. Descend the steep footpath from the village and you’ll reach Church Bay Beach (Porth Swtan in Welsh), a dinky stretch of sand and pebbles that’s been awarded Blue Flag status. Surrounded by 100ft cliffs, it’s an ideal spot to do a bit of sunbathing, enjoy a leisurely stroll, or watch the sunset over a barbecue. Not only is it a hit with dog owners and families, it’s got a reputation amongst experienced surfers for its killer waves—do not attempt to surf here if you’re new to the sport. Once you’ve had your fun by the water’s edge, head up to the clifftop restaurant, The Lobster Pot, and sample their famous catch of the day whilst overlooking the bay.
Discover more dog-friendly beaches in Anglesey here.
9. Conwy Morfa Beach
Nearest town: Conwy, Clwyd
Postcode & map: LL32 8GA
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here all year.
About: Known locally as ’The Morfa’, Conwy Morfa Beach is an exposed stretch of golden sand backed by some pebbles and low dunes. It’s overlooked by Mynydd y Dref (Conwy Mountain), and only a short drive from the picturesque town of Conwy on the southern side of the River Conwy. There’s ample space for your furry little beach buddy to chase sticks and generally let loose. Just check the tide times if you fancy taking advantage of the low tide to walk out to other beaches in Colwyn Bay as some of the sandbanks here can be cut off quickly by the incoming tides. You can access the beach via a small car park just off the North Wales Expressway.
10. 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 amusements 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.
Wales ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for some R&R. Check out our list of the best dog-friendly cottages in Wales here and if your dog’s more of a city slicker, this list of dog-friendly pubs in Cardiff should come in handy. If you don’t have the time to take your little buddy to the seaside or the pub, however, Rover is here to help you find a fantastic dog sitter or dog-walker who’d be happy to spend some quality time with your dog!
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Featured image: WIKIPEDIA.ORG
