South Wales has so much going for it, from its cool capital to its breathtaking countryside. And it’s not just humans who like living here, there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs and beaches for your little munchkins to enjoy. As a dog owner you’ll probably know that local councils have implemented summer dog bans on some of the UK’s beaches, with on-the-spot fines of £100 if owners fall foul of the rules. We’ve done some research to see where you can and cannot take your dog—read on to find out about the top dog-friendly beaches in South Wales that your dog can visit all summer long.
If you don’t have the time to take your little buddy to the seaside, 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!
1. Rhossili Bay
Nearest town: Swansea
Postcode & map: SA3 1PP
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here throughout the year.
About: Stunning is a word that’s often used to describe Rhossili Bay. The three-mile beach located on the southwestern tip of the Gower Peninsula has been lauded for being one of Wales’ best beaches, one of the best beaches in the UK, and even one of the world’s top ten beaches! Managed by the National Trust and located within the first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK, this wild, pristine beach encompasses Worms Head, a famous promontory shaped like a giant sea-serpent that you can reach via a rock causeway. When the tide’s out, you can see the remains of the Helvetia shipwreck which dates back to 1887, and when it comes back in you can ride its excellent swells if you’re a surfer. There’s parking (free to National Trust members), toilets, a shop, and a visitor centre selling refreshments but you and your dog will have to be able to navigate a steep path with several flights of stairs to get down to the beach.
2. Ferryside Beach
Nearest town: Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire
Postcode & map: SA33 4TA
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here throughout the year.
About: A little bit off the beaten track, on the mouth of the River Tywi you’ll find Ferryside Beach. The long strip of sand mixed with tidal marshes and backed by dunes offers great views of the imposing Llansteffan Castle across the Taff Estuary. Once at the heart of the Carmarthen Bay cockle picking industry, the secluded beach has plenty of rock pools with all sorts of creatures that you can investigate. Not only is the beach located on the Wales Coastal Path (and makes an ideal spot to stop off for a mid-walk picnic), there’s parking nearby, and it has its own railway station. 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?
3. Pembrey Beach
Nearest town: Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
Postcode & map: SA16 0EJ
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are banned from one mile of beach between May and September (inclusive).
About: Known as Cefn Sidan in Welsh, Wales’ longest beach stretches for eight miles along the southern fringes of Carmarthenshire’s coastline. There’s a dog-free zone on just one mile of its length between May and September (inclusive), but even during the summer dogs and their owners can still enjoy seven miles of golden sands. Part of Pembrey Country Park, you’ll have nature trails to explore if you want to head inland. There’s a large parking area at the park that’s connected to the beach via a path over the sand dunes, and you’ll find public toilets and a cafe on route. Just follow the ‘Dogs for the Beach’ signs to ensure that you’re headed in the right direction.
4. Llansteffan Beach
Nearest town: Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
Postcode & map: SA33 5LW
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are banned from one clearly signposted section of beach between May and September (inclusive).
About: Though dogs aren’t allowed on a section at the north end of the beach during summer, there’s still miles of golden sand that your dog’s free to run riot on! Located on the Towy Estuary, Llansteffan Beach is ideal if you want to enjoy a day out with the whole fam—along with other facilities nearby, the beach is backed by a grassy area with picnic tables and a kid’s play park, plus it’s close to Llansteffan Castle. It’s worth noting that swimming here is considered dangerous and that you shouldn’t attempt to cross the estuary, even when the tide is low.
5. 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.
6. Black Pill Rock Beach
About: Nearest town: Swansea
Postcode & map: SA33 5LW
Type of beach: Sand and mud
Restrictions: Dogs are allowed here year round.
About: Part of Swansea Bay, Black Pill Rock Beach is located halfway between Mumbles Pier and Swansea Marina. Four-legged beach goers are welcome throughout this vast expanse of sand and mudflats year round. Behind the beach you’ll find a grassy area with a lido that’s open from May to August, and a path that stretches around the bay. You’ll spot a picnic area as well as a petrol station, and a few cafes next to the beach.
7. 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. Find out more of Pembrokeshire’s dog-friendly beaches here.
8. Llanelli and Loughor Estuary Beach
Nearest town: Llanelli, Carmarthenshire
Postcode & map: SA15 2LG
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: None. Dogs are allowed here 365 days a year.
About: Situated on the 13-mile-long, dog-friendly Millennium Coastal Path, Llanelli beach is a sandy delight for two-legged and four-legged visitors. Though the beach is perfect for playing fetch and swimming, there are warning signs with info about the fast-incoming times and areas with dangerous quicksand that should be heeded, so take care. Next to the Discovery Centre in the Millennium Coastal Park, you’ll find a beachfront cafe and ice cream parlour where the friendly staff will be happy to provide your dog with a nice, refreshing bowl of water. You can also park near here.
9. 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.
10. Pobbles Bay
image via walesonline.co.uk
Nearest town: Swansea
Postcode & map: SA3 2AL
Type of beach: Sand
Restrictions: Dogs are allowed here year round.
About: If you’re looking for a secluded spot where you and your furry little buddy can get away from it all for a bit, look no further. Pobbles Bay is a quiet little cove on the eastern side of Three Cliffs Bay with limestone cliffs on either side. It’s relatively safe to swim here at low tide and when the tides are coming in, but avoid it around high tide as there are strong rip currents. It takes a bit of effort to get here, as the nearest parking spots are half a mile away in the village of Southgate and the terrain on the way to the beach can be a bit rough so unfortunately this beach isn’t accessible by wheelchair.
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 North Wales
- Top Dog-Friendly Beaches in Pembrokeshire
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Featured image: Getty via Metro