Dog friendly beaches

Suffolk Coastal – Dog-Friendly Beaches

Dog-friendly Suffolk Coast (near Woodfarm)

We are so lucky to be near to Suffolk Coastal. We have some amazing Dog-friendly Suffolk beaches; some remote, some on the edge of towns. A mix of sand and shingle, all with fabulous views. Some have no restrictions and some do. Much of this information comes from a useful website called The Beach Guide.

Dog-friendly Suffolk Coastal with no restrictions (that we are aware of!)

Dunwich

  • Type of beach; Shingle
  • Nearest town; Southwold
  • Postcode; IP17 3DE
  • OS grid ref; TM 4794 7055

Facilities;

  • Cafe/restaurant
  • Toilets

Southwold Pier

  • Type of beach; Sand & shingle
  • Amusement arcade
  • Good fishing
  • Jet-skiing
  • Swimming/bathing
  • Wind surfing

Southwold is one of the Suffolk coastal best known resorts and has a long tradition as such. Perhaps the most obvious link to the seaside town’s seaside credentials is the 800 foot (250m) long pier. Along with a sprinkling of shingle, beach groynes and colourful beach huts there is no mistaking you are at the Great British seaside!

Opened in 1900 the pier has taken a few beatings from the sea over the years, in particular 1934 when the pier head was destroyed by a storm. Further storms damaged the pier up to the point that in 1998 the pier had to be closed for safety reasons.

But there is more to Southwold beach than a pier. The quality of the beach has been recognised over the years by regular Blue Flag awards which demonstrate that the beach is not only clean but provides an excellent array of amenities.

The beach at Southwold is backed by a promenade which runs along the front of the town. It is only a quick walk to the town centre and a short promenade to the harbour area. This is one of my favourite dog-friendly Suffolk beaches.

The beach is cleaned regularly and dogs are banned from certain areas of the beach during the summer season.

Facilities;

  • Cafe/restaurant
  • Toilets
  • Disabled facilities
  • First aid point
  • Lost child centre
  • Town centre nearby
  • Shop
  • Pub nearby
  • Beach hut hire
  • Promenade
  • Pier

Walberswick

  • Type of beach; Sand & shingle Postcode; IP18 6UA
  • Nearest town; Southwold
  • OS grid ref; TM 5025 7471

Without showing favouritism, this is my favourite slice of dog-friendly Suffolk coastal! Its a lovely little sand dune backed beach is just across the River Blythe from Southwold, which is within easy walking distance.

A walk in the other direction will take you past the Walberswick Nature Reserve with its mix of marsh and heathland.

The beach at Walberswick is just a short walk from the village which means all amenities are close at hand. Even if you don’t need anything it is worth the stroll up to have a look around this pretty little village.

Walberswick is however best known as the home of “The British Open Crabbing Championship”. This takes place in the waterways behind the beach and the person catching the largest crab within 90 minutes is the winner!

Dog-friendly Suffolk Coastal with restrictions

Thorpeness

  • Type of beach; Shingle
  • Dog ban from 1st May through the 30th September

Thorpeness is a quirky little village just north of Aldeburgh. It is everything an English seaside village should be; there is a golf course, a large boating lake (the Meare) and more mock Tudor buildings than you can shake a stick at! Many of these buildings line the beach front intermingling with equally quirky modern homes.

The beach itself is an expanse of steeply shelving shingle leading down to some sand at low tide. To the south it stretches all the way to Aldeburgh and to the north Dunwich.

Activities;

  • Good fishing

Facilities;

  • Cafe/restaurant
  • Toilets

Reasons to Stay at Woodfarm, Suffolk

We happen to think what we have on offer is pretty bloomin' good. However, we thought you might like a bunch of reasons to stay, other than we think you should!

beach huts
all accommodation

Brilliant beaches! Suffolk has an incredible Heritage Coast, with great beaches, all in easy reach of us.

dog paw print
all accommodation

Dogs stay FREE, and we don't just tolerate them, we welcome them! We've built our reputation on this, and we're proud of it!

fence
at the barns

Pawesome, fully-enclosed two acre Pooch Paddock for your Dogs to go bonkers and make new friends in.

dog biscuit
all accommodation

Free Doggy treats, Dog bowls, and Dog towels. Our furry friends even get Woodfarm branded poop bag holders!

trophy
all accommodation

Visit England Gold Awards coming out of our ears, as well as their coveted ROSE Award for Service Excellence.

thumbs up
all accommodation

Well in excess of 1,000 Five Star Tripadvisor, Facebook & Google Reviews. Over 25% of our guests come back!

hot tubs
all accommodation

Private Hot tubs with seven of our eight Barns and Cottages. The ultimate in relaxation, just because you're worth it.

boots
all accommodation

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Yes, plural. Two AONB's on our doorstep! Suffolk Coast & Heaths, and Dedham Vale.

river walks
on the barges

Stunning river walks directly from your gangplank on either Barge! Wildlife and breathtaking scenery in abundance.

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