If it ain’t from Yorkshire, it’s sh*te. Well according to an old Hale and Pace sketch anyway, but if a latest best beach poll was anything to go by, there might be some truth in it. The Sunday Times recently revealed their 50 Best Beaches for 2020 list and Yorkshire wasn’t just represented, we only went and won the ruddy thing!
North Yorkshire’s Runswick Bay was voted ‘beach of the year’ on The Sunday Times’ ‘Britain’s 50 best beaches for 2020’ list and was 1 of 41 dog friendly beaches to make the list alongside fellow Yorkshire beaches Fraisthorpe, Marske Sands and Hunmanby Gap.
But you don’t need to travel the country to find even more fantastic dog friendly beaches.
There are at least 22 beaches along the East Coast through Yorkshire that allow dogs all year round, with a further 13 where dogs are welcome at certain times of year. So we’ve selected 10 that you and your dog should try out.
Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
Starting with the Sunday Times beach of the year, Runswick Bay is a few miles north of Whitby and is one of the most idyllic and prettiest spots along the Yorkshire coast. The beach is on the Cleveland Way making it great for a day of dog walking. The parking can be pricey, and it’s a steep road down to the beach but worth it if you’re able.
Fraisthorpe, East Riding
Fraisthorpe is a dog walker’s dream, when the tide is out this is a vast wide sandy beach just south of Bridlington. Fraisthorpe merges into Wilsthorpe and the whole stretch is truly a favourite of ours, two dog friendly beaches in one walk. Look out for wartime pillboxes along the beach and if you’re up to it, walk all the way up to Bridlington for the usual seaside favourites.
Hunmanby Gap, North Yorkshire
Just south of Filey you’ll find a wonderful long stretch of sandy beach called Hunmanby Gap, with restrictions on Filey beach for dogs, this is a great alternative. Make sure that you check tide times though because there isn’t a great deal of space when the tide is in. There’s a beach cafe for all your refreshment needs as well.
Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
Part of the dinosaur coast, Robin Hood’s Bay is a beach filled with rocks and rock pools making it perfect for photographers and fossil hunters alike. Dogs will love splashing around in the rock pools while you explore the stunning surroundings. It’s a steep walk down from the village to the beach so be aware of that.
Marske Sands, North Yorkshire
The best dog friendly beaches are the sprawling expanses of sand ideal for chasing a ball. Marske Sands offers just that, the beach to the village Marske by the Sea is unassuming, but a real beauty. Dog friendly all year round, it offers a great option to some of the usual busier beaches on warm days.
Hornsea South Beach, East Riding
Hornsea’s south beach is dog friendly all year round, the small seaside town is popular with walkers as it marks the end of the Transpennine Trail. There is plenty of parking in the town and places to explore, nearby Hornsea Mere is also great for walks around one of Yorkshire’s largest lakes.
Staithes, North Yorkshire
Staithes has long been considered one of Yorkshire’s and the East Coast’s prettiest villages. The good news is that you can also take your dog for a day out in Staithes. Grab your instagram shots of the village vows and head to the dog friendly beach. Kids may recognise the village from the CBBC show ‘Old Jack’s Boat’. The beach is quite small, so check the tide times before you go.
Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire
Cayton Bay is a quiet little spot south of Scarborough, offering up a dog friendly alternative to the restricted beaches of Scarborough during high season. The beach is popular with surfers and windsurfers. You can explore the ruins of wartime structures that have collapsed from the cliffs above due to erosion. The beach offers a stark contrast to busy seaside beaches such as Scarborough and Filey.
South Landing, East Riding
On the south side of Flamborough Head and 3 miles north of Bridlington, you’ll find South Landing beach. The area is within a local nature reserve and offers an ideal spot for bird watchers. Dogs will love bounding around on the beach and kids will love exploring the rock pools revealed at low tide. There are plenty of scenic walks in the area to enjoy as well.
Mappleton, East Riding
A wide sandy beach a few miles south of Hornsea, you won’t find much in the way of seaside attractions for you will find a quiet stretch of beach to walk your dog. This area of coastline is apparently home to the fastest eroding cliffs in Europe and is also a former MoD bombing range, which means it’s a great spot to find fossils, but you probably shouldn’t pick up any dodgy looking metal objects.
Where’s your favourite Yorkshire beach? Be sure to let us know and if you visit any of these beaches, snap a photo and tag us #dogfriendlysheffield