All the Yorkshire beaches you can (and can’t) visit with your dogs this summer

It’s easy to forget with everything else we’ve had to deal with of late, but from the beginning of May a number of popular Yorkshire beaches will close to dogs for the summer.

The seasonal restrictions, which stretch from 1st May to 30th September every year, see our four-legged friends banned from many of Yorkshire’s largest beaches in preparation for the seasonal influx of tourists.

With staycations on the rise, we expect local authorities will be hotter on the rules than ever – so make sure you don’t get caught out.

Many people have also got new puppies during lockdown, meaning there are more new dog owners in the area than ever before.

With this in mind, we thought it would be a good time to remind you of the Yorkshire beaches you can – and cannot – visit with your pooch this summer.

Which banned beaches do I need to avoid?

Banned beaches to avoid include Bridlington North and South, Filey, Hornsea, Sansend, Scarborough South and North Bays and Withernsea.

At Bridlington, dog walkers are not to cross the areas between the northern end of North Marine Promenade and the north-eastern face of the North Pier, or between the southern face of the South Pier and the eastern face of Princess Mary Promenade Sea Wall.

Filey, placed tenth last year on a list of the UK’s favourite beaches, also bans dogs over the summer. Walkers need to look out for the northernmost side of the beach slipway, which separates the Coble Landing from the Promenade. Everywhere from here to the southernmost point of the sea wall at Royal Parade is out of bounds.

Hornsea, another popular Yorkshire beach included in the 2014 Good Beach Guide, excludes dogs between the concrete ramp at Headland View and the steps south of Sands Lane.

Everything at Sansend is out of bounds for pups, from the steps below the public conveniences below Sandhills to the slipway at the southern end of Bank Bottom car park. Similarly in Scarborough, both the North and South Bays are entirely off-limits to dogs.

At Whitby, dogs are allowed at Tate Hill if they are kept on a lead – but must avoid the West Beach, from the west Pier to the promenade from the east side of the beach steps adjacent to the western end of the beach chalets.

Which beaches can I take my dog to in Yorkshire?

Fortunately, not every beach is off limits to man’s best friend this summer.

Hunmanby Gap – just 4 miles from Filey, this beach is absolutely massive and extends right along to Reighton Sands. A car park at the end of Sands Road charges £1 per hour up to 3 hours or £5 for all day, and there’s also a dog-friendly beach cafe if you fancy a slice of cake afterwards.

Fraisthorpe Beach – part of Bridlington Bay, popular with dog walkers all year round. There’s a private car park at the top of the beach, charges vary according to the season but even in summer it’s only £3.00 for the day. Sometimes you can also get dog lollies at the Cowshed Cafe (because ice cream isn’t just for humans).

Runswick Bay – 9 miles north of Whitby, arguably one of Yorkshire’s prettiest beaches. Parking available, dog friendly pub in the village.

Cayton Bay – 3 miles south of Scarborough. check out the WW11 pill boxes at the northern end of the beach. Surf shop in carpark sells coffees.