Dog friendly attractions, beaches, walks, and more!
The Norfolk coast is a very dog friendly place, not just in the acres of fields and beaches that your four-legged friends can sprint and play fetch across, but also in the local pet friendly businesses, pubs, and eateries that are always more than happy to welcome dogs. From places right on the seafront to more inland locations, there are a wide variety of activities and days out with your dog around Norfolk. You'll find all sorts of beaches, parks, nature reserves, and more scattered around this beautiful part of the country. However, with so much to do, it can be tough to figure out what you want to do. So, here's some of the best dog-friendly things to do in Norfolk!
While every effort has been made to check that the things in this article are dog friendly, it would also be worth double checking for yourself in case the information has changed, just to avoid disappointment!
Dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk
Everyone loves a day at the beach, especially dogs! With miles of soft, open sand to run around on, tons of water to paddle and swim in, and all the things to sniff along the way, your dog will have an amazing time at the nearby beaches! Some places do have restrictions where dogs are not allowed on the beach during the summer months, however we'll break down some different Norfolk beaches and their dog restrictions.
Hunstanton Main Beach
Hunstanton's main beach stretches for miles and is fantastic to run your dog around. When the tide is in, your dog will have a great time running in and out of the Wash. When it's out, they'll have miles of wet sand to freely sprint across! The west-facing beach makes for a great place to let your dog play, as it's one of the few places in Norfolk where you can watch the sunset over the sea!
Unfortunately, there are seasonal limits for dogs on the main beach from April 10th to October 31st. However, dogs on leads are allowed on the promenade, green, and Esplanade Gardens during these months. The restrictions apply from the south end of South Beach road up to the start of Hunstanton's cliffs.
Old Hunstanton
From the striped cliffs of Old Hunstanton onwards, there are no stipulations for dogs. This gives you and your pup miles of beautiful Norfolk seaside to stroll, sprint, and play along! Much like the main beach, when the tide is out, the sand stretches as far as the eye can see, so you won't be hard up for space. And, when the tide's in, you'll find some interesting mini-rivers further along the beach that's good for paddling and leaping across!
Heacham South Beach
On the other end of Hunstanton main beach, there's Heacham South Beach which also has no dog limits throughout the year. Heacham is much quieter and more peaceful than the other beaches along the west coast of Norfolk. Ideal for dog-owners who want a more relaxing walk, or who's pooches aren't fond of being hassled. Here, you'll still get the wonderful coastal scenery, but with less of the hustle and bustle of the main areas.
Wells-next-the-Sea
Wells-next-the-Sea is one of Norfolk's best kept secrets. With undulating dunes, and few limits on dogs, there's plenty for them to explore on Wells' golden sands. Right next to the beach, you can also take your dog for a run through the pine forest of Wells. With its undulating terrain and dense thicket of pine trees, the forest makes for an incredibly fun walk.
Dogs aren't permitted on the first 200 yards from the main eastern entrance to Wells, however there are no restrictions all year round for the rest of the beach from the other entrance. Some areas of the beach are roped off in the months surrounding August due to nesting birds, and you are asked to please keep your dog under control at all times to preserve the local wildlife.
Holme Dunes National Nature Reserve
Last, but certainly not least on the pet-friendly beaches is Holme Dunes, home to scenic sand dunes along the coast. This national reserve is another beach that allows dogs throughout the year. However, much like Wells, please keep dogs under control around roped areas where birds are nesting, and make sure you bring the poop scoop so they don't leave any messes behind! Apart from that, let them run freely in between the dunes and explore to their heart's content!
Best dog walks and parks nearby
There are also many dog-friendly attractions that are set away from the coastline! Many parks are scattered around the county, and all of them offer fantastic circular walks for you and your tail-wagging friend! To start off with, there's the woodland and meadows of Sandringham, a stately royal estate with acres of lush trees and vegetation. You and your dogs are welcome to walk along any of the trails that spread through the estate. And, once you've done your exploring and walking, there's a conveniently located café on the grounds. Grab a drink, a bite to eat, and relax post-walk for a bit!
Or, for something even more natural, you can head over to Snettisham, a hotspot for both wildlife and deer. Birdwatchers will love the RSPB nature reserve, with its wide variety of ducks, geese, and other birds. Meanwhile, Snettisham Park farm's deer safari is fun for the whole family, as you get up close to a big herd of deer. Both of these attractions allow well-behaved dogs on leads.
For the hikers looking for an epic trail to travel, the Norfolk Coast Path is an ideal route for people and dogs alike! Stretching from Hunstanton over to Great Yarmouth, the path takes you on a walk around the north coastline of the county. You and your canine will walk over heathland and shingle across this massive route. You can either tackle it all, camping out the nights along the way, or walk sections of it for a fun day out.
Hunstanton Promenade, Sheringham, and other places to visit
There are plenty of villages, towns, and other delights in and around the countryside. One of the biggest is Hunstanton promenade, a Victorian seaside resort with tons to do. Between arcades, crazy golf, a fairground, and boat rides out onto the Wash where you can keep an eye out for seals, there's a variety of fun activities that gladly allow dogs so you can have fun without needing to leave the dog behind.
Further to the east, there's Cromer, a traditional resort with plenty of things to do in and around. Walking trails, estates, and gardens await in this rustic slice of the county. When visiting, keep in mind that Cromer, similarly to Hunstanton, doesn't allow dogs on the beach between May 1st and September 30th. They're allowed on the promenade, however they must be kept on leads. You can see the exact areas with this map.
Also in the area is Sheringham, where the North Norfolk railway starts and runs over to Holt. A steam train runs on the heritage railway, complete with dining trains to let you enjoy the countryside in style. Dogs are allowed on the railway for an extra charge of £3.00, must be kept on a lead, and aren't allowed to sit on the seats.
The Norfolk Broads
Roam free on the Norfolk Broads with your dog. Whether you're travelling by boat down the many waterways of the broads; going for a walk along the river Bure; or taking a day trip over to Salhouse Broad. The area's enrapturing beauty makes it a prime spot for exploration, as it encompasses all sorts of marshes, rivers, fields, and will give you ample opportunities to see animals, either out in the wild or at one of the zoos in the area.
