Where can I take my dog to the beach near the Lake District?

Are you looking for dog friendly beaches near the Lake District? The Cumbrian coastline is full of sandy beaches, trails for walking and exploring wildlife, and hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

Many are available for you and your pup to enjoy all year round. They might not have the same fine golden sand or dunes you find around Bournemouth and Southern England – but they are still some of the best beaches in England and set in breathtaking surroundings.

Most visitors to Cumbria and the Lake District are keen walkers and come to explore the natural beauty of the area – it’s not your bucket-and-spade holiday. Having said that, there are still many sandy beaches along the West Cumbria coastline. I am biased though, as I’m lucky enough to live here!

Let’s look at my top favourites in the area.

Starting from the Southern tip of Cumbria and moving up the coastline we have…

Walney Island Beach (Sandy Gap)

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐

Walney Island is on the Southern Peninsula of Cumbria, linked to Barrow-in-Furness by the Jubilee Bridge over the Walney Channel. On the west of the island, there are 11 miles of sand and shingle beaches flanked by sandy dunes. Walking and off-leash fun is best suited to the north of this stretch, as the South Walney Nature Reserve has a strict no-dogs policy. There is free car parking and toilets at the northern end. The South Walney nature reserve has a picnic area, parking and refreshments at the visitors’ cabin.

Key Points

SATNAV: LA14 3JT

Beach Type: Shingle to sandy

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Yes Free

Other Facilities: Toilets

Dog Restrictions: None at the Northern end of the Island. No dogs are allowed at the nature reserve.

Extra Info: Toilets, visitor’s cabin with refreshments and picnic area at the South Walney nature reserve.

Askam-In-Furness Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Askam beach has miles of golden sand and is a perfect place to walk your furry friend. Its pier juts out into the Duddon Estuary but can be a little uneven underfoot. There is free parking and toilets available nearby and dog waste bins.

Key Points

SATNAV: LA16 7FD

Beach Type: Sand flanked by grassy dunes

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Yes Free

Other Facilities: Toilets & dog waste bins.

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: Refreshments are available in the village.

Haverigg Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is my personal favourite dog friendly beach near the Lake District. It’s a real hidden gem and such a beautiful place to visit. You can walk right around the sea wall past the Hodbarrow Lighthouse which was restored and reopened in 2004. Dogs must be on a lead around the Hodbarrow RSPB Reserve, though, as they can disturb the nesting birds.

The beach is sandy, and when the tide is out, you can walk for miles – keep an eye on the tide times though as they come in quickly. Haverigg is a blue flag beach which is safe and clean to swim in for all the family.

There is free parking at the beach, toilets and a children’s play area – a lovely little cafe serves refreshments. There are no restrictions on dogs and so it’s a great place to visit all year round. I can highly recommend the ice creams from the van in Summer – they are delicious!

Key Points

SATNAV: LA18 4ER

Beach Type: Sandy flanked by grassy dunes

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Yes Free

Other Facilities: Toilets, children’s play area, cafe & dog waste bins.

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: Dogs must be on a lead near the Nature reserve. The Ski Bar at the nearby Port Haverigg Marina is dog friendly if you fancy a pint or cuppa.

Silecroft Beach

Silecroft Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Silecroft is a pebble beach gently sloping to an expanse of sand and shallow water when the tide is out. There are rock pools to explore at low tide and the acres of sand make it perfect for a great off-lead run for the dogs. It can be a little windy sometimes, so popular for kite-flying.

Parking is free, and there are toilets and seasonal refreshments. I’m told the sunsets are amazing too if you stay that late.

Key Points

SATNAV: LA18 4NY

Beach Type: Pebbles leading to a large sandy beach.

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Yes Free

Other Facilities: Toilets, seasonal refreshments.

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: Meals and refreshments are available in the village nearby.

Ravenglass Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐

Ravenglass is the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park and is best known for its narrow gauge line – The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. The beach is a combination of shingle, mud and sand and there is parking and toilets in the village.

Key Points

SATNAV: CA18 1SG

Beach Type: Shingle and mud leading to a large sandy expanse.

Lifeguard: No

Parking: In the village nearby.

Other Facilities: None

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: Meals and refreshments are available in the village nearby. The nearby Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is also dog friendly and is a great experience.

Seascale Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The beach at Seascale is as vast as it is pretty. Shingle and small pebbles lead to miles of soft sand and its own wooden jetty. It’s a popular spot for anglers and water sport enthusiasts alike – and perfect for walking the dog. On a clear day, you can even see Galloway across the waves of the Irish Sea.

Beachgoers are well provided with nearby parking, toilets, a children’s play area and a picnic area to cater to the entire family. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round and it’s a shoe-in to make the list of dog friendly beaches near the Lake District.

Key Points

SATNAV: CA20 1PZ

Beach Type: Shingle and a long flat expanse of sand

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Free nearby

Other Facilities: Toilets, children’s play area, and picnic areas

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: Mawsons Ice Cream Parlour is nearby and serves the best American pancakes I’ve ever had, their ice cream is fantastic too.

St. Bees Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It’s no wonder St. Bees is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the West Cumbrian coast, it boasts a beautiful sandy beach, against a dramatic backdrop of high craggy cliffs. Dogs are welcome all year round here and there is parking very near the beach.

There are also toilets, a play area and a lovely cafe overlooking the sea where you can enjoy a hot cuppa on those windswept days.

Key Points

SATNAV: CA27 0EY

Beach Type: Sandy

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Free nearby

Other Facilities: Toilets, children’s play area, seating, picnic areas & cafe

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: St Bees is the official start of the 195-mile Wainwright’s Coast To Coast walk.

Maryport Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Maryport is a small coastal town at the Northern end of the Cumbrian coast. The beach itself is huge and goes from the harbour out into the North Sea, you can even see Scotland on a clear day. It’s not as busy as some of the other beaches here, so you’ll have some space and time with your pup.

When you’re tired of the beach head over to the harbour with its marina and wander amongst the shops and cafes on the front. There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Maryport, and with parking and toilets at the beach, you’ll be set for the day.

Key Points

SATNAV: CA15 8AY

Beach Type: Pebbles and sand

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Free nearby

Other Facilities: Toilets, lots of nearby eateries in Maryport.

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: If you’ve worked up an appetite with all the sea air I can highly recommend Zest Harbourside for delicious and very reasonably priced food. They are very welcoming and fully dog friendly.

Allonby beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐

If Allonby Beach was a moor it would definitely be the West Yorkshire moors made famous by Emily Bronte in Wuthering Heights. A huge, dramatic expanse of sand looks out across the Solway Estuary towards the Scottish fells and the Isle of Man.

It is a five-mile stretch of sand for your dog to chase a ball, or jump in water ravines left behind by the tide and tire themselves out. Allonby Beach is known for its clean water and boasts spectacular sunsets!

There is free parking and toilets.

Key Points

SATNAV: CA15 6QA

Beach Type: Sandy

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Free nearby

Other Facilities: Toilets

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: On a clear day you can see over to the Isle of Man.

and rounding up our list of the ‘Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches Near The Lake District’ is…

Silloth Beach

Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Silloth Beach is worth the drive up the Cumbrian coastline for its wildlife alone. Its soft sand backs onto sand dunes and has enough space to run for even the most energetic pooch! The outlook across the Solway Firth towards Scotland is stunning, and nature lovers will be in their element spotting migrant birds.

There are toilets and parking at the beach and plenty of facilities in Silloth.

Key Points

SATNAV: CA7 4JQ

Beach Type: Sandy

Lifeguard: No

Parking: Free nearby

Other Facilities: Toilets

Dog Restrictions: None

Extra Info: Be sure to watch out for the visiting porpoises and dolphins if you walk along the promenade – they can be spotted mostly from July to September.

If you can recommend any more dog friendly beaches near the Lake District please share below in the comments.