Dog Friendly Beaches in Suffolk
article by "Local Tom"

The Suffolk coast is famously dog-friendly, and you're never too far from a beach where your pooch can play, paddle and explore to his heart's content. The authorities make sure doggie waste bins are well placed for your cleaning-up convenience while local businesses are generally good at providing water bowls for your pet's comfort.

The main resorts prohibit dogs from some parts of their beaches between May 1 and September 30 each year – watch out for the signs and maps which clearly show where you can and can't go – but these restrictions still leave plenty of sand, shingle and sea available for canine capers. And from October through to April there are no dog restrictions in force, so you can plan a day out with your canine companions at the beach of your choice.

Here's my pick of some of the best Suffolk beaches for four-legged fun…

Aldeburgh
Traditional-with-a-twist Aldeburgh, once one of the East Coast's leading ports and today a thriving resort with fashionable shops, cosy holiday cottages and a world-famous music festival, has a seashore that's a favourite with all visitors. It's a long stretch of predominantly shingle which shelves quite steeply to the sea, with some sandy areas exposed at low tide.
Dogs are prohibited from the main beach in the summer season but just to the north of the town, heading towards Thorpeness, they're allowed to join in the seashore fun.

Felixstowe
Felixstowe's unspoilt town sits above a beautiful seafront which is over four miles long and has a wide promenade that stretches almost the entire length of the sand and shingle beach. Dogs are banned from the main beach during the summer season, but are allowed on the sands either side of the restricted area.
A bracing walk or pleasant drive north of the town will bring you to the quaint little outpost of Felixstowe Ferry with its gallery, golf course, cottages, boatyard and inns. Dogs will love exploring the coastal paths and sniffing around the fresh fish stalls here, and for a walk further afield you can catch the small ferry boat across the estuary to Bawdsey.

Kessingland
Close to Lowestoft (where dogs are restricted on the Pavilion and town beach) but feeling like a million miles away, Kessingland beach is unspoilt and spacious – one of Suffolk's best-kept secrets! The huge beach here is a mix of marshland, shingle and sand, and it stretches for miles towards Lowestoft to the north and Southwold to the south.

Sizewell
Tucked between Dunwich to the north and Thorpeness to the south, Sizewell is the perfect place to set off for a walk with the dog – the beach here has no restrictions on dogs year-round. Keep your pet under control as you near Dunwich… it's an important bird-nesting site and though dogs are welcome at most times, occasional restrictions are imposed for the safe-keeping of our feathered friends.

Southwold
Visitors return year after year to the seaside town of Southwold, famous for its iconic beach huts, lighthouse and historic pier. But it's the beautiful golden beach – a regular Blue Flag winner for its cleanliness and facilities – which makes this a true holiday hotspot. As would be expected, restrictions are in place all year round on the town's main beach, but Southwold Denes, just to the north, is dog-friendly.

Walberswick
Just across the River Blyth from Southwold is affluent Walberswick, popular with ramblers and nature lovers as well as crabbing enthusiasts – every summer the village is home to the annual British Open Crabbing Championship!

Over a thousand acres of heath and marshland around Walberswick are protected as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. The beach is an unspoilt mix of shingle and sand backed by dunes, perfect for paddling and picnics… and pet-friendly all year round!

Local Tom

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