The ten(ish) best dog friendly beaches in North Wales
no trip to the beach is complete if your dog can’t come too
There’s more to North Wales than the mountains of Eryri. With more than two hundred miles of coastline, North Wales has golden sands and sheltered coves in abundance. Visitors have been flocking to the coast here for hundreds of years, but with so much choice, it can be tricky to decide which beach to head to first. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a quick guide to some of the best dog friendly beaches in North Wales – because no trip to the beach is complete if your dog can’t come too.
Barmouth Beach
Roll up, roll up! Welcome to Barmouth, a family friendly seaside town with an enormous sandy beach. Barmouth retains all of the traditional seaside charm which made it popular back in the Victorian era. With amusement arcades, donkey rides and candy floss galore, there’s no better beach for summer seaside fun and games. In the summer months you’ll find trampolines, bouncy castles and even a pirate ship here – so bring your deckchair and let the kids tire themselves out while you and your pooch have a well deserved snooze on the sand.
There is a dog restriction on a small section of the beach from April to September, but the rest of the beach is dog friendly all year round. Even during the summer months with the restriction in place, there’s more than enough space for your pup to stretch their legs.
At low tide, you can walk along the beach all the way to Harlech – a whopping ten miles away! If you’re not feeling quite this energetic, have a wander down the coast to Fairbourne, which is just three miles away. In summer, you can even catch a (dog friendly) ferry back to the start! That’s what we call travelling in style.
Harlech Beach
Most people visiting Harlech come to see the dramatic remains of Harlech Castle. Built by Edward I of England in the 13th century, the castle is a UNESCO world heritage site with outstanding views of the mountains of Eryri and the coast. After a short stroll around the ruins, most people discover the beach here by accident. And what a surprise they’re in for!
Backing a four mile stretch of golden sand, the dunes here are a designated SSSI home to rare flowers like the bee orchid and the three coloured dune pansy, while leatherback turtles feed on jellyfish off the coast here.
There is a small area in front of the holiday park with a dog restriction in place, but this is easily avoided by turning left when you get to the beach. Bring your frisbee and spend as long as you like meandering along the shore: there’s an abundance of sea, sand and fresh air just waiting for you and your pup to explore.
Llanbedrog Beach
Is there anything that says ‘beach day’ more than a row of colourful beach huts? At the National Trust’s Llanbedrog beach you’ll find beach huts aplenty, plus a sandy beach with sheltered waters, all with wonderful views over Cardigan Bay.
During the summer months (April- September), you’ll need to keep your dog on a lead until you get beyond the beach huts, but after this point, you’re free to let them off for a good run. You can pick up one of the National Trust’s family fun adventure packs for free from the car park, which have lots of activities for kids including bug hunting and leaf trails.
For a slightly different view of the beach, climb up the headland to the famous Tin Man sculpture which looks out over Cardigan Bay and the Llyn Peninsula. It’s a three-mile circular walk up to the sculpture, but we don’t think your dog will mind a few extra steps.
Porth Neigwl beach
Escape the busy beaches of Abersoch with a trip to Porth Neigwl, a lesser visited beach close to the tip of the Llyn Peninsula. The site of more than thirty shipwrecks over the years, this perhaps accounts for the local name of ‘Hell’s Mouth’. Or perhaps it’s due to the wide, sweeping, vaguely mouth shaped crescent which forms the bay? Whatever the reason for it, don’t let the name put you off: the four mile beach here is perfect for dog walking, with no restrictions in place and dogs welcome year round.
You’re likely to spot surfers on the coast here, as you’ll find some of the best surf on the Llyn Peninsula. Look out for bottlenose dolphins and harbour porpoises playing in the waves off the coast – clearly it’s not just humans who love it!
Dinas Dinlle beach
Close to the historic town of Caernarfon, Dinas Dinlle is a fairly ordinary pebbly beach, which is transformed into a sweeping expanse of sand at low tide. With views over the bay to Anglesey and along the coast to the Llyn Peninsula, the setting is only made more beautiful by the back drop of the nearby mountains. If you look closely, you might even spot the lighthouse on Llanddwyn Island in the distance. It’s hands down one of the most beautiful places to watch the sunset.
From May to September there is a small area where dogs are restricted between the stone breakwaters, but the rest of the beach allows dogs all year round. You can walk for nearly three miles to reach the end of the beach, which is close to Caernarfon airport. Plane spotters will be thrilled by watching the aircraft take off and land at the airfield – just don’t forget to check the ocean for dolphins too!
Traeth Llanddwyn
Pretty much all of the Anglesey coast is included in the Anglesey AONB, and it doesn’t take long to work out why. The beaches of the island are jaw-droppingly beautiful, and no fewer than four of them make an appearance on this list.
First up is Traeth Llanddywn, sometimes called Newborough beach, an excellent sandy beach close to the exceptionally instagrammable Llanddwyn Island and its lighthouse. While there are dog restrictions on part of the beach, most of it allows dogs all year. Despite the restrictions this is one of the most popular dog walks on Anglesey, as a trip to the beach can be combined with a walk through the adjacent Newborough Forest, giving you the best of both worlds.
If you have time, make sure to visit Llanddwyn Island for the breathtaking views of the lighthouse. Llanddwyn Island is so-called as it is said to be the home of Saint Dwynwen, the daughter of a 5th century Welsh king, who retreated to the island after falling in love and who subsequently become the Welsh patron saint of lovers. We love places with a story behind them and it doesn’t get more romantic than this.
Rhosneigr
The term ‘beaches for days’ could be used to describe the coast at Rhosneigr on Anglesey. Three beaches, each with its own distinct character, can be found here, all of which are completely dog friendly 365 days a year.
Traeth Crigyll is perhaps the most popular, with its clear shallow waters ideal for paddling. It’s the perfect spot to take your paddle board, or you can hire one for the day from a local surf shop if your dog fancies trying his paw at being a SUP pup.
To the south, Traeth Llydan is frequented by surfers and swimmers, while dog walkers can combine a visit to this beach with a walk around Llyn Maelog. Be sure not to let your dog swim in the lake as blue algae blooms have been spotted here.
The final beach at Rhosneigr, Traeth Cymyran, is the quietest of the three and is mainly frequented by fishermen. Whatever you’re after, Rhosneigr is sure to have something that hits the spot.
Red Wharf Bay
Red Wharf Bay on Anglesey has a long history. The Welsh name for it is Traeth Coch meaning Red Beach, which comes from the rather gruesome fact that a huge battle was fought against the Vikings here, resulting in the sands being awash with blood. More recently, the beach was a busy shipping port until the arrival of the steam engine, hence the ‘Wharf’ which attached itself to the name.
Most people are less interested in the history and more interested in the excellent dog friendly beach here: there are no dog restrictions at all, and at low tide, the sandy beach stretches for an enormous 10 square miles. You could spend hours wandering along the beach, or walk along the Wales Coastal Path to Benllech. After your walk, sit back and relax at one of the nearby eateries: The Ship Inn welcomes dogs, while The Tavern on the Bay and The Old Boathouse allow dogs at outside tables. The perfect way to spend a sunny summer evening.
Conwy Morfa
Once home to a Victorian tip, Conwy Morfa beach is perhaps the last place you’d think of as a popular family day out. However, with views of Puffin Island, Great Orme and Conwy Mountain, not to mention sand aplenty at low tide, bring your bucket and spade for a great day out. Best of all, there are no dog restrictions at this beach and you are welcome to bring your four legged friends all year round.
Dogs will adore playing on the beach here, while children and adults alike will love the opportunity to hunt for sea glass close to the remains of the tip. While natural objects like shells and pebbles need to be left on the beach, it’s OK to take man made things like sea glass as a souvenir of your visit. Turn right from the car park for the area with the highest density of sea glass, or turn left for the sandier, prettier part of the beach which is best for sandcastles and zoomies.
Talacre
Right on the border between Wales and England, Talacre and the lighthouse at Point of Ayr, really are as far north as you can get on the Welsh mainland.
The Grade II listed lighthouse here was built in 1776 and towers over the beach at a staggering 18 metres tall. If you walk across for a closer visit, be sure to keep an eye on the tide so you don’t end up spending the night here – it’s haunted by an old lighthouse keeper, or so they say!
The beach at Talacre is enormous and a paradise for dog walkers. Being dog friendly year round and with enough space that no matter how busy it gets, you’ll always be able to get away from the crowds. With acres of space, on a windy day, there’s no place better to fly a kite or simply marvel at the power of nature as the waves crash against the shore.
A designated SSSI, the beach here feels like you’re a million miles away from the nearest town – despite being less than an hour’s drive from Liverpool.
Bonus beach: Traeth Yr Ora
While ten dog friendly beaches in North Wales would have been a nice round number, it was simply too hard to choose which beach wouldn’t make the final cut. Therefore, a fourth Anglesey beach creeps onto the list, and it’s perfect for those who like their beaches remote and deserted.
At just over a mile’s walk from the nearest car park, Traeth yr Ora is just far away enough to put off the majority of people. And they’re missing out on a true hidden gem: a sweeping, unspoiled sandy cove which can only be accessed on foot or by boat. And to put the cherry on top, this beach welcomes dogs year round.
Look across the water to the tower on Yyns Dulas, constructed to provide shelter and food for sailors who were shipwrecked on the island. While it’s unlikely that you’ll see a sailor waiting to be rescued these days, you have an excellent chance of spotting the grey seals who inhabit the island today.
