Dogs are welcome on beaches across Wales this weekend after the annual summer ban was lifted. The restrictions, which were introduced on May 1 on many of the country's most popular beaches, ended on October 1, meaning canines can return to the sand.
Enforcement and exemptions
Local authorities used methods including fines to enforce the bans during the busiest summer months, though guide dogs and support dogs were exempt. With the bans now removed, dogs can run freely on all beaches across Wales once again.
Beaches where bans have been lifted
Here is a list of Welsh beaches where dog bans were in place and have now been lifted:
Anglesey: Beaumaris, Benllech, Cemaes Bay, Llanddwyn (Newborough), Llanddona, Porth Dafarch, and Trearddur Bay. At Benllech, Cemaes Bay, and Trearddur Bay, dogs must be kept on leads on the promenades.
Bridgend: Rest Bay, Sandy Bay (Coney Beach), Seafront Beach (Town Beach), and Trecco Bay.
Carmarthenshire: Cefn Sidan (with a dog-free zone on just one mile of its length between May and September; dogs and their owners can still enjoy seven miles of golden sands even in the summer months), Llansteffan (where a strip of beach is inaccessible to dogs and is clearly marked with signs), and Pendine (where restrictions apply to the section between the two slipways).
Conwy: Colwyn Bay Beach (between the Victoria Pier and the entrance to Eirias Park), Pensarn Beach (between the low water mark and the promenade), Kinmel Bay Beach (dogs had to be kept on a lead on the area of beach between the entrance from the car park on St Asaph Avenue and the first entrance to the beach from the promenade, near Woodside Avenue), Llandudno North Shore Beach (from Llandudno pier to the first slipway), Llandudno West Shore Beach (between the low water mark and the promenade extending between the two stone groynes), Penmaenmawr Beach (between the slipway by the Sailing Club to the promenade by the cafe), Llanfairfechan Beach (between the main slipway and the river mouth), Rhos on Sea Beach (year-round between Rhos Point until the slipways, and all year between the promenade access point in line with College Avenue and the promenade wall), and Kinmel Bay sand dunes (dogs must be kept on lead at all times). Detailed maps can be found online.
Ceredigion: Aberaeron South beach, Aberystwyth South Beach, Aberystwyth North Beach, Aberporth, Borth, Clarach, New Quay, Llangrannog, Mwnt, Penbryn, and Tresaith.
Denbighshire: While restrictions were in place, dogs could only be taken to designated dog exercise areas, which were the beach area from Old Golf Road, Rhyl, eastwards to Ffrith Festival Gardens, Prestatyn, and the area to the east of The Sailing Club at Barkby Beach, Prestatyn. Signs and maps are displayed on the beach to indicate where dogs are allowed during the summer months.
Gwynedd (from April 1 to September 30): Aberdaron, Aberdyfi, Abermaw, Abersoch, Bennar, Cricieth (Promenade), Dinas Dinlle, Fairbourne, Glan don, Harlech, Llandanwg, Morfa Bychan, Morfa Nefyn, Nefyn, Porth Oer, Pwllheli, Towyn, and Tywyn. Many of these restrictions are partial bans, with maps available detailing the prohibited areas.
Neath Port Talbot: Aberavon (a map of the covered area is available).
Pembrokeshire: Full bans were in place at Tenby North Beach and Whitesands, St Davids, with partial bans at Lydstep, Newgale beach and promenade, Saundersfoot beach and promenade, Tenby Castle and South Beach, Amroth beach and Promenade, Poppit Sands, Broadhaven North, and Dale.
Swansea: Swansea Bay (from the River Tawe to the slip opposite Victoria Park and from the beach access at Sketty Lane to the northern edge of the slip at the West Cross Inn), Bracelet Bay, Limeslade Bay, Rotherslade Bay, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, and Port Eynon beach (from the eastern edge of the steps to Port Eynon beach to the eastern edge of Horton beach access).
Vale of Glamorgan: Whitmore Bay (Barry Island), Dunraven Bay (Southerndown), Cwm Colhuw (Llantwit), Penarth beach (between the Pier and the Yacht club only), Penarth Pier (decking area only), and Cold Knap, Barry.
