Western Parade in Eastbourne, East Sussex, has been named the UK's most dog-friendly beach for summer 2026, scoring 9.9 out of 10 in a study by Yumove. The beach earned top marks for its fully unrestricted dog policy, comprehensive amenities including wheelchair access, and 1,891 annual sunshine hours.
Top Ten Beaches Feature Four Cornish Spots
Cornwall dominated the rankings, claiming four of the top ten positions. Watergate Bay, Crantock, Treyarnon Bay, and Fistral Beach in Newquay all scored between 9.51 and 9.53. Brighton Naturist Beach in East Sussex came second, while Dunwich Heath in Suffolk, St Helens on the Isle of Wight, Samphire Hoe in Kent, and Durley Chine in Bournemouth, Dorset, also made the list.
Visitor Feedback Highlights Dog-Friendly Appeal
According to TripAdvisor reviews, Watergate Bay was described as "a beautiful bay that is as good as it gets in this area. Great for chilling, surfing, dog walks, etc." A visitor to Treyarnon Bay noted, "Incredible bay with beautiful beach and surfers worth watching! Dog friendly enabling our Staffy to have a great time chasing his football up and down the beach." Another added, "Very clean beach... It is dog friendly and there were quite a few dogs whilst we were there."
Yumove Analysis Based on Multiple Factors
Yumove's ranking considered dog policies, accessibility, sunshine hours, parking availability, and other facilities across approximately 1,500 UK beaches. The analysis aimed to identify destinations where dogs are welcome year-round, even during summer restrictions common at other beaches.
