Nine dog-friendly beaches in Wales

Wales is famous for its rugged coastlines, national parks and glorious beaches. So when choosing a holiday destination, it’s great to be able to take your four-legged canines with you. There are plenty of dog-friendly gems, including Cardigan Bay, Ogmore By Sea or Glamorgan Heritage Coast. If you’re not sure where to go, we’ve listed some of our dog-friendly beaches in Wales for you to enjoy!

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1. Rhossili Bay

Location: Gower

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car park: Next to the beach

Rhossili Bay Beach has been named ‘The UK’s No.1 dog-friendly beach’ by The Times. Located in Gower, this beach is perfect for dog walking as it’s possible to walk to Llangennith or even Worms Head. If walking to Worms Head, make sure to check in with the Coastwatch Centre before heading off and watch out for the tide coming in as you don’t want to get cut off. Bring along your binoculars for a bit of bird watching as a variety of different birds nest within the cliffs.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Little Hill Cottage is a stylish barn conversion situated in the village of Rhossili and only a stone’s throw away from Rhossili Bay Beach.

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2. Burry Port Beach

Location: Burry Port

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car Park: Around the marina, charges apply

Located in Carmarthenshire, Burry Port Beach is a popular spot for dog walkers. This lovely beach is made up mostly of sand, with a small pebbled area to the east of the marina. You can start your dog walk at the beach and take the coastal path to Llanelli. This former coal mining town is popular with golfers and walkers, with Pembry Burrows, a wetland ecosystem and Pembrey Country Park to the west of the marina.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Bungalow in West Wales is a gorgeous single story detached property with a lovely garden and is within close proximity to shops, restaurants and cafes.

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3. Conwy Morfa Beach

Location: Conwy

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car park: Small car park just off the North Wales Expressway

Located just a short distance away from the picturesque town of Conwy, Conwy Morfa Beach is a rural, quiet beach. It’s a popular spot for bird watchers and dog owners as at low tide, the beach links up with others in the Colwyn Bay Area. This part of the shoreline is great for searching for sea glass. This area is home to a wide expanse of marshy, golden sands, backed by a layer of shingles and grassy dunes.

Dog-friendly places to stay: The Shippon is a stunning 18th century barn nestled within a three acre rural setting in the Conwy Valley.

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4. Old Colwyn Beach

Location: Old Colwyn

Dogs allowed? Yes, only on the eastern section of the beach

Car park: At the western end of the beach, near the promenade

Old Colwyn Beach is a sandy section of beach at the far eastern end of the long promenade that runs along Colwyn Bay. The beach is very popular with swimmers and water sports enthusiasts as well as dog walkers. The promenade has walking tracks for you and your four-legged friends. Just a short walk from the beach you will find the town centre lined with shops and a few local attractions.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Nestled on the outskirts of Llysfaen village, The Wren, is perfect for a cozy getaway.

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5. Little Haven

Location: Little Haven

Dogs allowed? Yes, All year round

Car Park: In the village

Located in the quaint village of Little Haven, in Pembrokeshire, Little Haven Beach is a popular spot for dog walkers and boat owners. The beach is a small sandy and rocky inlet that can be accessed at both low and high tide. At low tide you and your furry friends can walk all the way to Broad Haven. There are also plenty of rock pools on Little Haven Beach where children can look for starfish and crabs. There is also a wheelchair/ pushchair accessible path leading to a handy view point.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Hafan Aber Llydan is a beautiful seaside cottage located in Broad Haven.

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6. Barafundle Bay

Location: Stackpole

Dogs allowed? Yes, All year round.

Car park: Half a mile away from the beach at Stackpole Quay National Trust

Only accessible via the Pembroke Coastal Path, Barafundle Bay Beach is well worth the walk. It’s a broad stretch of pristine, golden sand flanked by pine covered Carboniferous Limestone. This beach has a very secluded feel. The walk alone is great for you and your canine companions, they are then free to splash in the crystal clear waters when you get there. Barafundle Bay Beach has won countless awards and is owned by the Stackpole Estate and managed by the National Trust.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Cottage in West Wales is a stunning barn conversion set in a beautiful part of the Pembroke Coast National Park.

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7. Broughton Bay

Location: Burry Port

Dogs allowed? Yes, All year round

Car park: Small car park 400 meters from the beach

Broughton Bay is a tranquil beach on the north-western tip of Gower Peninsula. It’s a large stretch of sand backed by dunes. The sand here is constantly shifting so keep your eyes peeled for any hidden treasure - a recent discovery was of a 17th century sword handle. This beach is not suitable for swimming or water sports due to the strong current. At low tide you can explore a number of small coves but make sure to check the tide times as you can easily get cut off.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Glenview is a dog-friendly two-bedroom cottage in the heart of Llanmadoc village.

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8. Jackson's Bay, Barry Island

Location: Barry

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car park: Five-minute walk from the beach

Jacksons Bay, located in Barry, is the perfect beach for building sandcastles and splashing about in the sea. Dogs will love running along this beach and taking a walk along the Wales Coastal Path. The beach offers views of the lighthouse and over the Bristol Channel. Jackson Bay is a beautiful wide sandy beach backed by cliffs and plenty of greenery. Visitors to Barry Island will find plenty of amusements, shops, parks, and cafes.

Dog-friendly places to stay: The Stalls is a luxurious condo that's nestled in the curtilage of the historic Grade II listed Gileston Manor.

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9. Oxwich Bay

Location: Swansea

Dogs allowed? Yes, all year round

Car park: Right next to the beach

Voted the ‘most beautiful beach in Britain’ by The Travel Magazine, Oxwich Bay Beach is a large stretch of sand in Swansea that's backed by dunes, woodland and the Oxwich National Nature Reserve. This beach is hugely popular with surfers, paddle boarders and kite surfers as well as dog walkers. Oxwich Bay Beach has appeared in several well-known TV shows including A discovery of Witches, The King, and Series 2 of Keeping Faith.

Dog-friendly places to stay: Located on Sealands Farm, Coastal View is a spacious ground floor apartment, within easy walking distance of the Coastal Path.