Somerset’s coastline is often overlooked, but for dog owners it offers something refreshingly different to the more polished beaches of the south coast. Facing the Bristol Channel, these beaches are defined by huge tidal ranges, expansive sands, and big skies, making them ideal for long, uninterrupted walks with your dog.
That said, Somerset beaches do come with their own character and quirks. Tides can move fast, mudflats are common in places, and some resort beaches have seasonal restrictions. This guide focuses on the best dog friendly beaches across the county, mixing wide open sands, quieter natural stretches, and classic seaside spots where dogs are welcome either year-round or outside peak summer months.
Berrow Beach
Berrow Beach is one of Somerset’s most expansive and dog friendly coastal stretches, running south from Burnham-on-Sea towards Brean. At low tide, the beach opens into a vast landscape of sand and firm flats, giving dogs plenty of space to roam while owners can enjoy long, uninterrupted walks with the sea stretching out ahead.
Despite its size, Berrow feels relatively relaxed and uncommercialised compared to neighbouring resort beaches. Facilities are limited, but that’s part of the appeal. This is a beach best enjoyed for walking rather than swimming, and dogs that love open space and freedom will thrive here, especially outside the busy summer months.
- Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
- Terrain: Flat sand and tidal flats
- Facilities: Minimal
- Parking: Roadside and small car parks nearby
- Best for: Long walks and energetic dogs
Brean Beach
Brean Beach sits at the foot of Brean Down and combines a dramatic natural backdrop with one of Somerset’s longest sandy beaches. The beach itself stretches for miles, offering wide, firm sand at low tide that’s ideal for dogs that enjoy long-distance walks and open terrain.
While parts of Brean can feel busy during peak holiday periods, especially near Brean Sands, it’s easy to walk away from the crowds. The further south you head, the quieter it becomes, and dogs are welcome year-round, making it one of the most reliable dog friendly options in the county.
- Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
- Terrain: Sand with large tidal range
- Facilities: Cafés and amenities near Brean Sands
- Parking: Large car parks available
- Best for: Scenic walks and space seekers
Burnham-on-Sea Beach
Burnham-on-Sea Beach is a classic Somerset seaside destination, known for its iconic lighthouse and wide, gently sloping sands. The beach is extremely flat, which means the sea can be a long walk away at low tide, but this creates a vast area for dogs to explore and burn off energy.
Dog access here is seasonal, with restrictions in place during the summer months. Outside of these times, Burnham-on-Sea becomes a great option for relaxed coastal walks, especially for dogs that enjoy a slower pace and owners who appreciate easy access and nearby facilities.
- Dog access: Restricted seasonally
- Terrain: Flat sand and tidal flats
- Facilities: Toilets, cafés, promenade
- Parking: Multiple town car parks
- Best for: Off-season walks and easy access
Weston-super-Mare Beach
Weston-super-Mare is one of the UK’s best-known seaside towns, and its main beach reflects that with a long promenade, traditional attractions, and a huge stretch of sand. While busy in summer, there are designated dog friendly zones and seasonal allowances that make it workable for dog owners who plan ahead.
At quieter times of year, Weston’s beach transforms into an excellent walking route, with expansive views across the Bristol Channel and plenty of space once the tide is out. Dogs that are comfortable around people and noise will enjoy this environment most.
- Dog access: Restricted in central areas seasonally
- Terrain: Sand and promenade
- Facilities: Extensive year-round
- Parking: Large town car parks
- Best for: Urban beach walks and amenities
Kilve Beach
Kilve Beach offers a very different experience to Somerset’s long sandy beaches. Known for its rocky shoreline and fossil-rich geology, this beach is a fascinating place to explore, especially for dogs that enjoy sniffing out new terrain and owners who prefer something more rugged.
The beach is quieter than the larger resort options and feels more remote, particularly outside summer. While not ideal for running flat out, it’s perfect for slow, curious walks, rockpooling, and enjoying the raw coastal scenery that Somerset does so well.
- Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
- Terrain: Pebbles, rocks, and sand
- Facilities: Limited, small car park nearby
- Parking: Pay and display close to beach
- Best for: Exploring and quieter walks
Blue Anchor Bay
Blue Anchor Bay sits on the edge of Exmoor’s coastline and offers a peaceful, scenic alternative to Somerset’s busier beaches. With a mix of sand and shingle, backed by railway line and rolling countryside, it feels calm and characterful, particularly outside peak travel times.
Dogs are welcome year-round, and the beach works well as part of a longer coastal walk rather than a standalone destination. The views across the Bristol Channel are excellent, and the quieter atmosphere makes this a good choice for dogs that prefer less stimulation.
- Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
- Terrain: Shingle and sand
- Facilities: Limited in the village
- Parking: Small local car parks
- Best for: Calm walks and coastal views
Dunster Beach
Dunster Beach is another Exmoor-edge option, combining a long shingle shoreline with expansive views and a peaceful atmosphere. It’s a popular spot for walkers and campers, but it rarely feels overcrowded, even during busier periods.
The beach is dog friendly year-round and works well for steady, longer walks rather than energetic play. Its proximity to Exmoor National Park makes it a good coastal add-on to inland walking routes, giving dogs a varied adventure in a single day.
- Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
- Terrain: Shingle
- Facilities: Café and nearby campsite
- Parking: On-site car park
- Best for: Steady walks and Exmoor trips
Minehead Beach
Minehead Beach marks the traditional gateway to Exmoor and offers a mix of promenade-backed sand and quieter stretches further from the town centre. While there are seasonal restrictions on parts of the beach, other areas remain accessible for dog owners who want a coastal walk close to town amenities.
Outside the summer season, Minehead becomes far more relaxed, and dogs can enjoy the wide shoreline with fewer distractions. It’s particularly well suited to dogs that enjoy varied environments, from promenade strolls to more open coastal sections.
- Dog access: Restricted in central areas seasonally
- Terrain: Sand and promenade
- Facilities: Shops, cafés, toilets
- Parking: Multiple town car parks
- Best for: Mixed walks and easy access
Map of Dog Friendly Beaches in Somerset
Below is a map showing the dog friendly beaches featured in this guide, making it easy to plan coastal walks or link beach visits with nearby trails and villages.
Minehead Beach marks the gateway to Exmoor and offers a mix of promenade-backed sand and quieter stretches further from the town centre. The beach is broad and open, with plenty of space when the tide is out.
Seasonal restrictions apply to central sections, but other areas remain accessible for dog owners. Outside peak season, Minehead becomes a relaxed coastal walk with easy access to shops, cafés, and transport links.
Dog access: Restricted in central areas seasonally
Terrain: Sand and promenade
Parking: Multiple town car parks
Facilities: Shops, cafés, toilets
Best for: Mixed walks with town access
Dunster Beach is a long shingle beach located just outside the historic village of Dunster and close to the edge of Exmoor National Park. The open shoreline and wide views make it ideal for steady, uninterrupted walks rather than short play sessions.
It’s dog friendly year-round and rarely feels overcrowded, even in summer. The nearby campsite and café add convenience, making it a good base for combining coastal and inland walks in a single trip.
Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
Terrain: Shingle
Parking: On-site car park
Facilities: Café and campsite nearby
Best for: Long walks and Exmoor trips
Blue Anchor Bay sits on the western edge of Somerset near the Exmoor coastline, offering a calm and characterful beach backed by countryside and railway line. The shoreline is a mix of sand and shingle, giving it a more traditional coastal feel without heavy development.
Dogs are welcome year-round, and the quieter atmosphere makes this a good choice for steady walks and coastal views. It works especially well as part of a longer coastal route rather than a short standalone visit.
Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
Terrain: Shingle and sand
Parking: Small local car parks
Facilities: Limited village amenities
Best for: Calm walks and coastal scenery
Kilve Beach is a quieter, more rugged option along Somerset’s coast, known for its rocky shoreline and fossil-rich ground. The beach feels remote compared to the county’s larger sandy beaches and offers a slower-paced, more exploratory experience.
It’s particularly appealing for dogs that enjoy sniffing and investigating rather than running flat out. Rockpools and changing textures make every visit slightly different, especially outside the busier summer months.
Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
Terrain: Pebbles, rocks, and sand
Parking: Pay and display car park nearby
Facilities: Limited
Best for: Exploring and quieter walks
Weston-super-Mare’s main beach is long, wide, and backed by a busy promenade, giving it a classic resort feel. While the central areas can be crowded during peak season, the sheer size of the beach means there’s still plenty of room once the tide is out.
Dog access is restricted in certain zones during summer, but quieter sections and off-season visits make this a practical option for owners who want facilities close by. It’s best suited to dogs comfortable around people and noise.
Dog access: Restricted in central areas seasonally
Terrain: Sand and promenade
Parking: Large town car parks
Facilities: Extensive year-round
Best for: Urban beach walks with amenities
Burnham-on-Sea Beach is a traditional seaside beach known for its lighthouse on stilts and wide, gently sloping sands. When the tide is out, the beach opens into a huge flat area that’s ideal for relaxed walking rather than energetic play near the waterline.
Seasonal restrictions apply during the summer months, but outside of these times the beach becomes a calm and accessible option. With plenty of nearby facilities, it suits dogs and owners who prefer an easygoing coastal stroll.
Dog access: Restricted seasonally
Terrain: Flat sand and tidal flats
Parking: Multiple town car parks
Facilities: Toilets, cafés, promenade
Best for: Off-season walks and easy access
Brean Beach sits beneath the dramatic limestone ridge of Brean Down and offers one of Somerset’s longest and most scenic sandy beaches. At low tide, firm sand stretches out across the shoreline, making it well suited to extended walks rather than short visits close to the access points.
The central areas can be busy during peak holiday periods, but it’s easy to walk away from the crowds and find quieter sections. Dogs are welcome year-round, making Brean a dependable option when other beaches have seasonal restrictions.
Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
Terrain: Sand with very large tidal range
Parking: Large public car parks nearby
Facilities: Cafés and seasonal amenities near Brean Sands
Best for: Scenic walks and space seekers
Berrow Beach is one of Somerset’s most expansive coastal stretches, running between Burnham-on-Sea and Brean with a distinctly open and exposed feel. At low tide the sand stretches out for miles, creating a vast, flat landscape that’s ideal for long, uninterrupted walks with plenty of space for dogs to roam.
The scale of the beach is part of its appeal, but it also means conditions matter. Tides can move quickly and the sea can feel deceptively far away, so it’s worth checking tide times before setting out. If you’re looking for space, simplicity, and a beach that never feels crowded, Berrow is a reliable choice.
Dog access: Dog friendly year-round
Terrain: Sand and tidal flats
Parking: Limited roadside parking and small local car parks
Facilities: Minimal
Best for: Long, open walks and energetic dogs
Explore more dog friendly beaches across the UK, as well as walking routes and more with our Wildpack Map.
What’s Nearby?
- Dog friendly walks in Exmoor National Park
Explore rugged moorland, wooded valleys, and dramatic coastal paths that pair perfectly with a beach day along Somerset’s western edge. - Dog friendly walks in Somerset
From rolling countryside to riverside trails, these walks are ideal for mixing inland adventures with coastal exploration. - Dog friendly walks in Bristol
Just over the county boundary, Bristol offers a mix of riverside paths, woodland trails, and green spaces that work well as an inland counterpoint to Somerset’s wide coastal walks. - Dog friendly beaches in Devon
Extend your trip south to Devon for a huge variety of sandy bays, rugged coves, and classic seaside beaches that welcome dogs year-round. - Dog friendly walks in Devon
Combine Somerset’s wide coastal walks with Devon’s clifftop paths, wooded trails, and river valleys for a varied South West itinerary.
Final Thoughts
Somerset’s dog friendly beaches are all about space, scale, and atmosphere rather than postcard perfection. If you and your dog love long walks, changing landscapes, and quieter coastal experiences, this county delivers in spades.
Just be mindful of tides, seasonal restrictions, and the natural conditions that make Somerset unique. With a bit of planning, these beaches offer some of the most rewarding and underrated dog friendly coastal walks in the South West.