Hastings Beach
East Sussex
Hastings Beach runs along the central seafront of the town, flanked by the restored Victorian pier to the west and the famous Stade fishing beach and black net huts to the east. The beach is predominantly shingle, with firm sand revealed along the lower shore at low tide, and the backdrop of the Old Town with its clifftop castle and funicular railway gives the setting a striking, layered character that few resort beaches can match. The promenade is long and well maintained, with a good range of cafes, fish and chip shops and independent businesses along the seafront. The working fishing fleet at the Stade adds a genuine working-harbour atmosphere, and the fresh fish available directly from the beach huts is a Hastings institution.
Dogs face significant seasonal restrictions at Hastings Beach under the updated Hastings Borough Council PSPO, which came into force in 2025. From 1 April to 30 September, dogs are excluded from two designated zones on the main beach: the stretch from the west of the Harbour Arm to the east side of Hastings Pier, and from Warrior Square to Azur. Outside these dates, dogs are welcome on all parts of the beach off-lead. The dog-friendly stretches just beyond the restriction zones are accessible year-round. Leads are required on the promenade at all times. The Old Town and seafront have several dog-friendly cafes and pubs, particularly around the Rock-a-Nore Road area near the fishing beach.
At a Glance
Beach Must-Haves
Elite Paws Luxury Dog Drying Coat
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LumoLeaf Portable Dog Water Bottles
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Mud Daddy 8L Portable Pet Washing Device
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Dog Travel Bag
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Dog Tie Out Stake and Run Cable
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Dog Life Jacket
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Frequently Asked Questions
Hastings Beach is a good option for dog owners, earning a 7/10 on our dog-friendly rating, though it comes with some important caveats depending on the time of year. The beach has real character — a long promenade, a working fishing fleet at the Stade, and an Old Town backdrop — and there are several dog-friendly cafes and pubs, particularly around Rock-a-Nore Road near the fishing beach. Just be aware that leads are required on the promenade at all times, and seasonal restrictions apply to parts of the main beach in summer.
Dogs are welcome on all parts of the beach off-lead outside of the summer season, making Hastings a great winter and off-season destination for a beach walk. However, under a Hastings Borough Council PSPO that came into force in 2025, dogs are excluded from two sections of the main beach between 1 April and 30 September: the stretch from the west of the Harbour Arm to the east side of Hastings Pier, and from Warrior Square to Azur. Year-round access is available on the dog-friendly stretches just beyond these restriction zones, so there are still options even in summer.
The most important thing to plan around is the seasonal restriction: from 1 April to 30 September, two sections of the main beach are off-limits to dogs, so it's worth checking which areas are accessible before you go. Leads are required on the promenade at all times regardless of the season. On the practical side, parking is available at the Stade for the east beach as well as in seafront and town centre car parks, and there's a good range of cafes and facilities along the seafront if you need a post-walk break.