Kettleness Beach
North Yorkshire
Kettleness Beach is a remote and spectacular cove east of Runswick Bay on the North Yorkshire coast, accessible only by scrambling down a very steep path assisted by a fixed rope. The beach is beloved by fossil hunters: dinosaur fossils and ammonites are regularly found along the foreshore and in the cliff material. The cove is enclosed by dramatic alum shale cliffs and has a wild, secret character that rewards the effort of the descent. The Cleveland Way long distance path passes along the clifftop above, connecting to Runswick Bay to the west and Sandsend and Whitby to the east.
Kettleness is explicitly listed by Discover Yorkshire Coast as a beach with no dog restrictions. Dogs are welcome year-round. However, the very steep and difficult access path means this beach is only suitable for dogs capable of managing scrambling terrain, and owners should exercise care on the descent. The beach itself, once reached, is open and uncrowded. No facilities of any kind are present at the cove.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- Year Round
- Beach Type
- Rock, Shingle
- Tide Notes
- Small cove that reduces significantly at high tide. Fossil hunting is best at low tide when rocks are exposed. The cliff material and foreshore can be slippery. Check tide times before descending.
- Facilities
- None at beach. Runswick Bay (approx 3km west) has a pub and cafe. Whitby has full facilities
- Parking
- Small informal parking at Kettleness village on the clifftop. Steep rope-assisted path to beach. Not suitable for those with limited mobility
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Kettleness Beach, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
The Velveteen Bath House
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,183 / 7 nights
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What’s Nearby?
Beach1.3 mi awayRunswick Bay
North Yorkshire
A beautifully preserved fishing village cove with sandy beach, year-round access and one of the most photogenic settings on the Yorkshire coast.
Beach2.7 mi awaySandsend Beach
North Yorkshire
A beautiful three-mile Yorkshire Heritage Coast beach connecting Sandsend village to Whitby, with seasonal restrictions near the village from 1 May to 30 September and excellent off-lead walking outside the restricted zone.
Beach3.7 mi awayStaithes Beach
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A small rocky cove in one of England's most atmospheric fishing villages, year-round access with the dramatic harbour and cliff scenery as backdrop.
Beach4.5 mi awayWhitby Sands
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The wide sandy beach below Whitby Abbey with the famous swing bridge and good year-round access on the quieter western end.
Walk5.2 mi awayWhitby to Robin Hood’s Bay
North Yorkshire
A dramatic coastal walk between two iconic North Yorkshire villages with spectacular cliff-top scenery; the point-to-point format requires transport planning and livestock on cliff sections need care.
Attraction5.3 mi awayWhitby Abbey
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Roofless Gothic ruins above the harbour, with acres of clifftop grass for your dog and almost no indoors to leave them out of.