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Dog Friendly Beaches in County Down

17 dog friendly beaches across County Down with honest access info, tide notes, and year-round or seasonal restrictions flagged upfront.

17 locations
Murlough Beach beach

Murlough Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 9/10

The beach at the back of the famous Murlough National Nature Reserve dune system with year-round access and Mourne Mountain views.

Tyrella Beach beach

Tyrella Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 9/10

A remote sandy beach below the Mourne Mountains with year-round access and dramatic scenery on a quieter stretch of the Down coastline.

Ballywalter Beach beach

Ballywalter Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 8/10

A sandy beach on the Ards Peninsula with year-round access and a quiet, unhurried character.

Cranfield Beach beach

Cranfield Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 8/10

A quiet sandy beach on Carlingford Lough with year-round access and views across the water to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic.

Helens Bay Beach beach

Helens Bay Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 8/10

A sandy beach in Crawfordsburn Country Park with year-round dog access, a WWI coastal fort above, picnic areas and cafes in the park and views across Belfast Lough.

Millisle Lagoon beach

Millisle Lagoon

County Down
Dog Friendly: 8/10

A sheltered lagoon beach on the Ards Peninsula with year-round access and a relaxed family atmosphere.

Ballyholme Beach beach

Ballyholme Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

A wide, sheltered sandy bay at Bangor with year-round dog access on leads, a popular sailing club and promenade, one of the most used beaches in the Greater Belfast area.

Ballykinler Beach beach

Ballykinler Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

A wide, remote sandy beach backed by the Mourne Mountains near Ballykinler and Tyrella, with year-round dog access when not affected by military training activity.

Cranfield West Beach beach

Cranfield West Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

A sheltered sandy beach on Carlingford Lough with outstanding views across to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic of Ireland, year-round dog access and a very quiet, rarely visited character.

Crawfordsburn Beach beach

Crawfordsburn Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

A sandy country park beach connecting to Helen's Bay via a beautiful coastal path in Crawfordsburn, with year-round dog access and excellent park facilities.

Donaghadee Beach beach

Donaghadee Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

A sandy beach at historic Donaghadee, the nearest point in Ireland to Scotland, with year-round dog access and the town's famous lighthouse, harbour and oldest pub in Ireland.

Groomsport Beach beach

Groomsport Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

A sandy beach at the charming fishing village of Groomsport with year-round dog access (on leads in designated areas), a preserved harbour and historic Cockle Row cottages.

Newcastle Beach beach

Newcastle Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 7/10

Newcastle's famous sandy beach below the Mourne Mountains with seasonal restrictions from 1 June to 15 September on the central section, and one of the most dramatic beach settings in Ireland.

Bangor Beach beach

Bangor Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 6/10

Bangor's main resort beach adjacent to one of Ireland's largest marinas, with year-round dog access on leads and the full amenities of the North Down's premier seaside town.

Kilkeel Beach beach

Kilkeel Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 6/10

A sandy beach at Kilkeel, Northern Ireland's largest fishing harbour and the Mourne capital, with year-round dog access and the dramatic Mourne Mountains as a backdrop.

Millisle Beach beach

Millisle Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 6/10

A sandy Ards peninsula beach at Millisle with year-round dog access and the restored Ballycopeland Windmill above the village, one of the best-preserved in Ireland.

Orlock Beach beach

Orlock Beach

County Down
Dog Friendly: 6/10

A dramatic rocky headland at Orlock Point with year-round dog access, wild coastal walking and outstanding views across Belfast Lough on the North Down Coastal Path.