
Danes Dyke Tree Trail and Beach
East Yorkshire
Danes Dyke is a 148 acre local nature reserve on Flamborough Headland where dogs can explore under close control along the ravine and down to the beach, named after the huge ditch and bank earthwork that cuts across the headland and is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Despite the name it is prehistoric, not Danish: Bronze Age arrowheads have been found in excavations. The reserve holds the largest area of woodland on the headland, with ash, elm, lime, beech and sycamore on the ravine edges and a Victorian monkey puzzle tree left from a grand house demolished in 1953. This walk follows the 3km Tree Trail through the ravine woods, then adds the 300 metre path down to the beach, where chalk cliffs, pebbles and rock pools appear at low tide. Paths are surfaced, but crossings of the ravine have steep flights of up to 100 steps.
This is a dog friendly walk with no livestock on route, and the council asks only that dogs are kept under close control and cleaned up after. The woods give shade and plenty to sniff, and a dog with good recall can enjoy some freedom on the trail. The beach below has no seasonal dog ban, so it makes a good place for a run and a swim in calm conditions. Keep dogs away from the foot of the cliffs and watch for fast rising tides. The pay and display car park has toilets, picnic tables and a cafe kiosk.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.6 km (2.2 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Toilets, picnic area and a small cafe kiosk at the car park; pubs and tearooms in Flamborough and Bridlington.
- Parking
- Danes Dyke reserve car park off the B1255, pay and display all year, with an overflow car park; one way access road.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Danes Dyke Tree Trail and Beach, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in East YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Danes Dyke Tree Trail and Beach dog friendly?
Yes, Danes Dyke rates 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness and is a great choice for a day out with your dog. The nature reserve has no livestock on the route, and the council simply asks that dogs are kept under close control and that you clean up after them. Better still, the beach below the woods has no seasonal dog ban, so it's open to dogs all year round.
Can dogs be off lead at Danes Dyke Tree Trail and Beach?
Dogs aren't required to be on lead throughout, and a dog with reliable recall can enjoy some freedom along the 3km Tree Trail through the ravine woods. On the beach, calm conditions make it a good spot for a run and a swim. That said, keep dogs away from the base of the chalk cliffs and stay aware of fast-rising tides when you're down at the shore.
What should I know before visiting Danes Dyke Tree Trail and Beach with my dog?
The paths through the reserve are surfaced, but the crossings of the ravine involve steep flights of up to 100 steps, so it's worth bearing that in mind if your dog struggles with stairs. Tides matter here too — rock pools are only accessible at low tide, and the tide can rise quickly, so check times before heading down to the beach. On the practical side, there are toilets, picnic tables and a cafe kiosk at the pay and display car park, and the access road is one way, so plan your approach from the B1255.
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