Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in County Down
Everything we've reviewed in County Down. Walks, beaches, and everything in between, built for dog owners who don't leave their dogs behind.
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Castle Ward Estate and Strangford Shore
County DownA dog friendly National Trust estate walk around Castle Ward with off lead exercise field and Strangford Lough shoreline.
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Murlough Beach
County DownThe beach at the back of the famous Murlough National Nature Reserve dune system with year-round access and Mourne Mountain views.
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Tollymore Forest Park Extended Circuit
County DownA dog friendly forest park at the foot of the Mournes with long waymarked trails along the Shimna River.
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Tyrella Beach
County DownA remote sandy beach below the Mourne Mountains with year-round access and dramatic scenery on a quieter stretch of the Down coastline.
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Scrabo Country Park and Tower Circular
County DownA dog friendly short hill walk to the iconic Scrabo Tower with panoramas over Strangford Lough.
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Ballywalter Beach
County DownA sandy beach on the Ards Peninsula with year-round access and a quiet, unhurried character.
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Cranfield Beach
County DownA quiet sandy beach on Carlingford Lough with year-round access and views across the water to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic.
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Helens Bay Beach
County DownA 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.
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Kilbroney Forest Park Circular, Rostrevor
County DownA dog friendly forest park tucked at the feet of Slieve Martin above Carlingford Lough with waterfall, old oak and summit loop options.
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Millisle Lagoon
County DownA sheltered lagoon beach on the Ards Peninsula with year-round access and a relaxed family atmosphere.
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Mourne Mountains: Slieve Binnian from Carrick Little
County DownA dog friendly Mourne Mountain circuit over the granite tors of Slieve Binnian with Silent Valley views.
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Cloghy to Ballyhalbert Coastal Walk
County DownA dog friendly quiet coastal walk along the eastern Ards shore with long sands and rockpool flats.
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Mourne Mountains: Slieve Commedagh from Newcastle
County DownA dog friendly big day in the Mournes climbing Slieve Commedagh from Newcastle via the Glen River.
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Strangford Lough Lecale Coastal Walk
County DownA dog friendly shoreline walk along the Strangford and Lecale coast with tidal views, Audley's Castle and quiet lanes.
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Ballyholme Beach
County DownA 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.
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Ballykinler Beach
County DownA 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.
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Cranfield West Beach
County DownA 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.
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Crawfordsburn Beach
County DownA 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.
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Donaghadee Beach
County DownA 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.
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Groomsport Beach
County DownA 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.
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Mourne Wall Walk (South Section)
County DownA dog friendly high Mourne traverse along the southern half of the famous granite Mourne Wall.
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Newcastle Beach
County DownNewcastle'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.
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Bangor Beach
County DownBangor'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.
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Kilkeel Beach
County DownA 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.
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Millisle Beach
County DownA 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.
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Orlock Beach
County DownA 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.