Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in Northumberland

One of Northumberland's finest beaches: a sweeping arc of golden sand directly below Dunstanburgh Castle ruins, with year-round dog access, outstanding AONB scenery and very few restrictions.

A wide sandy estuary beach at the mouth of the Aln with dunes and year-round access, one of Northumberland's most underrated spots.

Vast and dramatic sands beneath iconic Bamburgh Castle, with enough space that even busy days feel manageable and year-round access.

Vast and dramatic sands beneath iconic Bamburgh Castle, with enough space that even busy days feel manageable.

Dog friendly Northumberland coast loop from beneath Bamburgh Castle round Stag Rock to Budle Bay's wading-bird estuary, mostly off-lead with castle views throughout.

A beautiful crescent bay with dunes, limekilns and year-round access, one of the most appealing of Northumberland's quieter beaches.

One of Northumberland's most iconic coastal walks, linking the fishing village of Craster with the atmospheric ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Seven miles of unbroken sand in a bay that remains one of England's least commercialised, with year-round dog access and extraordinary space.

Wide-open, big-sky sand beneath distant views of Dunstanburgh Castle - quieter than the headliner beaches with room to breathe.

Dog friendly open-beach yomp from the Farne Islands ferry harbour at Seahouses up the dune-backed coast to Bamburgh, loads of off-lead space and year-round dog access.

A beautiful, sheltered sandy cove in a tiny National Trust fishing village on the Northumberland coast with year-round dog access, stunning views of Dunstanburgh Castle and the iconic seasonal Ship Inn.

A superb ridge walk with panoramic views and high off-lead potential across the open fell; excellent dog-friendly pubs in Rothbury for post-walk refreshment.

A wide golden sandy beach at the mouth of the River Coquet near the stunning medieval village of Warkworth, with year-round dog access, no restrictions and excellent off-lead space.

A brilliant mix of beach, estuary views and slightly higher coastal paths, with the scenery changing quickly between sand, dunes and open headland.

Dog friendly easy circuit of the Pastures alongside the River Aln beneath Alnwick Castle, fantastic open grass with castle views and great off-lead potential.

A sandy beach at the harbour town of Amble with year-round access and views to Coquet Island, popular with locals and walkers.

A quiet rockpool beach at the fishing village of Boulmer with year-round access and a very local, undiscovered feel.

Dog friendly Views of Cragside circular through Lord Armstrong's Victorian pleasure ground, leads-only on a National Trust estate of lakes, rhododendrons and rocky ridges.

A small, dog friendly harbour beach in the famous kippers village of Craster, with year-round access and the starting point for the outstanding coastal walk to Dunstanburgh Castle and Embleton Bay.

One of Northumberland's best all-rounders, combining lakeside trails, dunes and a long sandy beach with plenty of flexibility.

A magical woodland walk through a gorge to a dramatic waterfall with good off-lead potential on the wooded path; the gorge requires some care near steep drops.

A beautiful, sheltered sandy beach on the Northumberland Heritage Coast near Howick Hall, with year-round dog access, very few visitors and excellent coastal walking north to Craster.

A short but rewarding hill walk with panoramic Cheviot views and high off-lead potential on the open ground; excellent dog-friendly facilities in Wooler.

Easy lakeside section of the 26-mile Lakeside Way, dog friendly with mostly off-lead potential through quiet forest beside Kielder Water.

Dog friendly tide-locked perimeter of Holy Island taking in dunes, seal-strewn bays and the silhouette of Lindisfarne Castle, leads-only because of ground-nesting birds.

Dog friendly easy town circular along the Wansbeck through Carlisle Park into Bluebell Wood, plenty of off-lead grass and good cafe options either end.

Dog friendly easy woodland and riverside circuit of Plessey Woods Country Park, 100 acres of meadow and oakwood beside the River Blyth.

The northern beach at the harbour town of Seahouses with Farne Islands views and year-round access on this quieter stretch.

A long linear coastal walk from Seaton Sluice north to Cresswell, following wide sandy beaches, dunes and clifftop paths.

Dog friendly moorland circular over Iron Age rock art and the Simonside ridge, with classic Coquetdale views and big skies.

A quiet, sheltered beach on Budle Bay near Bamburgh with year-round access and good birdwatching in the estuary.

Remote Cheviot moorland with genuine off-lead freedom and wild, open scenery; the length and altitude demand fitness and good navigation.

Dog friendly Cheviot foothills circular from Ingram up Brough Law Iron Age hillfort and back along the River Breamish, leads-only sheep country with huge views.

A quiet valley walk in a pristine Cheviot setting with no on-route facilities; sheep and deer present so reliable recall is essential.

Dog friendly upper-Coquetdale valley walk from Alwinton along the Coquet to the remote Barrowburn farmhouse cafe, sheep country with big Cheviot views.

A quiet, sandy dog friendly beach south of Newbiggin with year-round unrestricted access, backed by historic pele tower ruins and connecting to the vast sands of Druridge Bay to the south.

One of the most atmospheric walks along Hadrian's Wall with dramatic crags and excellent facilities; sheep graze the surrounding fields so leads needed on some sections.

Dramatic ridge-top circular along the most photographed stretch of Hadrian's Wall, dog friendly on lead with sheep and ground-nesting birds throughout.

Dog friendly figure-of-eight from Vindolanda up to Hadrian's Wall and back via Twice Brewed, mixing Roman history with classic Whin Sill ridge views.

Dog friendly Coquetdale circular through pine forest to the Drake Stone and the heather crags above Harbottle Lough, big views and quiet paths.

A sheltered estate walk through woodland paths and wide tracks, with a calmer feel than open beaches and strong year-round options.

Tough dog friendly forest-and-fell circuit from Kielder Castle to the 571m summit of Deadwater Fell with huge cross-border views.

A rewarding walk to Northumberland's tallest waterfall with good water access; sheep in adjacent fields require leads on the approach.

A wild, rocky coastal stretch on the Northumberland Heritage Coast with year-round dog access, excellent for exploring rock pools and adventure rather than conventional beach walking.

A pleasant riverside walk in one of Northumberland's most remote valleys with good water access; sheep in the valley require leads on some sections.

Dog friendly walk linking Rothbury village with the Cragside Estate via the Coquet riverside and the back lanes, leads-only across the National Trust estate.

A sandy beach adjacent to the historic 17th-century Seaton Sluice harbour on the Northumberland coast, with year-round dog access and excellent walking north toward Blyth or south toward Whitley Bay.

A long and demanding climb to the highest Cheviot peak with excellent off-lead potential on the open moorland; the boggy summit plateau requires fitness and resilience.

A relaxed, low-effort walk following the River Coquet as it opens out towards the sea, with castle views and estuary scenery.

A wide, open sandy beach south of Blyth Harbour with a partial central ban from 1 May to 30 September between Beachway and the Links Road car park; sections north and south are dog friendly year-round.

Dog friendly remote Cheviot walk along the Pennine Way to the largest Roman marching camp in Britain, big skies and big sheep country.

Newbiggin's restored sandy beach, home to a famous bronze offshore sculpture, with a partial central ban from 1 May to 30 September; the South Beach is dog friendly year-round.