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Last updated: 12 November 2025
Looking for somewhere to escape with your dog this weekend? Kent's got you covered. With over 350 miles of coastline and more dog-friendly spots than you can shake a stick at, this corner of England takes pet hospitality seriously.
Folkestone's always been big on dogs. The town prides itself on welcoming everyone, especially the four-legged crowd. You'll find coastal paths that stretch for miles, beaches where your dog can run free, and pubs that keep water bowls topped up without you having to ask.
This guide covers the best dog-friendly stays, walks, and eateries for a proper weekend away. We're talking Sandgate's seaside charm, Dover's famous White Cliffs, and all the spots in between where your dog can be, well, a dog. For longer breaks across the South East region, check our guide to dog-friendly cottages and hotels in the South East. Just remember to book a grooming appointment for when you get back—Kent's beaches and muddy paths have a way of turning even the cleanest pup into a walking clay sculpture.
Sandgate's a hidden gem. This little village sits quietly by the coast in Hythe Bay, close enough to Folkestone for convenience but far enough away to feel like you've properly escaped.
The Royal Norfolk Hotel welcomes dogs and sits just a stone's throw from Sandgate beach. The hotel overlooks Sandgate Castle—built for Henry VIII back in the 16th century—and offers a sun terrace with a retractable roof for when the British weather can't make up its mind.
Gee's Bar serves home-cooked food throughout the week, and there's free parking for hotel guests (though it's limited, so book ahead). The rooms have been recently refurbished, and you're close to the Channel Tunnel, Eurostar, and Dover Ferry Port if you're planning a longer European adventure.
No dog restrictions here, any time of year. The Warren's one of Kent's best-kept secrets for dog owners. It's a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Nature Reserve, sitting between Sunny Sands and Samphire Hoe.
This is proper wilderness. Cliff-side walks, gault clay underfoot, and fossil hunting if you're into that sort of thing. Your dog can run free while you take in views that make you wonder why you don't do this more often. Just be aware that the western beach and walkway will be closed from September 2025 to March 2026 for essential Network Rail footpath works.
The Harbour Arm's brilliant for a shorter walk. There's a stony beach on one side, and the food vendors keep water bowls topped up for thirsty dogs. Most of the seating's outside, so you can grab a coffee and watch the world go by while your dog people-watches. Dogs are welcomed but must be on a lead at all times.
Dogs are allowed on Sunny Sands between 1st October and 30th April. The rest of the year, some beaches in the Folkestone and Hythe District have seasonal restrictions (1st May to 30th September) to keep them accessible for everyone. The Warren stays open year-round though, so you've always got options.
The Leas and Sandgate seafront offer gentler walks if your dog prefers pavements to pebbles. The Hythe canal path gives you a shaded walk through to West Hythe—lovely on hot days when the beach feels a bit much.
For proper countryside, try Reinden Woods at Hawkinge or sections of the North Downs Way. Both give you that "we've left civilisation behind" feeling without actually having to drive very far. After these coastal and woodland walks, your dog might pick up burrs and brambles that need professional attention.
The Radnor Arms knows how to treat dogs right. They keep water bowls refreshed, make a proper fuss over your four-legged mate, and have a decent fire going in winter. The Pullman is another solid choice with outside seating and a relaxed attitude to muddy paws.
Hulas is run by French Bulldog lovers and actually has dog snacks on the menu—not just an afterthought, proper dog-specific items. Captain's Table on The Stade does excellent early morning breakfasts if you're up with the sunrise. Djangos in the town is dog-friendly and won't bat an eye at a wet dog under the table.
Here's a clever one: Little Rock delivers bottomless brunch to The Pilot Bar, which has a large beer garden. You get decent food, your dog gets outdoor space, and everyone's happy. It's the kind of arrangement that makes you wonder why more places don't think like this.
Head a bit further along the coast and you'll hit White Cliffs Country. Dover, Deal, and Sandwich roll out the welcome mat for dogs—look out for the green-and-white pawprint stickers that mark dog-friendly spots.
This area's got everything from iconic clifftop walks to quieter coastal paths where you can actually hear yourself think. Just be aware that some beaches have seasonal restrictions, so it pays to know before you go. For a complete guide to year-round dog-friendly beaches, see our top 5 dog-friendly beaches in Kent.
Dogs are welcome at the White Cliffs of Dover and South Foreland Lighthouse. The National Trust gives this spot a two-pawprint rating, which means you'll find water bowls, dog bins, and proper walking routes.
Water bowls sit outside the Visitor Centre shop and the Lighthouse. The café has outside seating if you want a cuppa with a view, and you can grab dog waste bags from the shop if you've run out.
Keep your dog under close control at all times. That means they should be in sight and within recall distance, even if they're not on a lead.
Short leads are required:
This isn't the National Trust being difficult—it's about protecting ground-nesting birds like skylarks and meadow pipits. Stick to the paths during nesting season and everyone gets along fine.
Dogs welcome all year, but leads are mandatory. Samphire Hoe sits at the base of Dover's white cliffs and was created with almost 5 million cubic metres of chalk from the Channel Tunnel excavation. It's a bit of an engineering marvel, and the views are worth the visit.
There's plenty of wildlife and livestock roaming freely, which is why the lead rule's non-negotiable. Bring bags—you're expected to pick up after your dog.
These beaches are generally dog-friendly outside signed exclusion zones, making them excellent year-round options. Dover District Council PSPOs set seasonal exclusions on specific signed sections (such as Deal Castle to Sandown Castle), so always check on-site signage and council maps, especially in summer.
Between 1st May and 30th September, dogs are restricted from most Dover, Deal, and St Margaret's Bay beaches. The restrictions typically apply between 9am and 6pm, giving you early morning and evening windows if you're visiting in summer. After a beach visit, professional groomers in Dover can help with salt and sand removal.
Dogs aren't allowed on the Sandwich Bay Mudflats and Salt Marshes at any time. This protects the bird life that nests and feeds there. There are plenty of other places to walk, so respect the wildlife and go elsewhere.
Right, the boring but important bit. These rules exist for good reasons—mostly to keep your dog safe and stop you getting fined.
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) are in effect. You must keep your dog under control and pick up after them. Fail to do this and you're looking at a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice, or up to £1,000 if it goes to court.
Dogs must be on a lead in cemeteries, on promenades, and on roads alongside beaches where seasonal bans apply. The Dover Seafront promenade requires leads year-round—no exceptions.
Between March and July, keep your dog on a lead on clifftops and stick to the paths. Ground-nesting birds like skylarks and meadow pipits are raising their young during this time. Your dog doesn't mean any harm, but even a friendly investigation can destroy nests or separate chicks from their parents.
The chalk downland is managed by grazing animals—Dexter cattle, ponies, and horses. When you're in fields with livestock, your dog must be on a short lead. Not a long one, a short one. You need control. Hythe's professional groomers can help clean up after muddy countryside walks.
If cattle start approaching aggressively, let your dog off the lead. Sounds counterintuitive, but cattle are interested in dogs, not humans. Your dog can run away; you can't. Better a loose dog than a trampled owner.
Never leave your dog in a car, conservatory, or outbuilding in warm weather. Heat stroke can kill a dog in 15 minutes. Not half an hour, not if you crack a window—15 minutes. Don't risk it.
Bring water and offer it regularly. Find shade for breaks. Before setting off on a beach walk, check if the ground's too hot by testing it barefoot—if you can't stand on it comfortably, neither can your dog. Summer beach walks can also expose your dog to grass seeds in coastal areas.
Nice touch: some venues like the White Cliffs shop sell dog-friendly ice cream in summer. Your dog will love you for it.
Most of the Folkestone & Hythe coastline has seasonal exclusions from 1 May to 30 September. Sunny Sands usually allows dogs from 1 October to 30 April. Always check on-site signs and council updates for the most current information.
Yes, The Warren is widely used year-round with no seasonal restrictions. Note that the western beach and walkway are closed from September 2025 to March 2026 for Network Rail works; check council updates before visiting.
Yes. National Trust asks for short leads near car parks, unfenced clifftops, livestock, and everywhere from 1 March to 31 August (nesting season) to protect ground-nesting birds like skylarks and meadow pipits.
Yes. Dogs are welcome but must be on leads at all times due to wildlife and livestock in the area. The site operator enforces this requirement for the safety of all visitors and animals.
Dover District Council PSPO sets seasonal exclusions on specific signed sections (for example, Deal Castle to Sandown Castle). Walmer and Shakespeare are generally permitted outside those zones, but always follow local signage and check council PSPO maps.
Kent delivers for dog owners. You've got the raw wilderness of The Warren, the historic drama of the White Cliffs, and enough dog-friendly pubs and cafés to keep both of you happy. The variety's what makes it work—fancy a proper clifftop walk one day, a gentle canal path the next.
Just plan ahead. Check beach restrictions before you go, keep leads handy for clifftop areas, and remember the seasonal rules. Most importantly, don't leave your dog in the car in warm weather—it's not worth the risk.
After a weekend of beach dips, muddy paths, and rolling in whatever smells interesting (your dog, not you), you'll probably need professional help. The gault clay at The Warren has a particular talent for working itself deep into fur. Check out our muddy walk recovery guide for immediate clean-up tips, or book with one of the best dog groomers in Folkestone to get your dog properly sorted.
Have a brilliant weekend. Your dog certainly will.
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