When Kent beach dog restrictions lift and all the yearly changes you need to know

As summer begins to wind down for another year and autumn rapidly approaches, our four-legged friends will soon be able to return to a number of Kent beaches for the first time in months. Restrictions are currently in place at a number of popular beaches along our coast, either limiting the amount of time our pooches can visit or banning them outright.

Such seasonal restrictions come into effect from May 1 and remain in force for five months until the end of September. This means that in 2024, the rules surrounding dogs on many Kent beaches will change from Tuesday, October 1.

From this point until April 30, which in 2025 falls on a Wednesday, dogs will be able to explore the majority of Kent’s beaches unrestricted. Local signage is typically in place at beaches around the county outlining where and when any restrictions are in place.

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It can often be confusing knowing exactly which beaches operate restrictions, and to what extent. To make life a little easier for those of us with a furry companion, KentLive has rounded up all the information on how, where and when dogs are restricted on the beaches around Kent.

Thanet District

Dogs are not allowed on the following Thanet beaches at all during any part of the day from May 1 to September 30:

• Margate Main Sands

• Minnis Bay, Birchington

• Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate

• Pegwell Bay (mudflats & saltmarsh), Ramsgate

• Ramsgate Main Sands

• Viking Bay, Broadstairs

From May 1 to September 30, dogs are not allowed during the hours of 10am to 6pm on the following beaches:

• Botany Bay, Broadstairs

• Joss Bay, Broadstairs

• St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate-on-Sea

• Stone Bay, Broadstairs

• West Bay, Westgate-on-Sea

There are no restrictions at these sites between October 1 and April 30. Dogs are allowed at the following Thanet beaches all year round:

Birchington

• Grenham Bay

• Epple Bay

Broadstairs

• Dumpton Gap

• Kingsgate Bay

Cliftonville

• Foreness Point

• Sacketts Gap

• Palm Bay

Margate

• Fulsom Rock

Ramsgate

• Eastcliff

• Western Undercliff

Dover District

Deal Beach

From May 1 to September 30 between the hours of 9am and 8pm dogs are excluded from the stretch covering Deal Castle to Sandown Castle. Restrictions are lifted between October 1 and April 30. Dogs on leads are permitted on the pier and on the promenade between Deal Castle and Sandown Castle all year round.

Dover Beach

Dogs are to be kept on leads all year round on the promenade and grassed areas (including Marine Parade and Granville Gardens) at Dover Seafront, from junction with Union Street roundabout to the roundabout with Jubilee Way off the A20. From May 1 to September 30 between the hours of 9am and 8pm dogs are excluded from the beach at Dover Seafront, Waterloo Crescent and Marine Parade. These restrictions are lifted between October 1 and April 30.

St Margaret’s Bay

From May 1 to September 30 no dogs are permitted between 9am and 8pm on the beach from the south-west end of the slipway to Ness Point. Restrictions are lifted between October 1 and April 30. Dogs are required to be kept on a lead all year round on the promenade, car park and amenity areas.

Sandwich Bay

Though the main beach is dog-friendly all year round, dogs are excluded from the Sandwich Bay Mudflats and Salt Marshes. Dogs are required to be kept on a lead on the Princes Bay Golf Course Dunes Path.

Shakespeare Cliff Beach

Dog-friendly all year round.

Walmer Beach

Dog-friendly all year round.

Folkestone and Hythe District

Dog restrictions are in place for the following beaches and areas between May 1 and September 30. Restrictions are then lifted between October 1 and April 30. Full details can be found on the map below.

• 114 The Parade to 172 The Parade

• The Fairway to River Outfall

• Jolly Fisherman to 17 The Parade

• Madeira Road to Clark Road

• Mermaids Beach

• Sandgate Castle to Princes Parade junction

• Sunny Sands, Folkestone

• Sycamore Gardens to Martello Car Park

• Twiss Road to St Leonards Road

Canterbury District

The majority of the beaches under Canterbury City Council, including areas in Whitstable and Herne Bay, are dog-friendly all year round. Between May 1 and September 30, dogs are however restricted from the following areas:

Herne Bay Central

From Herne Bay pier heading west to Lane End, dogs are not allowed on the beach and must be kept on a lead on the promenade.

Tankerton

Level with Pier Avenue West to The Street, dogs are not allowed on the beach and must be kept on a lead on the promenade.

These restrictions are lifted between October 1 and April 30.

Swale District

Each year, dogs are prohibited from the following Swale beaches between May 1 and September 30:

Sheerness

The beach from an imaginary line at the headland of Jacobs Bank eastward to an imaginary line from the west side of the steps leading over the sea wall immediately to the east of Sheerness Swimming Pool.

Minster Leas

The beach from an imaginary line from the east side of the Playa Public House eastwards to an imaginary line from the west side of the vehicle ramp leading to the beach, opposite the Little Oyster Café at 4 Sea Side Avenue.

Leysdown on Sea

The beach from an imaginary line from Stokes Amusements, eastwards to an imaginary line from the west of the beach steps opposite the small roundabout at the seaward end of 'The Promenade Road, Leysdown.

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