Dog-Friendly Kent Coast

Kent's coastline offers surprising variety within easy reach of London. From the iconic White Cliffs of Dover to the quirky charm of Margate and the natural beauty of Dungeness, the Kent coast provides diverse dog-friendly adventures. Historic towns, varied beaches, and excellent coastal walking make this accessible destination worth exploring.

Kent Coast Overview

The Area

Geography:

• Southeast England
• Thames Estuary to Romney Marsh
• White Cliffs (chalk)
• Varied coastal character
• Historic port towns

Character:

• Close to London
• Historic and varied
• Underrated coastline
• Mix of traditional and trendy
• Accessible for short breaks

Why Dogs Love It

• Varied beaches
• Good coastal walking
• Year-round options
• Easy access
• Different landscapes

Key Areas

North Kent (Thames Estuary)

Whitstable:

• Oyster heritage
• Pretty harbour
• Independent shops
• Pebble beach

Herne Bay:

• Traditional resort
• Pier
• Promenade
• Sandy beach sections

Character: Estuary character. Gentler coast. Good food scene in Whitstable.

East Kent (Channel Coast)

Margate:

• Turner Contemporary gallery
• Regenerated town
• Main Sands beach
• Trendy character now

Broadstairs:

• Pretty town
• Viking Bay
• Dickens connections
• Seven bays

Ramsgate:

• Harbour town
• Royal status
• Beaches
• Good facilities

Character: Classic Kent coast. Victorian resort heritage. Varied beaches.

The White Cliffs

Dover Area:

• Iconic cliffs
• National Trust
• Outstanding walking
• Historic significance

Deal:

• Tudor castle
• Pebble beach
• Traditional character
• Good pier

Character: Dramatic cliffs. Historic ports. Channel views.

Romney Marsh

Dungeness:

• Unique landscape
• Shingle headland
• Nuclear power station
• Bizarre beauty

Camber Sands:

• Wide sandy beach
• Dunes
• Dogs welcome (check restrictions)

Character: Flat, strange, atmospheric. Different to rest of Kent.

Best Dog-Friendly Beaches

Generally Good Access

Beaches with Year-Round or Good Dog Access:

West Beach, Whitstable: Dogs welcome. Pebbles. Characterful.

Tankerton Beach: West of Whitstable. Dogs welcome. Pebbles.

Botany Bay, Broadstairs: Dramatic chalk stacks. Check seasonal restrictions.

Deal Beach: Pebbles. Generally dog-friendly. Town access.

St Margaret's Bay: Below White Cliffs. Small, dramatic. Dogs welcome.

Dungeness: Wild shingle beach. Dogs welcome. Unique.

Beaches With Restrictions

Check seasonal restrictions at:

• Margate Main Sands
• Viking Bay, Broadstairs
• Ramsgate Main Sands
• Various resort beaches in summer

Strategy: Check specific beaches. Early/late visits during restrictions. Year-round options available.

See our Beach Holidays guide for general beach approach.

Coastal Walking

White Cliffs Walk

Iconic Route: National Trust land. Outstanding walking. Dogs welcome.

Route Options:

• Dover to St Margaret's Bay
• Dover to Kingsdown
• South Foreland Lighthouse area

Character: Dramatic chalk cliffs. Channel views. France visible on clear days.

Similar dramatic coastal walking to Jurassic Coast or Seven Sisters on South Downs.

Saxon Shore Way

Long-Distance Route: 163 miles around Kent coast from Gravesend to Hastings.

For Dogs: Day sections excellent. Varied terrain.

See our Long Distance Trails guide.

England Coast Path

Developing Route: Parts of national trail pass through Kent.

Recommended Walks

Easy Walks:

Whitstable Harbour to Tankerton: Coastal walk. Easy terrain. Good facilities.

Herne Bay Promenade: Flat seafront walking. Accessible.

Deal to Walmer: Castle route. Coastal path. Flat.

Moderate Walks:

White Cliffs Dover: Various routes. Moderate terrain. Outstanding views.

Sandwich to Deal: Via golf courses and coast. About 6 miles.

Challenging:

Full Saxon Shore sections: Longer distances for full-day walking.

Historic Towns

Whitstable

Foodie Destination:

• Oyster heritage
• Independent restaurants
• Harbour character
• Dog-friendly cafes

Popular with day-trippers from London. Similar independent character to parts of Norfolk.

Broadstairs

Seven Bays:

• Pretty town
• Victorian heritage
• Dickens connections
• Various beaches

Deal

Traditional Character:

• Tudor castle
• Pier
• Unspoilt feel
• Good pubs

Margate

Regenerated:

• Turner Contemporary
• Trendy scene
• Historic attractions
• Main beach (restrictions may apply)

Ramsgate

Royal Harbour:

• Working harbour
• Restaurants
• Historic tunnels
• Varied facilities

Nature Areas

Dungeness

RSPB Reserve: Unique landscape. Wildlife-rich. Dogs on leads in reserve.

Character: Shingle desert. Power station. Lighthouses. Strange beauty.

Sandwich Bay

Bird Observatory: Coastal nature reserve. Check dog access.

Pegwell Bay

Nature Reserve: Estuary mudflats. Bird watching. Dogs on leads.

Accommodation

Where to Stay

Whitstable: Most foodie appeal. Popular. Book ahead.

Broadstairs: Family-friendly. Beaches accessible.

Deal: Traditional character. Good walking base.

Romney Marsh Area: Quieter. Different character.

For cottage options and booking advice, Kent has good availability outside peak summer.

Accommodation Types

Cottages: Throughout the coast. Fishing huts to modern lets.

Hotels: Various dog-friendly options. Check specific policies.

Camping: Several sites, especially Romney Marsh area. See our Camping guide.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer

Highlights:

• Best beach weather
• Full facilities
• Long days

Considerations:

• Beach restrictions at popular spots
• Busy, especially weekends
• Margate/Broadstairs very popular

See our Summer guide.

Winter

Highlights:

• Quiet beaches
• Dramatic weather
• Full dog access
• Atmospheric

Considerations:

• Cold and windy
• Some facilities closed
• Bracing coastal weather

See our Winter guide.

Spring/Autumn

Often ideal. Fewer restrictions. Quieter. Good walking weather.

Dog-Friendly Pubs

Coastal Pubs

Notable Options:

• Various in Whitstable (oyster pubs)
• Broadstairs options
• Deal traditional pubs
• Countryside pubs inland

Good for pub walks combining coast and refreshment.

Practical Information

Getting There

By Car:

• M20/A20 (Dover direction)
• M2/A2 (Canterbury/coast)
• A2 from London

By Train: Excellent connections. High-speed services to Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate (1-1.5 hours from London).

See our Train Travel guide for rail options with dogs.

Getting Around

By Train: Good coastal services. Stations at main towns.

By Car: Useful for flexibility. Parking variable.

Combining with Other Areas

Nearby Options

South Downs: West into Sussex. See our South Downs guide.

Canterbury: Historic city inland. Day trip option.

Sussex Coast: Continue west for more coastal variety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kent coast dog-friendly?

Generally yes. Year-round options available. Check specific beach restrictions in summer.

Best beach for dogs in Kent?

White Cliffs area (St Margaret's), Deal, Dungeness for year-round. Various options elsewhere.

Can I walk the White Cliffs with my dog?

Yes, excellent walking. National Trust land. Dogs welcome on leads.

Is Kent coast worth visiting?

Yes - underrated, varied, accessible from London. Different experiences from Whitstable to Dungeness.

How does it compare to Sussex?

Different character. Kent has White Cliffs, quirky towns. Both excellent for dogs.

Best time to visit?

Year-round appeal. Spring/autumn often ideal. Summer for beach weather but restrictions.

Garden of England's Coast Awaits

Kent's coastline delivers surprising variety - iconic White Cliffs, quirky regenerated towns, and the strange beauty of Dungeness. Accessible from London, with excellent walking and varied beaches.

Luke appreciates Kent's varied coastline. The White Cliffs drama, Whitstable character, and Dungeness strangeness create diverse adventures within easy reach.