If you live in or near Cardiff and want a beach day with your dog, the Vale of Glamorgan is where you’ll end up. It also has a strict summer calendar. The Vale council says that from 1 May to 30 September dogs are banned from a number of beaches, including Whitmore Bay (Barry Island), Dunraven Bay, Cwm Colhuw, Cold Knap and part of Penarth beach. The spots below are ones the council lists as dog-friendly. Dates and maps can change, so check the council’s dog beach ban page before you go.
No official source we found says dogs may swim at any of these, only that dogs are allowed on the beach. We’ve said what each source does say and left the rest to your judgement on the day.
1. Jackson’s Bay – Barry
Address: Jackson’s Bay, Barry CF62 5TU
Google rating: 4.6 (574 reviews)
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Visit the Vale describes a pretty cove between Barry Yacht Club and Barry Island that welcomes dogs throughout the entire year, and the council includes it on its dog-friendly list. We couldn’t find official guidance on swimming conditions here, so pick your moment and check the tide.
2. Porthkerry Country Park – Barry
Address: Park Rd, Barry CF62 3BY
Google rating: 4.7 (854 reviews)
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Porthkerry is on the council’s dog-friendly beach list. The beach is pebbly and reached by steps or a steep cliff path, so a dog that struggles with slopes may prefer the woodland trails. Trains cross the Victorian viaduct near the cafe, so keep your dog close there. For park rules, see dog services in the Vale of Glamorgan.
3. Ogmore-by-Sea
Address: Seaview Dr, Ogmore-by-Sea CF32 0PB
Google rating: 4.6 (2,540 reviews)
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The council says no beach ban will be applied here during summer 2026 while the order is under review, but Visit the Vale mentions a seasonal restriction at the main accessible area. Those two statements don’t match, so phone the council or read the signs before you set off. The RNLI has warned that the Ogmore river mouth gets deep quickly and has strong, unpredictable currents, so keep your dog away from the channel.
4. Sully (St Mary’s Well Bay)
Address: 9 Burnham Ave, Sully, Penarth CF64 5SU
Google rating: 4.4 (221 reviews)
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St Mary’s Well Bay is on the council’s dog-friendly list. One reviewer calls it better for a walk than for swimming, and Google flags that there are no lifeguards. A short beach stroll then lunch at a dog-friendly pub is the kind of outing reviewers describe.
A lake where swimming is banned
Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, Penarth, is lovely for a walk but the council says swimming is prohibited and dogs should be under control and on leads in the car park and around the east lake. Keep your dog out of the water there.
Before you go
Sea water, sand and strong tides call for a reliable recall, so it’s worth a session with a trainer if yours isn’t there yet. Calmshops stocks Calmdogs Probiotic Chews, a complementary feed rather than a veterinary medicine, if you’re thinking about everyday extras. Ask your vet what suits your dog, and see best vets in the Vale of Glamorgan if you need one. You’ll find more in the UK dog swimming guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Vale of Glamorgan beaches ban dogs in summer?
The Vale council says that from 1 May to 30 September dogs are banned from a number of beaches, including Whitmore Bay (Barry Island), Dunraven Bay, Cwm Colhuw, Cold Knap and part of Penarth beach. Dates and maps can change, so check the council’s dog beach ban page before you go.
Which beaches does the council list as dog friendly?
This guide covers Jackson’s Bay, Porthkerry and Sully (St Mary’s Well Bay), which are on the council’s dog-friendly list. Ogmore-by-Sea is less clear, because the council and Visit the Vale give different information, so phone the council or read the signs before you set off.
Can my dog swim at Cosmeston Lakes?
No. The council says swimming is prohibited at Cosmeston Lakes Country Park, and that dogs should be under control and on leads in the car park and around the east lake. It is a walk, not a swim.
Is the sea at Ogmore-by-Sea safe for dogs?
The RNLI has warned that the Ogmore river mouth gets deep quickly and has strong, unpredictable currents, so keep your dog away from the channel. No official source we found says dogs may swim at any Vale beach, so use your judgement and check the tide.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
