We checked 43 Kent beaches against council pages. Almost every council bans dogs on its main resort beaches from 1 May to 30 September, but the details vary a lot: Thanet has all-day bans, 10am to 6pm bans and 10am to 6pm lead rules, and ten of its beaches allow dogs all year. Dungeness and The Warren have no restrictions at all. Four beaches have rules we could not pin down, and we mark those so you can check the council page before you travel.
I want to be upfront about what this page is. Five Kent councils set their own rules, in their own formats, so we name the source on every card and the date we checked. We have not guessed. If you are planning a full day out, our guide to local dog walks in Kent sets out the walks we checked.
The rules in short
Thanet publishes the most detail, with its own all-day bans, daytime bans and daytime lead rules. Canterbury and Swale ban dogs from 1 May to 30 September on named stretches, Dover bans them from 9am to 6pm in the same months, and Folkestone and Hythe ban them on seven named beaches. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenades next to most of these beaches. Our Kent area guide explains what each service covers. Councils can change their orders, so read the signs on the day.
Dogs allowed all year
Thanet lists these ten beaches as open to dogs at any time, and Folkestone and Hythe says no restrictions apply at Dungeness and The Warren. If your dog needs a safe run away from the beach, secure dog fields in Kent are worth a look.
Grenham Bay — Birchington
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Epple Bay — Birchington
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Dumpton Gap — Broadstairs
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Kingsgate Bay — Broadstairs
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Foreness Point — Cliftonville/Margate
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Sacketts Gap — Cliftonville/Margate
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Palm Bay — Cliftonville/Margate
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Fulsom Rock — Margate
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Eastcliff — Ramsgate
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Western Undercliff — Ramsgate
Dogs allowed at any time, all year round, according to Thanet District Council.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Dungeness — Dungeness
The council says no dog restrictions apply on Dungeness beach. It is a sensitive nature reserve area, so keep your dog under close control.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, “Our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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The Warren — Folkestone
The council says no dog restrictions apply on The Warren beach.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, “Our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Summer bans: 1 May to 30 September
At these beaches dogs are not allowed in the dates shown, and the notes say where a time of day applies. Outside the dates, the council pages say dogs are allowed, but check the signs. For a swim in the off-season, our guide to dog swimming spots in Kent may help.
Minnis Bay — Birchington
Dogs not allowed at any time from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those dates, and on a lead on the promenades alongside.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Viking Bay — Broadstairs
Dogs not allowed at any time from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those dates, and on a lead on the promenades alongside.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Margate Main Sands — Margate
Dogs not allowed at any time from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those dates, and on a lead on the promenades alongside.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Ramsgate Main Sands — Ramsgate
Dogs not allowed at any time from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those dates, and on a lead on the promenades alongside.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Botany Bay — Broadstairs
Dogs not allowed from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Joss Bay — Broadstairs
Dogs not allowed from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Stone Bay — Broadstairs
Dogs not allowed from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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West Bay — Westgate-on-Sea
Dogs not allowed from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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St Mildred’s Bay — Westgate-on-Sea
Dogs not allowed from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Herne Bay central beach — Herne Bay
Dogs not allowed on the beach from 1 May to 30 September, between the pier and Lane End to the west. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade.
Source: Canterbury City Council, “Dogs and the beach” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Tankerton — Whitstable
Dogs not allowed on the beach from 1 May to 30 September, from Pier Avenue West to The Street. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade. The council page does not mention Whitstable main beach, Seasalter or Reculver.
Source: Canterbury City Council, “Dogs and the beach” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Sheerness — Sheerness
Dogs excluded from the beach from 1 May to 30 September, from Jacobs Bank to the swimming pool steps. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Swale Borough Council, dogs on leads and exclusions order (checked 8 November 2026)
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Minster Leas — Minster-on-Sea
Dogs excluded from the beach from 1 May to 30 September, from the Playa pub to the Little Oyster Café. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Swale Borough Council, dogs on leads and exclusions order (checked 8 November 2026)
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Leysdown — Leysdown-on-Sea
Dogs excluded from the beach from 1 May to 30 September, from Stokes Amusements to Promenade Road. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Swale Borough Council, dogs on leads and exclusions order (checked 8 November 2026)
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Deal beach — Deal
Dogs not allowed from 9am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September, between Sandown Castle and Deal Castle. Dogs must be on a lead on the pier and promenade all year.
Source: Dover District Council, beaches page and dog control order 2025 (checked 8 November 2026)
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Dover seafront — Dover
Dogs not allowed from 9am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September, along the seafront, Waterloo Crescent and Marine Parade. Dogs must be on a lead all year on the promenade and grassed areas.
Source: Dover District Council, beaches page and dog control order 2025 (checked 8 November 2026)
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St Margaret’s Bay — St Margaret’s at Cliffe
Dogs not allowed from 9am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September, from the south-west end of the slipway to Ness Point. Dogs must be on a lead all year on the promenade, car park and amenity areas.
Source: Dover District Council, beaches page and dog control order 2025 (checked 8 November 2026)
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Sunny Sands — Folkestone
Dogs not allowed on the beach from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
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Mermaid Beach — Folkestone
Dogs not allowed on the beach from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Sandgate — Sandgate
Dogs not allowed on the beach between Sandgate Castle and the BP station from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
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Dymchurch — Dymchurch
Dogs not allowed on the beach between Sycamore Gardens and the Martello car park from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
St Mary’s Bay — St Mary’s Bay
Dogs not allowed on the beach between The Fairway and the river outfall from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Littlestone — Littlestone
Dogs not allowed on the beach between the water tower at Madeira Road and Clark Road from 1 May to 30 September. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade in the same months. The council gives no times of day.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Lead rules
Here dogs are allowed, but on a lead at set times.
Louisa Bay — Broadstairs
Dogs must be on a lead from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed off the lead outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Westbrook Bay — Margate
Dogs must be on a lead from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed off the lead outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Walpole Bay — Margate
Dogs must be on a lead from 10am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Dogs are allowed off the lead outside those hours and outside those dates.
Source: Thanet District Council, “Dogs and our beaches” (checked 8 November 2026)
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Dogs excluded from some areas all year
The council says dogs are excluded here, with no dates given.
Sandwich Bay mudflats and salt marshes — Sandwich
Dogs are excluded from the mudflats and salt marshes. The council gives no dates, so we treat this as all year. The Princes Golf Course dunes path needs a lead. The council does not specify a rule for Sandwich Bay beach itself.
Source: Dover District Council, beaches page and dog control order 2025 (checked 8 November 2026)
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Dates to check before you travel
Here the sources disagree, or the council page is unclear, so we have listed the beach with the reason rather than leave it out. Please double-check on the council website.
Pegwell Bay — Ramsgate
The Thanet Coast Project says no dogs on the nature reserve mudflats, saltmarsh and chalk shore all year, with access by the cliff-top path. We could not check this against Natural England or the council, so check the signs.
Source: Thanet Coast Project (partner site, not the council) (checked 8 November 2026)
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Walmer beach — Walmer
The council’s beaches page lists no dog restriction for Walmer beach itself. Its dog control order has a lead rule for Walmer Green, 9am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September. Check the signs.
Source: Dover District Council, beaches page and dog control order 2025 (checked 8 November 2026)
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Hythe beach — Hythe
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September between Twiss Road and St Leonards Road, according to the council’s restricted access page. One council boundary document says 1 April instead, so check the signs.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council, restricted access dog order (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Greatstone — Greatstone
Council news from 2022 lists two Greatstone stretches as dog-free from 1 May to 30 September, but the council’s restricted access page does not list Greatstone and a later proposal suggested removing it. We could not confirm the current rule, so check the signs.
Source: Folkestone & Hythe District Council (checked 8 November 2026)
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What we could not confirm
The council pages give no postcodes, so we show a Google Maps link for every beach instead, and we have left dog bins and parking out rather than guess. We could not find a clear rule for Whitstable main beach, Seasalter, Reculver, the Faversham coast, Kingsdown or the Medway towns, so they have no cards. It is worth knowing where your nearest vet is before a long coastal trip.
Staying overnight? Our dog-friendly stays in Kent list places that publish their dog policy.
Busy beaches can be exciting for a dog. If yours finds crowds unsettling, the Calmdogs calming bites are a complementary feed some owners keep for days out, though for ongoing anxiety it’s best to speak to your vet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Kent beaches allow dogs all year?
Thanet District Council lists Grenham Bay, Epple Bay, Dumpton Gap, Kingsgate Bay, Foreness Point, Sacketts Gap, Palm Bay, Fulsom Rock, Eastcliff and Western Undercliff as open to dogs at any time. Folkestone and Hythe says no dog restrictions apply at Dungeness and The Warren.
Can I take my dog on Margate beach in summer?
Not on Margate Main Sands. Thanet District Council says dogs are not allowed there at any time from 1 May to 30 September. Nearby beaches such as Westbrook Bay and Walpole Bay allow dogs on a lead from 10am to 6pm in the same months.
Are dogs allowed on Deal and Dover beaches?
Not during the day in summer. Dover District Council bans dogs from 9am to 6pm, 1 May to 30 September, at Deal, Dover seafront and St Margaret’s Bay. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenades all year.
Which Kent beach rules should I double-check?
Hythe has two start dates in council documents, 1 May and 1 April, and Greatstone’s current status is unclear. Pegwell Bay and Walmer beach also need a check of the signs before you go.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
