Dog-Friendly Beaches in Northumberland: Summer Bans and Lead Rules

We checked 7 Northumberland beaches against council, National Trust, Natural England and Wildlife Trust pages. The county council bans dogs from 1 May to 30 September at Newbiggin Bay and Blyth only, for part of each beach. Further up the coast the rules are about nesting birds and seals, with short leads at Long Nanny and on Holy Island. Many well-known beaches are missing because we found no official rule for them.

I want to be upfront about what this page is. The coast is long and most of its famous beaches have no council dog order, so we name the source on every card with the date we checked. If you are planning a full day out, our guide to local dog walks in Northumberland sets out the walks we checked.

The rules in short

Northumberland’s council order took effect on 31 January 2026 for three years, and it names only two beaches. Elsewhere, landowners and wildlife charities set the rules to protect little terns and seals. Our Northumberland area guide explains what each service covers. Always read the signs, because rules can change.

Summer bans: 1 May to 30 September

At these beaches dogs are not allowed on the sections described in the dates shown, and are allowed elsewhere.

Newbiggin Bay — Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September on the section from the breakwater at Church Point to the beach access from the promenade at Sidney Crescent. The council gives no times, so we treat it as all day. The order took effect on 31 January 2026 for three years.
Source: Northumberland County Council, animal welfare and dog control (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps

Blyth Beach
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September on the section from the beach access at Beachway to the beach access at the southern end of the Links Road car park. The council gives no times. The order took effect on 31 January 2026 for three years.
Source: Northumberland County Council, animal welfare and dog control (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps

Lead rules and wildlife protection

Here dogs are welcome, with conditions to protect nesting birds and seals. For a swim, our guide to dog swimming spots in Northumberland may help.

Long Nanny little tern site — Beadnell
Dogs on a short lead, under 1 metre, at all times outside the fenced area, and no dogs inside the fence. The National Trust says the terns breed between May and July but gives no exact dates, so follow the fencing and signs.
Source: National Trust, Northumberland coast with your dog (checked 8 November 2026)
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Holy Island (Lindisfarne) beaches
Dogs must be on a lead and must not disturb wildlife. The reserve’s byelaw says “on a lead or at heel”, while the National Trust says a short lead at all times on its castle land, and Natural England has said it plans to move to a short lead. Wildlife protection zones may apply in spring and summer, so check the signs.
Source: Natural England, Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve, and National Trust (checked 8 November 2026)
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Cresswell Foreshore
Dogs on a lead, according to the Wildlife Trust, which gives no dates. The Trust has also asked for leads because dogs have disturbed seals there.
Source: Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Cresswell Foreshore (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps

Dates to check before you travel

Here we found no clear official rule, so we have listed the beach with the reason rather than leave it out.

Beadnell Bay
Sources conflict. One news report says there are seasonal restrictions because of breeding birds, and a March 2026 report says a proposed summer lead rule will not happen because only the county council can impose one. The council’s page lists no Beadnell restriction. Long Nanny at the north end has its own rules, so check the signs.
Source: News reports (NewcastleWorld, BBC-sourced); council page lists no Beadnell rule (checked 8 November 2026)
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Embleton Bay and Low Newton — Embleton / Low Newton-by-the-Sea
The National Trust says dogs are allowed with some local restrictions, and asks you to follow the signs. It advises a lead because livestock graze the dunes and shorebirds may breed on the beach, and says a short lead is essential around sheep. It publishes no beach-specific ban or dates.
Source: National Trust, Embleton and Newton Links (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps

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 found no official rule for Bamburgh, Seahouses, Craster, Dunstanburgh, Alnmouth, Warkworth, Amble, Boulmer, Druridge Bay or Berwick and Spittal, only tourism sites, so they have no cards. We could not read the order’s PDF maps either. It is worth knowing where your nearest vet is before a coastal trip. After the sand, our guide to dog-friendly pubs and cafés in Northumberland covers the places that welcome muddy paws.

Staying overnight? Our dog-friendly stays in Northumberland list places that publish their dog policy. Just over the border, our guide to dog-friendly beaches in the Scottish Borders covers Coldingham Bay, Eyemouth and Pease Bay.

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.

Written by Georgiana & Figo.