We checked 10 West Sussex beaches against council pages, the West Wittering Estate and the National Trust. Arun and Worthing ban dogs from 1 May to 30 September on stretches at Bognor Regis, Felpham, Littlehampton, Worthing and Goring, while Adur allows dogs on all its beaches all year, including Lancing and Shoreham. Selsey needs a check, because the council’s dog order was due to expire in October 2026.
I want to be upfront about what this page is. Three councils, a private estate and the National Trust set the rules along this coast, in different formats, 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 West Sussex sets out the walks we checked.
The rules in short
The usual West Sussex pattern is a ban on the central resort stretches from 1 May to 30 September, with dogs welcome elsewhere. Arun says dogs are welcome on most of its beaches as long as they are under control. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenades next to the banned stretches. Our West Sussex area guide explains what each service covers. Councils can change their orders, so read the signs on the day.
Summer bans: 1 May to 30 September
At these beaches dogs are not allowed in the dates shown, and are allowed outside them (West Wittering’s ban ends in mid-September). If you want an off-lead run away from the seafront, secure dog fields in West Sussex are worth a look.
Bognor Regis beach — Bognor Regis
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September between Bognor Regis Sailing Club ramp and Gloucester Road. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenades alongside the banned areas.
Source: Arun District Council, “Our beach rules” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Felpham beach — Felpham
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September between Canning Road and Felpham Sailing Club. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade alongside.
Source: Arun District Council, “Our beach rules” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Littlehampton East Beach — Littlehampton
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September between East Pier and Norfolk Road. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade alongside.
Source: Arun District Council, “Our beach rules” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Worthing beach — Worthing
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September between Heene Road and Splash Point, and the council’s beaches page says this applies 24 hours a day. Dogs must be on a lead on the promenade from George V Avenue to Windsor Road and on Worthing Pier.
Source: Adur & Worthing Councils, “Controlling your dog in public” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Goring-by-Sea beach — Goring-by-Sea
Dogs not allowed from 1 May to 30 September between the two boat launching ramps. Dogs must be on a lead on the footway by the seashore there.
Source: Adur & Worthing Councils, “Controlling your dog in public” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
West Wittering beach — West Wittering
The West Wittering Estate, which owns the beach, excludes dogs from the Blue Flag bathing zone between groynes 14a and 18 from 1 May to mid-September. Dogs are allowed on the rest of the beach, and on the whole beach from mid-September to April. The estate sets the rule, not the council.
Source: West Wittering Estate, FAQs (not the council) (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Dogs allowed all year
The councils say dogs are allowed on all beaches in Adur throughout the year, under control.
Lancing beach — Lancing
Dogs allowed all year. The councils say dogs are allowed on all beaches in Adur throughout the year, and they must be under control.
Source: Adur & Worthing Councils, “Controlling your dog in public” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Shoreham Beach — Shoreham-by-Sea
Dogs allowed all year. The councils say dogs are allowed on all beaches in Adur throughout the year, and they must be under control.
Source: Adur & Worthing Councils, “Controlling your dog in public” (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Lead rule
Here dogs are welcome, with conditions.
East Head — West Wittering
The National Trust says dogs are welcome at East Head, on a lead and away from roped-off sections, and kept out of the dunes during bird nesting season. The page does not give the nesting dates.
Source: National Trust (East Head) (checked 8 November 2026)
View on Google Maps
Dates to check before you travel
The rule here may have changed, so we have listed the beach with the reason rather than leave it out. Please double-check on the council website.
Selsey beach — Selsey
Chichester District Council says there is an area of beach at Selsey where dogs are excluded from 1 May to 30 September. We could not read the boundary map, and the council’s dog order was due to expire on 16 October 2026 with a replacement under consultation, which we could not confirm. Check the council page and the signs.
Source: Chichester District Council, “Dog advice and information” (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 beach rule for Pagham, and Chichester’s page says no beach-specific dog rules apply at East Wittering and Bracklesham, though a local news headline suggests dogs are now allowed there, so we have not given those cards. We could not read the boundary maps. For a swim, our guide to dog swimming spots in Sussex covers places built for a proper dip, and it is worth knowing where your nearest vet is before a coastal trip.
Staying overnight? Our dog-friendly stays in West Sussex 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 West Sussex beaches ban dogs in summer?
Arun District Council bans dogs from 1 May to 30 September on stretches of Bognor Regis, Felpham and Littlehampton East Beach. Adur & Worthing Councils ban them on the central Worthing stretch between Heene Road and Splash Point and at Goring-by-Sea between the two launching ramps, in the same months.
Are dogs allowed on Lancing and Shoreham beaches?
Yes. Adur & Worthing Councils say dogs are allowed on all beaches in Adur throughout the year, and they must be under control.
Can I take my dog to West Wittering beach?
Yes, with a summer rule. The West Wittering Estate excludes dogs from the Blue Flag bathing zone between groynes 14a and 18 from 1 May to mid-September, and allows them on the rest of the beach. At East Head the National Trust asks for dogs on a lead.
Are dogs banned on Selsey beach?
Chichester District Council says there is an area of Selsey beach where dogs are excluded from 1 May to 30 September. Its dog order was due to expire on 16 October 2026 and we could not confirm the replacement, so check the council page and the signs.
Written by Georgiana & Figo.
