With 7 miles of soft, golden sand on the doorstep and a myriad of countryside walking trails in the nearby Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, dog-friendly Brean is the perfect staycation spot for both human and hound. Just 9 miles from the vibrant seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare, this stretch of the Somerset coast is home to one of the longest uninterrupted stretches of beach in the UK.
There are so many dog-friendly things to do in Brean that you’ll be spoilt for choice. From thrilling theme parks to curious caves, we have created a Canine guide to this glorious coastal village. And if you fancy exploring even further, sniffing out the best local walks, beaches and pet-friendly pubs, have a paw through our Canine guide to Somerset too.
What have we got to get tails wagging?
Click to fetch Brean’s…
🐶 Top days out
🏖️ Top beaches
🐾 Top walkies
🍴 Top dining spots
🏡 Top places to stay
Great dog-friendly days out in Brean
Brean Theme Park
Best for thrill-seeking packs: If you’re looking for things to do in Brean with dogs and younger members of the pack, then Brean Theme Park is a great choice. While pups aren’t able to experience the rush of over 40 exciting rides for themselves, they’re very welcome to watch the rest of the family having fun from the safety of the ground on a lead. Hair-raising highlights include the Ultimate, Jetspin, Disco Fever, Crazy Loop and Astro Storm.
Why your dog will love it: The park has special dog stations with water bowls when Fido fancies a little rest.
Cheddar Gorge and Caves
Best for canine adventurers: Another top attraction to visit during Brean holidays with dogs is Cheddar Gorge and Caves. Here, at Britain’s highest inland limestone cliff formation which rises to a staggering 450 feet, you and your tufty-pawed pal can look forward to a myriad of tail-wagging adventures. As well as exploring the dramatic gorge above ground, you can delve beneath the surface of this world-famous Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to explore stunning stalactite caverns together.
Why your dog will love it: It’s not often that our four-legged friends can join us on such exhilarating escapades, especially somewhere with an international reputation for its historical and geological significance!
Lovely dog-friendly beaches in Brean
Brean Beach
Best for long zoomies: Home to one of Somerset’s best dog-friendly beaches, Brean Sands, you couldn’t be in a finer spot for a traditional bucket-and-spade day out. And not only is Brean Sands pet friendly, but it is also one of the longest stretches of sand in Europe. Happy hounds will go barking mad, bounding along the 7-mile stretch of golden shore.
During the summer months, fast food and ice cream vendors can be found in the car park, and at the end of the beach, you’ll find Brean Down, a rocky, grass-covered outcrop that juts into the Bristol Channel offering an array of scenic walks and breathtaking views. The only thing to bear in mind here is not to walk too far when the tide is out, as the mudflats are exposed, sometimes with sinking sands.
Why your dog will love it: Your pup might be wondering, can dogs go on Brean Beach all year round? Yes, they can! Woofers are welcome to sniff out the rock pools, frolic in the sand dunes, and discover an intriguing 1860s military fort any time of the year.
Berrow Beach
Best for doggy paddles: For energetic hounds seeking a longer walk during their dog-friendly holidays at Brean Sands, you can walk the length of Brean Beach above and then continue to Berrow Beach until you eventually reach Burnham-on-Sea. There is plenty of open space for a good game of frisbee, and at low tide, the remains of an old shipwreck are revealed that ran aground in the late 19th century. Just be aware that, like Brean Beach, it carries the same safety warnings about exposed soft sand and mud, as it is part of the same stretch.
Why your dog will love it: Just next to the beach is Berrow Dunes Local Nature Reserve which you can access at multiple points. These sand dunes are relatively rare in the UK, so they have been classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and will give your pup a great change of scenery.
Burnham-on-Sea Beach
Best for sandcastle bombing: Backed by a promenade lined with grand Victorian and Edwardian houses and home to Britain’s shortest pier, Burnham-on-Sea is a classic seaside resort. As this beach is livelier than its neighbours, with donkey rides, water sports and amusement arcades, there is a seasonal dog ban here between the start of May and the end of September. However, there is a smaller stretch of sand by the Yacht Club which is dog friendly all year round and is a lovely spot to sit and watch the boats come and go when the tide is in.
Why your dog will love it: During the winter months when the whole pack is welcome on the sand, Burnham Beach offers lots of space for chasing balls and splashing through the sea.
Wonderful dog-friendly walks in Brean
Brean Down
Best for impressive views: With dramatic cliffs and a Victorian fort to explore, Brean Down is a super spot for walkies during pet-friendly holidays at Brean Sands. After bouncing through the surf on the beach below, climb to the top of the Down and take the invigorating 1.5-mile coastal path walk along Somerset’s greatest natural pier. Standing at 97 metres high, the views from here over the Bristol Channel towards South Wales and the Somerset Levels are awe-inspiring. At the end, you’ll find the site of a Roman temple and the Palmerston Fort.
Why your dog will love it: There are water bowls in the car park and a great dog-friendly café where pups can put their paws up for a while and enjoy a special breakfast or even a doggy ice cream.
Brean Down Way
Best for an easy scamper: Perfect for walkers, cyclists and furry ramblers, the Brean Down Way is an 8-mile cycle path and walking route linking Brean to Weston-Super-Mare. The trail can be broken down into smaller chunks depending on the stamina of your pack, and there is a treasure trove of things to see, including Brean Down, Brean Beach, Bleadon Levels Nature Reserve, Walborough Nature Reserve, the coastal village of Uphill with its marina, café and nature reserve, and of course, Weston-Super-Mare and its myriad of attractions and eateries along the promenade.
Why your dog will love it: The route is mainly away from busy roads and is a fairly flat terrain with a surfaced footpath.
Uphill Hill Local Nature Reserve
Best for wildlife watching: Another top spot for walks near dog-friendly Brean is Uphill Hill Local Nature Reserve. An important SSSI and part of the Mendip Limestone Grasslands Special Area of Conservation (SAC), this 17-hectare reserve is home to a diverse range of flora, fauna and wildlife. Grab the collar and lead and take a wander to the top of the hill where a tower awaits with outstanding views to the Mendips, the Bristol Channel and Weston-Super-Mare, often with kestrels, buzzards and ravens soaring overhead.
Why your dog will love it: It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, there is always something to see, from carpets of cowslips, primroses and green-winged orchids in spring to dazzling displays of colourful butterflies in summer, and flocks of redwing and fieldfare in the winter.
Top dog-friendly places to eat and drink in Brean
Brean Down Inn
Best for a post-walkie treat: Well-regarded as one of the top Brean dog-friendly pubs, the Brean Down Inn is the perfect pitstop before or after a sandy stroll along Brean Beach, 100 yards away. Humans can tuck into pub classics like beer-battered fish and chips, burgers and pizza, while happy hounds enjoy all the fuss from the friendly staff.
Why your dog will love it: Dog treats and water are always on hand for lucky pups.
Brean Down Cafe
Best for doggie dining: If you’re planning on a trek up Brean Down, there’s a great little dog-friendly café at the foot of the hill with menus for both two-legged and four-legged diners. Canines are allowed inside and out, with a choice of hearty dog breakfasts and refreshing Marshfield Scoop’s dog ice cream, ideal on a warm, sunny day.
Why your dog will love it: This hidden gem is so popular with pup pals that there are always plenty of opportunities to make some new furry friends.
The Ship Inn
Best for traditional pub grub: A couple of miles from Brean, in the village of Uphill, is The Ship Inn, known as the oldest pub in Weston-Super-Mare. There are cosy open fires for dogs to enjoy a snooze beside, and for the humans, a great selection of local ciders and freshly cooked food, such as homemade steak and ale pie, vegetarian lasagne and beef chilli.
Why your dog will love it: The pub is only a short walk from Uphill Beach which is dog friendly all year round – ideal for walking off all those dog treats!
Exciting dog-friendly Brean cottages to stay in
The best dog-friendly cottage for romantic retreats
Alstone Cottages Haystore Lodge: Sleeps 2 dogs and 2 humans
Just 5 miles from sandy scampers on Berrow Beach and 13 miles from the spectacular Cheddar Gorge, this cosy cottage is perfectly placed for adventures with your pups. Light the BBQ on a sunny day while Rover plays with his favourite ball in the enclosed courtyard.
The best dog-friendly cottage for private beach access
The Castle: Sleeps 2 dogs and 8 humans
Bring the whole pack to this beachside bolthole, filled with tail-wagging extra touches to keep every member happy on their holidays. As the humans throw some sausages on the BBQ, kids can have fun on the climbing frame. Then everyone can enjoy private access to Brean Beach, which is dog friendly all year round.
The best dog-friendly cottage for family getaways
Dunes Edge: Sleeps 2 dogs and 8 humans
Not only is this gorgeous property situated just 50 metres from the golden sands of Berrow Beach, but it also features a host of indulgent extras, including a plunge pool, hot tub, and table tennis. And if you can manage to tear yourself away from all the fun here, all the exciting dog-friendly places in Brean are just 1 mile away.
Dog-friendly holidays in Brean
For the ultimate backdrop to your staycation, choose one of our self-catering dog-friendly holiday cottages in Brean. Whether you are travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends, you’ll find a wide range of pet-friendly accommodation within our collection which will place you perfectly for memorable holidays in this glorious part of Somerset. You can also discover more dog-friendly things to do in Somerset with our comprehensive Canine guide to this unforgettable UK destination.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.