Known for its Gothic links, austere abbey ruins, and famous smoked kippers, dog-friendly Whitby in dog-friendly Yorkshire is a characterful seaside town, which welcomes both humans and their four-legged friends. And when you’re en route to the town and your pup pipes up from the back seat ‘Has Whitby got a beach?’, you can delight in replying that Whitby has several dog-friendly beaches – it’s a veritable paradise for canine beachgoers!
As with many beaches in the UK, some of the sandy stretches have dog restrictions, and you can find out what date dogs are not allowed on the beach by observing the signs (most of the restrictions apply from May to September). But don’t let talk of restrictions put you off – four of Whitby’s beaches are dog friendly all year round, and some of the others only have restrictions on part of the beach, so there’s always plenty of space for zoomies, or tucking into the fish and chips for which Whitby is renowned. Explore a little further and you’ll find many more beaches in Yorkshire on which you can stretch your two legs, and four.
Read on to find out about the dog-friendly beaches in Whitby, and where dogs are allowed on Whitby’s beaches with dog restrictions. And if you happen to be looking for a place to stay nearby, take a look at our selection of dog-friendly Whitby cottages too.
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FAQs
The short answer is yes! There are some beaches in Whitby, including Tate Hill Beach and Upgang Beach where dogs are welcome all year round, and others where seasonal restrictions apply. Read on to find a list of each below.
There are several dog-friendly beaches in Whitby, and many of the pubs and eateries welcome four-legged friends too. Dog-friendly attractions include the Captain Cook Experience boat trip, and dogs in Whitby are well catered for by the Fuzzy Dog Bakery. Find out more in our Canine guide to Whitby.
Dog restrictions apply on part of Sandsend Beach from May to September. Head further in the direction of Whitby to find a section of Sandsend Beach which is dog friendly all year round.
Dog-friendly Whitby beaches with no restrictions
Tate Hill Beach
Tate Hill Beach, otherwise known as Tate Hill Sands, is a wonderful dog-friendly beach in Whitby in the shadow of brooding Whitby Abbey. Small in size, and sheltered, it is tucked behind Tate Hill Pier, making it a central and scenic spot for morning walkies with your pet if you’re staying in the town.
The triangular sandy beach has enough space for families to enjoy a picnic and a paddle while taking in the views of the harbour. It’s a peaceful spot for an afternoon spent watching the boats gliding in and out past Whitby Harbour Lighthouse.
Good to know
Location: What3words – lunging.proved.elevate
Parking: Church Street pay and display car park, Church St, Whitby YO22 4AS, 380 metres away.
Accessibility: Stone steps and uneven stone ramp down onto beach.
Facilities: Pubs, shops and eateries within 180 metres, WCs at Abbey Wharf Market, 180 metres.
Dogs: Allowed all year round.
Upgang Beach
If you’re looking for small and quiet dog-friendly beaches in Whitby, perhaps for an anxious pup, try Upgang Beach which lies to the west of the town, between Sandsend Beach and Whitby Sands (West Cliff Beach). While the sandy beach is popular among dog walkers, it is a little less accessible than the other beaches in the town, reached via steps close to the golf course.
Surfers make the most of the waves when the conditions are right, and the long swathe gives plenty of room for dogs to stretch their legs and owners to blow away the cobwebs all year round.
Good to know
Location: What3words – share.swarm.grudge
Parking: Limited free parking available at the end of Upgang Lane (What3words – blindfold.fetches.credible), or roadside parking.
Accessibility: Steep paths in the hillside/steps down to the beach.
Facilities: None.
Dogs: Allowed all year round.
Saltwick Bay Beach
When you’re on the hunt for dog-friendly beaches near Whitby, you won’t have to travel far to Saltwick Bay Beach, which sits to the east of the town. Energetic pups and their owners can reach the beach by strolling along the coastal Cleveland Way from Whitby. A scenic 1.5-mile amble will get you there, with final access to the beach via Whitby Holiday Park.
Saltwick Bay Beach is not only one of Whitby’s dog-friendly beaches, but it’s also a renowned fossil-hunting location, so keep your eyes peeled for ammonites and the like. Historically, alum, a chemical compound (used in paper sizing, as a mordant, and in pickling), was mined here. While the mines have long since closed, a ramp and parts of the old harbour remain.
Good to know
Location: What3words – engrossed.gadget.drainage
Parking: Limited parking available along the approach road to Whitby Holiday Park, approximately 300 metres from the beach.
Accessibility: Uneven gravel/mud path down to the beach with steps along the way, steep in places.
Facilities: None.
Dogs: Allowed all year round.
Sandsend Ness
Sandsend Ness isn’t your average sandy beach, thus offering something a little different when it comes to dog-friendly beaches in Whitby. It is another former alum quarrying site, and also another good spot for fossil hunting. It’s a bit of a stretch to call it a beach – there’s not much sand and the rocky terrain gives it the look of a lunar landscape. Nevertheless, it’s an intriguing part of the Yorkshire coast to explore with your dog, with caves adding interest (though it’s advisable to keep away from the cliffs).
The current here can be strong, and the tide can come in quickly, so make sure you keep your wits about you so as not to get cut off or washed out to sea.
Good to know
Location: What3words – overused.daydream.risks
Parking: Sandsend pay and display car park, Lythe, Whitby YO21 3TG, next to the beach.
Accessibility: Uneven access to the beach from the car park.
Facilities: WC and cafe next to the car park.
Dogs: Allowed all year round.
Dog-friendly Whitby beaches with restrictions
Whitby West Cliff Beach
Outside of the dog restriction period (May–September), you can grab your bucket and spade, as well as your pup, for a nostalgia-filled day on Whitby West Cliff Beach (also known as Whitby Sands). With colourful beach huts lining the sand, and just a short walk from the amenities (ice creams) in the town, it’s a lovely spot for taking a dip or enjoying a long shoreline stroll.
Beyond the eastern side of the beach steps (near the western end of the beach huts), dogs are allowed all year round, so if you’re visiting between May and September, just mooch on down the seafront promenade a little further, and you’ll be in dog-friendly Whitby beach heaven!
Good to know
Location: What3words – cascaded.voucher.panel
Parking: West Cliff pay and display car park (17 Royal Crescent, West Cliff YO21 3EG), Pavilion Drive pay and display car park (Cleveland Way YO21 3PY) and several others close by, or paid roadside parking.
Accessibility: Various access points including steps and ramps. A seasonal cliff lift runs down to the beach. The beachfront promenade is flat and suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Facilities: Seasonal amusements and rides; many pubs, shops and eateries within 500 metres; WCs near West Pier and by the outdoor swimming pool on North Terrace Road.
Dogs: Restrictions apply May-September on the section of the beach from West Pier to the eastern side of the beach steps (close to the western end of the beach huts).
Sandsend Beach
Water-loving four-legged friends will enjoy an out-of-season jaunt along Sandsend Beach whose sand and shingle expanse is crossed by East Row Beck to the western end – a small river perfect for splashing about in. With rock pools to be explored, fossils to be found, fish to be caught and waves to be surfed (experienced surfers only, due to strong currents), it’s a popular Whitby beach, just a little out of town (2.5 miles).
Sandside Cafe, at the top of the beach, is open year-round, so be sure to make a stop to thaw out after a bracing winter dog walk, or enjoy a cuppa and cake after a game of fetch on the beach on a warm autumn day. Dogs are allowed on part of Sandsend Beach year-round, but the northwest end has seasonal restrictions.
Good to know
Location: What3words – surely.jotting.nightlife
Parking: Pay and display roadside parking along Sandsend Road, or Sandsend car park, Lythe, YO21 3TG.
Accessibility: A sloping slipway leads onto the beach close to Sandside Cafe.
Facilities: Cafes, pub and restaurant within 150 metres; WCs over the road from Sandsend Surgery.
Dogs: Restrictions apply on the first section of beach at Sandsend May-September, but dogs are allowed all year round further down the beach towards Whitby.
Map of dog-friendly beaches in Whitby
Take a look at our handy map of dog-friendly beaches in Whitby. We’ve colour-coordinated them – green means dog-friendly all year round and red means seasonal restrictions are in place.
Dog-friendly holiday cottages in Whitby
Holidaying with your dog is easy when there’s an abundance of dog-friendly places to stay! Our dog-friendly holiday cottages in Whitby are perfectly positioned for morning walkies on the town’s dog-friendly beaches, leaving plenty of time to explore the shops, eateries and Yorkshire attractions which will be happy to welcome your four-legged friend with open arms.
Take a look at our collection of dog-friendly Whitby cottages by clicking the button below.
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.