Dog Friendly Beaches Near Sidmouth
East Devon has some of the finest dog friendly coastline in England. Branscombe is ten minutes from the park and welcomes dogs all year. Several other beaches carry seasonal restrictions between 1 May and 30 September, so this guide sets out exactly where dogs are and are not permitted on each one.
Seasonal restrictions apply from 1 May to 30 September on parts of Beer, Sidmouth, Seaton, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth beaches. Branscombe is the only beach nearby with no seasonal restriction on any section. Fines apply for breaching them.
Branscombe beach, ten minutes
A long shingle beach on the Jurassic Coast, tucked into a valley between white chalk cliffs. This is the beach we recommend most to dog owners — uncrowded and open to dogs across almost its entire length all year round.
Year-round access
The vast majority of the beach is open to dogs all year. A small signed area, 150 metres either side of the pole in front of the Sea Shanty Café, is restricted from 1 May to 30 September.
Sea Shanty Café
The café sits right on the beach and welcomes dogs at its outdoor seating. Dogs on leads may reach it even during the summer restriction period.
Parking. National Trust car park right by the beach, postcode EX12 3DP. It is also the start of the Beer to Branscombe coastal walk of 5.3 miles.
Beer beach, fifteen minutes
A shingle cove framed by dramatic white chalk cliffs in the working fishing village of Beer. Worth the drive for the scenery alone. The eastern side of the beach is open to dogs all year round.
Eastern side, year-round
Dogs are permitted on the eastern side of the beach throughout the year.
Western side, restricted in summer
Dogs are not permitted on the western side from 1 May to 30 September, from the access path at Sea Hill to the cliff edge. Dogs on leads may still reach the beach café within the restriction zone.
Good to know. Beer is the starting point for the Beer to Branscombe coastal walk of 5.3 miles — one of the finest stretches of the South West Coast Path in East Devon.
Sidmouth beaches, eight minutes
Sidmouth has three distinct beach areas and the dog rules differ across them. The seafront promenade is flat, wide and dog friendly all year — it is the town beach itself where summer restrictions apply.
Port Royal Beach, east
Dogs are allowed all year at the eastern end of the promenade, with no seasonal restriction.
Main town beach
Dogs are not permitted between the eastern access ramp opposite Port Royal and the western end of the promenade, from 1 May to 30 September.
Jacob's Ladder, west
Dogs are permitted year-round at the far western end, from roughly 100 metres past the beach huts. The immediate ladder area is restricted from 1 May to 30 September.
On the promenade. Dogs must be kept on a lead on the promenade, the Esplanade and by the Jacob’s Ladder beach huts throughout the year.
Seaton beach, twenty minutes
A long shingle beach at the mouth of the Axe Valley estuary, with dogs welcome at both ends all year. Seaton is also home to the Seaton Tramway.
Far ends, year-round
The far eastern and western ends of the beach allow dogs throughout the year. Promenade access on a lead is permitted at all times.
Central section, restricted in summer
Dogs are not permitted on the main section between Castle Hill and Trevelyan Road, from 1 May to 30 September.
Seaton Tramway. Dogs travel free on the narrow-gauge railway through the Axe Valley estuary — one of the great dog friendly days out in Devon. tram.co.uk
Budleigh Salterton, thirty minutes
A classic East Devon pebble beach backed by red sandstone cliffs. Dogs are welcome at either end all year. The River Otter Estuary at the eastern end is a popular year-round walk.
Both ends, year-round
Dogs are allowed all year at the eastern end, east of Lime Kiln car park. The far western end of the beach is open to them too.
Central section, restricted in summer
Dogs are not permitted between South Parade and Lime Kiln car park, from 1 May to 30 September.
River Otter Estuary. The estuary path leading from the eastern end of the beach is a popular year-round dog walk on flat, accessible ground.
Exmouth beach, thirty-five minutes
A long sandy beach with good year-round dog access at both ends. Orcombe Point at the eastern end is particularly popular, where rocky areas at low tide give a dog more to explore. Exmouth is also a gateway to the Jurassic Coast.
Both ends, year-round
The far eastern end towards Orcombe Point and the far western end towards the Octagon Café and Docks allow dogs all year.
Central beach, restricted in summer
Dogs are not permitted on the main central beach from 1 May to 30 September. They must be on a lead on the Esplanade and Queen’s Drive at all times.
Beach quick reference
Where dogs are welcome all year, with no seasonal restriction.
- Branscombe, 10 minutes — almost all of the beach, with a small restriction by the café only.
- Beer eastern side, 15 minutes — the eastern section only.
- Sidmouth Port Royal, 8 minutes — the eastern beach, with Jacob's Ladder far west also year-round.
- Seaton far ends, 20 minutes — the eastern and western ends only.
- Budleigh Salterton ends, 30 minutes — either end, including the River Otter Estuary walk.
- Exmouth far ends, 35 minutes — Orcombe Point east and the Octagon Café west.
Restriction information is from East Devon District Council and correct for 2026. Always check local signage on arrival, as the zones are clearly marked. For the latest position see eastdevon.gov.uk
Back to the dog friendly guide for walks, cafés, attractions and everything on the park itself.
Book your stay
Six beaches within thirty-five minutes and Clean Paws waiting on your return. Book online or call the team on 01297 680 387.