Dog-friendly Lincolnshire: beaches, walks & places to visit

Live in the county famous for its sausages, or thinking about house sitting as a pet sitter in Lincolnshire? You’re in the right place - bookmark this ultimate guide to dog-friendly Lincolnshire’s beaches, dog walks, pet-friendly attractions and more.

Dog-friendly beaches in Lincolnshire

The county’s beaches are some of the most dog-friendly places to visit in Lincolnshire. Below, find a list of beaches where dogs are welcome, but always double check the signage and local council websites, as rules and dog restrictions can change.

Fitties Beach

Located in Grimsby, Fitties Beach is popular with local families and dog walkers. Explore the sandy dunes with your furry friend all year round - but keep your eyes peeled during bird nesting season and make sure your dog is under control.

Location: Humberston, Grimsby DN36 4EU

Cleethorpes Beach

On the south bank of the Humber estuary is Cleethorpes Beach, where dogs are welcome between Cleethorpes Leisure Centre and Humberston Fitties. The shallow waters are popular with paddlers and dog walkers alike, but be aware that dogs aren’t allowed on the central area of the beach between 1st May and 30th September. And if you’re walking on the main promenade, be sure to keep your dog on a lead.

Location: Central Promenade, Cleethorpes DN35 8SF

Ingoldmells South Beach

This sandy beach along the coast of Ingoldmells town welcomes visitors and their four-legged friends all year round - the perfect spot that’s quieter than nearby busier resorts for a dog walk.

Location: Ingoldmells (South Beach), PE25 1JZ

Skegness Beach

Further south is Skegness Beach - a popular place for both tourists and locals exploring all that dog-friendly Skegness has to offer. By all means wander the beach with your pooch, but be aware that dogs are only welcome off-season on the central area of the beach, between 1st October and 30th April. The more dog-friendly part of Skegness Beach is Skegness South, known as South Bracing.

Location: Promenade, Skegness PE25 2UQ

Chapel St. Leonards Beach

Another of the dog-friendly beaches in Skegness is Chapel St. Leonards Beach - where dogs are welcome all year round on the north and south sections. Be aware of the seasonal restriction on the central part of the beach, where dogs are welcome between October and April only.

Location: Chapel St Leonards, Skegness PE24 5UR

Anderby Creek Beach

Like Chapel St Leonards Beach, there is a section of Anderby Creek which is dog-friendly all year round. This spot is located on the beach to the left of the entrance - where dogs can run free at any time of the year. Stop at the car park (where charging is available), and find Anderby Beach Cafe which is dog-friendly.

Location: Anderby Creek, Skegness PE24 5XR

Moggs Eye Beach

This rural beach (otherwise known as Huttoft Beach) is perfect for dog walkers and those house sitting in Lincolnshire. Its vast expanse of golden sands and dunes make for the perfect dog walk - away from busier seaside resorts with seasonal restrictions.

Location: Skegness LN13 9RT

Saltfleetby, Theddlethorpe Dunes

This stunning nature reserve is a wildlife haven - filled with sandy dunes, mudflats and marshes, it makes for a fun place to explore with your canine companion. The habitats attract varied wildlife, including the natterjack toad, barn owls and even seals. Because of the reserve’s precious habitats, dogs need to be kept on a lead (no more than two metres) in the sand dune and salt marsh areas between 1st March and 31st July. 

Location: Mablethorpe LN12 1NR

Sutton-on-Sea Beach

This traditional seaside resort is a well-known favorite amongst locals - just be sure to follow the local restrictions around bringing your furry friends along. Between 1st May and 30th September, dogs aren’t allowed on the central area of the beach, but can explore anywhere outside of the main village centre. And if you decide to stroll along the promenade instead, keep your dog on a lead.

Location: Sutton on Sea, Mablethorpe LN12 2ET

Golden Sands and Mablethorpe North Beach

Dogs are welcome on the beach area to the left of the promenade all year round (North Beach), as well as Golden Sands. And it’s no wonder this spot is popular with local pet parents - the huge stretch of sand along this part of the Lincolnshire coastline is perfect for letting off steam with your canine companion!

Location: North End, Mablethorpe LN12 1QQ

Popular dog walks in Lincolnshire

It’s easy to keep dog walking in Lincolnshire interesting - the county is filled with Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nature reserves, woods and parks perfect for a dog walk. Below, we’ll share a few of the most popular places to walk dogs in Lincolnshire, but be sure to check out those local to you to avoid traveling too far with your furry friend.

Lincolnshire Wolds

The Lincolnshire Wolds - an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - is home to woods, nature reserves and dales that welcome dogs. Depending on the area you visit, dogs might be allowed to run free, or they might need to be kept on the lead to protect local wildlife. So ahead of your dog walk in the Lincolnshire Wolds, check the rules around bringing your dog and always follow the Countryside Code.

Popular dog walking areas in the Lincolnshire Wolds include:

• Tealby and Willingham Woods. Find ancient woodlands, trails, farmland and The King’s Head in Tealby - a cosy, dog-friendly pub perfect for a place to sit down after a long walk.
• Snipe Dales Country Park. Explore the country park trails with your furry friend and enjoy a scenic walk with your dog on a lead.
• Viking Way. This 149-mile walk across the countryside begins at the River Humber and ends at Oakham Rutland - so it can be joined from anywhere in between! Just be sure to double check the signage, as dogs may need to be kept on a lead for certain parts of the trail.
• Hubbard’s Hills. This glacial-formed valley offers ideal greenspace for local dog walkers and nature lovers - just be sure to keep your dog on a lead where the signage specifies, and always clean up after them.

Hartsholme Country Park

Aside from the stunning areas to walk your dog in the Lincolnshire Wolds, you’re still spoilt for choice! For instance, Hartsholme Country Park is one of the most popular dog-friendly parks in the county - featuring Victorian landscaped gardens, Swanholme Lakes and woodlands. Naturally, keep your dog under close control, and put them on a lead where needed.

Location: 377 Skellingthorpe Rd, Lincoln LN6 0EY

Whisby Nature Park

Explore this nature park’s woodlands and grasslands, keeping your dog on a lead throughout. If you’d like to let your dog off the lead for a good run around, head to the lakes where they’re allowed to roam free - just don’t let your dog into the lake itself.

Location: Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln LN6 9BW

Dog-friendly attractions in Lincolnshire

There are countless dog-friendly places in Lincolnshire - we’ll share a few popular attractions below, but be sure to double check any rules when planning your day out, and try to stay local to avoid long car journeys with your canine companion.

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway

As the only heritage steam railway of its kind in the county, Lincolnshire Wolds Railway is certainly a stylish way to see the countryside. Dogs on leads are welcome, but not on seats - those are reserved for us humans. 

Location: Ludborough Station, is DN36 5SH

Lincoln Castle

While pet dogs aren’t generally permitted to visit Lincoln Castle or enter its grounds, the castle does host frequent dog-friendly days, so keep an eye out for those if you’d like to marvel at the epic Norman architecture with your furry friend.

Location: Castle Hill, Lincoln LN1 3AA

Lincoln Cathedral

Dogs are welcome throughout Lincoln Cathedral - inside and out - so if you can rely on your pooch being well-behaved and quiet, explore this stunning building and its grounds for a peaceful retreat in the city of Lincoln.

Location: Cathedral, Minster Yard, Lincoln LN2 1PX

Gunby Estate, Hall & Gardens

If you live anywhere near Gunby, this National Trust Estate is well worth a visit for a slightly different backdrop from your everyday dog walk. The estate is home to the hall itself (built in the 1700s) and the Victorian walled gardens. Lucky for local pet parents, dogs are welcome in the Gardens, Parkland, Orchard Gallery and the second-hand bookshop.

Location: Gunby, Spilsby PE23 5SS

Tattershall Castle

Dogs are welcome to explore this National Trust site’s castle grounds along with the Tattershall Castle Heritage Trail, which offers up stunning views of the 15th-century castle that was built by Ralph Cromwell.

Location: Sleaford Rd, Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4LR

Belton House

Visitors are welcome to explore Belton House with their dogs - specifically the gardens, parklands, the Stables Café, and the courtyard areas of Belton House - a 17th-century mansion that’s popular with locals and tourists, and a great example of Carolean-style architecture.

Location: High Rd, Belton, Grantham NG32 2LW

Tips for pet parents

• Be a tourist in your own county. As you might already know, the county is bursting with stunning natural beauty, diverse wildlife and interesting historical attractions, so put your tourist hat on, check local dog restrictions and head out for a dog-friendly day of exploring.
• Check out Lincolnshire’s dog-friendly pubs. Many of the county’s pubs welcome dogs - serving up cosy pub classics with open fires and views of the countryside.
• Plan ahead for your holiday. So your pooch is all set for a day out in Lincolnshire, but why not get ahead and make sure your dog can stay happy at home during your next holiday? Click below to find out how to connect with verified, in-home pet sitters to keep your furry family cared for and content in the place vets agree they’re happiest.

Tips for pet sitters

• Try the local cuisine. Did you know that Lincolnshire is a county famous for its herb-packed sausages, and “Lincolnshire Poacher” cheese? Well now you do! 
• Follow pet parent advice. While there are heaps of amazing spots to explore in the county with dogs, ask pet parents about where their furry friend is comfortable walking, and always follow their advice.
• Explore Lincolnshire through house sitting. So, how does exploring the county’s rolling hills, sweeping countryside and golden shoreline with a new furry friend sound? Click below to find out how to get your house sitting adventure started.