Dog-friendly Suffolk: beaches, dog walks and things to do

Live in the east of England with a four-legged friend, or thinking about house sitting as a pet sitter in Suffolk? Look no further than our complete guide to dog-friendly Suffolk, where we explore the dog-friendly beaches Suffolk offers, along with dog walks, attractions and National Trust sites that welcome furry companions.

Dog-friendly beaches in Suffolk

If you’re looking to explore pet-friendly Suffolk, look no further than its stunning coastline and charming seaside towns. Many of the county’s beaches are dog-friendly - and lots welcome dogs all year round, with minimal seasonal restrictions. Take a look below for some of the most popular beaches in Suffolk that welcome four-legged friends.

• Kessingland Beach. This wild, sandy (and grassy) beach in north Suffolk welcomes dogs all year round - let your dog run free on the beach and explore its low sand dunes.
• Pakefield Beach. Another dog-friendly beach that welcomes dogs all year round is Pakefield - explore the beach that’s covered in pebbles and shingle, and wander alongside the colourful beach huts.
• Southwold Denes. Just north of the main Southwold Beach is this hidden gem - with grass, sand and shingle to explore and no restrictions for dogs.
• Walberswick Beach. Suffolk is perfect for dog walkers - as Walberswick is yet another dog-friendly beach known for its stunning sand dunes.
• Covehithe Beach. This is another popular spot for local pet parents - enjoy a coastal walk along Covehite Beach and marvel at the “tree graveyard”.
• Aldeburgh Beach. This spot is dog-friendly outside of the summer months, so dog walkers can explore the shingle beach for blustery winter walks outside of peak season.
• Felixstow Beach. This iconic resort beach is popular with dog owners - especially outside of peak season, where there are no restrictions. Dogs are welcome on some parts of the beach year-round, including Old Felixstow and Fludyers.

Best places for dog walks in Suffolk

If you’re wondering what to do in Suffolk with your dog - the answer is plan a dog walk, or three! The county is bursting with stunning East Anglian countryside, so take a look below for a few destinations that will guarantee a great dog walk.

• Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve. Explore the woodlands, riverside meadows and follow the trails for a stunning walk in the Suffolk countryside. Follow each area’s lead rules, and be especially careful when near livestock or ground nesting birds.
• Dunwich Heath. Sitting just beside Suffolk’s coastline is Dunwich Heath - a woodland popular with local dog walkers.
• Rendlesham Forest. This woodland makes for an interesting spot for dog walkers and their pet friends - keep your dog on a lead where needed and check out the UFO trail.
• Sutton Heath. This lowland heath (and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is popular with local dog walkers - just be sure to keep your dog on a lead, as ground nesting birds are often present here.
• Orwell Country Park. This 300-acre nature reserve is known for its ancient woodlands, meadows, and of course, Orwell Estuary - the perfect spot for a dog walk. Just keep your dog on a lead in designated areas!
• Bradfield Woods National Nature Reserve. This spot is popular with both dog walkers and nature lovers - showcasing an ancient coppice woodland that dates back to the early 13th century. Just be sure to keep your dog on a lead to protect sensitive local wildlife.
• Easton Farm Park. If you’re anywhere near Woodbridge, Easton Farm Park is the perfect place for a family-friendly and dog-friendly day out filled with animals and activities perfect for all the family.
• Kyson Hill. If you live near Broomheath, (or you’re house sitting in Suffolk nearby), visit Kyson Hill for views of the River Deben estuary.
• Groton Wood. This stunning nature reserve is filled with ancient trees and a varied wildlife of butterflies, newts and more - and like many of Suffolk’s nature reserves, this woodland is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so be sure to keep your dog on a lead and follow the signage.
• Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale Nature Reserve. Popular with dog walkers near Sudbury is Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale - a reserve managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and complete with varying habitats of wooded hillsides and damp valley floors.

Dog-friendly National Trust properties in Suffolk

Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds (and inside some of the buildings) at many of Suffolk’s National Trust properties. Take a look below at a few of the places pet parents can bring their furry friends for a dog-friendly, culture-filled day out.

• Sutton Hoo. Explore this Anglo Saxon royal burial ground with your pet friends - and with over 245 acres to walk, it’s easy to see why this spot is so popular with local pet parents.
• Melford Hall. If history is your thing, visit this Tudor manor house that celebrates Elizabethan architecture, and walk the park with your dog, visit the bookshop or watch the world go by in the tearoom’s outdoor seating area.
• Ickworth Estate. Known for its 18th-century rotunda (that was built for the 4th Earl of Bristol), Ickworth is now a popular place for dog walkers - where furry friends are welcome in the parkland, woodland, walled garden and Porter’s Lodge café.
• The Children’s Country House at Sudbury. This family-friendly, interactive museum set in a 17th-century country manor welcomes visitors with dogs in the gardens and grounds.
• Flatford Bridge Cottage. Dogs and their owners are welcome to explore the outside areas, Boat House Gallery section of the tea room and the Constable exhibition of Bridge Cottage - a 16th-century thatched cottage in East Bergholt.

Tips for pet parents

• Check out dog-friendly pubs in Suffolk. Suffolk is bursting with dog-friendly restaurants and cosy pubs - serving up hearty meals made with locally-sourced ingredients with the backdrop of crackling fires and exposed beams. Just be sure to check the dog restrictions before arriving.
• Get to the coast. Many of Suffolk’s beaches are dog-friendly, so head to the coast (if it’s within driving distance) with your pooch, and let them run free on a dog-friendly area of Suffolk’s coastline.
• Get your holiday pet care sorted. So you’re all set for a dog-friendly day out in your home county, but what about when the time comes for a holiday? Well as vets agree pets are happier at home, why not keep your pooch content in their familiar surroundings with an in-home pet sitter? Click below to find out more.

Tips for pet sitters

• Follow the rules at nature reserves. With at least 50 nature reserves to its name, Suffolk is the perfect place to get into nature - just make sure you help protect it by keeping your furry friend on a lead where needed.
• Follow pet parent advice. There is nothing like being shown around a new area by a new canine companion, but be sure to only take your new pal on walks they’re comfortable with.
• Explore Suffolk through house sitting. So, fancy getting into the East Anglian countryside with a canine companion by your side? Click below to find out how to get your Suffolk house sitting adventure started.

More dog-friendly travel guides

Welcoming a pet sitter in Suffolk or thinking about going house sitting nearby? Explore our local travel guides below and find all the dog-friendly places in Bury St. Edmunds, Ipswich and beyond.

• Dog-friendly Bury St. Edmunds: things to do with a dog
• Dog-friendly Ipswich: things to do with a dog
• Dog-friendly Cambridge: things to do with a dog
• Dog-friendly Norwich: things to do with a dog
• Dog-friendly Colchester: things to do with a dog