West Norfolk is famously dog-friendly, so there’s no need to leave your canine companion at home when you visit. We’ve got miles of dog friendly beaches and, if you fancy something different for a day out, why not visit one of our many parks, woodlands or tourist attractions? Find some examples below from around the west Norfolk area. Please be aware that pre-booking for visits may be required and opening dates may differ around the area.
Castle Acre, Norfolk, PE32 2XD
History buffs will like the Castle Acre Priory (a well preserved monastic site dating back to 1090, now managed by English Heritage), the Bailey Gate and Castle (12th century), all of which are dog friendly.
Thornham Rd, Thornham, Nr Hunstanton, PE36 6LS. Tel: 01485 525652
40 acres of orchards and 160 varieties of apples right on the coast. Drove Orchards is family friendly and good fun for a walk around. Free parking on site. Visitors can pick their own apples and pears when in season.
Holkham Estate, Wells-next-the-Sea, NR23 1AB
Dogs are welcome in Holkham Park, the Walled Garden, and Holkham Stories. Please keep them on a lead as there are free roaming deer in the park. Dogs should not enter Holkham Lake. Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Hall.
Oxburgh Hall, King’s Lynn PE33 9PS Tel: 01366 328258
This is a moated country house built around 1482. Dogs on leads are welcome in the Gardens, Parkland and Servants’ Hall Tearoom but not in the house, except for assistance dogs.
The Bawsey Country Park, King’s Lynn, PE32 1EP Tel: 01553 603925
Bawsey Country Park has 176 acres to explore with your doggy pal – you can even order a doggie sausage at The Hub Café when you arrive and it will be ready for your canine companion when you’ve finished your walk! There is also a dog wash station for cleaning muddy paws before heading home.
Off A149, Titchwell Marsh, PE31 8BB.
It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife so please keep dogs on leads and stick to the dog-friendly routes. Dogs are welcome in the hub and shop and you will find water bowls in the courtyard.
Off the A149 between Snettisham and King’s Lynn.
Dogs are very welcome to visit but, once on the reserve, please put your dogs on leads.
Bircham Road, Snettisham PE31 7NG. Tel: 01485 542425.
A 329 acre working farm. Well-behaved dogs on leads and assistance dogs are allowed to visit Snettisham Park but be aware there are deer and other animals on site. Dogs can visit the farm and the trails, but can’t go on the deer safari.
Sandringham, King’s Lynn, PE35 6EH. Tel: 01485 545400
The Norfolk retreat of the British Royal Family. Dogs are not allowed in the house or the gardens but can run around in the Country Park. Dogs are also welcome to attend the many craft fairs and annual flower show when scheduled – and even visit the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene. Check the Visit With Your Dog page for the full lowdown.
Please check signs for reports of any cases of Seasonal Canine Illness between August and the end of January to be on the safe side.
King’s Lynn, PE31 6AH. Tel: 01553 631330
Castle Rising is a 12th Century Castle and Keep. Dogs are allowed on the site but not in the main castle structure.
If you love walks on the beach then west Norfolk is definitely the place for you. There are beaches to suit all dogs – sandy, pebbly, marshy and even muddy! Nearly all the beaches in west Norfolk are very dog friendly. There are just a few restrictions in some of the tourist hot spots.
This beach is a haven for nature lovers, totally unspoilt and usually very peaceful. From the beach car park (charges apply), you can walk south along the beach towards the lagoon area of RSPB Snettisham Nature Reserve.
During the summer months (1st April to 31st August) pop your dogs on a lead so you don’t disturb the beach-nesting birds – look out for signage and nest protection cordons letting you know where the birds are nesting and where you must not walk.
At other times of year, if you enter the Reserve, make sure your dogs are on a lead so you don’t disturb the birds and other wildlife. On the biggest high tides from late summer onwards tens of thousands of wading birds take flight as the incoming tide pushes them off the vast mudflats. This is truly an amazing sight and is called ‘the whirling wader spectacle’. The wildlife is incredible here! There is also the option to walk along the grassy area parallel to the beach towards Heacham.
Dogs are not allowed on a small section of beach from the end of the promenade by the cliffs to the boat launch ramp between 10th April – 31st October. Dogs on leads can walk along the promenade throughout the year. There are plenty of dog waste bins on the promenade.
There are no restrictions on the beaches north and south of this section so there is still loads of space for dogs to run and play.
The North Beach takes you to the striped cliffs of Hunstanton which provide a stunning backdrop for holiday pics and are unique in the UK. This area is also great for paddles in the rock pools and, while you’re there, see if you can spot the wreck of a 1907 fishing boat used in WWI & WWII.
Hunstanton is one of several beaches stretching from Snettisham to Holme that face west so they are very popular with those who like to watch the sunset.
Heacham has two beaches, North and South, both of which have car parks, snack bars and toilets. From the North Beach you can walk along from Heacham to Hunstanton either on the promenade or on the beach.
Like Snettisham, the beach can be very muddy in places especially when the tide is out, so do take care!
You can also walk on the path that runs next to the Heacham River towards Snettisham.
On South Beach, during the summer months (1st April – 31st August), birds use the upper part of the beach to nest and raise their chicks. Dogs being on leads (and looking out for signage and nest protection cordons) is the best way to make sure you don’t disturb the birds.
This is a lovely, unspoilt sandy beach with safe water for paddles and swims. There’s a great beach café at Old Hunstanton where you will find fresh water for dogs (plus they sell some rather tasty doggy snacks).
Dog waste bins can be found at The Lighthouse car park and by the Lifeboat Station.
The creek at Burnham Overy Staithe is dog friendly all year round. When the tide is in, the car park can be very busy. From there, it is approximately a one mile walk along the embankment to the beach.
There are no facilities on the beach so make sure you have plenty of water with you and some form of shade.
You can also walk along the Coast Path through the marshes. The Coast Path will take you on to Holkham Beach or into the pine forest.
Holkham is a vast, sandy beach that has enough room for everyone and rarely seems crowded.
The nature reserve at Holkham stretches from Burnham Norton to Morston, covering about 1,000 hectares which is about 2,500 football fields in doggy landscape! You can explore most of the area by following footpaths.
Holkham Beach has been voted the most dog friendly beach in the UK. Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round, but please be aware that from 1st April – 31st August there is a dogs-on-leads policy in certain places to protect wildlife. These areas are clearly signed. In highly sensitive areas, you will find roped cordons in place to protect ground nesting birds. Please steer clear of these cordons.
Visitors can park their vehicles at the RSPB car park (charges apply non-members) and walk along the West Bank path to the beach, as long as your dog is on a lead. The walk to the beach is approximately 1km and drinks and snacks are available at the RSPB visitor centre.
Please be aware that you must stay away from roped off areas in the sand dunes and beach access is via the West Bank path only.
Brancaster is a popular sandy beach during the summer months. There is a pay and display car park, toilets and snack shop.
Please do not attempt to cross the main tidal sea water channels because this is very dangerous.
There is a small dog free zone between May – September on the left of the entrance where you access the beach. The rest of the beach has no restrictions and can be enjoyed by you and your four legged friends all year round.
Other dog friendly beaches around the Norfolk area can be found on the Barking Bugle website. The header image and amended text have been kindly taken with permission from the Norfolk-based Barking Bugle website.
For a full list of dog-friendly accommodation in west Norfolk please check out the ‘Perfect for pets‘ section from the Accommodation drop-down menu.
There are several noted dog walking trails, of varied terrain, dotted throughout west Norfolk. Visit the Explore West Norfolk website for a self-guided tool to explore such trails with your canine companions.
Please note that the information provided on this webpage was accurate on the date and time it was updated [23/03/26 at 10:40]. Details may have changed after this time and date.
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