Visiting with your dog - Norfolk Coast

We love dogs, and want to make sure that your four-legged friends enjoy their time on the Norfolk Coast as much as you do! To help guarantee wagging tails and smiling faces, we’ve put together a few simple pointers for visiting the coast with your dog below.

For specific local guidance on access restrictions, please see updates at the following sites:

North Norfolk District Council

Great Yarmouth Borough Council

King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council

Looking for some walking route inspiration? Check out our recommendations here [link to follow]

Canine Coastal Code

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Keep a good distance from wildlife

We know your dog is friendly and just wants to explore, but to our sensitive species such as beach-nesting birds and seals, he or she will appear as a predator. Any disturbance to these animals, even for just a few short seconds, can have a major impact on their health and wellbeing, causing stress, injury and even the abandonment of nests, chicks and seal pups. To give them the best chance of surviving and thriving, stick to paths where possible and keep your dog close to you – on the lead if necessary.

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Follow all signage and fencing

We know it can be frustrating to find a diversion on your favourite route, or a sign asking you to put your dog on a lead, but rest assured that it’s there for a reason. Our landscape is alive and evolving, with migratory species coming and going, breeding seasons throughout the year and highly sensitive, changing habitats. We adapt our guidance to make sure that we are always keeping our wildlife and visitors safe, so please do follow instructions wherever you find them.

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Be sure to scoop the poop!

We all have a part to play in keeping our countryside healthy, and that includes cleaning up after your dog. Even if it’s away from the path, dog mess can cause real harm, contaminating local crops and water sources and spreading disease. So please, pick it up and put it in the bin. If you can’t find a bin, bring a container with you so that you can take it away and dispose of it at home. There are great long-lasting containers available to keep everything separate and hygienic, so there’s no excuse!

Happy hounds – join our club!

We believe that dogs and their owners are among our best ambassadors for the Norfolk Coast, celebrating the big skies, stunning seascapes and iconic species on our doorstep. So we set up [dog scheme name] to put the spotlight on our faithful friends.

Sign up for free membership today and you’ll receive a member pack full of goodies for you and your dog, along with helpful advice on great walking routes and dog-friendly sites and businesses to visit across the Norfolk Coast. Plus, we’ll feature your best friend on our website and Instagram.

Sign up now