🐕 Holiday with a dog in England: beaches, cliffs and pet rules

Eastbourne on the south coast of England has set a goal of becoming a city where you can take your dog almost anywhere. To make that happen, locals have released a pocket guide for dog owners. Inside, you'll find walks, cafes, pubs, as well as veterinary clinics and grooming salons.

We looked into what's in the guide, how to get it, and where to go with your dog in Eastbourne and the surrounding area. All of the places below welcome pets.

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What's in the guide

💡 In short:

The guide is free: online and at paper distribution points across the city.
Businesses that welcome dogs are marked with a window sticker.
Dog access and rules: 09/2026, according to the Eastbourne tourist office.

The authors have put together places for walks with dogs. The list includes cafes, pubs, and restaurants with dog-friendly policies. Practical spots are marked separately: pet shops, grooming salons, veterinary clinics, and kennels.

Every business in the guide gets a window sticker. If you see the mark, it means you can come in with your dog. That's how you can spot a dog-friendly place right from the street.

Who published the guide and where to get it

The guide was prepared by the organization Friends of Eastbourne Seafront. It is funded by the tourism development fund Visit Eastbourne. The guide is distributed by the Friends of Eastbourne Seafront community, the Seafront office, and the Eastbourne tourist information center.

The digital version is on the tourist office website in the pet-friendly section. Verified on 09/15/2026 on the official Visit Eastbourne website. You'll find the paper version at locations across the city where dogs are allowed.

How the city reacted

Eastbourne city council member for tourism Margaret Bannister called the initiative useful. She is pleased to see business owners opening their doors to guests with dogs. The official added that the project will help people with pets discover new places.

The guide's authors hope that Eastbourne's example will encourage other businesses as well. In addition, Friends of Eastbourne Seafront have released brochures about the benefits of a dog-friendly approach. They also put together a list of steps for getting into the guide.

Where to go in Eastbourne with your dog

Below are places that definitely allow dogs. Distances are shown on the map. If you want to see the cliffs with a guide, check out Eastbourne and Seven Sisters tours on GetYourGuide.

Place	With a dog	What's interesting
Pevensey Castle	on a leash	ruins of a Roman fort and a Norman castle
Beachy Head	on a leash near the cliff edge	the highest chalk cliff in southeast England
Eastbourne seafront	yes	a multi-kilometer promenade and Carpet Gardens
South Downs	yes	a national park with chalk grasslands
Eastbourne Beach	outside the summer season	sea views, the pier is closed to dogs
Birling Gap	yes	a beach at the foot of the Seven Sisters cliffs
Cuckmere Haven	year-round	the best view of the Seven Sisters

Pevensey Castle

The ruins of Pevensey Castle stand a few kilometers east of Eastbourne. The walls of the Roman shore fort Anderitum and the remains of a Norman castle are preserved here. This is where William the Conqueror landed in 1066 before the Battle of Hastings, as English Heritage writes.

Cost: paid entry, see current prices and opening hours on the English Heritage website.
Who it's for: dog owners interested in open-air ruins.
The catch: the entire site is outdoors, with no shelter in the rain.

Beachy Head

Beachy Head is considered the highest chalk cliff in southeast England (according to the National Trust). From the cliff edge you can see the English Channel and the South Downs hills. Near the very edge of the cliff you'll need to keep your dog on a leash; further away your pet can run free.

How to get there: about half an hour on foot uphill from the seafront (see map).
The catch: a leash is required near the cliff edge, and the cliff edge is dangerous.

Eastbourne seafront

The Eastbourne seafront stretches for several kilometers along the sea. The promenade runs past the beach, Carpet Gardens, and Napoleonic-era towers such as Wish Tower. The benches are a good place to stop and look at the sea or have a picnic with your dog.

How to get there: on foot from the town center along the shore (see map).
Who it's for: for easy walks without climbing uphill.

South Downs

South Downs opened in 2010, which is why it's called the youngest national park in Great Britain (according to the South Downs National Park Authority). The area is covered with protected chalk grasslands that support rare flora and fauna. The park is also good for night walks if you enjoy stargazing.

The park's most famous route, the South Downs Way walking trail, runs for about 160 km (according to the park's official website).

South Downs Way signpost among green hills

Who it's for: dog owners who are up for long walks across the hills.
Not for: those who only want a short walk by the sea.

Eastbourne Beach

Eastbourne Beach works well for a trip with your dog outside the summer season. In summer, restrictions apply to part of the beach, so check the tourist office rules before you go. Eastbourne Pier is closed to dogs, but you can enjoy the best views from the beach itself. There are plenty of cafes and pubs nearby.

South Street in Eastbourne with brick houses

The catch: part of the beach is closed to dogs in summer.

Birling Gap

Birling Gap, a pebble-and-sand beach at the foot of the Seven Sisters cliffs, is one of the longest stretches of unspoiled coastline on the south coast of England. The path down to the water follows a steep but sturdy staircase. There are no restrictions for dogs, but keep your pet close to you near the cliff.

How to get there: by car from Eastbourne along the coastal road (see map).
The catch: a steep staircase down to the beach.

Cuckmere Haven

To the west of Birling Gap lies Cuckmere Haven. You can come here with a dog without restrictions all year round. The pebble beach offers the best view of the Seven Sisters. This area was used as a filming location for "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and scenes from Harry Potter, as noted in the National Trust coast description.

Cuckmere River estuary with meanders and sea

Who it's for: dog owners who need a beach with no seasonal restrictions.

Tours and tickets in Eastbourne

Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and activities — most offers can be cancelled free of charge.

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Where to eat with a dog in Eastbourne

Below are three places from the guide where dogs are welcome and you can get a good meal.

The Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn is called one of the oldest pubs in England, and dogs are welcome here. That's why the pub is popular with pet owners. Inside, tradition meets a modern approach, and the food includes hearty snacks.

Cost: see the menu on the pub's website.

The Kiosk

The Kiosk sits on a hill above Eastbourne and is a good spot for lunch. The menu features mostly homemade soups and baked goods. During peak hours you need to book a table in advance.

The catch: during peak hours you need to book in advance.

The Chippy

The Chippy, a classic fish and chips spot, sits on the seafront right at the pier entrance. The menu and opening hours are on the tourist office page.

Street with Victorian houses in central Eastbourne

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my dog to the Eastbourne beach?

Yes, outside the summer season dogs are allowed on the beach. Summer restrictions and the pier ban are described in the Eastbourne Beach section.

Where can I get a pocket guide for dogs?

Pick up a printed guide at the Eastbourne tourist information center or the Seafront office. The digital version is available on the tourist office website.

Where in Eastbourne are dogs definitely welcome?

The guide lists cafes, pubs, and restaurants with dog-friendly policies. Among the tried-and-tested spots are The Lamb Inn, The Kiosk, and The Chippy. For walks, head to the seafront, Beachy Head, the South Downs, and Birling Gap.

Do I need to keep my dog on a leash?

Near the cliff edges at Beachy Head, keep your dog on a leash. At the cliff above Birling Gap there are no restrictions, but it's best to keep your pet close. On the South Downs meadows and on the beach outside the season, your pet can run free.

How much does Pevensey Castle cost?

Entry is paid, and rates and opening hours depend on the season. Check exact prices on the English Heritage website before your trip.

In short: what to book

Eastbourne is a great choice for a relaxed trip with a dog: the guide, the seafront, the chalk cliffs, and pubs that welcome pets. If you have one day, go for the seafront and Beachy Head. If you're driving, add Birling Gap and Cuckmere Haven. If you love history, start with Pevensey Castle.

The only thing worth booking in advance is a guided cliff tour. See Eastbourne tours on GetYourGuide.

Eastbourne with a dog: city guide and places that welcome pets