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A spaniel fetching a ball on a sandy and rocky beach

Taking your dog with you on your holiday to Norfolk? We have plenty of dog friendly holiday parks at Parkdean Resorts, so if your four-legged friends are joining you, we’ve chatted with locals to find out the best places in Norfolk for a paw-fect day out!

Carl Warrent, the founder of Dog Friendly Norfolk; Pete Waters, Executive Director of Visit East of England; Steph Makins, co-founder of Enjoying Norfolk; and Ruth Knight, Director of Broads Tours, have all given us their insight into the best dog-friendly activities in Norfolk.

The best dog-friendly beaches in Norfolk

No holiday to Norfolk is complete without a trip to the beach - dogs included.

An aerial view over Waxham Beach in Norfolk

Carl tells us, “I would have to recommend Waxham Beach in Norfolk. This beach doesn't attract the crowds of some of the more popular beaches but makes it perfect for long dog walks (it's very peaceful) and is one of the beaches in Norfolk where dogs are allowed all year round. It also has the excellent Dunes Cafe near the beach entrance, which is worth visiting.”

One of Waxham Beach's main attractions is its tranquillity, making it ideal for those seeking peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle. Dogs are welcome to run and play on the sands, and the open spaces are perfect for exploring.

Grassy dunes lining the beach in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Pete recommends the perfect spot for a dog-friendly beach walk, “I would say a great place for dogs is Wells-Next-the-Sea and Holkham. They [walks] are sign-posted because there are areas where you can't take dogs [as it’s] a nature reserve, [so] if you get nesting birds, they don't want dogs there. However, dogs are okay if you come through the back of the Pine Forest.

Not only do you get this wonderful scene of 200 multi-coloured Beach Huts at Wells, but then, at low tide, the sea goes back about a mile. So the walks along the shoreline are just incredible.”

Sand dunes lined with grass overlooking Winterton Beach in Norfolk

Ruth recommends a dog-friendly beach near Great Yarmouth: “I like Winterton Beach. It is quite quiet, and it's also dog-friendly.” Winterton Beach is part of the Winterton Dunes National Nature Reserve, offering spectacular views, long walking trails and an array of wildlife - and it’s just a 20-minute drive from Vauxhall Holiday Park.

Of course, there are things to be mindful of when taking your dog to the beach. Carl tells us, “Some beaches have both bird and seal populations, so you have to be extra careful around nesting seasons, but having your dog on a leash and being aware of the areas to be cautious will get around this issue.”

Carl adds, “For dog owners, many beaches have restrictions that kick in around the 1st of May to the 30th of September. This usually means that dogs are still allowed on the beach but not in the central areas, where many families will be based. Usually, walking 5-10 minutes on either side of the central area will be fine, and signs will show you the dog-friendly areas. It's always advised to keep your dog on a leash on the promenade and essential that you pick up after your dog.”

The best dog-friendly activities in Norfolk

If we move away from the sand, Norfolk also has plenty of dog-friendly activities, both indoor and outdoor.

A clifftop path between Overstrand and Cromer in Norfolk

For those who enjoy a walking holiday (and particularly if you want your pooch to burn off some energy), Carl recommends, “Overstrand to Cromer is a lovely hiking trail and a great dog walk. It's only about 2 miles long but allows you to follow the cliff-top path to Cromer, passing a golf course too.

In Overstrand, you have both the Cliff Top Cafe, overlooking the sea, and the White Horse pub, which is a few minutes' walk into the village. Once you arrive in Cromer, a much bigger town, there are many local sights and attractions, such as Cromer Pier, so it’s a great hike with much to see.”

A dog sitting on a sailing boat in the Norfolk Broads

Another activity is taking your dog with you on a boat trip on the Norfolk Broads; Ruth, the Director of Broads Tours, tells us, “We take dogs on our river trips, and people might not necessarily think that's a dog-friendly thing to do, but I think you've got to accept the fact that the dogs are part of the family. So people will quite often take a dog on a river trip for an hour and a half. Our day boats are all dog-friendly as well.”

You can even spoil your dog in Norfolk, treating them to toys and souvenirs. Steph says, “There are tons of dog-friendly places where you can take your pet to pubs, restaurants, or even shops, so in general, it's a really dog-friendly county. There are an increasing number of pooch boutiques opening up as well. So there's a really lovely one in Burnham Market called Eric & Dolly’s which sells all manners of stuff that you could never even imagine you could get for a dog. It's fabulous.

But if you want to treat your dog or your dog is your absolute baby, and they're totally spoiled, then go there. You will find something amazing for them. I can guarantee it.”

Dog-friendly pubs and restaurants in Norfolk

Ruth tells us, “Most of the pubs in Norfolk are dog-friendly. I'd say the Bucks at Blickling because it's so close to all the dog walks. Norfolk is very much an outdoor place, so most cafes and the pubs will take dogs - you'll find dog bowls.”

Dinner for two? Carl recommends, “The Ship Inn Mundesley will prepare a freshly cooked sausage for your dog while you're eating breakfast.”

If you fancy a dog-friendly holiday in Norfolk, there’s a range of activities to do and places to go that both owner and pooch can enjoy. Look at our holiday parks in Norfolk today and start planning your next dog-friendly staycation!

*Please note, images are illustrative only.

Recommended dog friendly activities near our parks

Sand dunes lined with grass overlooking Winterton Beach in Norfolk

Winterton Beach

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Nearest holiday park
Summerfields Holiday Park
(5 miles)
An aerial view over Waxham Beach in Norfolk

Waxham Beach

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Nearest holiday park
Summerfields Holiday Park
(11 miles)
A terrier wearing a trendy yellow raincoat

Eric & Dolly's

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Nearest holiday park
Heacham Beach Holiday Park
(12 miles)
A row of colourful beach huts on the sand near Holkham in Norfolk

Holkham

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Nearest holiday park
Heacham Beach Holiday Park
(18 miles)
Grassy dunes lining the beach in Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Wells-next-the-Sea Beach

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Nearest holiday park
Heacham Beach Holiday Park
(19 miles)
A dog sat at a table in a pub

The Ship Inn

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Nearest holiday park
California Cliffs Holiday Park
(22 miles)
A dog lying on the floor in the a pub beer garden

Buckinghamshire Arms

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Nearest holiday park
California Cliffs Holiday Park
(27 miles)
A sign outside a cafe welcoming dogs

Cliff Top Cafe

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Nearest holiday park
California Cliffs Holiday Park
(30 miles)

Local insiders

Carl Warrent, owner of Dog Friendly Norfolk

Carl Warrent

Owner
Dog Friendly Norfolk
dogfriendlynorfolk.com

Carl was born in Norwich and has lived in Norfolk all his life.

Launched in 2022, Dog Friendly Norfolk is a website that helps guide both locals and tourists to the region, on where to go with their dogs.

Pete Waters, Executive Director of Visit East of England

Pete Waters

Executive Director
Visit East of England
www.visiteastofengland.com

Pete was born in Norfolk and has found himself returning throughout his life.

Visit Norfolk aims to encourage people to visit this “wonderful part of the world”.

Ruth Knight, Director of Broads Tours

Ruth Knight

Director
Broads Tours
www.broadstours.co.uk

Ruth moved to Norfolk when she was seven and has lived there ever since.

The Broads Tours has double-decker passenger boats offering fantastic views of the Norfolk Broads.

Steph Makins, Co-founder of Enjoying Norfolk

Steph Makins

Co-founder
Enjoying Norfolk
enjoyingnorfolk.co.uk

Steph was born and raised in Norfolk. In 2007, she and her husband started Enjoying Norwich, which soon expanded into Enjoying Norfolk.

They aim to create a resource for locals and tourists and to encourage people to discover the local businesses around them with their Norfolk card scheme.