About
Hastings, a seaside town on the south coast of England, has a mix of shingle and sand beaches that stretch along the coast. Some bits are all pebbles, and others have actual sand when the tide goes out. You might not think of Hastings as the first place to take a dog, but it’s surprisingly decent for a seaside stroll.
Hastings is one of the medieval Cinque Ports on the south coast and today remains a fishing port with the UK’s largest beach-based fishing fleet. The long beachfront is divided into separate beaches, which we have combined into one Hastings Beach Guide. The beachfront runs from the fishing quarter and the Old Town in the East through the traditional seaside of funfairs and amusement arcades at Pelham Place, the renovated pier, the less busy Marina area of St Leonards, and finishing up at Bulverhythe.
Dog Access and Rules
Not all of Hastings’ beaches are free-for-all when it comes to dogs. Some have seasonal restrictions, meaning your dog can’t be on the main beaches in summer.
Dog restrictions are complicated in Hastings, and we do advise that you should check the local signage, but from East to West, we have:
- Rock-A-Nore Beach has dog restrictions between groynes 1 and 3 during the peak season, 1 May—30 September.
- The Stade Beach allows dogs all year.
- Hastings Beach, to the East of the Pier, is the main family beach on either side of the pier. Also known as Pelham Beach, it runs from the Harbour Arm to the Pier, which does not allow dogs between the 1st of May and the 30th of September.
- Hastings Beach to the West of Pier up to St. Leonards Beach is dog-friendly all year.
- Note that Hastings Pier allows dogs on the decking, but they must be kept on leads but dogs are not allowed inside pier buildings.
- St. Leonards On Sea Beach has a dog-free zone from May 1st to September 30th, between Warrior Square and The Royal Victoria Hotel (groynes 32 and 42).
- Bulverhythe Beach, also known as West St Leonards Beach, is dog-friendly, and when the tide is out, you may be able to see the Amsterdam shipwreck.
Things To See & Do
The main beaches have seasonal restrictions and can be very busy, so it is best to head away from the pier. There’s Rock-a-Nore Beach, which is a bit more rugged, less touristy, and has areas where dogs can run free all year round. You get those dramatic cliffs as a backdrop, and if you go at the right time, the tide pulls back to reveal patches of sand.
Further along, Bulverhythe Beach is another option. It’s quieter, and the shipwreck at low tide gives it a bit of character. Dogs seem to love it here, maybe because it’s not as busy, and there’s more space to leg it about.
If your dog loves a long walk, Hastings Country Park is a solid choice. It has clifftop paths, loads of open space, and views that go on for miles. Keep an eye on them near the edges because some drops are steep.
Access and Facilities
Hastings is pretty easy to get to. Trains run from London, taking about 90 minutes, and the station is only a short walk from the seafront. If you’re driving, parking can be a bit of a faff, especially on a sunny weekend. There are car parks along the front, but they fill up fast. The best bet is to get there early or use one of the bigger car parks a short walk away.
Facilities depend on which bit of the beach you’re at. The central part of Hastings Beach has everything – toilets, food stalls, and plenty of places to grab a coffee. The less touristy beaches, like Bulverhythe, are a bit more stripped back.
If you’re looking for somewhere dog-friendly to eat after, many of the pubs and cafes along George Street in the Old Town are happy to have dogs inside. Some even have bowls of water out front, which is always a good sign.
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