About
If you’re looking for a traditional Kent seaside day out with your dog, Leysdown Beach on the Isle of Sheppey is well worth a visit.
Set on the eastern end of Sheppey, Leysdown has all the ingredients of a classic British seaside resort: a wide promenade, beach huts, sandy beach, amusement arcades, ice cream shops and plenty of places to grab something to eat.
But there is one important thing dog owners need to know before setting off.
Dogs are not allowed on Leysdown’s main bathing beach between 1 May and 30 September. Outside this seasonal restriction, you and your dog can enjoy the beach much more freely.
Dog Access and Rules
Can dogs go on Leysdown beach? Ban 1 May–30 Sep on main stretches…
If you’re visiting between October and April, Leysdown can be a very enjoyable dog-friendly beach.
From May to September, the main bathing beach is off-limits to dogs. The beach from Stokes Amusements, eastwards to west of the beach steps opposite the small roundabout at the seaward end of The Promenade Road.
That doesn’t mean you can’t visit Leysdown with your dog in summer. It simply means you need to think of it as a seafront and avoid the main stretch.
Browse other dog-friendly beaches near Isle Of Sheppey or ALL UK dog-friendly beaches on our map, including seasonal rules and year-round spots.
Things To See & Do
Leysdown has a very different character from some of Kent’s wilder beaches; it’s a traditional seaside resort.
The beach looks out towards the Red Sands Forts, which sit offshore and provide an unusual feature on the horizon. Behind the seafront, the landscape becomes more open, with coastal green spaces and nature reserves providing a change from the busy resort.
Outside the summer beach restriction, Leysdown is a good place for a seaside dog walk.
The beach itself is relatively shallow, and you can enjoy walking along the shoreline while taking in the views across the Thames Estuary and North Sea.
The wide promenade also gives you another option if your dog prefers a firmer surface and provides a pleasant way to explore the resort.
During summer, however, you’ll need to follow the local restrictions.
Access and Facilities
You have a reasonably sized pay-and-display car park, and there are also other parking options around Leysdown and the wider coastal park.
Leysdown is much better equipped than some of the quieter beaches around Sheppey and has seasonal lifeguards.
There are public toilets close to the seafront and promenade.
You won’t struggle to find somewhere to eat; the resort has plenty of cafes, takeaways, ice cream shops and other food outlets close to the seafront.
Our Tips for Visiting with a Dog
Check the season first.
The biggest mistake would be turning up in summer expecting your dog to be allowed on the main beach. Visit from October to April for the best dog beach experience.
Bring a lead.
You’ll need it if you’re asked to use one, and restrictions apply to parts of the seafront.
Explore beyond the beach.
The Coastal Park and wider Isle of Sheppey offer plenty of opportunities for longer walks.
Make a day of it.
Leysdown’s cafes, food outlets, amusements and traditional seaside atmosphere make it more than just a beach.
Check the tide.
Particularly if you’re planning to walk any distance along the shoreline.
