North Norfolk Coast dog friendly

There are so many reasons to choose the stunning north Norfolk coast area for your holiday - and most of them will delight your four-legged friends as well! Wide, sandy beaches, open spaces, easy walking and a warm welcome almost everywhere make this a doggy heaven.

You'll find many pubs, restaurants, cafes and visitor attractions warmly welcome your canine buddies. They can join you for free on some of the popular seal-spotting boat trips from Morston, and on the "Coasthopper" buses that will drop you at the best places along this stretch of coast. On lead they are welcome at Walsingham Abbey Grounds, Aylsham Bure Railway, Alby Craft Gardens, Priory Maze & Gardens and the North Norfolk Poppy Line trains from Sheringham, to name but a few.

The main attraction, of course, is always going to be the famous unspoilt sandy beaches. Your dogs can run freely, roll in the sand and snaffle seaweed to their heart's content at most places, even in high summer. Only the main sunbathing areas immediately around some popular resorts have any restrictions (usually from May to October) so there's never a shortage of beach to explore together.

The four-mile stretch of unspoilt sands fringed by pine trees at Holkham is worth a special mention. Recently voted best beach in the UK in a survey of over 100 of the UK’s top travel editors and writers, it is restriction-free all year round. Here you can combine the delights of sand, sea and pine woods with a visit to the park at nearby Holkham Hall, where dogs are welcome (on leads, as there are deer roaming). Brancaster and Cley beaches, too, have no restrictions and their salt marshes, dunes and miles of soft white sands are top favourites with dogs and their owners. Wells, with pine woods and dunes, is equally lovely and here, just behind the pretty beach huts, the Beach Cafe has its own 'K9 club' well-equipped with water bowls for thirsty explorers. While you're in Wells, Gareth Hacon’s Photography studio is a dog-friendly gallery where you can take your K9 art connoisseur and browse to your heart’s content.

As an alternative to sand and sea, don't overlook the many miles of safe and quiet country paths, woodland and heath waiting to be explored. There are also wonderful country parks at Holt and Sheringham. Other must-dos include the beautiful stately home estates at Felbrigg, Houghton, Blickling and of course Holkham, all with their own unique and varied attractions.

If you want to up the pace with some serious walking, the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coastal path offers a challenging trek of up to 93 miles, though you can always opt for gentle strolls along just parts of it if you prefer! The route takes in fabulous scenery including a Roman road, low cliffs and the unique Brecks as well as sandy beaches and dunes.

Inland you'll find lovely villages and some charming market towns to explore. Look out for village fetes, farmers markets and other outdoor events all through the year.