Kate W
07 January 2021
Get sandy toes and paws with a stroll along any one of these dog-friendly beaches in Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
Although there are a few restrictions, Tenby in West Wales is wonderfully pet-friendly and you and your canine companion are sure to have a great time investigating every inch of this famously beautiful coastline.
Tenby is a vibrant town with impressive coastal scenery to soak up, medieval town walls to discover and plenty of cosy traditional pubs for dog-friendly dining.
If you can’t wait to begin planning your trip, take a look through our pet-friendly holiday cottages to rent where you know your dog will be welcome during your self-catering holiday to Tenby.
Dog-friendly Tenby cottages
Beaches are the obvious choice when looking for somewhere to take your dog in Tenby – with plenty of space for games of fetch and waves for refreshing sea swims – so we’ve put together all you need to know about these dog-friendly beaches in Tenby. Take a look at our full guide to Pembrokeshire beaches for more brilliant beach inspiration.
Read on to get to know the best beaches for a Tenby holiday with dogs in tow…
Tenby South Beach
We had to begin with Tenby South Beach as this beauty spot is dog friendly all year round, making it a top place to visit with your hound during your pet-friendly holiday to Tenby.
The area below the cliffs has restrictions in place during the summer, but that still leaves loads of wonderful space for dogs to race around on these sandy shores.
Stretching for a mile and a half, Tenby South Beach gets quieter, the further from town you walk so you can quickly seek out peace and solitude on a stroll. It is backed by dunes and is a popular choice for water sports so you might spot windsurfers sailing among the waves.
Dog-friendly: Tenby South Beach is Tenby’s most dog-friendly beach! There are summer restrictions on the area of the beach to the left of the South Beach car park access beneath the cliffs, otherwise, dogs are free to roam across the sand.
Facilities: Car park, café, disabled toilets, shops.
Lifeguard: Yes, there’s a summer lifeguard service.
Accessibility: Arguably the most accessible beach in Tenby with a flat approach from the beachfront car park straight onto the sand.
Stay: Waters Edge 13, sleeps 4 + 2 dogs
For a coastal dog walk…
If you’re hoping to stretch your legs with a dog walk along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, follow South Beach over to Penally and head up along the cliffs at Giltar Point.
Then, continue following the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to Lydstep Beach and Manorbier Beach to enjoy fabulous coastal scenery in tranquil surroundings. Dogs must be kept on a lead as you will be passing through farmland with livestock grazing the fields along the clifftops.
Castle Beach
This setting offers one of the most iconic views in Tenby: St Catherine’s Island.
You and your dog can walk across to the island at low tide to visit, although parts of the island are off limits. There’s a Napoleonic-era fort to investigate, WW2 anti-aircraft gun placement and a wonderful view back to Tenby and the coast.
The beach itself is sandy and backed by cliffs, welcoming dogs to swim in the sea, play fetch and meet other pups and their owners out for a beach walk.
Dog-friendly: Seasonal dog ban between 1 May - 30 September to the right of the slipway.
Facilities: Museum/gallery, café and disabled toilets on Castle Hill. The closest parking is a multi-storey car park half a mile walk from the shore with shops, pubs and more facilities nearby.
Lifeguard: Yes, there’s a summer lifeguard service.
Accessibility: Approach it through the harbour or down a steep flight of steps from The Paragon.
Stay: Ar Lan Y Mor, sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Tenby North Beach
This is Tenby’s most central beach and probably the most popular, with holidaymakers flocking to its sandy shores during the summer months. However, September’s arrival is when it truly comes into its own. The crowds disappear and restrictions are lifted providing a wide, open, sandy space for four paws to run free.
Sheltered by surrounding cliffs and the town of Tenby itself, Tenby North Beach offers a protected space for a dog walk. Goskar Rock juts out of the sand in the centre of the beach, the harbour sits to the west, and there’s a wealth of shops and places to pick up food nearby.
It’s one of the most photographed beaches in Wales dues to the colourful Tenby houses that sit behind the wide, sandy shore. Make sure you visit this iconic beach during your stay in Tenby.
Dog-friendly: Dogs are banned from Tenby North Beach between 1st May and 30th September. Dogs must also be kept on a lead in the harbour and promenade areas.
Facilities: North Beach car park, café, shops, disabled toilets, and slipway. Tenby sits right behind this beach and boats plenty of shops and places to eat to ensure you have everything you need for a beach day with your dog.
Lifeguard: Yes, there’s a summer lifeguard service from June to September.
Accessibility: There’s a combination of steps, tracks and slopes from the promenade down to the beach.
Stay: Richmond House 6, sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Pembrokeshire dog-friendly beaches
Below are some more dog-friendly beaches in Pembrokeshire to discover during a coastal dog walk. All these beaches are dog friendly all year round, however, please check ahead in case dog restrictions/guidelines have changed for individual beaches.
- Monkstone Beach
- Manorbier Bay and Beach
- Freshwater East
- Freshwater West
- Barafundle Bay
- Broadhaven South
- St. Ishmaels (Lindsway Bay)
- Marloes Sands
The neighbouring beach of Saundersfoot, just 3 miles along the coast from Tenby, is another top choice for hounds and their owners to enjoy some coastal exploration.
Saundersfoot Beach is dog-friendly from October to April with a dog ban in place during the summer months and provides a wide, open space for dogs to run free while their humans take in the beautiful scenery.
Dog-friendly Pembrokeshire cottages
Map of dog-friendly beaches
Enjoy a day at the seaside with your four-pawed friend and plan your route to these dog-friendly beaches in Tenby and Pembrokeshire.
Tenby dog-friendly pubs and cafés
The majority of pubs in Tenby are dog friendly and have beer gardens and designated areas where our four-pawed friends are always welcome.
These dog-friendly pubs in Tenby include The Crown Inn, The Evergreen, The Buccaneer, Tenby House, Lifeboat Tavern and The Coach & Horses.
Many of Tenby’s cafés and restaurants are also dog friendly and you can enjoy a meal or a snack with your four-legged companion at The Mooring, Cadwaladers and Caffi Llew to name but a few.
Dog-friendly places to visit
If you're looking for more things to do in Tenby with a dog, you'll be spoilt for choice!
You and your dog can enjoy a day out at one of Tenby’s popular attractions and take part in the new Dog Agility Course at Heatherton World of Activities just outside Tenby. The course is made up of ten obstacles that will test the skill and patience of both the owner and the dog. Heatherton is a family-fun dog-friendly attraction allowing you to take your dog with you on a lead around the park.
If you want to treat your dog during their holiday in Tenby, then pop along to the pet shop in Tenby Market where you will find all sorts of treats and everyday items for your pet.
If your dog is in need of a little pampering on their Tenby holiday, then Master Groom in White Lion Street will pamper your pooch with a complete pet care service which includes hair trimming and nail cutting.
And in the unfortunate event that you may need veterinary treatment for your dog during your stay in Tenby, then Tenby Vets can be found at Lower Park Road where their professional team of vets can provide plenty of care and attention for your pet.
Dog-friendly holidays in Tenby
To find out more about this enchanting holiday destination, head over to one of our other guides and discover historic ruins, mouth-watering delicacies and local towns and villages waiting for you to visit across West Wales.
We have a fantastic selection of dog-friendly cottages in Tenby to inspire your next holiday with your dog.
Take your pick of cottages with enclosed gardens where your pup can race about, sea views so you can soak in Tenby’s picture-postcard scenery, and fluffy rugs and wood burners to keep the whole pack toasty after days at the beach.
Start planning an unforgettable seaside escape by investigating our wonderful portfolio of pet-friendly holiday cottages in and around Tenby, and treat yourself and your dog to a well-deserved pet-friendly holiday in Tenby, Pembrokeshire.
Dog-friendly Tenby cottages
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.