Can dogs go on Hastings beach?

From 1 April to 30 September every year, all day, dogs are banned from part of Hastings and St Leonards beach under Hastings Borough Council's Public Spaces Protection Order (No 4) Hastings Borough Council 2023, as varied on 18 February 2025, which runs until 6 November 2026. The rest of the year the ban is not in force. Dogs must be on a lead all year on the Promenade, on Stade Open Space and on the grass east of Marine Court. From 1 April to 31 October every year, from 09:00 to 17:00, dogs must be on a lead in Warrior Square Gardens. From 1 April to 31 October every year, from 09:00 to 17:00, dogs must be on a lead in West Marina Gardens.

Dogs on the beach

Can I take my dog on Hastings beach today?

The ban on part of Hastings and St Leonards beach runs 1 April to 30 September, so today, Tuesday 13 October, it is not in force. Dogs must be on a lead all year on the Promenade, on Stade Open Space and on the grass east of Marine Court. Today dogs must also be on a lead in Warrior Square Gardens and in West Marina Gardens from 09:00 to 17:00.

From Hastings Borough Council's Public Spaces Protection Order (No 4) Hastings Borough Council 2023, as varied on 18 February 2025, which we read on 1 October 2026. Signs on the beach say where each stretch starts and ends.

Where the rules apply

Hastings and St Leonards beachNo dogs, 1 April to 30 September, all day. From the Harbour Arm to the east side of the pier, and at St Leonards from groyne 32, east of Warrior Square, to groyne 42, the ramp outside the Royal Victoria Hotel.The council's map of the order: “Foreshore and beach”
No dogs in the seasonDogs on a leadContains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2026.
The PromenadeDogs on a lead, all year. The promenade the council's map marks.The council's map of the order: “The Promenade”
Stade Open SpaceDogs on a lead, all year. All of the Stade open space.The council's map of the order: “Stade Open Space”
The grass east of Marine CourtDogs on a lead, all year. The grass east of Marine Court.The council's map of the order: “Grassed area east of Marine Court”
Warrior Square GardensDogs on a lead, 1 April to 31 October, from 09:00 to 17:00. All of Warrior Square Gardens.The council's map of the order: “Warrior Square Gardens”
West Marina GardensDogs on a lead, 1 April to 31 October, from 09:00 to 17:00. All of West Marina Gardens.The council's map of the order: “West Marina Gardens”

The shaded areas on the maps are the council’s own lines.

The year at Hastings

From 1 April to 30 September (183 days) dogs are banned from Hastings and St Leonards beach, all day.

For the other 182 days of the year no ban holds on that stretch.

Dogs must be on a lead all year on the Promenade.

Dogs must be on a lead all year on Stade Open Space.

Dogs must be on a lead all year on the grass east of Marine Court.

Dogs must be on a lead 1 April to 31 October on Warrior Square Gardens.

Dogs must be on a lead 1 April to 31 October on West Marina Gardens.

The order

Public Spaces Protection Order (No 4) Hastings Borough Council 2023, as varied on 18 February 2025, made by Hastings Borough Council. In force from 7 November 2023 until 6 November 2026. We read it on 1 October 2026.

The order in force, on Hastings Borough Council's page
We quote it from the sealed order as varied, a scan linked from the council's page, with each place as the council's own map of it names it.

Other beaches along this coast are on the East Sussex beaches page.

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