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Dogs on the beach

Can I take my dog on Dover beach today?

The ban on part of Dover seafront beach runs 1 May to 30 September, so today, Tuesday 13 October, it is not in force. It starts again on 1 May 2027. Dogs must be on a lead all year in the Marina Curve, promenade and gardens and on Dover Pier.

From Dover District Council's Public Spaces Protection Order (Dover District Council) 2025, which we read on 1 October 2026. Signs on the beach say where each stretch starts and ends.

Where the rules apply

  • Dover seafront beachNo dogs, 1 May to 30 September, from 09:00 to 18:00. The shingle beach from Waterloo Road to Marine Parade.The council's map of the order: “Dover Seafront shingle beach, Waterloo Road to Marine Parade”
    Map of Dover seafront beach: the stretch where dogs are banned 1 May to 30 September is hatched in brick, and the marina curve, promenade and gardens and dover pier, where dogs must be on a lead all year, has a dashed brick edge.
    No dogs in the seasonDogs on a leadContains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2026.
  • The Marina Curve, promenade and gardensDogs on a lead, all year. The Marina Curve, the promenade and the grass beside it, Granville Gardens and Marine Parade Gardens included.The council's map of the order: “The Marina Curve, Seafront Promenade and Grassed Areas Including Granville Gardens and Marine Parade Gardens”
  • Dover PierDogs on a lead, all year. All of the pier.The council's map of the order: “Dover Pier”

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

The year at Dover

From 1 May to 30 September (153 days) dogs are banned from Dover seafront beach, from 09:00 to 18:00.

For the other 212 days of the year no ban holds on that stretch.

Dogs must be on a lead all year on the Marina Curve, promenade and gardens.

Dogs must be on a lead all year on Dover Pier.

  • Along the coast, St Margaret’s Bay: No ban today; the summer ban starts again on 1 May 2027.
  • Along the coast, Folkestone: No ban today; the summer ban starts again on 1 May 2027.

The order

Public Spaces Protection Order (Dover District Council) 2025, made by Dover District Council. In force from 29 July 2025 until 28 July 2028. We read it on 1 October 2026.

Other beaches along this coast are on the Kent beaches page.

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Can dogs go on Dover beach? · Trekosa