Visiting the Northumberland Coast with your dog

Visitor with dog at the Northumberland Coast, Northumberland — Visitor with dog at the Northumberland Coast | © National Trust Images/John Millar

The long sandy coastline of Northumberland is a great place to go for a walk, whether you have two legs or four. Find out about dog walking along the coast, including where you can and can’t go, and the facilities available.

Where can my dog go?

You can bring your dog to the many beaches along this stretch of coastline. Please always stick to existing paths and access points to reach the beaches. There might be times when certain sections are fenced off, so please observe any local notices when you’re out and about.

Where can't my dog go?

During peak shorebird breeding season a proportion of the beach around the Long Nanny shorebird site will be fenced off and the area inside the fence is off limits – the site is located where the Long Nanny burn meets the north end of Beadnell Bay. We do this to limit disturbance and ensure a safe environment for the birds.

You can take your dog around the outside of the fenced-off area on the beach, but you must keep it on a short lead (less than 1m) at all times.

Visitors walking with their dog on the beach at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland | © National Trust Images/John Millar

What do I need to be aware of on the Northumberland Coast?

There is often livestock grazing in the dunes and there may be shorebirds breeding on the beaches, so we advise that you keep your dog on a lead. Read our guide to staying safe near livestock for tips when you find yourself near cattle.

Facilities available for my dog

The National Trust shop in Seahouses has a selection of snacks and doggy essentials.

There are bins for your dog’s waste in most car parks along the coast.

The Canine Code

We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:

Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is:

Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one