Dog Friendly Beaches in Lancashire

With miles of spectacular countryside and coast to explore, it’s unsurprising that Lancashire is a popular holiday destination for families with dogs. Spend your days enjoying picturesque dog walks across the country, before returning to the comfort of our 5-star dog friendly caravan park near Lancaster.

If your dog likes a paddle, you’re in for a treat. There are plenty of dog friendly beaches in Lancashire. All are within easy reach of our holiday park. Here we list just some of our personal favourites. They can be visited with your canine companion through some (if not all) of the year.

Year-round Dog Friendly beaches in Lancashire 

Bispham

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 17 miles)

 Bispham was recently named one of the Top 50 Dog Friendly Beaches in the UK, making it a must visit if you’re staying at Moss Wood Caravan Park with your four-legged friend. This lesser-known spot is situated in between Blackpool and Cleveleys and the ideal place to escape the summer crowds. At low water a vast expanse of sand is exposed, ideal for ball games or paddling in the sea. If the tide is in during your visit, there are two promenades where you can walk your dog on a lead.

Judges praised Bispham’s water quality, parking, walks, facilities and location – noting the beach is just 12 minutes from a vet should an unfortunate accident occur. There are plenty of dog poo bins available and public transport in the area is also dog friendly. 

Half Moon Bay

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 14 miles) 

Photo credit: Reading Tom, Flickr

Half Moon Bay in Heysham is just 30 minutes’ drive from our Lancaster holiday park. At high tide there’s only a small rocky beach, but at low water there’s plenty of space for dogs to run and play. Heysham Sands as it is sometimes known, is flanked by grass covered sand dunes and backed by low cliffs. The beach is just a short walk from the harbour and within easy reach of the headland, where you can explore the ruins of St Patrick’s Chapel and take in the spectacular views.

Pilling Sands

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 6 miles)

Pilling Sands overlooks Morecambe Bay and is dog friendly year-round. Unlike more traditional beaches in the area, Pilling mostly consists of salt marshes. This means there are large sections of sand becoming exposed when the tide goes out. Care should be taken to research the tide times when venturing to Pilling Sands as some areas can get cut off. You should avoid areas of wet sand as this can be dangerous.

Dogs are not permitted on the embankment area behind the beach. This is to protect local wildlife and migrating birds.

Formby

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 60 miles)

Formby Beach is managed by the National Trust and is dog friendly year-round. It’s one of our favourite dog friendly beaches in Lancashire, with plenty of open space for your dog to run and play. Behind the sand dunes, there’s a signposted path through the pine trees, where you might be lucky enough to spot a red squirrel. Dogs must be kept on a lead in the woodland areas to help protect the local wildlife.

There are a number of self-filling dog bowls in the car park which are a great idea. There’s also a dog friendly picnic area and plenty of poo bins. If you forget your lead, speak to a member of staff at the car park entrance – they often have spares that you can borrow.

Dog friendly beaches with seasonal Restrictions

Some of the dog friendly beaches in Lancashire have seasonal restrictions. This means dogs are only permitted during certain months of the year or at specific times of day. When visiting these beaches please take note of the signage on display. It’s also sensible to consult the Lancashire Council’s website in case of changes.

Cleveleys

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 16 miles)

We think Cleveleys is one of the best beaches in the area and a top choice if you’re looking for a family friendly day out. A number of impressive art installations and sculptures are dotted along the shoreline. These provide endless entertainment for younger members of the family and those interested in art and design.

From 1^st May to 30^th September there is a dog ban in place that extends from Café Cove to the end of the sea defences at Kingsway. Outside of this time frame dogs are welcome, so we highly recommend visiting for an autumn or winter dog walk.

Marine Beach

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 19 miles)

Dogs are allowed on the majority of Marine Beach at Fleetwood throughout the year; however, some sections have seasonal restrictions in place. Dogs are not permitted from the East side of the slipway at Pavilion Road towards the West side of the former Fleetwood Pier between 1^st May and 30^th September. Failure to comply with these rules can result in an on-the-spot fixed penalty fine. Outside of this area dogs have the freedom to play to their hearts content. Many local businesses and attractions are dog friendly making Fleetwood a great place to visit during your stay at our Lancashire Park.

St Annes 

(Distance from Moss Wood Caravan Park – 24 miles) 

St Annes is a sandy beach, backed by grassy dunes and traditional beach huts for hire. It is popular with families thanks to the abundance of nearby amenities and much quieter than neighbouring Blackpool. Like many of the beaches in the Lancashire area there is vast expanse of sand where dogs can play ball games and splash in the shallows during the autumn and winter months. Dogs are not allowed on central section of St Annes beach from Good Friday to 30^th September each year.

There are no restrictions at nearby Lytham, which might serve as a good alternative if you’re visiting in the summer.

Looking for static caravan parks in Blackpool?

Moss Wood is an award-winning dog friendly caravan park in Lancaster with a range of touring caravan, motorhome and campervan pitches available to hire. We also have a selection of privately owned caravan holiday homes that serve as an idyllic base from which to explore the local area.

Dog friendly facilities include refreshment points, dog poo bins and a recreational field for off lead exercise. There is also easy access to a range of scenic dog walks, including the Lancashire Coastal Way.