New data reveals West Wittering is among Britain’s best beaches for dog lovers

As the summer holidays begin and Google searches for “beaches near me” surge by 170%, a new study has revealed that West Wittering in West Sussex is among the top ten most dog-friendly beaches in the UK.

The research, carried out by Canine Cottages, analysed more than 30 beaches nationwide, measuring each one against factors including the number of nearby dog-friendly cafés, accessible walking trails, parking convenience, review sentiment and water quality.

It comes after the brand’s Traveller’s Tails survey found that 43% of dog owners struggle to find beaches that allow dogs when they go on holiday.

West Wittering has been named one of the UK’s most dog-friendly beaches, as new research highlights the best coastal spots for four-legged holidaymakers.

placeholder image — West Wittering has been named one of the UK’s most dog-friendly beaches, as new research highlights the best coastal spots for four-legged holidaymakers.

West Wittering secured ninth place overall with a score of 47.45 out of 100.

The beach was praised for its excellent water quality, a high number of dog-friendly walking routes in the area (21), and its popularity with British holidaymakers. Google data shows there were more than 855,000 searches for the beach over

the past year.

Just up the coast in East Sussex, Camber Sands also featured prominently in the rankings, placing fifth with a score of 51.89 and the highest overall search volume of any beach in the study: more than 1.1 million.

Cornwall dominated the top of the leaderboard, with Perranporth, Fistral and Crantock Beach all scoring highly for dog-friendly credentials, but West Wittering stood out as one of the few beaches outside the South West to make the national top ten.

Known for its golden sands and far-reaching views, West Wittering has long been a go-to for Sussex families and day-trippers, but this study highlights its growing appeal for dog owners in search of open space, scenic walks and good facilities. While some restrictions apply in peak summer periods, large stretches of beach and surrounding trails remain accessible to dogs year-round.

Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages, said the findings reflect what many pet owners already know: that planning a trip with a dog takes extra consideration.

Shannon Keary added: “With 62% of our bookings coming from coastal locations, we know how important beach access is to dog owners,” she said. “This research was designed to help make planning that beach trip easier, and it’s fantastic to see Sussex so well represented.”

More information and the full dataset can be found at caninecottages.co.uk.