It has two brilliant pubs, free parking and a distinct claim to fame
(Image: Getty Images/Nathalie Laurence)
With the recent promise of a long-awaited heatwave headed to Kent in the coming days, many of us will be getting our plans together for a day out at the beach. Of course, it’s not just people who love trip to the seaside, as our four-legged friends also enjoy a run around on the sand or a paddle in the waves.
As we’re now in the peak summer season, many of Kent’s beaches prohibit dogs from visiting, or greatly reduce the hours that they can spend on the sand or shingle. However, a select handful allow dogs all year round, one of which has recently been named among the best in the nation.
The Guardian has just published its picks for “10 of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK”, and our own Dungeness cracked the list. Notable as Britain’s only desert, this wide expanse of shingle may look like a scene straight out of Mad Max at a glance, but it’s a truly fantastic spot for a summer stroll with man’s best friend.
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto/ChrisSteer)
The paper praised the attraction for its “numerous intriguing elements such as the bleak, black lighthouse and the former home of artist and activist Derek Jarman.” Dungeness’ generally flat landscape is in fact punctuated by two lighthouses as well as the imposing Dungeness nuclear power station.
The beach is accessible via a steam railway from nearby Hythe, and is a 45-minute drive from Folkestone, or 35 minutes down from Ashford. Lydd Beach Car Park is free to use, and from here you can follow a boardwalk right down to the waves.
Along the way you’ll be able to spot numerous derelict wooden huts, abandoned fishing boats and sprawling wildlife, making Dungeness a fantastic location for some wandering and exploration with your fuzzy companion. For any keen birdwatchers or aspiring wildlife photographers, Dungeness National Nature Reserve sits a little further back from the sea and is home to a wide variety of species from Bitterns and Cuckoos, to migrating birds such as Whinchats, Redstart and Wheatears.
(Image: Getty Images/Steve Stringer Photography)
Unfortunately dogs are not allowed in the reserve, aside from assistance dogs, due to the sensitive nature of the wildlife and habitats here. Back over on Dungeness beach, there is plenty for dogs and their owners to explore, and if you want to make sure you get to see all of it, check out this walking trail to maximise your visit.
Once you’ve had your fill of walking and have worked up a mighty thirst, be sure to head to one of the two pubs (or both) that are found just a stone’s throw from the main beach. The Britannia Inn is the closest and prides itself on being the only pub located in a desert in the UK.
Nestled between the towering lighthouses, it’s renowned for its ‘quality British pints’, and delicious pub grub. Fresh fish is a specialty of the establishment, with a menu that utilises locally sourced products and ingredients.
(Image: Getty Images/Ian Laker Photography)
Meanwhile, The Pilot Inn can be found on Battery Road and prides itself on its famous fish. This spot is instantly recognisable thanks to the the engine and propeller in its garden that formerly belonged to a WW11, B17 Flying Fortress bomber.
Other nearby attractions include the stunning Derek Jarman Garden, created by the experimental film director who noted that the Pilot Inn serves ‘simply the finest fish and chips in all England’. Dungeness Snack Shack is also close by, which cooks up a range of delicious seafood.
It’s not just national papers that have sung the praises of this Kent gem, as the beach currently boasts a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 stars out of five. Recounting their experience, one reviewer wrote alongside their five star rating: “The cab driver the night before suggested we should go to Dungeness if we wanted something different – and it was.
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“It’s very bleak, there’s a disused nuclear reactor, people’s homes are few and far between – you really feel as if you’ve stepped onto a movie set. It’s really atmospheric and there are a couple of good eateries.”
Of course, when taking your dog out to the beach during summer there are important steps to keep in mind to ensure your beloved pet has a happy and safe trip out. These include monitoring weather conditions to make sure shingle and sand isn’t too hot to walk on, providing shade and fresh water, monitoring tide times and ensuring you have good handling practice.
Further safety tips can be found on the Dog’s Trust website here. If Dungeness doesn’t quite sound like the day out for you and your pup, or you’re just looking for anywhere else you can bring your four-legged friend, check out some other brilliant dog-friendly Kent beaches here.
Courtesy of Kent Live