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As a dog-walker, one of the perks of the job is that you get to spend hours exploring the great outdoors with your four-legged clients. From woodlands to sprawling meadows, the places to go are endless and it can be enjoyable discovering new routes. Different environments not only help you to feel more engaged and mix up routines, but they also provide the dogs with additional stimulation from new scents and sights. For those lucky enough to live within driving distance of the coast, these areas can be some of the most rewarding to visit.
Cliverton are based in North Norfolk and our team are lucky to have some of the most beautiful beaches and coastal walks right on our doorstep. From Hunstanton to Holkham and from Stiffkey to Cromer, there are miles of public footways, beaches and marshes waiting to be explored. As part of this, our animal loving team are well versed on what to keep in mind when visiting coastal locations with our four-legged friends.
Many beaches and coastal areas have ‘no dog zones’ in place and these zones may be in effect all year round or just during peak tourist season. When visiting beaches, it is important to check signs and posters to make sure you are in dog friendly areas of the beach and don’t accidentally enter restricted areas.
The coast is home to many different species of wildlife and some of these use the coast for nesting. Marshes can be home to rare birds such as stone curlews and terns, and the Norfolk coast is home to many seal pups in the winter months. When walking along the coast make sure you keep an eye out for notices and signs and give the wildlife the space they need.
Some sections of the coast are named as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In North Norfolk alone, there is a stretch along the coast covering over 450 square kilometres! It is vital to respect these areas and leave them the way they are found, picking up dog mess and taking home any litter with you.
The tides can change very quickly on the coast and what may have seemed like a long stretch of sand can quickly become a marooned island. Before setting off on your walk it is always best to check the times of the tide and allow yourself plenty of time to get back to dry land before the tide turns. The tide times can often be found online or some beaches have noticeboards which are updated every day. It is also important to keep an eye out for any dogs off lead who may be further out than yourself and get trapped faster.
Many of us enjoy a picnic or fish and chips when we visit the beach and this can lead to food accidentally being dropped on the ground. Keep an eye out for any human foods which dogs may be able to sniff out and make sure they are not eating anything they shouldn’t be. It is also important to watch out for any animals or items which may have washed up with the waves and keep dogs away from anything that could cause them harm.
While some dogs having outstanding recall, others may be still getting to grips with the commands. This makes it important to consider if to keep them on or off lead while walking. Beaches can provide plenty of space for dogs to run and stretch their legs, but you do not want to risk them getting caught out by tides, running into no dog zones or scaring the local wildlife. Consider the dogs recall and the environment when deciding if it is safe to let them off lead.
A walk along the coast can be one of the most pleasant ways to pass the time and provide both humans and dogs with a well-needed breath of fresh air. By keeping in mind the risks and rewards, we can all keep these areas in the perfect condition to enjoy for many years to come.
May 2026
