East Devon Dog-Friendly Beach Guide

East Devon Dog-Friendly Beach Guide

East Devon's coastline runs from Exmouth and the mouth of the Exe estuary south-east along the Jurassic Coast to Seaton and the Somerset border. This area has a distinctive character: the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, dramatic red cliffs, quieter villages, and a good mix of dog access options. East Devon District Council operates the PSPOs for beaches in this area. For a county-wide overview, see our full Devon dog beach guide.

Key East Devon Beaches

Exmouth Beach

Exmouth has one of Devon's longest town beaches: nearly two miles of sand stretching from the town centre east towards the Exe estuary. Seasonal dog restrictions apply in the main section during summer, but large sections of the beach towards the estuary end remain dog-friendly year-round. The Exe estuary trail provides excellent year-round dog walking whatever the beach restrictions.

Budleigh Salterton

Budleigh Salterton is a quiet, pebble beach town with a genteel character. Seasonal restrictions apply in summer. The area at the western end near the mouth of the Otter estuary is often accessible year-round and provides excellent wildlife watching.

Sidmouth Beach

Sidmouth is framed by dramatic red Jurassic cliffs and has a Victorian character unlike most Devon seaside towns. Seasonal restrictions apply. The cliff walks above the beach (Jacob's Ladder beach to the west) are excellent year-round dog walking with spectacular views. This section of coast is covered in our Devon dog walks guide.

Beer Beach

Beer is a small fishing village with a shingle beach that's partly sheltered by the white chalk headlands. Seasonal restrictions apply in summer but with less traffic and a more relaxed atmosphere than Sidmouth or Exmouth. The village is authentically charming.

Seaton Beach

Seaton is at the eastern end of the East Devon coast. A wide, flat shingle and sand beach with seasonal restrictions. The Seaton Wetlands nature reserve nearby is excellent year-round dog walking.

The Jurassic Coast Walks

The best dog walking in East Devon often isn't on the beach at all: it's on the cliff paths. The South West Coast Path through East Devon takes you along the tops of the extraordinary red Triassic and Jurassic cliffs, with views of the World Heritage Coast that are genuinely breathtaking. This is dog-friendly year-round and exceptional in all seasons. Specific routes are described in our Devon dog walks guide.

Practical East Devon Tips

• Otter Estuary: The walk along the Otter estuary from Budleigh Salterton is excellent year-round dog walking, RSPB-managed, and rich in wildlife.
• Seaton Tram: The narrow-gauge tram from Seaton to Colyton runs through the Axe Valley wetlands and is dog-friendly, making it a unique day out.
• Parking: East Devon towns have good car parks but they fill up quickly in summer. Arrive early or use the park-and-ride at Exmouth. See our Devon beach parking guide for full details.

For exact seasonal dates in East Devon, see our Devon summer dog ban dates guide. Browse all East Devon beaches on our search page.