Dog-friendly beaches in Flamborough

A sheltered chalk and shingle cove at the foot of the wooded ravine, reached by a stepped path of about half a mile down from the reserve car park. The council's dog PSPO names only Bridlington North, Bridlington South, Hornsea and Withernsea, so there is no seasonal ban here and no lead requirement in law at any time of year. The reserve's own code of conduct asks that dogs are kept under close control and picked up after, which in practice means a lead on the woodland path and freedom on the shingle. There is no lifeguard, the cove cuts off on a big tide, and the beck runs out across the stones so there is fresh water to drink. Pay and display parking for about 80 cars at the top, with toilets open all year and a summer kiosk.

A deep sandy cove between chalk headlands, reached down the steep narrow road from the clifftop car park at the end of North Marine Road. The East Riding dog Public Spaces Protection Order names only Bridlington North, Bridlington South, Hornsea and Withernsea, so North Landing carries no seasonal ban and no compulsory lead on the sand at any time of year. The council's own description warns the bay is rocky and the access road steep, and the caves at the north end cut off on a rising tide, so keep an eye on the water. Parking is for about 150 vehicles with a small summer charge, and there are toilets, closed in winter, plus a cafe and shop at the top. The clifftop footpath either side runs through the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust's Flamborough Cliffs reserve, where dogs must be on a lead.

Sand and chalk pebbles facing south across Bridlington Bay, at the foot of the wooded South Landing ravine and the RNLI slipway. It holds a Seaside Award and is a designated bathing water, but it is not named in the council's dog Public Spaces Protection Order, so there is no summer ban and no legal lead requirement here in any month. The council's own reserve page asks only that dogs are kept under close control and picked up after, because not everyone is comfortable around them. Access is either down the steep lifeboat road or by the flight of 75 steps from the woodland trail, and there is pay and display parking for about 100 cars on the upper level with year-round toilets. The lower level is for the RNLI and permit holders only.

The little chalk-and-shingle bay directly below Flamborough Lighthouse, ringed by stacks, arches and a wave-cut platform that geology students are bussed out to see. It is outside the council's dog Public Spaces Protection Order, so there is no seasonal ban and no compulsory lead at any point in the year. Getting down means a long steep mostly stepped path from the headland car park, which the council states plainly is not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility, and it is a hard climb back up in summer heat. There is very little beach at high tide and the rocks are slippery with weed, so this is a short scramble rather than a long run. Pay and display parking, toilets and a cafe sit at the top by the lighthouse.

Two coves in one, Little Thornwick and Thornwick Bay proper, tucked under high chalk cliffs west of North Landing with a natural arch and a sea cave you can walk into at low water. No part of it appears in the East Riding dog Public Spaces Protection Order, so dogs are free here all year with no lead required by law. The council warns the way down is a fairly steep uneven path with metal steps, so it is no good for a dog that will not manage a staircase, and the sand vanishes entirely on a high tide. Parking is at the Thornwick Bay car park at the end of the lane off North Marine Road, with the cliff-edge cafe alongside. The clifftop above is Yorkshire Wildlife Trust land where a lead is required.