Dog Friendly Cottages in Scarborough by the Sea

Exploring Scarborough with Your Dog

Scarborough’s two bays have very different surroundings. South Bay is closest to the harbour and town centre, while North Bay has a longer, less developed stretch of coastline towards Scalby Mills.

From 1 May to 30 September, dogs are excluded from clearly defined bathing sections of both North Bay and South Bay. However, this is not a blanket ban. On North Bay, dog-friendly sand remains beyond the restricted section, including towards the northern end of the bay. On South Bay, dogs can still use the beach beyond the seasonal exclusion area towards Scarborough Spa.

From 1 October to 30 April, those seasonal beach exclusions are lifted. Whichever time of year you visit, check the signs when you reach the beach as they show exactly where the restricted areas begin and end.

Year-Round Dog-Friendly Beaches Near Scarborough

Cayton Bay is around three miles south of Scarborough and is particularly handy if you are visiting during summer. Dogs are allowed on the beach throughout the year, with no seasonal exclusion. The wide sandy bay is backed by cliffs and is also popular with surfers and fossil hunters. Access is down a steep path, so bear this in mind if your dog struggles with longer or steeper walks.

There are other dog-friendly stretches of coast around Scarborough, so you don’t have to rely solely on the town’s main bathing beaches. This can make a cottage around Scarborough particularly practical if you want to visit a different beach or walking route each day.

Walk the Yorkshire Coast from Scarborough

Scarborough also works well if your dog would rather keep moving than spend hours on the beach. The Cleveland Way passes through the town and follows the coast in both directions, giving you access to longer clifftop routes.

Another choice is the Cinder Track, which follows the former railway line between Scarborough and Whitby for around 21 miles. You don’t need to walk anything close to the full distance. Shorter sections from Scarborough provide an alternative to the exposed coast path and can easily be turned into a morning or afternoon walk.

With beaches, coast paths and countryside all within reach, Scarborough gives you plenty of ways to plan a break around daily walks with your dog. For more places to stay along this part of the coast, browse our Yorkshire dog friendly coastal cottages.