Skip to content
World Walkies
Brighton's seafront at dusk seen from the pier, with the shingle beach curving away, the ruined West Pier and the i360 tower against a pink sky, and two paddleboarders on the calm sea

East Sussex

Dog-friendly Brighton

Photo: Harrz, CC BY-SA 4.0

Walk the Undercliff Walk below the chalk cliffs from Brighton Marina to Saltdean, or head up to Devil's Dyke on the South Downs. In town, the Basketmakers Arms and Cup of Joe let dogs in. From May to September the central beaches by the Palace Pier close to dogs, but Hove Lagoon, Kemp Town and the Undercliff beaches stay open.

Dog rules last checked . How we check

Where to stay in Brighton with a dog

6 hotels, inns and B&Bs that take dogs, each with its dog charge and limits.

Check hotel prices near Brighton

We may earn a commission if you book through these links. How we make money

Where to stay

Our picks: the places most welcoming to dogs.

  • Hotel · Seafront

    The Grand Brighton

    Dog charge: £50 per dog per night

    The big white Victorian hotel on the seafront between the two piers. Your dog can join you by the fire in the Victoria Lounge for drinks and the all-day menu.

    Check prices

  • Hotel · Kemp Town

    The Square Townhouse

    Dog charge: £50 per dog per stay (for stays of up to two nights, then £25 per dog per night)

    A small townhouse hotel on New Steine, a garden square in Kemp Town that runs down to the sea. It takes smaller dogs in some rooms, and the staff will point you to dog-friendly cafes nearby.

    Check prices

  • Hotel · Seafront

    No.124 by GuestHouse

    Dog charge: £25 per dog per stay

    A seafront hotel on Kings Road, between the Grand and the West Pier, with sea-view rooms. Your dog can eat with you in the Lounge, or on the terrace over the beach in summer.

    Check prices

Brighton with a dog

Brighton and Hove run together along miles of shingle, from Hove Lagoon in the west, past the beach huts on Hove Lawns and the ruins of the West Pier, to the Palace Pier and Brighton Marina. A few streets back from the sea, North Laine and the Lanes are packed with small pubs and cafes.

East of the Marina, the Undercliff Walk follows the foot of the white chalk cliffs past Ovingdean and Rottingdean to Saltdean, with the sea alongside the whole way. Inland, the South Downs start at the edge of the city: Devil's Dyke, a deep dry valley north of Hove, has open chalk grassland and wide views.

Beaches

All 11 dog-friendly beaches in Brighton

Pubs and cafes

All 10 dog-friendly pubs and cafes in Brighton

Dog walks

  • Undercliff Walk · Just over 5km (about 3 miles) one way

    A flat concrete path at the foot of the white cliffs from behind Brighton Marina to Saltdean, past Ovingdean Gap and Rottingdean, with the sea alongside the whole way. There are cafes and toilets at Ovingdean Gap, Rottingdean and Saltdean. Cyclists use it too.

  • Devil's Dyke histories and mysteries walk · 3 miles

    A National Trust loop from the Devil's Dyke car park on the South Downs, north of Hove, around the deep dry valley and down to Saddlescombe Farm. It's a challenging walk, with steep climbs over open chalk grassland.

  • Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber Hill · 1.5 miles

    A short National Trust walk up onto Newtimber Hill next to Devil's Dyke, past dew ponds and the old donkey wheel at Saddlescombe Farm, with views over the Dyke valley. It starts with a short, steep climb and can be muddy in winter.

The journey

Getting to Brighton with a dog

The nearest station is Brighton.

You can take your dog on the train to Brighton for free: National Rail allows up to two per passenger. Keep them on a lead or in a carrier on the train and at stations.

Brighton station is at the top of Queen's Road, about three-quarters of a mile downhill to the seafront by the Palace Pier. For the Hove beaches, Hove station is closer.

Driving in, Regency Square car park is a council multi-storey open 24 hours, across the road from the i360 and close to the seafront.

Map of dog-friendly places in Brighton

S = stay, B = beach, P = pub or cafe, W = walk start. Hover over or tap a pin to see its card.

Show as a list

Beaches

Pubs and cafes

Good to know

  • From 1 May to 30 September, take your dog only onto the beaches with a dog friendly sign: east of Hove Lagoon, in front of the King Alfred, east of the Lawns Cafe, by the Meeting Place Cafe, from the Volk's Railway station opposite New Steine to the Marina, and below the cliffs from the Marina to Rottingdean.
  • Past Rottingdean, the summer dog-friendly stretches run from Chailey Avenue to Arundel Drive West, and from Longridge Avenue to the city boundary. Leave out the main beaches at Rottingdean and Saltdean until October.
  • From 1 October to 30 April, every beach in Brighton and Hove is open to dogs.
  • Keep your dog on a lead on the promenade.
  • On the Devil's Dyke and Saddlescombe walks, keep your dog on a lead: sheep and cattle graze the fields.

Quick answers about Brighton with a dog

Is Brighton dog friendly?
Yes. The Undercliff Walk below the cliffs and the beaches beside it are open to dogs all year, the South Downs start just north of the city at Devil's Dyke, and plenty of pubs and cafes let dogs in, from the Basketmakers Arms in North Laine to Cup of Joe in Kemp Town. You can bring your dog on the train for free, too.
Can I take my dog on the train to Brighton?
Yes, for free. Keep them on a lead or in a carrier on the train and at stations. From Brighton station it's about three-quarters of a mile down Queen's Road to the seafront.
Where can I walk my dog in Brighton?
Along the seafront promenade from Hove Lagoon to the Marina, on a lead; along the Undercliff Walk from the Marina to Saltdean, below the white cliffs; or up on the South Downs at Devil's Dyke, a short drive north of Hove.