I am trying to book a cottage for the last week in July beginning of August with my friend.  We will be 2 adults, 6 kids and 2 dogs (my cavalier and her Australian Cattle dog).  We have found lots of nice properties but want to make sure that there is an all year round dog friendly beach nearby.  We are looking at Dorset, East or West Sussex, Somerset and Devon.  Actually, we are not to worried about where it is as long as it isn't too far from London ie 2/3 hours away.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Most beaches at that time of year section some off for us doggy owners, though they are not allowed on some parts of the beach they are still allowed - if you follow me?
Anyway, I always go to either Dawlish Warren, Teignmouth, West Bay Dorset. Chesil beach dogs are allowed but it is all pebbles where we go so no bathers. Weymouth you have to go up the far end to let your dogs on the beach, as with most beaches in the summer. Oh not sure how far Lyme Regis is from you but we took the dogs on that beach one year, no restrictions I think? Can't remember now what time of the year that was?
Oh I'm rambling now LOL  But I would say there are loads of places to take the dogs, when you find somewhere you like just ask them when you book, they will tell you :-)
Have you tried these sites?
http://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/
or
http://www.edeswellfarm.co.uk/pages/cottages.html

HTH

there are still a few in south cornwall and wales that are dog frindley check the tourest boards to find out which ones as i cant spell the welsh ones and cant rememebr the name of the other.

West Witterings nr Sussex have beautiful dog friendly beaches all year round!

Can't remcommend place to stay but certainly fab beaches (sand too! :) )

Worthing and Goring by Sea also have dog friendly bits to the beach but pebble!

http://www.westwitteringbeach.co.uk/

How about the Isle of Wight there are a number of dog friendly beaches there and loads of footpaths / downs etc for walking.  Plus there are loads of things for the kids to do.

Actually Dawlish Warren is out of bounds at July/August time. You're not able to walk dogs on the actual beach until April, although there is a greenland/nature reserve type thing that runs behind the beach. You can walk along there until you get past groyne 9 and then are allowed to walk on the beach right at the end with dogs :-)

Newf2

Which are the Welsh beaches?  the only ones I know of are too far for me to visit except if we go on holiday, if the ones you know are closer I may be able to take my dogs/child there for a great run about :)

Dill, you can take dogs on the Coppitt Hall beach in Saundersfoot at any time of the year also the one the other side of the harbour in Saundersfoot (the name of which escapes me) and the beach in front of the Caldey Island Ferrry in Tenby.  In Porthcawl, you can take dogs on Newton Beach all through the year too.

Ooh thanks for that :-D

Porthcawl is do-able for a day trip :-D  and Saundersfoot/Tenby could be good for a few days away :)  I've seen dogs on the beach at Ogmore, but can't figure out how to get to it Doh!

I know people take dogs to Barry island Beach too but not the main one, not sure where that is tho ???

I am not sure if dogs are allowed on Ogmore beach all year, you get there via Ewenny off the A48 on the way to Porthcawl.  Merthyr Mawr is good for dogs too........the sand dunes on the other side of the river from Ogmore!  Barry Island is near Cardiff!  :)

Thanks for that, we've seen people walking dogs on  the beach/dunes on the way to Ogmore but can never find the way to the beach LOL

>Barry Island is near Cardiff!

I know!! LOL  Thing is, I'm in North Gwent so Barry Island is as near for me as Porthcawl, it just depends on which road I take after I get on the M4 :-D