From Hever Castle's magnificent grounds to the wild shingle of Dungeness, Kent offers some of the most varied dog-friendly days out in England. The county's coastline alone — Whitstable, Broadstairs, Dungeness, the Wantsum marshes — is outstanding dog-walking territory.
📍 Edenbridge, Kent
One of the finest historic gardens in England, and brilliantly welcoming to dogs. The grounds cover 125 acres of formal gardens, topiary, and lakeside walks — all enjoyed on a lead. Water bowls are provided near the entrance and staff are genuinely dog-friendl...
📍 Broadstairs, Kent
A quiet, sheltered sandy bay tucked between chalk cliffs, Joss Bay is one of the few Thanet beaches where dogs are welcome year-round. The bay is popular with families in summer but never gets as crowded as Broadstairs town beach, making it a great choice for ...
📍 Whitstable, Kent
Whitstable is arguably the most dog-friendly town on the Kent coast. The working harbour, the West Beach, and the shingle stretch west towards Tankerton are all welcoming to dogs. The town itself is packed with independent cafés, pubs, and restaurants — many o...
📍 Maidstone, Kent
The 'loveliest castle in the world' sits within 500 acres of parkland and gardens, all open to dogs on leads. The circular lakeside walk is around 2.5 miles and takes you through ancient woodland, past the moat, and along the water's edge. Dogs are not permitt...
📍 Dungeness, Romney Marsh, Kent
An otherworldly shingle headland at the tip of Romney Marsh — vast, wild, and genuinely unlike anywhere else in England. Dogs love it here. Miles of open shingle beach, the iconic fishing boats, the old lighthouses, and the RSPB reserve (where dogs are restric...
📍 Cranbrook, Kent
The National Trust estate surrounding Vita Sackville-West's famous garden is wonderful for dogs even if the world-renowned garden itself is off-limits to them. The estate walks wind through ancient woodland, orchards, and farmland — all on leads. Pack a picnic...
📍 Seasalter, Whitstable, Kent
One of the best pubs in England for food — and it welcomes dogs in the bar. The Sportsman sits in a converted roadside pub on the marshes outside Whitstable, looking out over the Thames Estuary. The cooking uses almost entirely local and foraged ingredients. B...
📍 Fordwich, near Canterbury, Kent
England's smallest town sits on a pretty bend of the Great Stour, just outside Canterbury. The riverside walks here are gentle, beautiful, and very dog-friendly — flat paths along the river through water meadows, with the town's medieval guildhall as a backdro...