Lots of dogs love the sea – paddling, swimming, playing with the waves – and great coastal dog walks are hard to beat.

But not all beaches are good for dogs, and some have bans in place for at least part of the year, so it’s important to know where to go. Award-winning writers and photographers, Jen and Sim Benson, share ten of the best tried-and-tested coastal dog walks from their new book, Great British Walkies, which is out now from National Trust Books.

  1. Loe Pool, Cornwall

The Penrose estate covers over 1,500 acres (607ha) of farmland, parkland, woodland, creeks and trails on Cornwall’s south coast. At its centre is Loe Pool, a large freshwater lake and wildlife haven cut off from the sea by a broad shingle bar heaped up by the relentless Atlantic Ocean.

The restored wetlands at Willow Carr, adjacent to the pool, are wonderful to walk around and a perfect place for spotting wildlife from bats and birds to dragonflies.

  1. Burton Bradstock and Hive Beach, Dorset

Hive Beach is popular with walkers, families and dogs alike. With the South West Coast Path passing by, the beach is easy to access and offers a range of walks, from those on the beach itself to spectacular clifftop routes with glorious coastal countryside and sea views.

The shingle beach at Hive is surrounded by spectacular sandstone cliffs, rich in fascinating fossils. It is a striking section of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the largest shingle ridge in the world.

  1. Compton Bay and Downs, Isle of Wight

Home to one of the Isle of Wight’s most beautiful beaches, the fossils at Compton Bay tell the story of the area over millions of years. Whether you’re walking, playing, or simply enjoying the view, it’s a wonderful spot for coastal dog walks.

This walk heads out along the Tennyson Trail, crossing Afton Down and Compton Down, which together make up one of the most extensive areas of chalk grassland in Britain, and have remained largely unchanged since the end of the last Ice Age.

  1. Dunwich Heath, Suffolk

A peaceful stretch of shingle beach edged by wild heathland and patches of woodland, Dunwich Heath is a haven of calm, tucked away on the coast of Suffolk. Boasting a rare and precious habitat, the opportunity to spot abundant wildlife, and glorious coastal walking, it’s a destination that’s ideal to visit all year round.

This walk follows Dunwich Heath’s specific dogs-off-leads trail, known as the Woof Walk. You can let your dog off the lead on this trail knowing you can enjoy the walk without worrying about your dog escaping onto the road or disturbing the wildlife.

  1. Souter Lighthouse, Tyne & Wear

Standing proud on a grassy coastal headland mid-way between the rivers Tyne and Wear, its red and white stripes vibrant against a backdrop of sky and sea, Souter Lighthouse is an impressive sight from many miles around. Opened in 1871 it was the first lighthouse in the UK designed and built to be powered by electricity.

The Souter Saunter is an enjoyable two-mile (3.2-km) circular walking trail from the lighthouse. Along the way you’ll discover limestone cliffs and coastal grasslands; a lost village; Whitburn Nature Reserve, set on the site of a former colliery; vast numbers of seabirds, including kittiwakes, fulmars, cormorants, shags and guillemots; interesting rock formations; and beautiful beaches and bays.

Top 10 hidden gem dog walks across the UK

  1. Stackpole, Pembrokeshire

The Stackpole estate covers 2,000 acres (809ha) of stunning coastal and countryside landscapes in the far south west of Wales. Part of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it is both a listed designed landscape and an internationally important nature reserve.

This walk sets out from Stackpole Quay, crossing the beautiful stretch of sand at Barafundle Bay to discover the dramatic cliffs and wildlife-rich grassland of Stackpole Head. Pause at Broad Haven South beach before exploring Bosherston Lakes and famous lily ponds. The home stretch takes you across the deer park and back to Stackpole Quay.

  1. Rhosili Beach, Gower

Beautiful Rhosili Bay, with its three-mile (4.8-km) stretch of stunning sandy beach, is backed by the rolling grasslands of Rhosili Down. From the top of the down, the highest point on the Gower Peninsula, views stretch out over The Vile – a medieval open field strip system – along the undulating Welsh coast, and across the Bristol Channel to Lundy Island and the north Devon coast.

This walk sets out from Rhosili village, passing St Mary’s Church, which was built in the 12th and 13th centuries – look out for the unknown sailor’s grave in the corner of the churchyard. It’s a steep climb to reach The Beacon at the top of Rhosili Down, but the views once you get there are well worth the effort. Descending takes you past a Second World War radar station and through an area of heathland, bright with pink and purple heather in late summer and early autumn.

  1. Cemlyn Nature Reserve, Anglesey

Set on the wild, north-western edge of Anglesey, Cemlyn’s intricate coastline of rocks, small bays and headlands is fascinating to explore. This area is both a National Nature Reserve and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s home to rare plants, such as the spotted rock rose, and breeding colonies of Sandwich, common and Arctic terns – perfect for coastal dog walks with a spot of wildlife watching.

This stunning walk makes the most of the area’s extraordinary geology, setting out with a crossing of the shingle ridge that separates the lagoon from the Irish Sea at Cemlyn Bay. Making it to the far side of the spit, you’ll take in a loop of the remote headland, discovering its intriguing geology, vast array of coastal wildlife and the church of St Rhwydrus.

  1. St Abb’s Head, Scottish Borders

Lying on the north east coast of Berwickshire, in the southern Scottish Borders, the dramatic and windswept coastal headland of St Abb’s Head is renowned for its vast seabird colonies. Looked after by the National Trust for Scotland, the area has been a designated National Nature Reserve since 1984.

This enjoyable walk explores the headland, starting out to the north and taking in a loop around Mire Loch, passing the remains of St Abb’s Nunnery, Kirk Hill and St Abb’s Head lighthouse. The return stretch traces the intricate coastline, passing numerous rocky pinnacles and arches rising from the sea, with spectacular views and plenty of birdlife to watch.

  1. Iona, Argyll and Bute

Just off the coast of the Isle of Mull, in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, Iona holds a wealth of treasures awaiting discovery. The island makes an enjoyable day trip from Mull, or immerse yourself in its peace and beauty for longer by staying in the village.

This walk explores the northern end of Iona, passing the nunnery at Baile Mor, the Benedictine abbey, and the wild and remote north coast, with its beautiful bays, rocky headlands and spectacular white sandy beaches edged by a turquoise seas. There’s an optional out-and-back detour to the top of Dùn Ì to take in the beautiful views back to Mull and the Highlands, and out to the Inner and Outer Hebrides.