Dog-Friendly Beaches Near Filey

Dogs at the Cottage
Jul 05
4 min read
Share post

The best dog-friendly beaches near Filey are Hunmanby Gap and the open ends of Filey Bay, both dog-friendly all year, with Cayton Bay a few miles north and the sands towards Reighton to the south. Caramel Cottage sits on The Bay above Hunmanby Gap, so the nearest dog-friendly beach is a short walk from the door.

A dog on the sandy path down to Hunmanby Gap beach, with Filey Bay and the headland behind — The path down to Hunmanby Gap where dogs are welcome all year round

Which beaches near Filey are dog-friendly all year?

Four stretches of sand within easy reach take dogs year-round: Hunmanby Gap (right below the cottage), Cayton Bay to the north, and the northern and southern ends of Filey Bay itself. Only the central, patrolled part of Filey beach has a summer dog restriction, and even then the ends of the bay stay open.

Hunmanby Gap: the beach at the bottom of The Bay

The surfaced path winding through the dunes from The Bay down to Hunmanby Gap beach — Fifteen to twenty minutes from the cottage door and surfaced most of the way

Hunmanby Gap (YO14 9QP) is the closest beach to Caramel Cottage and dog-friendly all year. A steep path drops from the little car park and beach cafe down to a wide, firm, sandy beach that runs for miles. It is quieter than the main Filey seafront, so it is a favourite for a proper off-lead run. At low tide you can walk the sands the three or so miles north into Filey; check the tide times first, as the beach narrows on a rising tide.

Can dogs go on Filey beach in summer?

Hunmanby Gap beach and the sweep of Filey Bay seen from the clifftop above The Bay, Filey — Looking north along Filey Bay from the clifftop above the Gap

Yes, with one seasonal rule. From the Sunday nearest 1 May to 30 September, dogs are not allowed on the central, patrolled stretch of Filey beach (a Public Spaces Protection Order, with a fine of up to £100). The northern end towards Filey Brigg and the southern end towards Hunmanby Gap stay open to dogs all year, so you are never far from sand you can share out of season or in.

Cayton Bay

A couple of miles north of Filey, towards Scarborough, Cayton Bay is dog-friendly all year and stuffed with rock pools at low tide. It is also one of the best surf beaches in Yorkshire, so expect a few wetsuits alongside the dog walkers. A ten to fifteen minute drive from the cottage.

The southern end of Filey Bay, towards Reighton

Head the other way and the long sweep of Filey Bay runs south below the cliffs towards Reighton and Speeton. This southern end is open to dogs and gloriously empty out of season, a big-sky walk with the cliffs at your back.

Tips for a dog-friendly beach day from the cottage

Filey Bay at low tide on a winter afternoon, low sun over wide empty sand — From 1 October the whole bay is open to dogs and this is a winter afternoon

Check the tide. The Gap is at its best, and the walk into Filey only works, around low water. A quick look at a tide table before you set off saves a scramble.
The Meadows on your doorstep. For a quick leg-stretch without the beach, the meadows behind The Bay are a gentle on-resort dog walk.
Rinse-off after. Sandy paws are part of the deal; the cottage garden is enclosed, handy for a towel-down before you head back in.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hunmanby Gap dog-friendly?

Yes. Hunmanby Gap (YO14 9QP), the nearest beach to Caramel Cottage, is dog-friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions.

Can dogs go on Filey beach in summer?

Dogs are not allowed on the central, patrolled stretch of Filey beach from the Sunday nearest 1 May to 30 September (a Public Spaces Protection Order, fine up to £100). The northern and southern ends of the bay stay open to dogs all year.

How far is the beach from Caramel Cottage?

Hunmanby Gap sits at the bottom of The Bay, a short walk down from the cottage, roughly 15 to 20 minutes on foot.

How many dogs can stay at Caramel Cottage?

Up to two dogs are welcome at Caramel Cottage, which has an enclosed garden and is on a dog-friendly resort by dog-friendly beaches.

Caramel Cottage is a dog-friendly holiday cottage on The Bay, Filey, that welcomes up to two dogs. See the cottage and check availability → Or read what guests (and their dogs) say →

More on the beach: the seasonal rules are set out in full in when can dogs go on Filey beach, and for afterwards, where you can eat with a dog near Filey.