Discover Dog-Friendly Essex – and Support NAWT Essex

At the National Animal Welfare Trust (NAWT), we’re proud to have five rehoming centres across the UK – and one of them is based in beautiful Essex.

Essex is a county full of surprises, offering coastlines, countryside, and plenty of dog-friendly adventures. From pubs and tearooms that welcome wagging tails, to glamping pods, campsites, Essex has everything you need to enjoy a break with your best friend by your side.

By supporting dog-friendly businesses across Essex, you’re also supporting the wider animal-loving community – and if you pop into NAWT Essex, you’ll see first-hand how your support helps us care for and rehome animals in need.

Dog-Friendly Places to Visit in Essex

Looking for a pet-friendly break? Essex has options for every style and budget:

• Fen Farm Caravan & Camping Site, Mersea Island – A peaceful campsite on Mersea Island, ideal for a family stay close to beaches and walking trails.
• Swallows Field Glamping Pods, Colchester – Adult-only luxury pods where you and your dog can enjoy a quiet, countryside escape.
• Waldegraves Holiday Park, Mersea Island – A family-friendly holiday park on Mersea Island with entertainment, dog-walking areas, and coastal views.
• Local caravan & holiday parks – Almost all-around Essex are dog friendly, making them a great option for families travelling with pets.
• Mersea Island – Full of lovely dog walks and often home to fun days and dog shows at the holiday parks.
• The Boathouse, Dedham – Hire a boat, enjoy food, and explore the stunning walks around the Dedham Vale AONB.
• The Alma Inn, Harwich – Combine good food with adventure by taking the Harwich Harbour foot ferry into Felixstowe. The short boat ride adds excitement for kids, and once there you can explore the nature reserve and Beach Street, a quirky market of boutiques, cafés, and bars.
• East Anglia Railway Museum – Dog friendly and home to the unique Canines Ride the Train Lines event, where dogs can enjoy unlimited steam train rides alongside family fun and trade stalls.

Dog-Friendly Pubs, Restaurants and Cafés in Essex

Exploring Essex with your dog works up an appetite – here are some great places to stop and refuel:

• The Barge Inn, Battlesbridge – A traditional riverside pub with dog-friendly spaces inside and out.
• The Crown, Wormingford – A cosy village pub serving hearty meals, with a warm welcome for dogs.
• Owls Hill Tearoom, Chelmsford – A charming tearoom where dogs are welcome, perfect for a relaxed stop with cake and tea.
• Flags Café, Holland-on-Sea – Super dog- and child-friendly, with a perfect location just steps away from Holland Haven Country Park and a beautiful stretch of beach.
• The Robin Hood, Clacton – A dog-friendly local favourite pub.
• Martello Lounge, Clacton Seafront – Dog friendly and proud supporters of our Big NAWT Walk events.
• Clares Coffee Lounge, Harwich – A local recommendation for dog walkers and families alike.
• Charnallies Restaurant, Clacton – Welcoming to dogs, with a fun extra: doggy ice cream on the menu!

Things to do in Essex with Dogs and Kids

Essex makes it easy to enjoy a day out with the wholefamily, thanks to plenty of attractions that welcome both children and dogs:

• Museum of Power, Maldon – With fascinating exhibits, miniature train rides, and outdoor events, it’s a hit with kids. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.
• Cudmore Grove Country Park, Mersea Island – A mix of beach, open fields, and woodland, making it perfect for picnics, kite flying, and dog walks all in one place.
• Hylands Estate, Chelmsford – Acres of parkland with formal gardens, play areas, and dog-walking routes, plus plenty of open space for children to run free.
• Brightlingsea – A welcoming dog-friendly seaside town. While some beach restrictions apply in summer, there are lovely walks and plenty of pubs where dogs are welcome.
• Beach Hut Rentals (Walton, Frinton, Clacton, Dovercourt, Holland-on-Sea) – A brilliant way for families to enjoy the seaside with dogs, though check seasonal restrictions before booking.
• Colchester – A very dog-friendly town, where many shops, cafés, and restaurants allow dogs inside. Families can also enjoy local green spaces such as Highwoods Country Park and Gosbecks Archaeological Park.
• Local Garden Centres – Many across Essex welcome dogs and even have dog-friendly cafés inside, making them an easy stop for families.

Dog-Friendly Beaches in Essex

Essex has a fantastic coastline with beaches where dogs are welcome either year-round or outside of summer restrictions. Here are some top picks:

• Frinton-on-Sea – Long sandy stretches ideal for walking. During May 1^st – September 30^th, dogs are prohibited from parts of the beach. During this time, dogs can visit the section that is dog-friendly all year round located at the golf-club end, which is clearly marked. There is also a large grassy area that dogs can be walked behind the beach, called the Greensward.
• Walton-on-the-Naze – Great for children and dogs, with space to roam, fossil hunting on the cliffs, and a Wildlife Trust nature reserve (dogs welcome outside the café).
• Cudmore Grove Country Park, Mersea Island – A mix of beach, fields, and woodland, perfect for a full family day out with the dog.
• Shoebury East Beach – Quieter than Southend’s main beaches, with year-round access for dogs.
• Holland-on-Sea – A beautiful beach paired with Holland Haven Country Park, ideal for walks with dogs and kids. During May 1^st – September 30^th, dogs are prohibited from parts of the beach. During this time, you can take your dog to the beach area south-west of Queensway, which is a designated dog-friendly section.

Why Essex is Perfect for Dog Owners

• Variety – From seaside escapes to quiet countryside stays.
• Dog-Friendly Hospitality – Cafés and pubs where dogs are treated like family.
• Unique Days Out – Where else can your dog go for a swim, ride a steam train, hunt for fossils, or explore a museum with you?

Support NAWT Essex While You Explore

While you’re enjoying everything dog-friendly Essex has to offer, why not stop by our NAWT Essex centre?

You’re welcome to pop into reception for a chat with our friendly team about the rehoming process and to discuss what might make a suitable match for you and your family. Please note that meeting the animals is by appointment only, once an application has been made and a potential match identified.

You can also:

• Learn more about our rescue and rehoming work.
• Support us with a donation or by volunteering.

Your Essex adventures can do more than make memories – they can help change lives for animals in need.

Find out more about NAWT Essex here →