Dog Friendly: 4 best things to do in Hornsea with a dog (+ 7 extra things to try)

Originally published on October 30, 2024 | Last updated on October 12, 2025

There are Amazon affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, I will never promote products that me and Mabel don’t either use ourselves or fully recommend.

We recently took Mabel away for her first holiday for 4 days in Hornsea. Mabel isn’t great in the car, so we needed a place close enough within a 2-hour drive of Halifax, West Yorkshire. As the longest car journeys she is used to are to the groomer or doggy day care which is around 30 minutes max. This also meant we had to find some things to do in Hornsea with a dog. Which then leads us to ask: Is Hornsea dog-friendly?

We choose to go to Hornsea in September to:-

• Let Mabel go to the beach for the first time
• Start getting her used to sleeping in different places other than our house and our in-laws
• Go on some long dog-friendly walks
• Start training her to sit in cafes/pubs without causing chaos

Here is our list of the top dog-friendly things to do in Hornsea.

Dog-friendly Hornsea locations and activities map

Below is our map of recommended dog-friendly activities and locations in Hornsea.

Go to the dog-friendly Hornsea beach

Hornsea beach is a sand/shingle beach split into many sections by old wooden breakwaters. Both humans and dogs can climb these sections to visit the different areas of the beach. Or you can use the stairs and ramps if you have an older dog.

Mabel loved chasing her Chuck It ball around the beach. It is the only ball we would recommend for the beach in our best dog toys for staffies guide. Due to it’s durable nature and bright colours it can both survive the beach and easily be found once thrown.

Hornsea beach has 356 reviews on TripAdvisor with an average score of 4.1 out of 5. With 94 of them mentioning dogs.

We recommend the sourdough bacon sandwich and a latte from the Hornsea Hub. Great as a snack before the walk or as a treat afterwards.

Is Hornsea Beach dog-friendly?

Hornsea beach is dog-friendly all year round. However, between May 1st and September 30th, there are restrictions on where they can go.

Hornsea beach dog rules and restrictions

Between May 1st and September 30th, dogs are not allowed on certain areas of the beach. These areas are between the groynes under the Marine pub and to the south of the Sands Lane Slipway.

Check the Hornsea Beach Tide times

Just make sure to check the tide times on a daily basis to avoid going at high tide. Or your dog may wish to go for a swim, but you can’t let them for fear of them not coming back!

Make sure you use a good harness and lead if their recall isn’t perfect.

If you ignore the seasonal dog ban and decide to take your dog on the beach between 1st May and 30th September, you will be issued with a £75 fixed penalty fine.

However, there are still sand/shingle beaches either side of this where you can take your dog at that time.

Between 1st October and 30th April, dogs are allowed on all of the beaches.

What makes Hornsea beach dog friendly?

European blue flag award 4 years in a row

One of only 73 beaches in the UK to have attained the Blue Flag award. Water quality, beach cleanliness, information on safety, the environment and facilities are up to the highest standards. Meaning your pooch is less likely to get ill if they go swimming, come across something they shouldn’t and there are lots of great local facilities to relax.

Whilst walking Mabel on the beach, we came across litter pickers on most days keeping the beach tidy in pink uniforms.

You can find a great summary of all the criteria required on the Keep Britain Tidy Blue Flag page.

Marine conservation award

Hornsea beach appears on the Marine Conservation Society 2024 recommended beaches guide. Meaning that the water meets the European standards for water pollution and your pup can swim in the sea safely.

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Eat and drink at the dog friendly cafes in Hornsea

Hornsea Hub

If you are looking for a dog friendly cafe near Hornsea beach, then the Hornsea Hub is the best choice for you! The Hornsea hub cafe sold dog ice cream, treats and had a large water bowl outside along with plenty of outdoor seating. Or you can go and sit indoors at specific tables as long as you follow their dog rules which are fair and obvious.

We spent about 20 minutes here eating bacon sandwiches and drinking lattes before we headed out on our walk.

Is Hornsea Hub dog friendly?

The Hornsea hub website says that “Good dogs are welcome”

Mondo del caffe

If you are closer to the center of Hornsea then Mondo del caffe might be more up your street. It is a lovely cafe in the center of the Hornsea and is definitely dog friendly. A large bowl of water outside and enthusiastic servers who were happy to pet and play with Mabel proved this. In fact, a large amount of the local shops and cafes had dog bowls outside.

This would be the perfect place to bring out a Nylabone bacon chew or Nylabone brocolli chew for your dog to gnaw on whilst you wait for your food. We would recommend the smoothies, milkybar cake and lemon & raspberry meringue cake.

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Enjoy various dog friendly walks in Hornsea

Walk the Hornsea rail trail

This 13 mile walk from Hornsea to Hull, part of the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) is a great walk for you and your pup. Lots of greenery and interesting places to sniff. You can take your dog off lead for parts of this as long as they have good recall to really let them have a good time.

Visit East Yorkshire suggests the average time to walk the entire 13+ mile trail is 4 hours and 20 mins. Just make sure you organise transportation back to Hornsea! Or ensure you have booked somewhere to stay in Hull.

Visit Hornsea Mere

The Hornsea mere is the largest freshwater lake in Yorkshire. Owned by Wassand Hall. It was featured in a 2006 BBC documentary called The Seven Natural Wonders in the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire episode alongside Flamborough Head, Spurn Point, Malom Cove, Thorne and Hatfield Moors, The Wash, and The Three peaks.

We took Mabel here so she could experience what a lake was like in comparison to the sea.

It is known for being a bird haven, due to its special protection area for birds and status as a site of special scientific interest. Especially in the winter for birds such as Gadwalls, Goldeneyes, Canada geese and tufted ducks.

Are dogs allowed at Hornsea Mere?

We walked into Hornsea Mere and saw 4 dogs walking around the Mere. It is dog friendly, however you need to keep your dog on a lead to ensure they don’t disturb the local wildlife.

There is also the dog friendly Hornsea Mere cafe. As long as your pooch is well behaved.

Hornsea Mere Rail Trail and Mere Circular Walk

A short walk from the town center, just be careful to not make the same mistake I did in thinking that the walks start from the actual Mere.

We would recommend this Rail trail and Mere circular if you wanted to see both the Mere and the Rail Trail. At 8.4KM and taking nearly 2 hours, it isn’t for the faint of heart!

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Dog-friendly things we will do next time we are in Hornsea

Visit the Wassand Hall gardens

We didn’t have a chance to visit the Wassand Estate unfortunately as it had just closed after the summer season. Although it looks like a great experience for human and dog alike. We would look to pair the half mile walk in the gardens with coffee/cake in the summerhouse tearoom

Just make sure you check the calendar to make sure they are open for what you want to do and get a ticket at £7 each for adults.

Is Wassand hall dog friendly?

The Wassand Hall website clearly states that dogs are welcome on leads.

Have fun at the dog-friendly beach amusements and arcades

Carousel amusements

Carousel amusements near the promenade had a very prominent dogs allowed inside if on lead sign. As this was the first time we have taken Mabel away and she hasn’t been inside any cafes/pubs yet, we didn’t take her into the amusements.

Something for us to do next time once she is better trained.

Eat and drink in dog friendly Hornsea pubs

The Marine

The Marine also classes itself as a dog friendly pub at the end of the beach. As shown by an entire dog friendly page dedicated to showing this on their website.

Similar to the above, Mabel is slowly getting used to sitting outside a cafe/pub and settling. Going inside would have been a step too far at the moment. However, we would like to go to either The Rose & Crown or The Marine to sit inside and have something to eat.

Play games and get a milkshake at Rage Quit

I am and always will be a gamer at heart. Therefore, if I could get Mabel to sit down whilst I play Mario Kart with my partner whilst drinking a strawberry or oreo milkshake that is my idea of a great time.

They have also confirmed that they are a dog friendly cafe and bar in Hornsea. They just need to stay off the chairs and tables, along with not eating off their plates and cutlery.

Eat a carvery at Hornsea Garden center

Mabel went through a phase of eating or removing all of our plants in our garden. So, visiting Hornsea garden center sounds like a great idea to pick up some replacement plants.

Serving a carvery 7 days a week and afternoon tea, it sounds like you can make a great day of it by shopping for plants and then eating a carvery or having afternoon tea at The Gardeners Retreat.

Is Hornsea garden center dog friendly?

On their website, it explicitly says that Hornsea garden center is dog friendly.
https://www.britishgardencentres.com/centres/hornsea-garden-centre/

This is also seemingly confirmed on a recent post on their Facebook page.

Go shopping at Hornsea Freeport

Hornsea Freeport which is about a 30 minute walk from Hornsea beach or 10 minute car journey is another place we would like to visit next time. Featuring 19 different stores and a very explicit dog friendly message on their website. Although I would double check with them which stores do allow dogs in just to make sure this is the case.

I would likely want to visit The potteries most of all to paint some clay pots.

Hunt fossils at Mappleton Beach

3 miles south of Hornsea and roughly a 10-20 mins drive away is the wide and sandy Mappleton beach. Seems to be without the usual traditional seaside attractions like fish and chip shops, amusement arcades or other touristy places.

This sounds like a quieter beach, making it the perfect place to enjoy some true bonding time with your dog. The Holderness coastline is also home to fast eroding cliffs. Meaning, it is a great place to find fossils as the sea erodes the cliffs at a 2.9M a year. So, if you want to become a fossil hunter, this is the place to have a go!

There is parking, however this is limited to 20 cars. As this is the only car park, it will likely feel like it is just you and your pup. So, best go early if you want to guarantee yourself a space.

Things to be careful of at Mappleton beach

Unexploded ordinance (UXO) or to most people unexploded bombs

Mappleton was formerly RAF Cowden bombing range for nearly 40 years from 1959 – 1998. Although a contract was awarded to a company to clean this up in 2021. Due to this you may still come across unexploded bombs known as unexploded ordinance.

Are dogs allowed on Mappleton beach?

Dogs are allowed on Mappleton beach all year around. There are no restrictions on dogs, unlike Hornsea beach. There is also The Old Post office tearooms which are also dog friendly.

Best dog friendly things to do in Hornsea FAQs

Is Hornsea worth visiting?

Yes, Hornsea is worth visiting for a perfect family day out with your dog. The lovely beach, promenade, amusements and wide variety of walks means there is something for everyone.

Does Hornsea have a promenade?

Yes, Hornsea has a tiered promenade along the side facing the land. There are markers every 200 meters each with a different sea bird on them.

Does Hornsea beach have arcades?

Yes, Hornsea beach has 2 arcades. One along the main beach front called Funspot Amusements which is next to the Hornsea Hub. The second, Carousel Amusements is set a little back from the beach, although still less than 5 mins walks away on Sands Lane.

Does Hornsea have a pier?

Hornsea does not currently have a pier. It had one until 1897 when it was demolished after a ship collided with it in a great storm. Proposals were drawn up for a new pier in 2018, however these plans appear to not have gone ahead as when visiting in 2024, there is still not a pier.

Other dog friendly places

We have also listed our favourite 10 best things to do in Filey with a dog and 12 best things to do in Halifax with a dog. Along with also reviewing the Filey Bird Garden and Animal Park.