Our favourite dog-friendly cottages on the Norfolk coast
Sawday's Expert
5 min read
With roughly 52 beaches, Norfolk is an incredible place to tour with your dog, sprinting across sandy beachscapes and grass tousled dunes, popping into dog-friendly pubs and cafes for a bite to eat. Norfolk is both old and new, with ancient villages, quaint fishing towns and ever evolving cities. We’ve rounded up a selection of some of our favourite cottages, close to the sea, with incredible places to dine out, and most importantly – dog-friendly.
Suaeda Cottage, Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk
At 100 yards to the water, you could hardly get any closer to the sea! Hidden down a pretty path from the coastal road, Suaeda Cottage is a peaceful and private little getaway. You may spend awhile out the back, in the beautiful and secluded walled garden, watching your dog investigate wildflower bushes as the gulls call overhead, and you bask in the sea air. Even closer than the sea, there’s The Hero pub 50 yards away. With seasonal menus, a large selection of craft beers, wine and spirits and a warm welcome for hounds that includes dog biscuits, it’s the perfect spot to start or end your adventures.
Hill Cottage, Holt, Norfolk
With common land to one side and woodland to the other, Hill Cottage is tucked behind a short row of houses in a peaceful cul de sac. It’s a space to curl up into in winter, and revel in hygge by the wood burner with your dog at your feet. In summer, Hill Cottage unfurls out into its garden, with space to sit on the south-facing bench, eat al-fresco on the patio in fresh sea air and pretend to ignore the pleading eyes of your four-legged friend. The Georgian town of Holt, where there’s dog-friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants in abundance, is a simple five-minute stroll away.
Shangri-la, Waxham, Norfolk
Scour the Norfolk coastline, and you won’t find a single space like this one. This eco-build space is a homage to the modern, sleek and minimalist. There’s a large kitchen, for sociable chefs, a spacious living space for downtime, and an even larger garden, to let the dog run wild, whilst you drift off to the sound of lapping waves not 100 metres away. Take morning strolls down the beach with your hound (where there are not restrictions on dogs), and double back to head to Dunes café at Waxham barn, for a morning coffee for you, and a water bowl and warm welcome for your friend. Evening looks like dinner at the Ingham Swan, AA Rosette and Michelin recommended restaurant for a seasonal menu that changes daily.
Mill Farm Threshing Barn, Winterton-on-Sea, Norfolk
It’ll come as no surprise the owners are an ecologist and an organic food specialist, once you discover your hamper of veg from the allotment, with home-baked cakes and more. The converted barn you’ll relish some relaxing downtime in the lounge area, with its lofty ceilings, mezzanine and wood burner for cool nights. Or relax with a snack al fresco on the patio area, and sneak a couple of morsels to man’s best friend. It’s half a mile’s walk to the sands of Winterton beach, which has no restrictions on dogs! As well as Lots of good local pubs and award-winning restaurants nearby.
Spinks Nest, Hunworth, Norfolk
At five miles from the coast, this country cottage is resting snugly in a quiet Norfolk lane, backed by beautiful woodland, Spinks Nest is the perfect place to rest and recharge. With Holt Country Park just round the corner, you can take your dog for a leisurely stroll through the award-winning mixed woodland for the afternoon, and tucker them out for an evening spent by the log burner. A short drive away, Weybourne Beach, which has no dog restrictions, is waiting – its golden cliffs ready to shine in the sun, and shingle crackle underfoot. Return home, for a luxurious dip in the sunken, Japanese-inspired bath.
Cartshed Cottages at Sharrington Hall, Holt, Norfolk
Four stunning spaces on the Sharrington Hall Estate, each a medley of muted tones, in a range spanning the rainbow. Modern blue kitchens, light green bathrooms with soft linens, and roll top lilac baths – all a vision of calm and relaxation. Each space has a private terrace, and a shared garden, so your dog will love their morning stretch after just hopping outside. Take you four-legged friend out to Holt Lowes Wildlife Park for a chance to sample the smells on offer, or even further to Salthouse beach, where there’s no restrictions on dogs.
Browse all of our dog-friendly cottages in Norfolk >
Want more travel inspiration? Get our email updates direct to your inbox.
Sign up >
Jem Brownlee
Sawday's Expert
You might also like
Pocket guide to Norfolk
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
5 min read
Our wildlife guide to Norfolk
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
5 min read
Food lovers rejoice: Norfolk’s finest pubs, restaurants and chippies
Carmen McCormack
Guest Expert
5 min read