Vale of Glamorgan Council
Cyngor Bro Morgannwg

Top 10 Dog Friendly Walks

With many popular dog walking spots now under the summertime exemptions, we've compiled a list of our favourite dog friendly walks that you can enjoy all year round.

From 01 May to 30 September dogs are banned from a number of beaches in the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

cosmeston lakes country park

Cosmeston Lakes Country Park - Penarth

 

Circular walk through extensive woodland surrounded by lakes. On site café, as well as toilets, free car parking and BBQ and picnic areas. 

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: Costmeston Café.

penarth-pier

Coast and Pier Dog Friendly Walk - Penarth

 

No livestock or stiles and numerous dog litter bins along the trail. Starts at a dog friendly pub with water bowls. This is an easy, linear walk with stunning views of Flatholm, Steepholm and Sully Island.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: The Captains Wife (dog friendly).

Ogmore-Castle-with-stepping-stones

Ogmore by Sea Dog friendly walk – Llantwit Major and Heritage Coast

 

No stiles however sheep possible along any sections of coast path. Minimal road walking with Option 1 hour long circular walk toward Dunraven Castle and Gardens or Option 2 linear walk starting at Ogmore by Sea. Heritage coast centre, refreshment kiosk, picnic tables, bins and toilets, spectacular views and accessible beach at Dunraven Bay (seasonal exceptions apply).

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: The Three Golden Cups (dog friendly) & The Pelican in her Piety.

jackson bay

Jackson’s Bay – Barry Island

 

170-metre long sandy beach, with some flat rocks. Behind the cliffs is a grassy area also popular with dog walkers.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: Whitmore and Jackson (dog friendly), K9 plus 1 Café (dog friendly), Cadwaladers (dog friendly).

heritagecoast

Summerhouse Point Beach – Llantwit Major

 

Accessed by walking through the village of Boverton. Mainly a beach of flat rock, we’d recommend a nice walk from here to Llantwit Major Beach, where you can have a coffee in the cafe and walk back.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: The Beach Café.

Rock-pool

Nash Point - St Donats / Marcross

 

Home of Nash Point Lighthouse, an iconic grade 2 listed building. Large bedrock beach full of fossils and fertile rock pools, stunning rugged cliffs and rock formations.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: Cliff Top Café.

fontygary bay rhoose

Fontygary Bay – Rhoose

 

Stunning bay of mostly rocks with some low-tide sand backed by cliffs of shale and limestone. Set in the pictoresque village of Rhoose. Highwayman Inn pub also a short distance away.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: The Fontygary Inn, Fontygary Fish Bar.

lakes at aberthaw

The Leys – East Aberthaw

 

One of the best areas of beach along this part of the coast, with good areas of sand, some small dunes and a pebble bank. There are also some small sea and fresh water lagoons.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: The Blue Anchor (dog friendly).

Porthkerry Viaduct

Porthkerry Park - Barry

 

Large country park on the Vale coast. With extensive fields, woodland, nature trails, cliff-top pathways and pebble beach. On site cafe. 

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: Marcos in the Park.

Salmon-Leaps

Salmon Leaps Dog Friendly Walk - Dinas Powys

 

With minimal stiles and livestock and walks along short sections on quiet roads. You've the option to do a circular 6 mile walk, or a 3 mile shorter option. Most of the walk is through woodland and meadows.

 

Pubs/cafés nearby: The Star Inn, The Plug Cafe, The Three Horseshoes, Crosskeys Inn.

 

Dog Beach Ban Information
Paws in the Vale Eating Venue
Paws in the Vale Attractions

 

Please remember to keep dogs on a lead and under control when walking them near livestock. Your dog might be extremely docile and friendly, but remember that farm animals won’t know that.