The Deal to Kingsdown Coastal Walk
Best for: Confident walkers and sociable dogs who love other people | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: Approx 4 miles one way
This is the walk we recommend most often to guests, and it rarely disappoints. Starting from Deal seafront, the coastal path runs south through Walmer and on to the village of Kingsdown — largely flat, wonderfully scenic, and consistently interesting for dogs who like to investigate their surroundings. Along the way you’ll pass Deal Castle and Walmer Castle, both of which are worth pausing at. Note that dogs are welcome in the Walmer Castle gardens on a lead, though not inside the castle itself. The gardens are beautiful and make a lovely mid-walk stop, particularly in spring when the borders are at their best. The walk ends at Kingsdown beach, where The Zetland Arms sits practically on the shoreline. Dogs are warmly welcomed, the views over the water are exceptional, and it’s the kind of pub that makes you feel the walk was entirely worth it. Return the same way, or arrange a pick-up from Kingsdown if legs — yours or theirs — have had enough.
Tip: The path is mainly flat shingle and tarmac promenade, making it suitable for older dogs and those who struggle with uneven terrain.
St Margaret’s Bay to South Foreland Lighthouse
Best for: Adventurous dogs who love open space and sea views | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: Approx 2 miles each way
This is the dramatic one. Starting at St Margaret’s Bay, one of the most beautiful spots on the entire Kent coast, the path climbs gently along the White Cliffs towards South Foreland Lighthouse, with the Channel opening out beneath you as you go. On a clear day you can see France. Always impressive. Dogs tend to find it thrilling. The path is open clifftop for much of the route, with good width and plenty of space for dogs to walk freely on a long lead. Allow around an hour and a half at a relaxed pace, and a little longer if your dog needs convincing to leave the clifftop. The lighthouse is a satisfying destination, and the return walk feels different again with the light changing over the sea.
Tip: Keep dogs on leads near the cliff edges – the views are spectacular but the drops are serious. This walk is best avoided in very strong winds.
Betteshanger Park Woodland Trails
Best for: Dogs who love sniffing, exploring and something different from the coast | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Distance: Variable — from 1 to 4+ miles
Just a short drive from Deal, Betteshanger Park offers a welcome change of scenery from the coastal paths, woodland trails, open countryside and wide, well-maintained routes that give dogs the kind of varied terrain they love. The smells alone are apparently extraordinary. It’s a particularly good option on days when the wind is up along the coast, and it’s also the home of Pawfest every May – Kent’s beloved annual dog festival, which transforms the park into something quite spectacular for a weekend. If you’re visiting around the 9th or 10th of May, make sure you have tickets booked in advance.
Tip: Betteshanger suits all sizes and ages of dog. The more open routes are great for younger dogs with energy to burn; the woodland paths work beautifully for older dogs who want something gentler underfoot.
Sandwich Bay & Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve
Best for: Dogs who love wide open space, wildlife and the smell of saltmarsh | Difficulty: Easy | Distance: Variable
The Sandwich and Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve is a genuinely special place. Its a vast, wild stretch of dunes, saltmarsh, shoreline and chalk cliffs that feels unlike anywhere else on this part of the coast. It’s internationally important for bird life, which does mean some sensible rules apply for dogs. At Sandwich Bay there’s a helpful traffic light zoning system – dogs can be off lead and under control from the car park to Prince’s enclosure, and on lead within the Prince’s enclosure itself. The wider reserve asks that dogs are kept under close control at all times, particularly during nesting season. Stick to the designated routes, follow the signage, and you and your dog will have a wonderful time. The landscape here is breathtaking in any season – wildflowers and orchids in summer, wading birds and occasional seals in winter, and always that particular quality of coastal light that makes you want to stop walking and simply look.
Tip: Check the Kent Wildlife Trust website for current access information before you visit, as seasonal restrictions apply in certain areas to protect ground-nesting birds.
Walmer Seafront Promenade
Best for: Older dogs, small breeds, post-lunch strollers | Difficulty: Very easy | Distance: As short or long as you like
Not every walk needs to be an expedition. Walmer’s seafront promenade is the perfect gentle option – flat, pretty, and entirely at your own pace. The beach stretches alongside, the sea sits wide to the east, and the atmosphere is quiet and unhurried in a way that feels like the best kind of holiday. This is also a lovely starting point for the Deal to Kingsdown coastal walk if you’d prefer to join it mid-route rather than from the town centre.
Tip: Early morning here is magical – the light on the water, virtually no one around, and a dog who has the whole promenade to themselves.
The White Cliffs of Dover to Fan Bay
Best for: Dogs who have already conquered St Margaret’s and want more | Difficulty: Moderate | Distance: Approx 2 miles each way
A short drive from St Margaret’s Bay brings you to the National Trust’s White Cliffs of Dover visitor area, from where you can walk the clifftop path towards Fan Bay and beyond. The views are iconic, the path is well maintained, and dogs on leads are welcome throughout. It’s a slightly busier walk than the St Margaret’s route, particularly in summer, but the scale of the cliffs and the Channel views make it worth it. Fan Bay Deep Shelter, the National Trust’s restored World War Two tunnels, is along the route – worth noting if you’re combining a history visit with a dog walk.
Tip: Keep dogs on leads at all times near the cliff edges. The National Trust car park charges apply — arrive early on summer weekends.
