If you walk along the seafront in Hove, there are plenty of hounds. It’s a place that clearly embraces the four-legged friend but what about visitors? Hove is a great place to spend a mini break but can you bring your pooch with you, and will they be welcome? We take a look at dog-friendly Hove.
Dogs on the beach
It’s a heartening sight, watching dogs race along the sand and in and out of the waves. Dogs are welcome on the beaches of Hove but there are some restrictions.
Between 1st May and the 30th September, dogs are only permitted on designated dog-friendly beaches. There are four of these in Hove, namely:
- Right on the border of Brighton and in front of Western Road.
- In front of Adelaide Crescent
- In front of Western Lawns and Princes Crescent
- In front of Western Lawns where Kingsway becomes Wharf Road.
At other times of the year, there are no restrictions. You can find a map of dog-friendly beaches here: Dog-friendly beaches
Parks and green space
There are plenty of places to enjoy an early morning or late night potter with your hound. Hove Park has 40 acres to explore. There’s also St Ann’s Well Gardens not far from the seafront with fenced-off areas, a scented garden, and a pond, and Wish Park (AKA Aldrington Recreation Ground ) slightly further west and also near the seafront. Head to the Big Beach Café for coffee afterwards.
Of course, to the north of Hove, you have access to the South Downs. In particular, you might enjoy the Dyke Railway Trail which follows part of the route taken by the old Dyke Railway Branch Line to Devil’s Dyke. It is 2km long and you’ll find the start point just off the Portslade exit of the A27. There’s a car park and when you get to Devil’s Dyke, the pub is dog friendly. Hangleton Manor (not too far from the start point) is also dog friendly.
Dog-friendly places to eat in Hove
As you’d expect, there are quite a few dog-friendly places to eat in Hove. Rockwater on the seafront welcomes dogs (the only restriction is no dogs on the Roof Terrace after 8 pm).
A short walk from the seafront, The Ginger Pig is also dog friendly in the bar area (although you need to let them know in advance). They have been listed as one of the top 10 pubs in the UK by GQ and pride themselves on using Sussex suppliers.
Just up the road from The Ginger Pig, The Connaught also welcome dogs into their bar area and garden (not in the restaurant). A little further back, The Stirling Arms has a great pub vibe and a Mediterranean menu and they also welcome dogs.
Dog-friendly places to stay in Hove
Just a skip and a jump from the seafront, beautifully named The Southern Belle has some gorgeous rooms, some of which are dog friendly, as is their bar. They are in Brunswick Old Town just a short walk from Hove Beach and Hove Lawns. And if it is hotels you’re after, then Seafield House is an elegant Victorian townhouse hotel just 150 meters from the seafront. For self-catering, in Sackville Road not far from the beach and in an area known as Artists Corner, the Boho Chic Apartment, has a small terrace, two bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen. You can find it on Booking.com
Beautiful dogs
If you do find something you want to do in Hove at which your dog isn’t welcome, why not drop them off at one of the many dog grooming parlours so that they can enjoy a pamper while you make the most of your time on the coast? There are salons on Boundary Road (Top Coats, Paws & Claws and Waggie Tails) as well as Two Tails on Marine Avenue, Phoebe & Friends on Nevill Avenue, and Avon’s in Lion Mews.
If you’ve enjoyed this post about dog-friendly Hove, you may also like:
Dog-Friendly Walks in West Sussex
Things To Do In Hove
16 Things To Do In Brighton
You can also find more walks (with dog-friendly pubs on route, in our free magazine):
