From 1 May, dogs are not allowed on the beach at the Hotwalls in Old Portsmouth, or on the area between Southsea Castle and the Royal Marines statue on Eastney Esplanade.
The annual change to the rules is to help keep the beaches clean and safe for beachgoers during summer months. Dog walkers can take their pooches on the lead along the promenade and are being encouraged to explore other scenic spots and open spaces around Portsmouth until the beaches reopen to dogs from 1 October.
A spokesperson from Portsmouth City Council said: “We all love to enjoy the seafront in the summer months, it’s a time when residents and visitors alike head to the beach to swim, sunbathe and socialise. Restricting access for dogs when it’s busier helps us to keep the beaches and water cleaner and safer.
Portsmouth is a city packed with plenty of other places to walk our four-legged friends, and they can come back and enjoy the beaches later in the year.”
Dog owners are also being asked to help keep Portsmouth’s outside spaces clean and safe for everyone who uses them by:
- Always bagging and binning dog mess
- Keeping dogs on a lead when asked to
- Teaching dogs to come when called
- Walking earlier or later in the day, if possible, when it’s less busy
The council are working in other ways to get the seafront ready for the summer and have ensured that mobility ramps are now in place to give step-free access to the beach for those that need it. You can find these ramps near Southsea Beach Café and by the Pyramids.
Top places for a beautiful dog walk in Portsmouth
Portsmouth has a huge number of alternative walking spots for dog owners which include vast open fields, quiet parks, and forested footpaths. There is something to suit everyone’s tastes.
Portsdown Hill
A long chalk ridge looking down over Portsmouth, offering great views to the south over our city, the Solent, Hayling Island and Gosport.
Baffins Pond
A popular trail for running and walking, with beautiful views over the pond.
Hilsea Lines / Foxes Forest
With hundreds of acres of wooded forest to run around, not only a scenic route to walk around, but a hit with the stick lovers.
More information available at: https://www.portsmouth.gov.uk/services/leisure/parks/
