We have lots to offer dogs and their owners in the Folkestone and Hythe district. The Warren, Reinden Woods at Hawkinge and North Downs Way are just three examples of scenic locations that you can visit with your dog come rain or shine. We’ve put together a dog’s guide to the district, so you and your four-legged friend have the information you need to explore our shores, woodland, and towns safely.
For safety, and to ensure people can enjoy our public spaces, there are certain areas where you are restricted from walking your dog, and areas where dogs are to remain on leads.
Lead only areas
Your dog must be on a lead in:
- All cemeteries
- Promenades and roads alongside beaches where a seasonal dog ban is in place
Here are some common dog walking areas in the district that require dogs to be kept on leads:
Folkestone
- The Leas
- Kingsnorth Gardens
- Cheriton Sports ground
Hawkinge
- The Street football pitches
Lympne
- Village hall playing field
- Trim Trail
New Romney
- St. Martin's Field
- New Romney sports field
- The Flagstaff land
Littlestone
- The Greens
A reminder that dogs are banned from:
- All children's play areas
- Folkestone Harbour fountain
- Bowling greens and tennis courts at Wear Bay Road
Seasonal dog restrictions
The good news is that there is still plenty of our coastline that dogs can explore. Although there are some areas that are restricted you can find out which beaches allow dogs between 1 May to 30 September by visiting the seasonal dog restrictions webpage.
What if you ignore a PSPO?
The Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) (PDF, 2.5MB) legislation is being used to restrict the access of dogs in certain areas. You can find more information in this link to interactive map showing dog restriction areas.
You can be fined:
- £100 on the spot (a Fixed Penalty Notice)
- up to £1,000 if it goes to court
Only owners of guide dogs are exempt.
Dog welfare
In hot weather:
- Provide shade and water for your pet
- Don't walk your dog in extreme weather - check how hot the ground is before venturing out. A good way to test if it's too hot is to see if you can stand on the area barefoot without being uncomfortable
- Don’t leave your dog in a car, conservatory or outbuilding in extreme weather, even with a window down or water provided, they can suffer heat stroke and die within 15 minutes
Always remember to:
- Check your dog’s microchip details so you can be reunited in case you lose each other
- Have a name tag on your dog’s collar with your contact number – it is a legal requirement and it can also save you money and kennel costs if someone calls you instead of us
- Keep your dog on a lead in busy places if his/her recall is not good.
Report it to us
MyAccount allows you to report a variety of dog related issues. If you see someone with a dog off a lead in an area where it shouldn't be you can report it. You can also report dog fouling and full or damaged dog waste bins.
You will need to:
- Log into your MyAccount (or create an account if you don't already have one) to complete the form. MyAccount is an easier and quicker way to interact with us and is available 24/7. If you wish to report it anonymously select the 'Report anonymously' option on the MyAccount log in page.