Dog owners face being fined for taking their beloved pooches to the seaside from today.
For the past seven months owners and their mutts have been free to roam beaches across the UK.
From today many UK beaches enact a total or partial dog ban until September 30.
As the weather warms up and sun seekers flock to the beaches, finding space for free roaming hounds and human beach goers can be a little difficult.
The majority of local authorities ban dogs from now until September, but there are some which allow them throughout the year.
The Beach Guide has an extensive list of the country's dog friendly beaches which stretches into the hundreds.
In their number is Holkham beach, which "is a widely recognised as being one of the finest beaches in Norfolk, if not England", the guide claims.
"The beach itself is a vast expanse of unspoilt golden sand which seem to stretch on for ever. In fact it can be a fair stroll to the water’s edge at low tide.
"Even in the summer you will be able to find a peaceful spot at Holkham; in the winter you can usually find a bit of solitude should you desire."
It is definitely worth checking whether your dog is allowed on the beach before you head to the coast.
People who are caught flouting the ban could be hit with a fine of up to £75 under Public Spaces Protection Orders enforced at certain beaches.
If the case goes to court, that fine could rise to £1,000.
You can also be fined for failing to keep your dog on a lead in certain areas and for walking too many dogs at a time.
Guide dogs are exempt from the rules.
A third of households in the country now own a dog after a boom in sales during the coronavirus lockdown.
It is therefore not surprising that our island nation and its many hundreds of miles of coastline has plenty of beaches that are perfect for those with a dog.
A new study analysing beaches across the world via metrics such as Google ratings and reviews, water quality, cleanliness, average summer temperatures and the number of pet-friendly hotels and restaurants in the area, has attempted to find the best.
The dog friendliest beach in the UK Long Sands Beach in Newcastle, which bucks the general trend of coastal areas from the South taking the top ten spots.
Its water is considered very clean, number of dog friendly hotels significant and its average water temperature not too peaky.
The beach, which in part does have some seasonal restrictions on dogs, is a much-painted and photographed spot which was also picked as a location in 2005 sports film Goal.
Harlyn Bay Beach near Newquay takes second place, thanks to a high cleanliness score (7/10) and 107 dog-friendly hotels nearby.
Rounding off the top three is Mexico Towans Beach, located near Penzance and rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, this beach offers 71 pet-friendly hotels in the nearby area.
