It's the moment dog owners have been waiting for: October 1st heralds the lifting of beach restrictions for dogs for the next seven months, until 1st May.

Boasting some of the finest beaches in the UK, the autumn and winter months are relatively crowd free, proving perfect conditions for dogs (and owners) to roam free.

Here, Norfolk Hideaways, North Norfolk's premier self-catering holiday company, chooses the best places to for four legged friends to stretch their legs, feel the wind in their hair and the sand under their feet.  

And, for those wanting to make a long weekend or holiday out of it, some pet friendly boltholes, too.

Best Known Beach

Holkham

Perennially voted the 'UK's best beach' and the backdrop to many a Hollywood movie or TV drama, Holkham beach offers a vast expanse of unspoilt golden sand which seem to stretch on forever. Flanked by pine trees, Holkham is also a haven for nature with the beach backing onto windswept dunes, salt marshes. Nearby is Holkham Hall, a private estate open to the public year-round.

Where to stay? Two Hoots, Thornham, sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms, price from £416 for a 4 night weekend break or £505 per week. (Please note only November onwards availability) Two Hoots, named after the local owls, is a much loved family holiday home.  Built in the traditional Norfolk style featuring timbers from one of the last ships to sail from King's Lynn and reclaimed Sandringham stable floor tiles.  The cottage is very spacious and presents as a very cosy retreat, complete with a large inglenook fireplace and wood burner.   The gardens are private and the conservatory is a wonderful place to sit and watch the local bird life. To the front of the house you have the wonderful view of the salt marshes, and direct access onto the coastal path.

Best of the Best  

Wells-next-the-Sea

Our favourite beach in North Norfolk, Wells, known for its vast sandy beach and colourful beach huts  joins Holkham beach to form part of the 11 miles of North Norfolk Nature reserve so it's possible to walk for miles and miles, quite undisturbed. Parking is easy and, once you can walk no more, the quainter-than-quaint town and harbour make a lovely change of scenery, with dog friendly pubs and cafes to choose from. Look out for horses, the other four legged friends which gallop along the wave-line most days - Lloyds Bank's current advertising campaign, 'Horse Story' was shot here, too.

Where to stay? Holly Cottage, Wells-next-the-Sea. Sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, price from £388.80 for a short break or £500 per week. There is a 10% discount during October and November. Holly Cottage is situated in a prime location on the leafy Georgian square 'The Buttlands' in the heart of Wells-next-the-Sea, a historic fishing port and popular seaside resort on the north Norfolk coast.  Holly Cottage forms part of a three property renovation including Holly House (Sleeps 8) and Holly Lodge (Sleeps 6).  All three are completely self-contained and have private secure gardens and would make an excellent base for larger groups.  

Best for wild and windswept atmosphere

Brancaster

Miles of unspoilt white sand stretch as far as the eye can see, whilst the odd ship wreck adds even more atmosphere. This is windswept country, one of the most popular spots for kite surfing, kite buggying and of course, wind-through-your-hair dog walking. It's usually quiet, but you do need to check tide times before you go to ensure there's enough sand to walk on.

Where to stay? Guillemot, sleeps 6 plus 2, price from £612 for a 3 night weekend break or £750 per week. A beautifully presented new build property, situated just a few minutes' walk to the beach at Brancaster.  The accommodation is spacious and sunny with French doors to the fully enclosed garden.  The furnishings are of a high quality with comfortable beds and stylish furniture.  There are two bathrooms, an en suite shower room to the master bedroom and a family bathroom with bath and shower over. The Ship public house is close by.  

Best for holiday fun

Hunstanton

Retaining its Blue Flag status once again, Hunstanton (one of 3 UK East coast beaches that face west) is the beach to come to for diversity, with two distinct 'sides': South beach, or the main 'bucket and spade' beach which has all the modern seaside attractions (promenade, fairground and donkey rides etc.) and the less visited North beach, with huge boulders and three tiered cliffs, ideal dog walking territory if you want some time to yourself.  Nearby is Old Hunstanton, totally different in character, originally a fishing village, now a quiet holiday retreat.

Where to stay? Woodford, Old Hunstanton, sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms, price from £1,156 for a 3 night weekend break or £1,430 per week. This beautifully positioned and presented 1930's family holiday home is situated on a private road running adjacent to Hunstanton Golf Course, with direct access to the beach via a footpath.  The light and airy accommodation with fully enclosed garden offers panoramic views over the golf course and sea. The electric AGA in a home-from-home kitchen makes it an extra cosy autumn or winter retreat.

Best for year-round dog walking

Holme Beach

Whilst Holme beach has no dog restrictions at any time of year as North Norfolk's best kept secret and overlooked by adjacent beaches, Hunstanton and Old Hunstanton, Holme beach offers crowd free dog walking year-round. Sandy, with dunes flanking the beach, head to car park at the western end of Holme-next-the-Sea.

Where to stay? Westgate Cottage, sleeps 10 in 5 bedrooms, price from £1,155 per week.Please note, no short breaks available.Westgate Cottage is a beautifully presented traditional cottage situated in a quiet lane within 10 minutes walk to Holme beach.  The accommodation is very spacious, with garden room, a formal sitting room and large dining room and would suit two families or a multi generational gathering.  The woodburning stove makes for cosy evenings.

Best for seclusion

Overstrand

Look east and you'll see Cromer pier. Look west and there's an endless vista of beach and cliff tops. For those looking for a quiet, get-away-from-it-all type of place, Overstrand marks the start of the coastal circular walk, so is a magnet for walkers - and their dogs.

Where to stay? The Crabpot, Overstrand, sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, GOLD star property. Price from £472 for a 3 night weekend break or £525 per week. The Crabpot is a newly refurbished bungalow, immaculately and luxuriously presented, situated in a quiet cul de sac just a five minute walk to the beautiful beach at Overstrand. You can hear the sea from the garden when the tide is high. Overstrand is 2 miles from Cromer and was known in Victorian times as the Village of Millionaires and was a favourite haunt of Sir Winston Churchill.   The property is equipped to a high standard with brand new kitchen, bathroom and floorings.  The sitting room is light with views over the pretty gardens.  The sunny conservatory to the front is a perfect place to sit and read.

For more holiday cottage information visit www.norfolkhideaways.co.uk. Follow on Twitter

@NorfolkHideaway. Tel: 01485 211022.

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Media contact

To request hi-res images, for further information or to arrange a press trip, please contact Rebecca Scrase, Norfolk Hideways PR, T. 01449 677033 M. 07985 973973 or by e-mail: rebecca@rebeccascrasepr.com    

Note to Editors

Norfolk Hideaways has nearly 280 one to eight bedroom properties along the spectacular North Norfolk coast and up to 5 miles inland. With a portfolio stretching from Old Hunstanton in the east to Cromer in the west, it specialises in self-catering holiday cottages between Heacham and Mundesley.  Norfolk Hideaways was founded in 2009 by Hetti Simpson.