Northumberland's dog-friendly beaches are boost to tourist trade

Julie Gregory, owner of the award-winning Springhill Farm self-catering cottages and caravan site in Seahouses, says Northumberland has an edge over coastal areas such as Devon and Cornwall because of its more relaxed attitude to "dog tourists".

She said: "If dogs were restricted from the beaches up here I believe we would lose 50% of our guests. We are often told by people that they are very grateful to be able to find high-quality accommodation that accepts pets.

"The beaches here are most certainly an attraction for dog owners. People who discover that for the first time come back because of the beaches and the positive attitude to people with dogs. I am told that many people don't go down to Devon and Cornwall now because they feel alienated if they have a dog.

"Most dog owners who take their pets on holiday are very responsible people and clean up after them on beaches. We certainly believe being do friendly is a positive thing for our business."

Giles Ingram, executive director with Northumberland Tourism, said: "Many visitors appreciate the fact their dog can join them on holiday, and they can walk along our beautiful beaches at any time of the year. Northumberland Tourism sees this as an advantage and something that strengthens our position when people are planning a holiday. We know from talking to quite a few accommodation providers that they see pet-friendly status as something of value. In fact, a few businesses with resident dogs actually attract pet lovers who can't for whatever reason have a dog at home.

"So the visitors come on holiday and adopt the dog during their stay, and enjoy walks with the four-legged companion. For visitors without dogs, it's important to consider how uncrowded our beaches are from Druridge Bay upwards, which means that dogs aren't a nuisance ."

GOOD BEACH GUIDE

Several Northumberland beaches are included in this year's good beach guide published by the Marine Conservation Society.

The Good Beach Guide ratings are divided into the top Recommended (R) which is the highest water quality and good treatment of any continuous sewage discharges.

Next is the Guideline (G) level which denotes good water quality, followed by Pass (P) which meets the EU minimum water quality rating, then fail (F).

North East beach results, with 2010 ratings first and 2008 next, are:

Northumberland: Amble Links, Bamburgh, Seahouses, Beadnell, Low Newton, Warkworth, Druridge Bay north and south, all Recommended in 2010 and 2008.

Spittal near Berwick reached a pass after failing in 2008, and Newbiggin south and Blyth South Beach are recommended, both up from passes in 2008, while Seaton Sluice went from a fail in 2008 to recommended.

In North Tyneside Whitley Bay, Tynemouth Longsands South and King Edward's Bay retained their recommended status.

Cullercoats and Longsands North both improved to guideline from pass. South Tyneside's Sandhaven and Marsden beaches kept their recommended status while at Sunderland Roker retained guideline and Seaburn jumped from fail to recommended.

County Durham and Teesside: Crimdon R (2010) G (2008); Seaham Beach R, P; Seaham Hall R, F; Seaton Carew Centre P, G; Seaton North Gare R. G; Seaton Carew North P, G; Redcar Coatham R,G; Redcar Granville R, P; Redcar Lifeboat R, P: Redcar Stay P, P; Saltburn P, P; Marske R, G.

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