Beautiful UK beaches popular with tourists introduce new £100 fines - rules explained

Several beaches in east Devon will become subject to new rules (Image: GETTY)

Beaches on a famously beautiful stretch of the UK coastline will now be subject to strict new rules that could land people with £100 fines. East Devon is home to some of the country's most unique seaside towns, with multiple major seaside towns like Exmouth, Sidmouth, Branscombe and Beer lying inside local borders.

Each of those beaches was chosen alongside 78 other UK locations to receive the Blue Flag in 2023. The world-renowned awards recognise - among others - high standards when it comes to environmental, educational and safety quality.

But people visiting any of these beaches will have to keep a raft of new rules in mind that, if broken, could prove costly.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) has introduced rules that could limit how some dog walkers experience local beaches.

While most beaches in the area are dog-friendly, EDDC has introduced a raft of new dog-specific restrictions for three East Devon beaches.

The new rules will primarily restrain dog owners (Image: GETTY)

The new restrictions affect Jacobs Ladder beach, Beer beach, and Seaton beach walkway, three popular spots in the area.

While the rules have been altered for each of those locations, they differ by the beach, and not all of them are negatives for dog owners.

The new rules include:

- Designated on-lead areas for Jacobs Ladder beach, with dogs allowed off-lead elsewhere all year

- A seasonal dog exclusion area between Jacobs Ladder and the access ramp opposite Sidmouth Sailing and Sea Angling Club

- Dogs allowed off-lead all year on Beer beach's eastern section

- Dogs required to be on lead year-round on the walkway between Castle Hill and Trevelyan Road

- Dogs required to be on lead along the esplanades of all beaches in Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton

The fine for breaching any of the rules listed above has been increased, with the council now requiring people to pay £100 for an infraction.

Councillor Geoff Jung, the coast, country and environment portfolio holder for EDDC, said the council reviews the rules every three years and reminded people to clean up after their pets.

He also reminded beachgoers that not everyone shares the same attitudes towards dogs, adding: "Please remember not everyone loves dogs."