With summer now firmly on the horizon we’re all hopeful of weather good enough for a day at the beach.

However between May and September, restrictions for four-legged family members can be different with many council coastal spots requesting that dogs keep-off the sand and shingle.

Restrictions will vary depending on the part of Kent that you’re in and also the time of day.

Here’s our guide to Kent’s dog friendly beaches and the coastal spots where pets are banned throughout the summer months:

CANTERBURY

On its website, Canterbury City Council says most of its coastline is dog friendly where pets are welcome all year round.

However there are two particular beaches in the district where dogs are not allowed between May 1 and September 30 and these are:

Herne Bay central

From Herne Bay pier heading west to Lane End, dogs are not allowed on the beach between May and September. They must also, says the council, be kept on a lead on the promenade.

Tankerton

Dogs are not allowed on the beach at Tankerton on the area which is level with Pier Avenue West to The Street. Pets must be kept on a lead on the promenade.

THANET

Two areas in the Thanet District – both at Pegwell Bay – can’t have dogs on the beach at any time of the year.

Dogs, however, are welcome all year round on the following Thanet beaches:

Minnis Bay Northern Seawall,

Grenham Bay, Birchington

Epple Bay, Birchington

Fulsom Rock, Margate

Sacketts Gap, Cliftonville

Palm Bay, Cliftonville

Kingsgate Bay, Broadstairs

Dumpton Gap, Broadstairs

Eastcliff, Ramsgate

Western Undercliff, Ramsgate

Dogs must be kept on a lead between 10am and 6pm from May to September in the following places:

Westbrook Bay, Westbrook

Walpole Bay, Cliftonville

Louisa Bay, Broadstairs

But between 10am and 6pm dogs are banned on the following Thanet beaches between May 1 and September 30:

West Bay, Westgate on Sea

St Mildred’s Bay, Westgate on Sea

Botany Bay, Broadstairs

Joss Bay, Broadstairs

Stone Bay, Broadstairs

Between May 1 and September 30 dogs are not allowed on the following beaches:

Ramsgate Main Sands

Viking Bay, Broadstairs

Margate Main Sands

Minnis Bay, Birchington

DOVER

Dogs are banned from some beaches at certain times, says Dover District Council, and owners are also required to keep them on a lead when visiting some seafront promenades.

Here is the council’s guide to the latest restrictions in the district’s most popular coastal spots:

Deal beach

From May 1 to September 30 - between 9am and 6pm - dogs are excluded from the stretch from Deal Castle to Sandown Castle. Dogs on leads are welcome on the pier and on the promenade between the same two points all year round.

Dover beach

Dogs must be on leads all year round on both the promenade and the grassed areas at Dover Seafront. This is from the junction of Union Street roundabout to the roundabout at Jubilee Way and also includes Marine Parade and Granville Gardens.

Between May 1 and September 30, from 9am to 6pm, dogs must stay off the beach at Dover Seafront, Waterloo Crescent and Marine Parade.

Sandwich Bay

Dogs are excluded from the Sandwich Bay mud flats and salt marshes and must be kept on a lead on the Princes Bay Golf Course Dunes Path.

Shakespeare Cliff beach

There are no restrictions at Shakespeare Cliff Beach.

St Margaret's Bay

From May 1 to September 30 no dogs are allowed on the beach from the south west end of the slipway to Ness Point between 9am and 6pm.

Dogs must also be on a lead all year round on the promenade, car park and in any other amenity areas.

Walmer beach

There are no restrictions at Walmer Beach.

SWALE

There are three areas, says Swale District Council, on the Isle of Sheppey were dogs are not allowed between May 1 and September 30.

They are as follows:

Sheerness

The beach, from an imaginary line in the centre point of the Jacob’s Bank headland, eastwards to an imaginary line from the west side of the steps, leading over the sea wall immediately to the east of Sheerness Swimming Pool.

Minster Leas

The beach from the east side of the Playa Public House to the west side of the vehicle ramp leading to the beach opposite the cafe at Sea Side Avenue.

Leysdown

The beach from Stokes Amusements to the west of the beach steps opposite the small roundabout at the seaward end of The Promenade Road, Leysdown.