Dog festival creates own beach amid UK pooch ban

A pop-up beach has been created at a festival exclusively for dogs, as a canine beach ban comes into force in many coastal spots across the UK.

Dogstival in Hampshire sees pooches from all over gather in the heart of the New Forest for a weekend of activities and a chance to feel the sand beneath their paws.

Many UK beaches have a seasonal ban on dogs during the summer months, which came into force on 1 May and lasts until 30 September.

Fifteen tonnes of sand and an array of palm trees have been brought in to Burley Park for the event, which organisers described as a "Glastonbury meets Crufts style dog festival".

The festival's director, Richard Nowell, said dogs were the "VIPs" at Dogstival, with everything "dedicated to their enjoyment".

He said: "With so many dogs being fans of the beach, the restrictions that come into place from 1 May can be a real party pooper on four-legged fun.

"It's for this reason we have teamed up with Away Resorts to offer a pop-up holiday resort and beach where all those pesky rules simply do not apply."

The festival will see a beach party disco and a giant foam party for the animals, as well as dog yoga, diving and splash pools, circus acts and street performers.

The event also offers advice for owners, with demonstrations from leading local dog behaviourists.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.