My view is that dogs should be on a lead, unless it's on YOUR private patch of land.

I disagree and think there are plenty of places where a dog can be off lead. I think a thing to do is to keep a watch out for people and to be prepared to put the dog on a lead (proper one, not one of these long things) when you are approaching others (or others approaching you).

We’ve not had a dog in years but I used to like going with mum and taking Misty out for a walk on the N Norfolk coast in my earlier years hee. Misty particularly loved retrieving a ball thrown into the sea for her. Trimingham Beach became a favourite for us as it’s quite close (by car) and was usually very quiet.