A good lead: recommended days out for your dog
12th September 2023
Body surfing, sea swimming, forays into forests and dune roaming – we asked local dog owners and walkers where they go for dog-friendly walks, swims and games.
Among the trees
Katy, owner of the Natural Cornish Pet Shop, based in St Erth, and Doggy Day Care Cornwall, owner of a Collie x Poodle and Samoyed Puppy.
Tail-wagging fun
“We love Respryn, near Bodmin, as there are so many different routes you can take and – whatever the weather or time of year – there is a suitable footpath. It’s also convenient, located midway through Cornwall so is a perfect stop off on a journey to fit in a walk. You can also take the train to Bodmin Parkway.
“Otherwise, outside of the seasonal dog beach ban, we have St Ives Bay on our doorstep: four miles of sandy beaches and cliffs to walk, meander, run and swim.”
Post-surf pup
Image credit: Natural Cornish Pet Shop
“Both girls are very active and love the water and spending time at the beach or in the summer keeping cool in any forest with a river.
“Artemis, our Collie x Poodle, loves to body surf; she’ll run into the surf, swim out to fetch her ball, and then cruise back to shore using the waves to power her return.”
Water bowl respite
“At Respryn there’s The National Trust Cafe at Lanhydrock just up the road, and closer to home in St Erth we have Birdies Bistro, a fantastic lunch spot and completely dog friendly.”
Splashing about
Lowenna, @cornwalllover on Instagram and Facebook, is often posting updates from her travels around Cornwall accompanied by her black Labrador Luna.
Tail-wagging fun
“Luna’s favourite place to walk is the Gannel in Newquay. She likes to run between the boats at low tide, swim in the estuary at high tide and explore all the nooks around the woodland areas.”
The walk is always different with new highlights each time but water here is really calm, so she can always spot her ball.”
Swimming the Gannel
Image credit: @cornwalllover on Instagram
“She loves anywhere that has water and sticks. She goes wild for wave jumping in the ocean, as well as swimming in the estuary.”
Water bowl respite
“During spring, summer and early autumn, grab a bite to eat at the Fern Pit café, which closes for the winter on 30th October. Their crab sandwiches are famous and the café boasts the best views in town overlooking the Gannel estuary and Crantock beach. Be sure to visit at high tide so you can watch the traffic of kayakers and paddleboarders float by.”
Dog-friendly dunes
Michelle, owner of Muddy Paws Cornwall, dog-walking, pet-sitting service and eco-friendly pet shop, has plenty of experience taking entire packs of dogs out to have fun around Cornwall.
Tail-wagging fun
“Perranporth dunes is so big, there’s lots of room for dogs to chase and play, plus free parking and water. You can also walk all the way down to the beach which at the far end is open all year to dogs. They can run, do lots of playing and even have a swim.”
Larking about on the dunes
Image credit: Muddy Paws Cornwall
Water bowl respite
“Perranporth is also a dog-friendly town which even has an ice cream shop that sells the best doggy ice cream!”
Find places to stay, footsteps from the beach where dogs are warmly welcomed…
