Category: Dog friendly

A good lead: recommended days out for your dog

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…

Dog friendly attractions in Cornwall

Bringing your dog to the coast is great for all sorts of reasons, the obvious one being the beach – a pup paradise. However, there’s plenty more for you and your four-legged friend to see and do when staying by the sea. When you stay in one of our paw-friendly holiday lets, you can explore all sorts of dog-friendly attractions in Cornwall. From the Eden Project to National Trust gardens, here’s some of our favourites.

Trelissick, Feock

Home to extensive woodland and park trails nudging the River Fal, Trelissick is high on the list of great days out with dogs. With mile-upon-mile of rolling green, woodland trails and a sheltered beach for splashing around, there are plenty of walks to choose from – with a map in the car park so you can choose your terrain and how far you want to roam. Refuel with coffee and cake in the dog-friendly courtyard café, and have a nose in the arts and craft gallery. If you’re feeling energetic and want to explore further, hop on the King Harry Ferry and float over the Roseland Peninsula.

Image credit: National Trust

Eden Project, St Austell

Since Cornwall’s biggest visitor attraction opened its doors to dogs, they can join you on adventures along miles of pathways around the tiered gardens, admire the iconic biomes (from the outside) and join you for treats in the undercover eating area. There are a few ground rules to follow – you will need to keep your dog on a lead, and with you, during your visit (you can’t just tether them to a tree and head inside the biomes). However, if you want to take your dog back to your vehicle for part of your visit, there are car parking spaces with a shelter for dogs, one with a water tap.

Image credit: Matt Jessop via Visit Cornwall

Trebah Garden, Helford Passage

Bound beneath canopies of sub-tropical foliage that tumble to the edge of the Helford Estuary, where there’s a divine sandy beach perfect for picnics, stone skimming and throwing sticks out into the calm waters for dogs to retrieve. Families with dogs will love this natural playground, and back at the top of the valley (through the bamboo jungle and the giant Gunnera passage), the Planters Café and picnic area welcomes dogs. There’s water bowls and complimentary poop bags too.

Train to St Ives

Dogs are welcome on one of the UK’s most scenic train journeys from St Erth to St Ives. During the short journey you won’t be able to peel your eyes from the panoramic seascapes, so make sure you seat yourself on the right hand side of the train on the way out to get the best views. Once you’ve done a twirl of St Ives and had a pasty and ice cream by the harbour, you can follow the South West Coast Path an easy mile back to Carbis Bay, before hopping back onboard the train to your starting point. Or, if you and your pup have the stamina, head west from St Ives and hike the six miles to Zennor, looking out for the legendary mermaid and finishing with a well-deserved pint in the Tinner’s Arms.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek

If you don’t mind keeping your dog on a lead, a day out at the Sea Life Trust’s seal sanctuary is a fascinating day out for families and wildlife lovers. Enjoy pretty walks along the Helford Estuary, pause for picnics with a view, and get up close to all sorts of animals including seals, otters, sea lions, penguins, ponies, goats and sheep. The main purpose of the sanctuary is to rehabilitate seals rescued around the Cornish coastline, and you can witness rescued seal pups dipping and diving their way to recovery, as well as learn what to do if you find a seal stranded on the beach.

Wheal Martyn Museum and Country Park, St Austell

The UK’s only China Clay museum isn’t only home to hands-on exhibits and audio-visual displays delving into Cornwall’s fascinating history. It’s also home to 26 acres of dog-friendly country park, with woodland walks, nature trails and Cornwall’s largest working waterwheel. Once the dog’s been walked and the kids have run off steam on the commando-style assault course, relax for a taste of the county’s local produce served in the Victorian remains of china clay setting tank.

Image credit: Wheal Martyn

Tintagel Castle, Tintagel

Bring your imagination and your dog (on a lead) across the new footbridge to the 13th century ruins of Tintagel Castle, perched on a wave-lashed granite promontory on Cornwall’s north coast. Once you’ve come face-to-face with a bronze sculpture inspired by the legend of King Arthur, it’s impossible not to get swept away by local myths that link Tintagel to his birth. Back on the beach you can hear your echo in Merlin’s Cave and tuck into locally sourced food and drink at the beach café, before following the footpath back to the Arthurian-themed village. If you want to stretch your legs further, strike out along the coast path to the rugged Trebarwith Strand beach.

If you need any more temptation to bring your pup to Cornwall, read our top five reasons to bring your dog on holiday.

To find a beachside retreat at your favourite dog friendly beach, browse our locations and keep an eye on our special offers page for the latest deals and discounts.

Dog friendly places to eat and drink in Cornwall

After a long day of running across beaches, frolicking in the sand and wagging tails, your pup deserves to join you at a laid-back dinner spot by the sea. Enjoy the taste of Cornwall with your four-legged friends at these dog-friendly pubs, restaurants and cafes…

Pizza Jockeys, Newquay

Wet dogs on their way back from frolicking in the waves are welcome in this quirky dog-friendly pizzeria close to Fistral beach. Your fluffy friends can chill out while you wait for some of the finest freshly cooked pizza in Newquay, washed down with a frozen margarita. Eat in if there’s a table free, or take away to Fistral to eat with your toes in the sand.

The Beach Hut, Watergate Bay

Perfectly positioned on the golden sands of Watergate Bay, visitors will be treated with delicious food, mouth-watering cocktails and jaw-dropping views. Pets are welcome at all times throughout the day making this a great hang out for wagging tails after a long walk on the beach. Dine in the evening and you could catch one of the bays famous fiery sunsets. The extensive menu includes Crab Spaghetti,  Prawn and Fish Burger and the popular Beach Hut Burger.

Beach Hut

The Driftwood Spars, St Agnes

Take a breath-taking stroll along the coastal path from Perranporth to Trevaunance Cove, to be greeted by real ales, water bowls and doggie chews served in a snug, historic inn just footsteps from the beach. Gourmet food, a micro brewery and a warm doggie welcome make The Driftwood Spars one of Cornwall’s top hound hangouts, and the perfect spot to sample local ales brewed just across the road. As well as three bars, there is a contemporary restaurant serving the finest seasonal produce from local farms, artisans and fisherman.

Driftwood Spars in St Agnes

The Cornish Arms, St Merryn

A traditional country pub that’s now part of Rick Stein’s stable, The Cornish Arms is the perfect start and end point for a dog walk to Constantine and Booby’s Bay, following the coast path around Trevose lighthouse to Mother Ivey’s Bay and winding back along footpaths and country lanes. In summer bask in the huge beer garden and refuel with wood-fired pizza, and in winter get cosy by the log fire and tuck into one of the best Sunday roasts in the county.

cornish arms

The Port William, Trebarwith Strand

Dogs will love a low-tide meander around the sea caves and sugary sands of Trebarwith Strand. Splash in the rock pools, jump in the waves and ramble east to Hole Beach (only accessible at the lowest stage of the tide), then head to The Port William to sip real ales overlooking the waves, or curl up by the fire and tuck into a legendary Sunday roast and classic pub grub. If it’s high tide and the beach is inaccessible, stretch your legs over the cliffs to Tintagel, and you’ll be rewarded with colourful scenery including sea-lashed castle ruins and historic quarries.

port-william

The Devonport Inn, Kingsand

Situated in a historic, traffic-free village, and yards from the beach, this cosy local pub welcomes dogs and is an ideal resting point after a leg-stretch around the wild Rame Peninsula. Watch boats come and go from Plymouth Sound and enjoy delicious dishes, from ploughmans to Rame Head lobster, served alongside well-kept local ales and a decent selection of wines. The restaurant also provides doggy blankets and treats to ensure your pup gets the five star experience, too.

devonport

Gurnards Head, Nr Zennor

Minutes’ walk from one of the wildest stretches of Cornwall’s coastline, kick off your walking boots, chill out with the dog at your feet and sample Cornish ales, fine wines and a menu packed with produce plucked from the coast and countryside. When you’re fuelled up and ready to hit the coast path again, follow the narrow promontory to find the remains of an Iron Age cliff castle (keep dogs on leads), and then wander alongside the crystal waters of Pendour and Porthglaze coves, searching for a legendary mermaid on your way to quench your thirst in another dog-friendly boozer, The Tinners Arms in Zennor.

gurnards

If you need any more temptation to bring your pup to Cornwall, read our top five reasons to bring your dog on holiday. To find a beachside retreat at your favourite dog friendly beach, browse our locations and keep an eye on our special offers page for the latest deals and discounts.

Dog friendly days out in Cornwall

Cornwall is a holiday destination as much for dogs as it is for their owners. Here’s our guide to the best dog-friendly days out in Cornwall.

If you’re looking to bring your pup on holiday this year, browse our dog-friendly properties.

Lost Gardens of Heligan

Twenty-five years ago, The Lost Gardens of Heligan near St Austell was nothing more than a pile of brambles. Today, Heligan is considered one of the UK’s most loved gardens, by visitors and dogs alike. With 200 acres of pathways and routes to explore, all Heligan asks is that dogs are kept on their leads. Here’s Maisie giving a dog’s eye view of a Heligan walk…

www.heligan.com

Watergate Bay

With no seasonal ban on the two-mile stretch of beach, dogs are welcome year round at Watergate Bay. There are lots of pools, caves and rocks to explore, so it’s literally a doggy playground. Then, when you’re both suitably exhausted, head to The Beach Hut on the beach slipway or The Living Space at Watergate Bay Hotel, where both restaurants accommodate dogs with their own water bowl.

Watergate Bay loves dogs, credit Ashley Lewis and Visit Cornwall
©Ashley Lewis for visit Cornwall

The South West Coastal Path

The South West Coast Path is rated as one of the top walks to be found anywhere in the world. To make it even better, dogs are welcome on the entire 630 mile stretch of coastal routes, which should more than tire you and them out. Read our guide on keeping your dog safe whilst on holiday and hit the path.

www.southwestcoastpath.com

Tremenheere Sculpture Garden

If you can take your eyes of the view over Mount’s Bay and St Michaels Mount, you’ll find landscaped gardens, valleys, woods, and contemporary art installations to explore at Tremenheere near Penzance – a beautiful place to while away the hours. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the gardens, and there is plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy lunch or coffee and cake with your pooch. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor area of Tremenheere Kitchen which serves homemade dishes.

www.tremenheere.co.uk

Eden Project

While dogs aren’t allowed in the indoor Biomes, they are able to explore miles of paths in Eden’s outdoor gardens and visitor centre. There are also former china clay quarry. Here’s Merlin and Ollie, excited about the prospect of exploring the Eden Project.

www.edenproject.com

Search our dog friendly properties and book your stay with Beach Retreats at one of our many beach locations around Cornwall. Keep an eye on our special offers page, too, for the latest discounts and deals.