Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Is your pup a real sea dog? If so, you cannot beat a holiday in Cornwall, where there’s a fabulous choice of dog-friendly beaches. Wherever you are staying in Cornwall, you’re just a tennis ball’s throw from a canine cove or a beautiful sandy stretch. We have put together a guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall.
A Note about Cornish Beach Dog Restrictions
Before we start, a quick explanation about dog restrictions on Cornish beaches. During the main visitor season (between April and September), dogs are restricted on certain beaches. They are rarely completely prohibited, but are restricted to certain hours or you’re asked to keep them on the lead. Take a look at Cornwall Council’s guide to dog-friendly beaches before popping your pooch into the car (and check the tide times, too).
To avoid confusion, we will recommend Cornish beaches that are dog-friendly all year round (and the list includes some simply stunning places!)
Dog-Friendly Beaches in North Cornwall
North Cornwall is home to dog-friendly beaches aplenty. Beaches with year-round access for your furry friend include Summerleaze beach in Bude, which is a short walk from the town centre, as well as Benoath and Bossiney Coves in Tintagel. Read on for our pick of dog-friendly beaches in St Ives, Padstow, Bude and Newquay.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in St Ives
Our home town of St Ives has world-famous beaches and some of them are super places for a sandy scamper. Bamaluz Beach is a rocky and sandy cove west of the Harbour Beach. It is hidden away and reached down steep steps, but once you are there, you will find one of the friendliest canine communities in Cornwall. Lambeth Walk Beach is east of the harbour and easier to access (but it does vanish at high tide).
Dog-Friendly Beaches near Padstow
You have really hit the jackpot if you are staying in the Padstow area because you are near the magnificent Harlyn Bay. This sandy beach is super family-friendly as well as allowing dogs all year. There is good swimming and surfing and it is lifeguarded in the summer. For a quieter day at the beach, we love Hawkers Cove, a little-known spot at the mouth of the Camel Estuary. Follow the footpath from Padstow if you want to combine your beach trip with a good dog walk.
Bude’s Best Dog-Friendly Beaches
Fancy walkies on the wild side? Sandymouth Beach near Bude is two-miles of sand and pebbles, backed by high cliffs and facing the dramatic Atlantic swell. This National Trust-managed beach is especially lovely in the winter. Surprisingly, Bude’s best-known family beach, Widemouth Bay, allows dogs all year round, provided they keep their paws to the Black Rock and South Beach areas. If you’re walking the coast path around Bude, stop for a break at Millook Haven, a pebbly cove that welcomes dogs all year.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Newquay
Newquay’s Great Western Beach is close to the centre of town and is a must-visit place if you are in Cornwall with kids and dogs. The cliffs shelter it from the wind and there are some fascinating rock pools to explore. If you want a dog-friendly beach with access to facilities, this is one of your best bets. Towan Beach near the harbour also accepts canine visitors all year, as does beautiful Watergate Bay just down the coast.
The Best Dog-Friendly Feaches in West Cornwall
If you head west to the Penwith Peninsula, you will encounter more beaches than your dog can shake a stick at. Portheras Cove (near Pendeen) is worth the scramble, because its pale sands and turquoise sea are almost unbelievably beautiful. Rip currents make Portheras unsuitable for swimming, so if you and your dog fancy a dip, keep driving west to Nanjizal, a popular local bathing beach with crystal-clear water. There is also Gwenver Beach at Sennen: gorgeous, but again, watch the tides here.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Lelant and Hayle
Another locals’ favourite dog beach is Porthkidney in Lelant. This glorious sweep of golden sands is reached down a pathway next to the church and has magnificent views of the Hayle Estuary and St Ives Bay. Just make sure you check the tides, as the sea comes in quickly here. The dog-friendly part of the three-mile-long Hayle Towans is Mexico Towans, also known as Sandy Acres. If you have the sort of dog who needs a lot of exercise, this huge sandy area is perfect.
Favourite Dog-Friendly Beaches in Penzance
Longrock is a large beach between Penzance and Marazion and one of the best places to walk your dog in the area. The views across the water towards the Mount are stunning and there’s always plenty of space to run, swim and play. Further around the bay, there are lots of little coves, including the secluded Prussia Cove. Strike out along the coast path and see which cove takes your fancy!
Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in South Cornwall
For dogs that like to explore and sniff out a secret cove or two, South Cornwall has plenty of dog-friendly beaches to visit. Trefusis beach in Falmouth is accessed by passenger ferry, so is best for dogs that travel well, but it is perfect for a splash. Lankidden Cove in the Lizard requires a 1-mile trek along the South West Coast Path to visit, but for active pups it is a perfect way to expend some energy before reaching the main event.
Popular Dog-Friendly Beaches near St Austell, Fowey and Looe
This is a great coastal walking spot, with a network of inland routes as well as the coast path. If you are visiting the St Austell area, try Par Sands Beach, which is especially good when the tide goes out and leaves sand and puddles to play in. Quiet Hemmick Beach is west of Dodman Point and the perfect place for a picnic if you are hiking in the area. Further east, we recommend Hannafore Beach (always plenty of space and a real sun-trap) and the simply magical Lantic Bay.
Book Your Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottage in Cornwall
And that is just a few of Cornwall’s 150 year-round, dog-friendly beaches! This really is the best place to come on holiday with your four-pawed friend and Cornwall even offers a wider range of dog-friendly attractions if your dog is not too fond of the seaside.
At Cornish Escapes, we have a great selection of luxury dog-friendly holiday cottages in Cornwall. Take a look to see which cottage best suits you and your pooch and book your next dog-friendly Cornwall holiday.