Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Is your pup a real sea dog? If so, you can’t beat a holiday in Cornwall, where there’s a fabulous choice of dog-friendly beaches. Wherever you’re staying in Cornwall, you’re just a tennis ball’s throw from a beautiful dog beach. We’ve put together a guide to our favourite canine coves and sandy stretches.
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 Easter and September), dogs are restricted on certain beaches. They’re 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’ll recommend Cornish beaches that are dog-friendly all year round (and the list includes some simply stunning places!)
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’s hidden away and reached down steep steps, but once you’re there, you’ll 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).
Doggy days out 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.
The best dog beaches in West Cornwall
If you head west to the Penwith Peninsula, you’ll 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’s also Gwenver Beach at Sennen: gorgeous, but again, watch the tides here.
Favourite dog-friendly beaches in Mount’s Bay
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!
Beaches for dogs near Padstow
You’ve really hit the jackpot if you’re staying in the Padstow area because you’re near the magnificent Harlyn Bay. This sandy beach is super family-friendly as well as allowing dogs all year. There’s good swimming and surfing and it’s 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 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.
Taking your dog to the beach in Newquay
Newquay’s Great Western Beach is close to the centre of town and is a must-visit place if you’re 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.
Popular dog beaches near St Austell, Fowey and Looe
This is great coastal walking country, with a network of inland routes as well as the coast path. If you’re 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’re 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’s 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 for other ideas for dog-friendly days out in Cornwall, take a look at our blog.
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.