Dog-friendly Cornwall: Our Guide to Cornish Holidays with Your Furry Friend
Are you bringing your dog on holiday to Cornwall? Great idea! Cornwall is a wonderfully dog-friendly holiday destination and you’ll find lots of fabulous things to do together.
Here’s our guide to some of the best places in Cornwall to visit with your dog.
The best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall
If your dog loves nothing better than a scamper across the sands and a paddle in the shallows, you’ve come to the right place. Cornwall has lots of dog-friendly beaches that you’ll love exploring together. Quite a few Cornish beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, but this doesn’t mean that your pet isn’t allowed to enjoy them – they simply need to stick to certain hours. Bookmark Cornwall Council’s guide to dogs on beaches so you have a handy reference.
Some beaches are dog friendly all day and all year round. Our favourites include Bamaluz Beach in St Ives, Harlyn Bay near Padstow and Holywell Bay near Newquay. Porthkidney in Lelant is an excellent place for lead-free exercise (just watch the tide times).
Dog-friendly days out
There are plenty of dog-friendly visitor attractions in Cornwall, from gardens to galleries. Yes, you and your pooch can even enjoy art together in Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange in Penzance. However, your canine companion may just prefer exploring the outdoor art installations at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens or The Lost Gardens of Heligan.
If your pet is a real sea dog, they’re welcome to join you on board the Jubilee Queen for a cruise around the waters near Padstow. However, landlubber pups might like to stick to a ride on board an old steam train at Lappa Valley. Wheal Martyn china clay museum near St Austell welcomes dogs, as does the Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek. You’ll find more ideas for doggy days out in our guide to Cornish dog-friendly visitor attractions.
Our favourite dog walks in Cornwall
The excellent South West Coast Path gives you plenty of options for walkies and you can search on their website for the best dog walks near you. Marazion to Perranuthnoe is a lovely coastal dog walk, with coves along the way for a quick paddle and a stop-off at the Victoria Inn (they keep dog treats behind the bar…). Way out west, Chapel Carn Brea and Bartinney nature reserve are beautiful places for a dog walk (but please keep your pooch on the lead).
If you love a woodland walk, Cardinham Woods near Bodmin has a choice of pretty trails and a dog-friendly cafe, or explore the wooded estate at Lanhydrock with your dog. Trevaylor Woods outside Penzance is a popular spot among local dog walkers, with shady trees and a cooling stream that make it the perfect retreat on a hot day.
Dog’s dinner? Try these friendly bars and restaurants
Many of our local pubs, cafes and restaurants not only welcome dogs, they make a massive fuss of them. Our local town, St Ives, is a particularly dog-friendly place to eat. It’s always worth phoning or emailing ahead to double-check and some places have dedicated doggy spaces or tables.
If you love popping into a cosy pub with your pet, try Rick Stein’s Cornish Arms near Padstow, the Ship Inn or Old Coastguard in Mousehole or the Mexico Inn near Penzance. The Badger Inn in Lelant is another good spot and is close to Porthkidney beach for a post-lunch run.
Visiting Cornwall with a dog: Good to Know
As well as dog-friendly beaches and bars, what else do you need to know if you’re bringing your canine to Cornwall?
For supplies, there are lots of lovely independent pet shops in Cornwall, as well as branches of Pets At Home in Penzance, Truro, Falmouth and Camborne. Is your pooch in need of a holiday pamper? Try Rocky’s Pet Shop and Grooming Lounge in St Ives, Lew’s Grooming Studio in Pool or Just Pet Care in St Just.
If you want to spend a day at an attraction that doesn’t accept dogs, there’s a welcoming doggy day care centre at Pawfect Stays (St Erth, near Hayle).
But what if your dog becomes poorly on your holiday? Contact your usual vet to start with, who should be able to recommend a vet close to your Cornish holiday cottage. It can be best to plan ahead and ask your vet’s advice before heading off on your hols.
Find your dog-friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall
Here at Cornish Escapes, we have a selection of luxury dog-friendly cottages in Cornwall. Look out for dog-friendly features like fireside rugs, dog beds and enclosed gardens. We know that your canine companion is going to love it here!