Our Guide to a Dog-Friendly Break in St Ives
Are you thinking about a holiday in Cornwall with your dog? Our local town, St Ives, is super dog-friendly with plenty for you and your pup to enjoy together. To help you plan your holiday, we have put together a guide to staying in St Ives with your four-legged friend.
Book your dog-friendly holiday cottage
First things first: secure your dog-friendly holiday cottage in St Ives. Pet-friendly features include an outdoor space for exercise and essentials as well as a cosy spot near the fire or radiator for nap time. Look out for accommodation with outdoor showers for a post-beach wash down. Some Cornish holiday cottages also offer useful little canine extras like comfy dog beds, stair gates and food bowls.
Plan Your Transport
If you are staying in a village near St Ives such as Lelant or Carbis Bay, you can catch the scenic branch line train into town. This lovely little route provides a regular service between the main line at St Erth and St Ives, and has some of the best scenery on any railway journey in Cornwall.
Alternatively, if you are staying in St Ives but would like to take your dog for a run on glorious Porthkidney beach near Lelant, take the train in the other direction. We have never met a dog that doesn’t love this stunning stretch of sand!
Where is Good for Walkies?
There are lots of fun-filled dog walks in West Cornwall for pups of all shapes and sizes. We love the coast path towards Zennor, which can be a bit scrambly in places but will certainly use up some of that amazing canine energy! When you arrive in the pretty village, there are dog treats (and good beer) waiting at the Tinners Arms. You can either walk back across the fields or catch the bus back into St Ives (take a look at the bus timetables first).
A shorter and easier St Ives dog walk takes you around The Island, the promontory between Porthmeor and Porthgwidden beaches. You will be rewarded with some beautiful views across the sea, sands and town. To find out more about coastal dog walks in Cornwall, take a look at the South West Coast path’s helpful website.
A Coffee Pit-Stop for the Humans
If your dog is anything like the Cornish Escapes pack, they will have worn out their humans by now! You can relax with a coffee at Porthgwidden Beach Cafe which is close to The Island, or have a snack in town at Scoff Troff. Most cafes, shops and galleries in town welcome four-pawed customers (try dog emporium Mary & Ted) so you can enjoy a gentle pootle around St Ives with your pooch.
Prefer a take-away? You can’t beat Yallah on the harbour front for excellent-quality coffee, and we love to take our brew onto Smeaton’s Pier for the fantastic views back towards town. Alternatively, you can drink your coffee on one of Cornwall’s best dog beaches…
Dog-friendly Beaches in St Ives
Just a pebble’s throw from Yallah or Porthgwidden Beach Cafe you will find Bamaluz, a year-round dog-friendly beach. With rockpools to explore, sand to scamper on and surf to paddle in, it is the perfect place to spend time with your pup. At high tide, St Ives has two other all-year dog beaches: Lambeth Walk beach (east of Harbour Beach) and Breakwater Beach, a little-known spot on the far side of Smeaton’s Pier. Both vanish at high tide, so check out the tide times before heading out. It’s also worth bookmarking Cornwall Council’s webpage about seasonal restrictions for dogs on beaches, so you know when and where you can enjoy a paddle together.
Dinner out with your dog in St Ives
After a refreshing shower and a rest in front of the woodburner, it is time to head into town for an evening meal. Many of the bars and restaurants in St Ives welcome well-behaved dogs (expect lots of fuss) and we especially like the Hub St Ives, The Loft and the famous Sloop Inn. If you want your food with a view, the large terrace area at Porthmeor Beach Cafe is a memorable choice.
Dog Days Out in Cornwall
St Ives is an excellent base for your Cornish holiday, and you can bring your dog to attractions, beaches and restaurants across Cornwall (we have written about dog-friendly days out here). From Newlyn Art Gallery to Pendennis Castle, there are lots of fabulous Cornish attractions that welcome dogs.
Dog-Friendly Holiday Accommodation in St Ives
Here at Cornish Escapes, we have a great choice of luxury holiday homes in St Ives, many of which are delighted to take four-pawed guests. Look out for dog-friendly details like cosy wood burners and gardens. If you have any questions about dog-friendly holidays in St Ives, please get in touch with the Cornish Escapes team.