The Best Dog Friendly Attractions in Cornwall
Cornwall is a great holiday destination for dogs. Some of Cornwall’s best visitor attractions welcome dogs and there are plenty of lovely beaches to scamper along. There is a wonderful choice of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Cornwall, as well as places to eat and drink.
Take a look at our guide to dog-friendly Cornwall.
Dog-Friendly Visitor Attractions in Cornwall
Fancy a day out? Happily, there are plenty of dog-friendly attractions in Cornwall where your four-footed friend will be more than welcome.
If your pooch likes a bit of culture, take them along to Newlyn Art Gallery and its sister venue, The Exchange in Penzance. Occasionally, dogs may be asked not to visit certain exhibitions (imagine: dogs and complex floor-level art installations); however, well-behaved dogs are usually welcome in most areas.
Dogs are allowed at many of the attractions at Newquay’s Lappa Valley, including the train ride for a small fee. Also near Newquay, your (leashed) pup can join you at Healey’s Cyder Farm. Dogs are not allowed in the production areas, but are welcome in most other parts of the site, including the restaurant.
We all love a boat trip and salty dogs can come on board the Jubilee Queen, which sails from Padstow. The fresh tang of the sea, a drink from the bar, your companion at your feet… Perfect.
Back on dry land, your pooch can join you at the fascinating Pendennis Castle in Falmouth. They can even go inside most of the buildings: just please make sure they are leashed.
Unusually for a wildlife attraction, the Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek allows dogs, provided they are kept on a lead.
Our Favourite Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Which Cornish beaches are dog friendly? Many council-run beaches allow dogs at certain times of day and have an annual “timetable”, which can get a bit complicated. If you are ever unsure, check Cornwall Council’s guide to dog beach regulations.
To make things easy, our recommendations are for year-round dog beaches with no restrictions.
In St Ives, lovely Bamaluz is a popular spot and you’ll always find other friendly pet parents to chat with. Lambeth Walk (around the back of the lifeboat house) is another dog-friendly beach in St Ives and at low tide you can enjoy Breakwater beach together.
Head east along the Carbis Bay road and you will come to pretty Lelant. Park somewhere in the village and find the path that runs alongside the church. This leads to Porthkidney, which is without doubt the best place ever for a sandy scamper. Just watch the tides and remember it’s not a swimming beach.
Across the peninsula in Penzance, head for the locals’ favourite beach, Long Rock. This sweeping stretch of sand is between Marazion and Penzance, so as you can imagine the sea views across to St Michael’s Mount are spectacular. There is a small car park above the beach.
One of the best family beaches in Cornwall is on the north coast near Padstow. Harlyn Bay is perfect for dogs as well as kids, with good swimming, lots of fascinating rock pools and facilities including parking and a cafe. It is also lifeguarded in the summer. Holywell Bay near Newquay is another excellent kids-and-dogs beach.
Cornish Gardens That Welcome Dogs
Cornwall has more than its share of beautiful gardens – but which ones welcome dogs? Trebah Garden outside Falmouth has long had a reputation for being super dog-friendly. These sub-tropical gardens have plenty of paths to explore, which you’ll both love. Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens near Penzance is another favourite place for a dog walk and as a real bonus, there is a lovely dog-friendly terrace outside the cafe.
The Eden Project allows dogs in its outdoor areas but not in the biomes (humans may have to take it in turns). However, Eden’s outside space is vast and your dog will love exploring its many paths with you. There are also plenty of outdoor dining areas.
Eden’s sister attraction, The Lost Gardens Of Heligan is one of the best places for a dog walk in the area. Please keep your pet on the lead, as Heligan is home to wildlife, livestock and poultry.
The Best Dog Walks in Cornwall
If you and your dog love a long walk together, choose a section of the magnificent South West Coast Path. There is a helpful page about dog walking on their website. National Trust-managed Godolphin Hill (near Helston) is another favourite spot for a good stank (Cornish for “brisk walk”). Please watch out for cattle and keep your pooch on the lead.
How about a bit of forest bathing? Cardinham Woods near Bodmin is so dog-friendly that they even have a self-service dog wash. There’s also Bodmin Moor itself, but please read the restrictions first as animals graze on the wild moorland.
If you want to combine a really good walk with some local history, head for the china clay museum near St Austell. Wheal Martyn has a network of paths as well as a dog-friendly cafe.
Cornwall’s Dog-Friendly Pubs and Restaurants
Cornwall has too many dog-friendly restaurants, cafes and pubs to choose from! It is always worth phoning or emailing ahead to ask, as many places have dog-friendly areas (and some even have jars of treats behind the bar…)
They’ll always make a fuss of your dog in Hub St Ives and Moomaid St Ives is another welcoming spot in the town. Near Penzance, The Mexico Inn welcomes dogs on a lead in both the bar and restaurant areas and it’s just a tennis ball’s throw from dog-friendly Long Rock beach.
In Gwithian near Hayle, the sandy garden at the Rockpool Beach Cafe is perfect for pooches. The Mousehole Deli & Kitchen is so pet-friendly, they even have a menu for dogs, including pasties.
Further up the coast, celebrity chef and famous dog lover Rick Stein’s St Merryn pub The Cornish Arms, is an excellent place for great food in the company of your furry companion. And really, how could Launceston’s The Springer Spaniel be anything other than dog friendly?
Book Your Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottage In Cornwall.
Are you planning a Cornish holiday with your dog? We have a wonderful choice of dog-friendly cottages in Cornwall. To find out more about dog-friendly self-catering in Cornwall, please contact us at Cornish Escapes.
St Ives House
St Ives
St Ives House is a stunning three-bedroom townhouse located right on the Harbour front, with off-site parking for one car. Walk out of your front door […]
64 Una
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Carbis Bay
64 Una presents a detached, contemporary style lodge located in the tranquil Una Resort and Spa grounds. With the added luxury of family passes to acc […]
Island Wastrel
St Ives
Island Wastrel is a magical sub-tropical oasis perched on the shoreline of Porthgwidden Beach in the heart of St Ives. Island Wastrel offers a cool, […]
Benjamin’s Bolthole
St Ives
This cottage has been lovingly restored to offer a comfortable home from home for your Cornish adventure with your four legged canine friend. Primely […]
Number Four – Piran View
Padstow
Number Four – Piran View is a stunning Luxury Lodge located in Padstow Holiday Village, a mile from the centre of Padstow. It has been designed […]
The Shepherd’s Hut
Nestled in the quaint parish of Morvah, with on-site parking for one car and glorious views, this bespoke-made Shepherd’s Hut is the perfect esc […]
Heatherleigh
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Carbis Bay
On the seaward side of Carbis Bay, perched up on the coastline. Heatherleigh presents the perfect blend of interior design and comfort. Showcasing an […]
Tiddles
St Ives
Tucked away on one of St Ives' quieter little streets is Tiddles. This compact and charming one-bedroom, dog-friendly holiday home has off-site pa […]
The Shambles
Imagine waking up to the gentle sounds of the seaside village of Port Isaac coming alive. The Shambles, a charming dog-friendly cottage, is tucked awa […]
Will’s Rock
St Ives
Will’s Rock is a beautifully refurbished first floor, three storey apartment in central St Ives. Enjoying wonderful views from the master bedroo […]
The Boathouse
St Ives
This quirky holiday home started its life as a pilchard cellar before becoming the renowned Boathouse Theatre. Now tastefully restored to an extremely […]
Chi Lowen
Carbis Bay
Chi Lowen, meaning House of Joy, has been refurbished to provide contemporary spacious accommodation for eight people. Arranged over two floors with o […]
Whistler’s Rest
St Ives
Whistler’s Rest is a beautiful and cosy stone cottage overlooking the moors within a short five minute drive of St Ives town, restaurants, galle […]
Tregarth
St Ives
Tregarth is an impressive three-story townhouse that has been tastefully decorated throughout and provides accommodation for up to ten guests. Located […]
Honeysuckle Cottage
Lelant
Situated on the outskirts of Lelant village, Honeysuckle Cottage is ideally situated. St Ives, with its wonderful beaches, galleries and restaurants, […]
Breaking Waves
St Ives
Breaking Waves is a charming, traditional, three storey fisherman’s cottage in the heart of Downalong in St Ives. This dog friendly and tasteful […]
Sea Scapes
St Ives
Chy Kensa Apartments presents Sea Scapes a recently refurbished fabulous contemporary one bedroom apartment with open plan living room with fantastic […]
21 Carthew Court
St Ives
21 Carthew Court is a modern one bedroom apartment located minutes from the Tate Gallery and Porthmeor Surfing Beach in St Ives. Being only a short di […]
Mariner’s Belle
St Ives
Believed to have once been a net loft, Mariner’s Belle is a charming ground floor apartment situated in the heart of popular Downalong, St Ives. […]
Blue Water
St Ives
Blue Water has been lovingly designed to present the perfect holiday home for families or friends alike. A stylish three-bedroom, two-bathroom terrace […]
Ocean Aura
Carbis Bay
Ocean Aura is a lovely single-level retreat only a short walk from Carbis Bay's golden sands. Take advantage of the on-site parking, including an […]
Jack’s Corner
St Ives
Boutique hotel quality and with spectacular sea views across Porthminster beach and St Ives Bay, Jack’s Corner is a reverse level holiday home s […]
Dowran
Hayle
Dowran is the perfect retreat to escape to for a holiday on the West Coast. Immaculately and tastefully restored throughout, this two-bedroom dog-frie […]
Burrow Cottage
St Ives
This charming, luxury cottage is situated in the heart of St Ives – Downalong. Although Burrow Cottage has been refurbished to an extremely high stand […]
Primrose Cottage
St Ives
Nestled within Primrose Valley, only a stone’s throw from Porthminster Beach, this stunning picturesque character cottage boasts spectacular sea […]
Picture House
St Ives
Picture House is the perfect bolthole for friends and family alike. St Ives has always been a mecca for art lovers and Picture House lives up to that […]
Curlew Cottage
Lelant
Curlew Cottage is a gorgeous two-bedroom cottage situated in Lelant, a charming village on the main road to Carbis Bay and St Ives. This beautifully d […]
She Sells Sanctuary
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St Ives
Follow the colourful stripped carpet to the ground floor and step into the cosy living area. Creating a unique ambience through reclaimed boatyard lig […]
Stone’s Throw
St Ives
The spacious living room is lovingly furnished with large comfy L-shaped sofa, tub chair, Smart TV, DVD player and HiFi, along with lots of games, boo […]
Number One Peninsula
St Ives
Number One Peninsula is a prestigious apartment perched right above the idyllic Porthminster Beach, offering a luxurious escape for a family of four a […]
Del Mar
St Ives
Del Mar is a gorgeous, contemporary, and spacious three-storey Town House with stunning sea views towards St Ives Bay and Porthminster beach, which ca […]
Merlins
Lelant
Merlins is a beautifully presented modern five bedroom house with parking for two cars. A short walk from the beautiful and often deserted mile long s […]
Alba
St Ives
Alba is a modern, two-bedroom, first floor apartment with striking partial sea views over the glorious Blue Flag Porthmeor Beach with its golden sands […]
Artist Cottage
St Ives
Artist Cottage is a quintessential former fisherman’s cottage and net loft situated on one of St Ives’ most iconic pedestrian only streets […]
Drop Anchor
St Ives
Located in the popular Downalong area, Drop Anchor is a traditional fisherman’s cottage in the heart of St Ives. Sleeping six guests and only a […]
Sea Shells
St Ives
Sea Shells offers a bright and well-appointed first floor apartment with onsite parking for one car and just a short stroll to the beautiful Porthmins […]
Tara
St Ives
Tara is an individual, architect designed contemporary house that is the perfect location for a large family retreat in St Ives. Tara has six bedrooms […]
Chy an Pol
St Ives
Immerse yourself in this three-storey dog-friendly Cornish home away from home, and unwind in the sizeable outdoor area with views across St Ives Bay. […]
St Hilary
St Ives
St Hilary is situated in a popular yet quiet residential area in the heart of St Ives, just a short stroll away from the golden sandy beaches, St Ives […]
Captain’s Rest
St Ives
Boasting its ocean views, Captain’s Rest showcases an open plan, contemporary, two-bedroom apartment overlooking the iconic town of St Ives. Flo […]
Carvean
Carbis Bay
Escape the hustle and bustle of St Ives and unwind in idyllic and peaceful Carbis Bay. Located just a short five-minute drive from the heart of St Ive […]
Floyd’s
St Ives
Located on ever-popular Bedford Road, you will find the charming and spacious four bedroom holiday home, Floyd’s. With off-site parking, Floyd&# […]
Maranatha
St Ives
Refurbished to an extremely high standard and situated over three floors, Maranatha provides modern and contemporary living while still maintaining it […]
Little Burrows
St Ives
This one bedroom studio apartment is the ideal getaway for couples, situated in the Downalong area of St Ives. Surrounded by the gorgeous beaches, ind […]
Jesse’s Place
St Ives
A beautiful first floor, two storey contemporary apartment enjoying stunning sea views across Porthmeor beach and out to sea. The property has been ex […]
Shrimp Cottage
St Ives
Shrimp Cottage is a gorgeous recently refurbished Grade II listed fisherman’s cottage situated in the heart of St Ives with four bedrooms and we […]
Ivy Mount
Offer
Lelant
Ivy Mount offers the perfect family staycation in the heart of a charming Cornish coastal village. With a large, secure garden, it’s an ideal sp […]
Ocean Air
Carbis Bay
Situated in the idyllic and peaceful location of Carbis Bay, Ocean Air offers gorgeous sea views towards St Ives harbour, Godrevy Lighthouse and beyon […]
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