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.
Orla Mo

St Ives
Radiating elegance and contemporary chic, Orla Mo has been beautifully created and styled to present the perfect holiday home located right in the hea […]
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 […]
Lantern Loft

St Ives
Lantern loft is a spacious two-bedroom holiday home, perfectly located on the famous Lambeth walk in St Ives, right on the water’s edge with stu […]
Number One – Nanjivey Row

St Ives
Number One – Nanjivey Row is a cosy stone cottage that has been sympathetically restored to ensure it offers modern facilities in a traditional […]
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 […]
St Hilary

St Ives
St Hilary is a beautifully refurbished four-bedroom property with bespoke art and well thought out furnishings. Pets are also welcome at St Hilary whi […]
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 […]
Maranatha

St Ives
Refurbished to an extremely high standard and situated over three floors, Maranatha provides modern and contemporary living while still maintaining it […]
Causeway Bay

Mounts Bay
Modern and contemporary chic, Causeway Bay has been lovingly designed to present the perfect holiday home for families and friends alike. A stylish tw […]
High Noon

St Ives
High Noon is a grand and spacious Victorian Townhouse situated in a convenient elevated position which takes advantage of the spectacular views across […]
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 […]
Breaking Waves

St Ives
Breaking Waves is a charming, traditional, three storey fisherman’s cottage in the heart of Downalong in St Ives. This pet friendly and tasteful […]
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 […]
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 […]
White Surf Cottage

St Ives
White Surf Cottage is a quaint fisherman's cottage in the heart of Downalong in St Ives and sits on the first and second floor above a pottery. Th […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Old Workshop

St Ives
The Old Workshop is a quirky one bedroom, pet friendly holiday home and was formerly a place where fishing nets were repaired. The originality of this […]
The Stables

St Ives
The Stables is the perfect oasis to escape to for a break on the West Coast. This two-bedroom property is located on Corva Farm in a peaceful and rura […]
The Cornwall House

Hayle
The Cornwall House is the perfect retreat to escape to for a holiday on the West Coast. Immaculately and tastefully restored throughout, this three-be […]
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, […]
Primrose Cottage

St Ives
Nestled within Primrose Valley, only a stone’s throw from Porthminster Beach, this stunning picturesque character cottage boasts spectacular sea […]
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 and pet friendly retreat in St Ives. Tara […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Surfside

Hayle
Surfside is a stunning wharf style apartment located in the new North Quay development in Hayle. It has been designed to present the perfect getaway f […]
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 […]
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 […]
Jesse’s Place
Property

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 […]
Sea Echo

St Ives
Sea Echo is a well presented one bedroom ground floor apartment with sea views in a fabulous position to take advantage of the surrounding golden sand […]
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 […]
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. […]
Moonraker

Carbis Bay
Moonraker is a spacious, detached bungalow and a luxurious base for a relaxing seaside holiday in sought-after Carbis Bay. The interior is thoughtful […]
Honeysuckle Cottage

Lelant
Situated on the outskirts of Lelant village, Honeysuckle Cottage is ideally situated. St Ives, with its wonderful beaches, galleries and restaurants, […]
White Waves

St Ives
White Waves is a delightful one bedroom, pet friendly, ground floor apartment situated less than a minute’s walk from the glorious Porthmeor Bea […]
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 […]
Oyster Cottage

St Ives
Oyster Cottage is a delightfully charming and deceptively spacious traditional Cornish cottage situated in the heart of St Ives. Located just seconds […]
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 […]
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 […]