The Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall’s reputation for world-class beaches precedes it, but a seaside trip is not complete without our furry friends. Let’s take stock of the best spots to explore on two and four legs this summer! Coastal walks on long stretches of beautiful beach are one of life’s great pleasures — and they’re even better with our beloved canine companions.

The Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall is a haven for dog owners, offering a stunning array of beaches that cater to both dogs and their owners. From rugged coastlines to sandy stretches, Cornwall’s beaches provide ample space for dogs to explore, run, and relax. Whether you’re looking to spend a day at the beach or enjoy a long coastal walk, Cornwall is the perfect destination for a Cornish dog-friendly getaway.

The best dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall

Cornwall is undoubtedly one of the UK’s premier hotspots for beach fun and long walks. If, like many, you’re keen to bring the most important family members — the ones on four legs — then it’s important to know where is best, where it’s allowed, and what will keep your furry friends happy.

In a region that’s blessed with so many incredible pro-pup beaches, it’s impossible to be exhaustive, but take a look over a few of our top tips and recommendations…

Daymer Bay –  walks, woofs and lots of places to play

Daymer Bay offers a wide sandy beach, perfect for dogs to enjoy long runs and walks along the shore. With a great beach, dunes, and a lovely circular walk, Daymer Bay is an ideal dog-friendly beach day.

How to Get There

Daymer Bay is located near Rock, easily accessible via the A39. There is parking available at the beach, and it’s a short drive from nearby towns such as Wadebridge and Newquay. Follow the road past St. Enodoc Church, and you’ll be able to access the beach via the sand dunes — a fantastic place for your dog to frolic in the sand and stretch their legs!

Beach Facilities

Daymer Bay has ample parking, dog waste bins, and easy access for dogs to roam freely. The area is known for its calm and relaxed vibe, with plenty of space for your dog to play. The beach also boasts a river where your dog can cool down, even when the tide is far out. For the best views across Camel Estuary, tackle Brae Hill — it’s a steep climb, but the rewarding view is well worth it!

Best Time to Visit

The great news is Daymer is dog friendly all year round and walkable at low tide. The beach can get busier in summer, so aim for early mornings or evenings to enjoy a quieter time with your dog.

Mawgan Porth — for Blue Flag heaven & iconic Cornish coastline landscapes

You’re going to be hard pressed to find a more immaculate, unspoiled backdrop for your canine coastal capers than Mawgan Porth. With its rugged cliffs, golden sandy beach, and lovely village at its doorstep, this beach even holds Blue Flag status for its water quality, cleanliness, and facilities.

Whether you’re enjoying the beach itself or exploring the South West Coast Path, you can make your day your own. Head to the National Trust’s Bedruthan Steps (be prepared to carry your pups down!), or venture the other direction to discover the peaceful Beacon Cove.

How to Get There

Mawgan Porth is easily accessible via the A3059, with parking available close to the beach. It’s also just a short drive from Newquay and other coastal towns.

Beach Facilities

Mawgan Porth offers parking, waste bins, and a dog-friendly café for refreshments with your pet. It’s a quiet, spacious spot that’s perfect for dogs to explore. For refreshments, a visit to the dog-friendly Merrymoor Inn in the adjoining seaside village of St. Mawgan is highly recommended. If you’re staying at our very own Sun Haven Holiday Park, Mawgan Porth’s beautiful sands are a must-visit for four-legged family members.

Best Time to Visit

Mawgan Porth beach is a year-round haven for dogs and is conveniently located on the South West Coast Path, making it perfect for dog walks! While it tends to be quieter than other beaches, it’s particularly peaceful in spring and autumn, offering an ideal setting for a relaxed outing with your dog.

Rock Beach — a stunning, bustling beach with ample opportunities for harbour town fun

Rock Beach offers sweeping views across the Camel Estuary, making it a lovely spot for a beach day with your dog. Located near Daymer Bay, it’s a dog walker’s paradise, with plenty of space for your four-legged friend to explore. At low tide, the sandy shores of Rock and Daymer Bay even connect, creating the perfect opportunity for a scenic seaside stroll near Padstow Holiday Village.

How to Get There

Rock Beach is easily accessible from the A39, with parking available nearby. Alternatively, a ferry service crosses the Camel Estuary from Padstow to Rock, providing a charming way to reach the beach.

Beach Facilities

Rock Beach has parking, dog waste bins, and a variety of dog-friendly cafés where you can relax with your pet. The area offers plenty of room for dogs to enjoy the sandy beach and cool water. 

For a truly special experience, take the dog-friendly ferry that regularly crosses the River Camel, offering a unique way to enjoy the historic harbour and streets of Padstow. Nearby, pet-friendly restaurants like The Mariners and The Rock Inn are perfect spots for a meal with your furry companion.

Best Time to Visit

The choice is endless for you and your four-legged friend, as Rock welcomes dogs year-round. To experience Rock at its best, visit early in the morning during the summer to avoid the crowds. For a quieter, more peaceful experience, spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit Rock Beach with your dog.

Port Gaverne — sandy walks, clifftop views, harbour village vibes and a perfect pint

A neighbour to the more well-known Port Isaac, Port Gaverne is a peaceful, secluded beach that offers an ideal backdrop for a relaxed day out with your dog year round. This stunning and sheltered cove is perfect for low tide sandy walks, with the opportunity for pets to enjoy a cooling rock pool splash. After taking in the sands, you can explore one of the many nearby coastal paths.

How to Get There

Port Gaverne is accessible from the A39, located close to Port Isaac. Parking is available, though it can be limited during peak season.

Beach Facilities

Port Gaverne is a quieter beach with parking, waste bins, and dog-friendly cafés. Its calm, sheltered atmosphere makes it a great spot to enjoy with your dog.

For an unforgettable experience, try the circular walk starting at Port Gaverne, which takes you through Port Isaac. This scenic route offers unbeatable views of the valley and the chance to soak in the charm of the quintessential North Cornwall harbour village. If you’re ready for a break, stop at the Port Gaverne Hotel for a refreshing drink or some delicious food, with outdoor seating so your furry friend can relax too.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Port Gaverne, when the beach is quieter and the weather is still lovely. However, as it welcomes dogs year round, the options are endless.

Sandymouth Beach — a pro-pup National Trust gem without the crowds of Bude

It’s worth checking the tide times before visiting Sandymouth Beach. At high tide, the beach can be quite pebbly, which isn’t great for paws. However, once the tide recedes, you’re rewarded with vast expanses of beautiful, dog-friendly sand, perfect for your four-legged friend to run along and explore the cliffs.

How to Get There

Located near Bude, Sandymouth Beach is easily accessible via the A39. Parking is available on-site, and the beach is well signposted.

Beach Facilities

As a National Trust site, Sandymouth Beach offers seasonal lifeguard support, parking, waste bins, and well-maintained walking trails with beautiful coastal views for the whole family. 

Best Time to Visit

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sandymouth welcomes under-control dogs to its sands year-round, being a National Trust site. When the beach is exposed, it stretches out to connect with those further along at Bude. It’s less crowded than other popular hotspots, especially around mid and low tide, making it ideal for a fun walk with your dog. The beach is backed by steep, stunning cliffs, with areas of interest like waterfalls and rock pools — perfect for a canine splash and cool down. Keep an eye out for the shipwreck near Menachurch Point as you head south.

In summer, you’ll also find a lovely little café, perfect for a mid-adventure pitstop

Crantock Beach — year-round doggo fun & unbeatable walkies opportunities

Crantock Beach is a large, sandy stretch near Newquay, offering stunning views and plenty of space for dogs to explore. A beautiful, wide beach with easy access and backed by dunes, it’s ideal for long, salty sea walks.

How to Get There

Crantock Beach is easily accessible from Newquay, either by car or by walking over the bridge from the town centre. Parking is available nearby.

Beach Facilities

Cared for by the National Trust, Crantock Beach offers parking, waste bins, and a café where you and your dog can relax after a walk. The beach is large enough to accommodate both families and dog walkers without feeling crowded. Please note, parking charges apply unless you’re a National Trust member, and payments are cash only.

Best Time to Visit

The National Trust-owned beach has no dog restrictions and features many footpaths to explore. It’s especially recommended to visit at low tide when the sea retreats, revealing more sand for dogs to run on. We love summer! Just two miles from Crantock, you can wander through the charming village before heading to the coast to soak up the sights and sunshine. The beach is popular with surfers, so your dog will have plenty of space to roam while most people are in the water, not on the sand. There are no restrictions for dogs here, but be sure to keep an eye out for cliff edges and grazing livestock.

For those looking to stretch their legs even further, there’s a fantastic four-mile walk (around 1.5 hours) from Crantock to Holywell Bay, passing Pentire Point, The Holy Well, and Kelsey Head. After your walk, stop for a well-earned refreshment—who can say no to a post-walk ice cream or a cup of tea?

South Cornwall: The Best Dog Friendly Beaches

South Cornwall is home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the region, offering the perfect combination of coastal beauty and dog-friendly spaces. Whether you’re visiting the quiet beaches of Looe or the stunning sands of the Gwithian Towans, you’re sure to find a spot that you and your dog will love.

Hannafore Beach – Looe’s local dog friendly beach

Looe is a delightful Cornish town, home to several dog-friendly beaches, including Hannafore Beach in West Looe, which welcomes dogs all year round. While dogs are not allowed on the main Looe Beach, Hannafore offers a wonderful alternative for you and your pup to enjoy the rock pools, sea breeze and stunning views. 

How to Get There:

Looe, the town Hannafore beach belongs to, is easily accessible from the A38 by car, or you can catch a train from Liskeard. You’re welcome to bring up to two dogs per person on the train, as long as they are on a lead, and there’s no charge or need to book. Bus services also connect Looe to other parts of Cornwall.

Accessibility Options:

Hannafore Beach is accessible to all, including those with mobility issues. The beach features a ramp, steps, and a level walkway, as well as disabled toilets, ensuring everyone can enjoy the breathtaking coastline.

Beach Facilities:

Hannafore Beach, just 10 minutes from Looe town centre, provides parking, dog waste bins, and nearby cafés and dog friendly pubs with water bowls, offering the perfect watering hole for a well deserved refreshment after a day of exploring.

Best Time to Visit:

Hannafore Beach in West Looe is dog-friendly all year round, making it an ideal spot for your dog to enjoy the coast. The best times to visit are during the quieter spring and autumn months when the weather is still lovely, and the beach is more peaceful. If you prefer the lively buzz of summer, Hannafore Beach is also a great option, offering plenty of space for both you and your pup to enjoy, with passersby often eager to stop and fuss your dog while you take in the vibrant atmosphere.

After a day by the sea, you can head back to rural Penmarlam Lodge Retreat near Boddinnick, where you can relax in a tranquil setting, far from the summer crowds.

St Ives – A beautiful coastal town with 7 beaches and dog-friendly options

A soft sandy beach is revealed in front of the shops, pubs, cafes, and galleries lining the harbour wall in St Ives. This charming Cornish town boasts seven stunning beaches, all within walking distance of the town centre. While some of St Ives’ beaches are dog-friendly, such as Bamaluz Beach, Porthkidney Sands, and Mexico Towans, dogs are allowed on all St Ives beaches from 1st October to 14th May. Outside of this period, dog access depends on the specific beach.

How to Get There:

St Ives town is easily accessible by car, bus, or train, with the train station located near the town centre. Parking is available, though it can be limited during peak season.

Beach Facilities:

St Ives offers various facilities across its beaches, including parking, waste bins, cafes, and shops. While some beaches may have restrictions during the summer months, there are plenty of dog-friendly options available in the off-season, with facilities such as dog waste bins and cafés where you can enjoy refreshments with your pet.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit St Ives with your dog is from 1st October to 14th May, which aligns perfectly with the end of our autumn season and the start of spring. This is when our parks, particularly here at Cornish Meadows, offer a calmer retreat without the summer crowds, giving you and your pup the freedom to enjoy quieter coastal walks and beach days.

Hayle Towans – Sandy shores, sand dunes, and sandy paws all year round

Hayle Towans, one of the most popular beaches in South Cornwall, stretches for three miles of golden sands, offering plenty of space for everyone, including your dog, to enjoy year round. It’s a safe and family-friendly beach, with rock pools and paddling pools to explore when the tide goes out. The beach also features a cave to walk through and sand dunes to run down, making it the perfect adventure spot for both kids and dogs. 

How to Get There:

Located near Hayle and Cornish Meadows Holiday Park, just off the A30, with plenty of parking a short walk from the beach.

Beach Facilities:

Hayle Towans provides a safe environment, golden sands, rock pools, sand dunes, and caves. There’s a café serving hot drinks, food, and ice creams, as well as surf lessons organised by the local surf school, particularly popular during the summer months.

Best Time to Visit:

Hayle Towans is dog-friendly, with dogs welcome on the beach except during July and August (10am – 6pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place between Hayle River and Black Cliffs. The best time to visit is during Easter and autumn, when the beach is quieter, offering the perfect family-friendly environment for both humans and dogs.

5 Tips for Taking Your Dog to The Beach

Coastal Accommodation for Dogs

Cornwall offers a wealth of dog-friendly accommodation options. From coastal lodges to dog-friendly glamping, you can find the perfect place to stay with your dog. We offer several dog-friendly accommodations where both you and your furry friend can enjoy a relaxing stay.

Dog Friendly Beach Stays with Lovat Parks

With so many incredible dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, you’ll want to make the most of your trip with a memorable place for the whole family to stay. Book your stay today and explore the best of Cornwall’s dog-friendly coastline!

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