Your guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in North 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.

So, if you’re headed to North Cornwall (or one of our luxury Cornwall holiday parks) with one or more of your furry pals, you might be interested in learning about a few of the best dog-friendly beaches in the area!

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 — i.e., 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…

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

A beautiful wide beach with easy access and backed by dunes, this is ideal for a long salty sea walk!

Just two miles from Crantock itself, you can explore the picturesque village before walking along to the coast and taking in the sights. Rover will have plenty of space to stretch his legs, especially since the beach is popular with surfers so most people will be in the water not on the sand!

This spot, nearby Newquay (and our Sun Haven park) has absolutely no restrictions for dogs — just keep your eyes peeled for cliff edges and grazing livestock. The area has a surprisingly diverse range of walking routes to fill your day. It’s a mighty four-mile walk (around 1.5 hours) from Crantock to Holywell Bay, but it’s well worth it as you pass Pentire Point, The Holy Well and Kelsey Head.

Be sure to stop off for a well-earned refreshment — who can say no to a post-walkies ice cream or cup of tea?

Cared for by the National Trust, Crantock beach has a car park and toilet (just a quick warning — that unless you’re a National Trust member, parking charges apply and are exactly cash only).

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

With a great beach, dunes and a lovely circular walk, Daymer Bay is an ideal dog-friendly beach day.

Following the road past the St. Enodoc Church will take you via the golf course and then you can access the beach through the sand dunes — an ideal place for frolicking in the sand and stretching all four legs!

The beach also boasts a river so your furry pal can cool down even if the tide is far out. You can enjoy stunning views across Camel Estuary, the best of which can be found if you tackle Brae Hill — it’s steep, but worth the reward!

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

It’s worth checking the tide times before you visit Sandymouth. It can be very pebbly until such time as the tide recedes — not too kind on the paws — but once it’s out, you and Max are rewarded with vast expanses of beautiful, dog-friendly sand.

When the beach is exposed, you can see it stretching out to connect with those further along at Bude. Because it’s better accessed at mid and low tide, you’ll find it’s far quieter than other popular hotspots — but be sure to not stray too far from the entrance if the tide’s due.

Recognised as a more-peaceful-but-equally-beautiful alternative to the hotspots of Bude, this beach is ideal for a fun walk with a furry friend.

Sandymouth is backed by steep, stunning cliffs and punctuated with areas of interest such as waterfalls and rock pools, which, as we know, are absolutely irresistible for a quick canine splash and cool down. If you head south, keep an eye out for the shipwreck close to Menachurch Point.

In the summer months, you’ll find a lovely little café open for your mid-adventure pitstop.

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

A neighbour to the perhaps more well known Port Isaac, Port Gaverne is a secluded beach which offers an ideal backdrop for a dog walk.

This stunning and sheltered cove boasts low tide sandy alks and the chance for pets to enjoy a cooling rock pool splash or two. Importantly, once you’ve taken in the sands, you can try one of many coastal paths close by.

The circular walk starting at Port Gaverne takes you through Port Isaac and provides unbeatable views of the valley, as well as the chance to take in the quintessential North Cornwall harbour village vibes on offer.

But if the beach walk was enough and you’re all ready for a well-earned break, you can always stop at Port Gaverne hotel for a refreshing drink or some super-tasty food, with outside seating so your furry pal can enjoy the break too!

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

The neighbour of one of our other picks, Daymer Bay, Rock is a dog walker’s paradise and another excellent destination for you and your four-legged friends. In fact, at low tide, these two beaches can connect for a truly wondrous seaside stroll.

Rock’s sandy shores can be popular in summer months (for good reason, of course). Out of season, it’s still possible to have the shores pretty much to yourselves, so Fido can bound along and chase balls without interruption.

One of the major benefits of this beach being totally synonymous with dogs is that there’s plenty of pet-friendly cafes and places to go nearby — The Mariners and The Rock Inn are perfect for lunch or dinner and, of course, your furry friends are guaranteed a warm welcome.

There’s a dog-friendly ferry that runs regularly across the River Camel between Rock and Padstow (nearby our Padstow Holiday Village) — an attraction itself, but also giving you the opportunity to take in the historic harbour and streets across the river.

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. For its water quality, cleanliness and facilities, this beach even has Blue Flag status.

With rugged cliffs, golden sandy beach and a lovely little village on its doorstep, it’s perhaps the perfect beach day out. You can make your day your own. Follow the South West Coast Path up to the National Trust’s Bedruthan Steps (you might have to carry your pups down!), or head in the other direction to discover Beacon Cove.

If you pay a visit to the adjoining seaside village of St. Mawgan, we’d recommend calling in at the dog-friendly Merrymoor Inn for some sumptuous seaside refreshments.

If you’re in the area around our Sun Haven park, Mawgan Porth’s beautiful sands are a must-visit for four-legged family members.

Stay a while in North Cornwall with your canine pals.

Whether you’re with your partner, the kids or it’s just you and your furry friend after some peace and quiet, there’s no shortage of places you can visit on two and four legs. This is not an exhaustive list!

We’re delighted to offer a range of pet and dog-friendly holidays in Cornwall — luxury lodges, holiday homes, camping or touring getaways — at four perfectly-placed parks. Experience all North Cornwall has to offer; we even have dog showers for that post-beach cleanup!

Our Padstow location, eponymously named after the historic North Cornwall harbour town that’s a short stroll away, is a cuisine hub and just a moment from The Seven Bays and The Camel Trail, a paradise for beach-loving pups

Then there’s also Sun Haven, right on the doorstep of Mawgan Porth’s mind blowing Blue Flag sands, and no time at all from Newquay and its dog-friendly surf hotspots, including Fistral beach.

Nestled nearer to Land’s End — still on the north Cornish coast — is Parbola, the ideal escape to St. Ives, Hayle and the stunning Godrevy.

You could also head to Penmarlam, where you’ll be greeted with second-to-none panoramic views of Fowey estuary on the south coast of Cornwall — still only a short drive up the road to Wadebridge and Padstow on the north.

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Join us to experience North Cornwall’s stunning beaches & coastline.

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