Cornwall is one of the most pet-friendly places to enjoy a holiday. Avoid paying out costly boarding fees and worrying about your pet while you're away by choosing a pet-friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall. Â Discover idyllic villages, deserted beaches and wide open spaces that are ideal for long walks with your four-legged friend. Here are just some of the places that welcome pets with well-behaved owners!
Dog-Friendly Walks in Cornwall
Bodmin Moor is an unspoilt area in central Cornwall that is tailor-made for dog walking. With ample off-road parking areas, rocky outcrops and barely a soul around, it is a beautiful area for those who love hiking in peace and solitude.
The moor is also ideal for exercising larger dogs with boundless energy. The grass is kept short by the resident sheep and there are sure to be many interesting scents to follow. There is very little vegetation so you can easily keep an eye on your dog's whereabouts, although carrying a dog whistle may be a good idea.
The South West Coast Path runs for miles and is ideal for scenic coastal walks. Stiles generally have flaps for smaller dogs, while larger dogs will enjoy bounding up and over the challenging obstacles. The 17-mile Camel Trail is another traffic-free trail to enjoy near Padstow.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Some family-friendly beaches do not allow dogs onto the beach between Easter Sunday and 1st October. However, there are plenty of beaches that welcome dogs all year round. Here are some of the best:
If you are staying in a Cornish cottage or apartment near Newquay, Great Western Beach is a wonderful dog-friendly beach with excellent facilities. Surrounded by high cliffs and monitored by lifeguards in the summer, it is popular with surfers as it is calmer than Fistral Beach, which also welcomes dogs all year round.
Blackrock Beach at Widemouth Bay welcomes dogs at the south (car park end) of the beach but bans them from the north end. It has lifeguards in the summer, car parking, beach café, shops and equipment hire.
Gwenver Beach at Sennen Cove is a dog friendly beach, but it has difficult steep access and is not for arthritic dogs or owners!
Crantock has a popular dog-friendly beach with parking, café and toilets.
Constantine Bay is a gorgeous expanse of sand and dunes near St Merryn in North Cornwall.
Downderry Beach is ideal for long walks and has easy parking, a pub, café and shop. Neighbouring Whitsand Bay near Torpoint stretches for four miles at low tide with firm sands that make it a favourite for walkers and dog-owners alike.
Beachview at Hayle is just beyond Mexico Towans and is a popular dog-friendly beach for swimmers and surfers.
Dog-Friendly Attractions in Cornwall
If you fancy a day out with your dog, Gweek Seal Sanctuary and the Cornish Cider Farm both welcome dogs on a lead.
The National Trust-owned Trelissick Garden allows dog walkers in the woods but not in the formal gardens. There are plenty of circular trails to enjoy that are well mapped out on the car park notice board.
Happy trails!
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.
I run a lovely dog-friendly cafe at the Jubilee Pool in Penzance. Perfect place to stop for a coffee after a walk along the promenade. Complimentary dog biscuits for our four-legged customers!
Devon and Cornwall are so beautiful and ideal for family holidays with the dogs – there’s so much to see and do. For many people though it can be a very long drive – I know it’s a thought I don’t relish with 2 small boys so my top tip is to make sure you take plenty of breaks, for the kids, for the dogs and for your own sanity 😉