From wild coastal walks to rolling countryside, cornwall One of the most dog-friendly destinations in the UK. If you're planning on traveling with your four-legged plus-one pooch, here's your essential guide to enjoying a weekend or more in this beautiful and irregular corner of Britain – from where to stay to the best walks and practical tips for traveling with your dog.
Coastal walks: Cornwall’s most dog-friendly beaches
Watergate Bay near Newquay
At low tide, the sand watergate bay The beach seems to go on forever, making the beach just a few miles from the town of Newquay a vast playground for dogs to run around off-leash. Its scenery is also particularly beautiful, surrounded by sloping cliffs and sparkling with summer wildflowers. It's easily accessible, has paid public parking and a gentle slope to the beach, making it a great place for dogs to run year-round. This stretch of coast is also home to beautiful, dog-friendly animals Watergate Bay Hotelyou can dine with the dogs at the all-day dining restaurant and enjoy the evening in the spa hot tub overlooking the beach.
Gwithian and Upton Towans beaches near St Ives
Gwithian and Upton Towans may have different names, but the two beaches are essentially the same stretch of sand, spanning nearly five kilometers of the northern coast. st ives. Dogs are welcome year-round in most areas (although a small area in the far north is subject to summer restrictions), and there are exciting waves for jumping in the sea. There is a parking lot above the beach on the cliff top, and you can walk down steps to the beach.
Spend a weekend staying in a chic beachfront villa on a clifftop three mile beach Each hotel has its own private sauna and hot tub. Dogs are welcome in all hides (£50 per pet per night) and they receive beds, bowls and towels from brands including Yeti and Lazyboy. Plus, there's a sweet “stick library” for your pooch to choose from, and you can upgrade to a pampering package that includes robes, grooming lotions, and potions.
Carne Beach, near Truro
Carne BeachLocated on the Roseland Heritage Coast, approximately 20 kilometers from Truro, it is connected to Pendower Beach, forming a lovely 1.3 kilometers of soft sand. The beach is backed by grassy cliffs and has some dramatic rock formations that sparkle in the sun, as well as rock pools where you can look for crabs and other marine life. There are no restrictions on dogs and there is a convenient car park at each end of the beach. Buy some local specialties in the shop Pendower Farm Shopjust a few hundred meters from the west end of the beach.
An hour's drive north, Foy Hall The hotel welcomes everyone: adults looking for luxury, children looking for holiday fun and four-legged family members. For £25 per pet per night, you get a bed, bowl, tennis ball and treats. But there's more to making it a pet paradise: rolling green grounds, direct access to miles of walking paths, a lounge where you can play with humans (as long as they're on leashes), a dog-washing station, a special doggy afternoon tea, and even an “a la carte menu” for in-room dining.
Lantic Bay, near Polruan
Lantic Bay It's surrounded by high cliffs, so you'll have to brave a series of steep cliffside steps to reach the sand and shingles here, but once you do, the rewards are huge. This beautiful spot is secluded, with secluded corners and calm waters, perfect for boating or swimming with your dog. Dogs are welcome here all year round; bear in mind that you have to walk from the National Trust car park on the cliffs through some farmland, which may contain livestock. It's a 15-minute walk to the beach and there are no facilities, so bring your own water and a picnic. You can also stay at Fowey Hall – a 45-minute drive from the bay around the Fowey Estuary, slightly shorter if you include the Bodinnick Ferry.
Onward and Puppy Zone: Cornwall’s best dog walks
St Michael's Mount near Penzance
Best for: Seascapes and Cornish Heritage
distance: 1.5 km
Estimated time: one hour
Bar stop: Island Cafe
Best season: autumn and winter
It's very exciting to walk across the ocean floor to the beautiful cobblestone villages saint michael's mountainkeeping an eye out for crawling crabs and slippery seaweed as you walk. In summer, dogs are unable to make this journey as the island is too busy, but in autumn and winter, dogs are welcome to trot with you for the 500 meters across the causeway and onto the island. The small village here has several interesting gift shops and a charming cafe serving scones, sandwiches and light meals. The view looking back to the mainland is mesmerizing. Afterwards, dogs can run around at Marazion Beach, which is dog-friendly from September to June.
Stay at a quirky hotel nearby Cornwall Artist Residence Penzance is a 30-minute bus ride or a leisurely 90-minute walk (Marazion is the closest car park to St Michael's Mount). For just £20 per pet per night, dogs receive a warm welcome including a bed, bowl and plenty of treats. It's ideal for people with pets – the Lookout and Chapel suites can both accommodate two dogs, while the Cottage can accommodate three dogs; your furry friends are also welcome in parts of the bar, lounge and restaurant.
Godolphin Hill Trail
Best for: Country walks
distance: 3.2 kilometers
Estimated time: one hour
Bar stop: Pigsty Tea Room
Best season: summer
Although south west coast path It steals the show when it comes to walks in Cornwall Godolphin Hill Trail There are fantastic views over the Cornish countryside and sea, and the crowds are much smaller. There is a National Trust car park and the walking track is easy to follow; you are likely to encounter cattle or sheep on this walk so it is recommended that you keep your dog on a lead. Reward your efforts with a trip to the Piggery Tea-Room (dogs on a short leash are allowed) and enjoy a cream tea (note: in Cornwall, the jam is served first on the scones). Then relax at Three Mile Beach, just 30 minutes' drive from the walking route.
St. Mary's Garrison, Isles of Scilly
Best for: Island life and military history
distance: 3 kilometers
Estimated time: one hour
Bar stop: Atlantic Inn
Best season: summer
Catch a dog-friendly Skybus flight from Land's End or Newquay (dogs weighing up to 45kg can fly with you in the cabin) and you can escape to the idyllic Isles of Scilly in just one day, plenty of time to walk your dog around the islands. former garrison On the island of Sainte-Marie, followed by lunch in a town pub. The walking route is easy: start from the pier, go up Garrison Hill, then turn right until you reach the Star Castle Hotel. Keeping the sea to your right, you can simply follow the coast path, past centuries-old gun and magazine shops and forts, before heading back to the starting point again, where you can take a detour to Atlantic Inn Enjoy a delicious fish and chip dinner and a pint of Cornish cider. Fly back to the ends of the earth and explore Penzance's pirate history with an overnight stay at an artist's residence.
Mevagissey and the Lost Gardens of Heligan
Best for: The charm of the South West Coast Path
distance: 10.4 kilometers
Estimated time: 2.5 hours
Bar stop: Pentwan Ship Inn
Best season: spring
come Mevagissi You'll have a more enjoyable time with your dog before the summer crowds dwindle. From this pretty port hamlet, the trail heads inland through China Clay Country and along the Pentewan Valley, where the clay exits via the St Austell River. In Pentewan village, stop at ship hotel Sample pub classics and doggy snacks before you head south along the coast path back to Mevagissey – the staff here will give them lots of love. The trail passes Polstreath Beach, where dogs are welcome all year round.
Overnight at Pigs of Harlem BayA 45-minute drive away, some of the well-designed rooms here welcome dogs (up to 45kg) for £40 per night, with beds and bowls. Occupancy rules must be followed as they are not allowed in the restaurant and you need to be aware of livestock living in the grounds.
Dog's Dinner: Where to dine with your dog in Cornwall
Copley Arms Hotel, Hessenford
Independently run bar Copley Arms Hotel The characterful restaurant and bar serve high-quality local produce and Cornish ciders. There's exposed stonework, low wooden beams and a vine-draped hops bar. Hearty meals are available here, such as pork chops with apple salad or crab risotto, and there's alfresco seating next to a babbling stream, where you can dine when the weather is nice. Dogs are welcome on a leash throughout and will be given plenty of trouble and a bowl of water.
Charlestown Long Store
this beach restaurant Located in the heart of Little Charlestown, overlooking the historic port of the TV adaptation PoldarkWell worth the drive for a delightful selection of fresh seafood, Cornish pork and beef and regularly changing specialties. Dogs are not allowed inside the main restaurant, but are allowed on a leash outside on the patio, which has heaters for cooler weather.
Tinners Arms, Zenor
Deep in the mining area, a 700-year-old bar Tinners Arms Hotel Tucked away in a small village just 500 meters off the coast path. Dogs are welcome on a leash in its country-style bar, with fairy lights twinkling on the beams and a fireplace creating a cozy atmosphere in the evening. The fish and chips are great, as are the crab sandwiches, and they even have their own draft beer. In summer you can enjoy drinks al fresco in the beer garden.
Tullow, Newquay
On the coastal road north of Newquay, it has great sea views and a casual restaurant and bar taro Serving fine cocktails and Italian-inspired dishes. Expect classic pizza and pasta, but also interesting small plates like bruschetta Salsica and blue cheese, or Black pepper cheese rice Served with lemon aioli. If the sun is shining, put a bench outside; dogs are welcome at all times and encouraged to sit next to you, as long as they don't suck from your plate.
good to know
Travel: Cornwall is a rural area and buses are the best form of public transport, but dogs are not always allowed and seats cannot be reserved in advance. Self-driving is always recommended.
When to go: Summer in Cornwall is spectacular, but also busy. If you travel during the off-season, or even in the winter, you'll find many beaches deserted, which makes travel better for dogs.
Coastal Etiquette: Be sure to check beach restrictions before traveling as many beaches prohibit dogs during the summer months. Dogs should be kept on a lead on coastal paths with steep cliffs.
Dog Friendly Rules: Cornwall has a lot of livestock and cattle, so dogs may need to be leashed frequently. If you want your dog to run free, find a dog-friendly beach or rent an enclosed site; see UK Dog Parks for a detailed list.
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