With one of the longest stretches of coastline in England hosting over 300 dog-friendly beaches, you and your four-legged friend will love it here in Cornwall! Most of the beaches are long and sandy providing the perfect setting for hours of fun for your dog to run across the beach and splash in the sea. One of the best choices for a dog-friendly holiday, Cornwall never disappoints and with beautiful headlands and estuaries, there is a lot to explore.
Here are 15 of our favourite beaches, some seasonal ban some open year-round and all within easy reach of PetsPyjamas’ dog-friendly cottages and hotels.
1. Daymer Bay Beach, Rock
One of the jewels in North Cornwall’s crown and one of the county’s most famous beaches, Daymer Bay lies between the beaches of Polzeath and Rock. With a gorgeous stretch of sheltered, sandy beach shaped in an arch it has safe water and rugged sand dunes. Take a walk with your dog to Rock or Polzeath or walk north to Trebetherick Point. Climb up to Carn Brea Hill for a stunning 360-degree view from the top that inspired the late Poet Laureate John Betjeman.
STAY AT: Cloud Nine, Daymer Bay
2. Bedruthan Steps, Newquay
Another great beach that we love is Bedruthan Steps. Access the beautiful beach here via a steep set of stairs cut into the cliff and be rewarded with a golden stretch of sand when you get to the beach. Walk up to the top of the cliffs to enjoy wonderful views and dramatic scenery looking over Bedruthan Steps and enjoy fabulous walks with your dog along the coastal path.
At the top of the cliffs is a dog-friendly café where you and your four-legged friend can relax and enjoy a Cornish cream tea plus water bowls and treats for your dog.
STAY AT: Hunter’s Inn, Devon
3. Watergate Bay, Newquay
Expect surfers and plenty of other coastal canines enjoying the sand and the sea on this stretch of the Cornish coast – with a gorgeous sandy beach and a backdrop of awe-inspiring cliffs. Take your dog for a low-tide walk across the sands and the coastal path to Trevelgue Head with fabulous views guaranteed. And after your walk with Fido, make sure you visit the dog-friendly Beach Hut Café and the Watergate Bay Hotel for a welcome break from all the fun and excitement.
STAY AT: Amal Anpras, Cornwall
4. Sandymouth Beach, Bude
A fabulous dog-friendly beach on the north end of Bude, this pebble beach is a particular favourite with families and their dogs. When the tide ebbs it reveals a 2km of sand which you and your four-legged friend can walk along and takes you all the way into Bude itself. With high towering cliffs and a waterfall with rock pools to explore, this is one of our absolute favourite beaches. There’s a car park and café open at the top and a steep winding path to the beach, but it’s well worth the effort.
STAY AT: Harrowbeard House, Cornwall
5. Mexico Towans Beach, St Ives
Definitely one of the best beaches in Cornwall and another beach where dogs are allowed year-round. This wide spacious beach situated close to Padstow makes the perfect playground for your pet – with fabulous yellow sand, pebbles plus a series of amazing rock pools backed by dunes and low cliffs. Your furry friend will love it here and there is a variety of watersports available for the humans too.
STAY AT: The Godolphin, Cornwall
6. Harlyn Bay
Definitely one of the best beaches in Cornwall and another beach where dogs are allowed year-round. This wide spacious beach situated close to Padstow makes the perfect playground for your pet – with fabulous yellow sand, pebbles plus a series of amazing rock pools backed by dunes and low cliffs. Your furry friend will love it here and there is a variety of watersports available for the humans too.
STAY AT: The Boat House, Cornwall
7. Mullion Cove Beach
Situated on the South West Coast Path, and on the west coast of the Lizard Peninsula, is a charming, small sandy beach which is mostly covered at high tide, positioned beside the historic lifeboat station and charming Mullion harbour.
With a cave to explore at low tide where the waves crash through the entrance, it is dog-friendly year-round. Backed by towering cliffs, this hidden gem is a lovely secret beach location where PetsPyjamas’ hotel Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa makes a wonderful base for a dog-friendly stay.
STAY AT: Mullion Cove Hotel & Spa, Cornwall
8. Trebarwith Beach
Considered to be North Cornwall’s premiere beach, Trebarwith has so much to offer from lovely golden sand, rock pools galore and terrific surf. And at low tide, the beach here grows into an expanse of sand backed by high cliffs with deep caves. It makes a perfect afternoon out exploring with the family and your beach-loving hound. There are great coastal walks nearby, places to eat and the Port William pub which looks out over the beach.
STAY AT: Boscastle View, Cornwall
9. Pedn Vounder Beach
One of Cornwall’s loveliest beaches set amongst the fabulous cliffs of Treryn Dinas and located at the eastern end of Porthcurno Cove, Pedn Vounder has pure white sand and crystal clear turquoise water.
Also known as Treen Beach, this is home to the famous rocking Logan Rock. You can reach the beach at low tide from neighbouring Porthcurno beach, although you need to be careful not to get yourself cut off. The beach was recently featured in a Poldark episode and is dog-friendly year-round.
STAY AT: Ros Vale, Cornwall
10. The Isles of Scilly Beaches
All the beaches on the Isles of Scilly are amazing, and all except a few on St Mary’s have no dog restrictions. Expect white sand beaches stretching off as far as the eye can see. With hardly a soul to be seen, your dog can run along the beach with gay abandon.
Choose St Lawrence’s Bay on St Martin’s or Appletree Bay on Tresco. Not only will your dog love the beaches but they will also enjoy the boat trip there as well!
STAY AT: Pilchard Cottage, Cornwall
11. Towan Beach
Towan Beach is in the heart of Newquay at the bottom of a steep hill.
This beach in Newquay is another all-year-round dog-friendly destination. When it is low tide, you and your trusty hound will be able to get as far as the beaches of Great Western and Tolcarne for a lovely long sandy walk, but you should be sure to check the tide times as you won’t want to be marooned. Weekend lifeguard and parking 10 minutes from the beach.
12. Perranporth Beach
Also known as Perran Sands, Perranporth Beach is a gorgeous beach ideal for surfing, snorkelling, sailing, and swimming. This is yet another beach that welcomes dogs all year round, although during the months of July and August, it’s necessary to keep furry friends on a lead. There’s a river that. runs through the beach into the sea – perfect for dogs that love splashing about in the sea and then they can run across the golden sands.
There’s a village close to the beach with shops and a dog-friendly cafe and pub.
13. Gorran Haven Beach
Gorran Haven Beach is a lovely sheltered beach in St Austell. The delightful seaside village of Gorran Haven is close by with cafes and restaurants galore. It’s the perfect family-friendly beach with safe bathing despite the lack of a lifeguard and it welcomes dogs year-round!
Your four-legged friend will be able to frolic in the sand and splash in the sea. You’ll be able to let your pooch off their lead and watch them happily splash about in the sea. The stone pier which forms part of a small harbour enhances the sheltered aspect of the beach.
14. Porthcurno Beach
Your dog will love Porthcurno Beach – one of the most beautiful beaches in the world it is set in an idyllic cove, it has fabulous white sand and turquoise sea backed by striking, high cliffs on both sides.
This award-winning beach is popular with families with dogs. There’s a stream running through it and it’s a perfect place for surfing as well as swimming. There’s a large car park above the beach and a cafe. Restrictions for dogs apply from 1 July to 31 August.
15. Kynance Beach
Is situated in the Lizard peninsula, two miles north of Lizard Point, in South Cornwall. It is dog-friendly from 1 September to 30 June and definitely worth visiting if you are holidaying during these months with turquoise seas and amazing views.
There is plenty of parking and a lovely local dog-friendly cafe open throughout the year. It is famous for its exposure to striking dark red and green serpentinite rocks.
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