Dog-friendly beaches to enjoy in Cornwall
WalksCornwall is a county of splendour and magnificence, not to mention the location of some of the best beaches in the UK. Visiting the stunning county will allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the local area as well as taking in the stunning opportunities that surround you. Beaches are a huge attraction for the hundreds of thousands of people that visit every year, many of those bringing their four-legged friends with them.
Our Cornwall hotel and spa is the perfect resting place for you and your doggies if you’re planning to visit Cornwall as we have dedicated dog-friendly rooms, and this guide will tell you which locations you should visit for some dog-friendly beach adventures.
Dog-friendly beaches to enjoy in Cornwall:
· Crantock Beach
· Carne Beach
· Summerleaze Beach
· Mawgan Porth
· Polgwidden Beach
· Gylly Beach
Crantock Beach is owned a looked after by the National Trust but offers some of the best golden sands in Cornwall. Backed by green fields and high-rise sand dunes, the beach is one of the best dog-friendly in the area. Popular among surfers, paddle boarders and water enthusiasts, the beach is a mecca for fun all year round. There are no rules against dogs visiting the beaches at any time of the year, they just need to be kept under control.
Claire from the blog Tin Box Traveller highly recommends Crantock Beach for those who want to enjoy a walk with their dog: “One of our favourite dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall is Crantock Beach on the north coast. It's got a brilliant balance of picturesque sand dunes and plenty of space for kids to paddle in tide pools. It's also a great spot for surfing and bodyboarding. There's a little truck that pulls up on the sand where you can get takeaway drinks and bites.”
Sheltered by Nare Head, Carne Beach is another great option for those situated near Falmouth and is also perfect for dog walkers. At low tide, sand and shingle makes the perfect footing for a walk or paddle and being owned by the National Trust it is always kept tidy and rubbish-free for all to enjoy.
Carne Beach is another location Claire from Tin Box Traveller recommended to us and she explained a little more: “Another beach we love is Carne Beach on Cornwall's south coast. It's in a shallow bay on the Roseland Heritage Coast with plenty of rock pools to explore. Dogs must be kept on a lead but at low tide, you can walk all the way along the sand to Pendower Beach where there's a cafe.”
Dogs are welcome on the beach all year round as long as they are kept under control, and are cleared up after to avoid any unwanted mess.
Situated less than 5 minutes from the centre of Bude, Summerleaze Beach is the perfect beach for dog walking as it is sheltered from the nearby breakwater and is laden with sandy coves perfect for four-legged explorations. Dogs have to kept on leads between 21st May and 30th September from 10am-6pm but are allowed on the beach all year round.
The blog By Matt and Abbie recently reported on their trip to Summerleaze and explain it as: “Summerleaze Beach is somewhat unusual due to the fact that it sits at the mouth of the River Neet. You’ll notice colourful fishing boats dotted on either side of the flowing river as well as grassy banks which line the back of the beach. This golden strip is only a 5-minute walk from Bude town and also has an easily accessible large car park. So, if you forget to pack lunch then you can nip into town in a jiffy for refreshments!”
Mawgan Porth is an award-winning beach that is known by many for its vast sandy stretches and land enclosed waters. Just 4 miles from Newquay, Mawgan Porth is a great beach for visitors of all kids, even the four-legged variety.
Deanna from the blog Travels and Inspiration reported about Mawgan Porth and what the beach can offer on her website: “Go on, throw your cares to the wind and simply stroll the beach without agenda. Mawgan Porth is quieter than many of the other popular beaches along the north coast, so you’ll have no problem finding some peace and quiet. It’s a perfect moment for self-reflection.”
A secret beach tucked away in the coves of the south coast is Polgwidden Cove. Described by Into Cornwall: “Polgwidden Cove is a shingle beach on the northern side of the Helford River with views stretching out to the open sea. It lies at the end of the valley containing Trebah Gardens. The beach is also known as Trebah Beach. A privately-owned beach but open to the public who can access it when visiting Trebah Gardens. The Cornwall coast path passes the beach but does not give access to it.”
Dogs are allowed at the beach all year round and the quiet, secluded nature of the beach makes it a great option for those who want a quiet walk.
Situated right on the doorstep of St Michaels Resort, Gylly Beach is an idyllic setting overlooked by Pendennis Castle. Described on the Gylly Beach website as: “Wonderfully positioned on Falmouth’s famous Gyllyngvase Beach, overlooked by the imposing Pendennis Castle and central to panoramic views of the Lizard Peninsula and The Helford River, Gylly Café is a unique, stylish and popular eatery. Family-run and award-winning, our café offers a warm welcome, outstanding service and locally sourced food, served in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.”
Gylly Beach isn’t dog-friendly all year round and four-legged friends aren’t allowed on the sand between 15th May and 30th September between 10am and 6pm and it is dog-friendly for the rest of the year.
If you’re planning to visit our Cornwall spa soon and want to bring your fury friends with you, then hopefully this guide will have given you a little insight into the wonderful beaches you can enjoy on your visit.
For more articles like this, check out the St Michaels blog.