Cornwall loves dogs! And our ‘pawfect’ cottages are fantastic venues for dog friendly days out in South East Cornwall. Enjoy miles of walks and beaches plus a great selection of days out for the WHOLE family.

So, if you’re thinking of bringing your dog on your summer holiday to South East Cornwall, take our lead, don’t leave your canine chum at home and read on!

Beaches for a dig & a doggy paddle

Cornwall is famous for its stretches of sand that go on for miles, the type that every dog dreams of! Our dog-friendly South East Cornwall cottages include our farm cottages near Liskeard and Looe Island View in Downderry. They all have many beautiful beaches nearby for salty sea dogs year round. Our top beaches include Hannafore (West Looe), Plaidy (Looe), Downderry, Seaton, Whitsand Bay’s four beaches and Lantic Bay. Talland Bay beach is one of a number of welcoming coves where you can walk (or even swim) with your dog. Looe Island View is located 300m from Downderry beach, a long and spacious sand and shingle beach with many rock pools at low tide where you can run or play games with local driftwood, sticks and balls. At low tide, you can also enjoy a wonderful walk all the way to Seaton beach, which will take about an hour both ways. The beaches include plenty of pooch-friendly pit stops if you fancy a stroll and a pint.

Gardens & Castles to romp with glee

It’s not just at the seaside where you and your four legged buddy can enjoy time together. As a ‘wuff’ guide, most gardens and estates in the area welcome families and their dogs on leads all year around. Dogs are not allowed in the houses (or biomes!) however. Many gardens are perfect for a picnic and have a pooch-friendly café to treat your tired out ‘pack’ after a long hoof. Head to the world-renowned Eden Project for an unforgettable experience, with miles of outdoor pathways for your dog to enjoy. With dog water bowls and a designated undercover dining area, it is sure to be a firm favourite. Or wander over 200 acres at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, guaranteed to charm your whole pack. Other favourites include Pencarrow, with its gardens and fruit orchard plus woodland in which dogs are allowed off the lead. - there’s even a complimentary dog treat waiting for your pooch at the Gift Shop. Or discover the 13th century circular shell-keep of Restormel Castle, which commands fantastic views and is a favourite picnic spot. The National Trust estates at Cotehele, Mount Edgcumbe and Lanhydrock are especially dog friendly too, as well as offering plenty of inspiration for green-fingered visitors. And the Port Eliot estate even has an annual Dog Festival, hosted by Roo and Lark, the house’s resident whippets. The Whippet Tea Party is something to behold…

Fido’s family attractions

© Bodmin & Wenford Railway

There are numerous dog friendly days out just a bone’s throw away from our holiday cottages that the whole family can enjoy. Learn about the fascinating history of Bodmin Jail, or visit the famous Jamaica Inn high up on the wild and beautiful Bodmin Moor - a doggy treat awaits your dog at the bar on arrival! Whilst there you can take a look at their fascinating Smugglers’ Museum where tales of wreckers, murderers and villains are brought to life. Explore the mystical Carnglaze Caverns on the edge of Bodmin Moor and take a stroll through their wonderful woodland walk. Dogs are welcome too at Adrenalin Quarry where you can enjoy the day beside the lake with a picnic or barbecue. Adrenalin Quarry provides adventure activities for all of the family, including a zipwire, Giant Swing, wild swimming and coasteering, alongside the 'Blob', their human catapult! You can even take your furry friend on a ferry trip from Polruan to Fowey or hire your own boat to explore the Fowey River, immortalised in Kenneth Graham’s Wind in the Willows. Alternatively, take a ride on a steam train along the Bodmin & Wenford Railway. The pooch-friendly line holds a number of fantastic events throughout the year which makes it a fun attracktion for the whole family!

Walks to get tails wagging

As well as dog-friendly beaches, there are some superb coastal paths and inland rural walks for you to explore with your pooch as well as acres of natural moorland, perfect for walkies. Discover Cardinham Woods for nature trails and picnics, and the Golitha Falls Nature Reserve, a magical spot to savour Cornwall’s natural beauty, with footpaths leading through the wooded valley alongside the tumbling river Fowey. Siblyback Lake Country Park, in the stunning setting of Bodmin Moor, is dog-friendly and boasts a wakeboarding cable, sailing, windsurfing, rowing and canoeing. Or simply take a walk along the shorelines and surrounding woodland areas and visit the Lake Café for lovely food and splendid views. Bodmin Moor offers some beautiful scenery and the opportunity for a ‘paw-some’ walk. Take a walk up to Brown Willy, the highest point in Cornwall. Or, for a more gentle amble, head from Jamaica Inn to the beautiful Dozmary Pool (home to the famous Lady of the Lake from the legend of King Arthur and where the sword Excalibur was thrown). There are always great dog-friendly places to rest and refuel before bounding onto the next activity!

A pint & pasty with the pooch

There are many pubs and cafes that are happy to welcome your pet in South East Cornwall. Why not stop for coffee, brunch or lunch at one of Cornwall’s excellent cafés or pubs after your walk, including The Inn on the Shore in Downderry, Woods Café at Cardinham Woods or The Beach Café at Talland Bay. In Looe, try Daisy’s Café or the Old Sail Loft, or head west to Havener’s at Fowey. The Carew Arms at Antony is not only one of South East Cornwall’s best gastro pubs but welcomes dogs to boot. DoggiePubs list these places in the region, so be sure to check them out!

Get your paws on some treasure

© Treasure Trails

Wherever you stay, make sure you explore the different towns across the region. A great way to enjoy this with your whole family and pet pooch is with one of the Treasure Trail self-guided themed walks. Solve fiendish clues on a Murder Mystery Trail in Liskeard, Looe or Polperro and unravel ‘whodunnit?’ from a list of suspects. Or test your wits on a Treasure Hunt Trail in on the South West Coast Path from Looe to Polperro or the Rame Peninsula to work out the location of buried treasure. Alternatively, make like James Bond on a Spy Mission Trail in St Germans, Bodmin or the Fowey Estuary and work together to crack a code by entering numbers and letters into a grid. Experience the thrill of discovery, a sense of play and the fun of following ‘clues’, whatever your age, whatever the weather! You can find out more here.

Geocache with your Geohound

Geocaching is a great activity for your Cornish holiday! A brilliant game of search and find that the whole family will enjoy, embark on a recreational scavenger hunt with your hound in tow! Seek out hidden containers or ‘caches’ containing little treasures using a gps device or your smartphone. There are 349 geocaches within a 10 mile radius of Looe waiting to be sniffed out – and all you need to do to get started is to create an account and download the app which will give you clues on where the nearest geocache is hidden. Once you find a cache and open it, the idea is to then replace the treasure with something of equal value. You never know what kind of treasure you might find and it’s a fantastic way to see the beautiful coast and countryside!

Our dog friendly South East Cornwall holiday cottages

From L to R: Top: Looe Island View; SW Coast Path overlooking Lantic Bay. Bottom: Looe; Killigorrick Farm Cottages 

Staycation Holidays offer a great choice of dog friendly holiday cottages in South East Cornwall. Offering a warm West Country welcome with open paws all year round, they provide the perfect base for guests wanting to share their Cornish holiday experience with their canine companions. Alternatively, browse our full range of dog friendly holiday homes here.