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10 of our favourite dog-friendly Cornwall beaches

©Main Image: Watergate Bay, 6 miles from our Glamping Yurts in Colan

With its epic coastline and gorgeous countryside, it’s no wonder Cornwall is such a popular holiday destination for dog owners.

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite dog-friendly Cornwall beaches ‘pawfect’ for frisbee throwing, splashing and digging all year round. Why not book yourself into one of our nearby dog-friendly holiday cottages and head down to the beach to leave some happy pawprints in the sand.

1. Perranporth Beach

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Perranporth Beach, north Cornwall

Why dogs and owners love it: The tidal range at Perranporth is dramatic, with Perranporth beach and neighbouring Penhale sands joining together at low tide to create one of the largest sandy playgrounds on the North Coast! Let your four-legged friend run wild chasing after their ball along the shore and then recharge in The Watering Hole, a pooch-friendly pit stop right on the beach. Recommended for its excellent water quality, Perranporth is also very popular for surfing, snorkelling and swimming. plus there’s Chapel Rock Pool, caves and loads of interesting nooks and crannies to investigate. Perfect if you’re staycationing in dog-friendly St Agnes, there are walks above the beach on the South West Coast Path where you will encounter amazing views, and the old ruins of tin mines.
Where is it: Near Perranporth, north Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round, but must be kept on leads during July and August (10am-5pm)
Perfect for: Coastal walks, playing in the sand and paddling by the rocks
Facilities: A car park with disabled access and The Watering Hole beach bar and restaurant during peak season, plus the town just a short stroll behind the beach with a range of cafés and restaurants. Lifeguarded in season
Stay nearby: Rosevean House, St Agnes (4 miles) | sleeps one dog and 12 humans
Luxury Yurts
, Colan (11 miles) | sleeps one dog each and 3-6 humans

2. Crantock Beach

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, 2. Crantock Beach, north Cornwall

Bottom right image © Robert Pittman

Why dogs and owners love it: Canine-friendly Crantock is nestled at the end of the utterly beautiful Gannel Estuary, with a beautiful expanse of golden sand, surrounded by dunes, green hills and fantastic coastal paths. The type that every dog dreams of, this is a great beach to take even the most active dogs. There are also rock pools and an intriguing series of small caves hidden in the cliff walls on the far side of the beach. If you’re in need of refuelling, it is well worth the short trip across the estuary to the dog-friendly Fern Pit Café and the lovely boathouse at the base of the cliff, either by footbridge at low tide or dog-friendly ferry at high tide.
Where is it: Near Newquay, north Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Exploring the dunes, running on the sand, and escaping the crowds
Facilities: Managed by the National Trust with facilities that include a car park with toilets. Lifeguarded in season. Dog-friendly Old Albion Inn and a shop in the village. Dog-friendly Fern Pit Café over the Gannel Estuary by footbridge at low tide or ferry at high tide (9.30am and 6pm every day in the summer months)
Stay nearby: Luxury Yurts, Colan (6 miles) | sleeps one dog each and 3-6 humans
Rosevean House
, St Agnes (11 miles) | sleeps one dog and 12 humans

3. Lantic Bay

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Lantic Bay, south east Cornwall

Why dogs and owners love it: One for energetic dogs and their owners, access to beautiful remote Lantic Bay is a mile-long scenic walk, followed by a steep descent to the bay itself. Without doubt one of Cornwall's most stunning beaches, it is well worth the trek! This south facing hidden gem is peppered with sea beet and sea cabbage, with turquoise waters and a backdrop of lush green cliffs. And the chances are that, even in the middle of summer, you will have plenty of space for your woofer to run free. If you and your salty sea dog have got anything left in the tank after climbing back up, the Polruan to Polperro walk is a lovely route that takes in spectacular scenery full of wildflowers and unbroken sea views.
Where is it: Between Fowey and Polperro, south east Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: The energetic, chasing sticks and running along the sand
Facilities: National Trust car park a mile east from Polruan and follow a well-marked footpath
Stay nearby: Killigorrick Farm Cottages, near Looe (11 miles) | sleeps 2 dogs each and 2-6 humans

4. Holywell Bay

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Holywell Bay, near Newquay, north Cornwall

Bottom right image © Geoff Welding

Why dogs and owners love it: Holywell Bay is a glorious stretch of golden sands backed by a spectacular sand dune system and dramatic rocky islands in the bay. Voted 4th best view in England and No.1 for the best beach in England by the National Trust, Holywell Bay is best known as a backdrop for the BAFTA-winning TV series Poldark, as well as Jude Law’s thriller Black Sea and the 2020 Netflix series called Cursed. There is plenty of space for dogs to run around and lots of things to explore, from caves to streams. Above the beach are two dog-friendly watering holes offering good food and drink – the lovely 13th century thatched The Treguth Inn and Gull Rocks Bar and Coffee House.
Where is it: Near Newquay, north Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Hitting the surf and swimming, collecting shells and exploring the dunes and the sea caves in search of the ‘holy well’
Facilities: Managed by the National Trust with facilities that include a small car park with toilets. Dog-friendly café and pub nearby. Lifeguarded in season
Stay nearby: Luxury Yurts, Colan (9 miles) | sleeps one dog each and 3-6 humans
Rosevean House
, St Agnes (11 miles) | sleeps one dog and 12 humans

5. Dollar Cove

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Dollar Cove, Lizard Peninsula, west Cornwall

Top left image © Derek Voller; bottom image © Tim Green

Why dogs and owners love it: Dollar Cove is a stunning little cove next to Church Cove, and a lovely place to relax and spend some quality time with your best friend. There are loads of rock pools for little ones to explore, but you’re more likely to be wowed by the ancient rock formations surrounding this sandy beach. Perfect for those who love to get in the water too, Dollar Cove is very popular as a surfing spot. It gets its name from the silver dollars washed ashore from a shipwreck of a 17th century Spanish ship just north of the beach. Dollar Cove and adjacent Church Cove were used in BBC Poldark series one for a gripping night time shipwreck scene. If you fancy a stroll, you can walk south over the coast path to nearby Poldhu Cove (seasonal dog beach ban) where the Poldhu Beach Cafe is dog friendly and open all year.
Where is it: The Lizard Peninsula, west Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Exploring rock pools, surfing
Facilities: Dog-friendly beach café, National Trust car park which also serves Church Cove which is adjacent and which has a dog ban in summer months, toilets. In the summer there is a kiosk selling snacks and ice creams. Dog friendly Halzephron Inn is 1 mile
Stay nearby: Bonython Farmhouse on the magnificent Bonython Estate (6 miles) | sleeps 2 dogs and 10 humans

6. Talland Bay

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Talland Bay, near Polperro, south east Cornwall

© Talland Bay Beach Café

Why dogs and owners love it: Not far from the town of Looe, the twin coves of Talland Bay provide a quiet out of the way spot for families and their dogs in an AONB. The water is also very calm, with both dogs and humans enjoying a swim in beautiful natural tidal pools and around the rocks during high tide. There’s also plenty of sand during both high and low tide for running and fetching! What’s more, the Talland Beach Cafe, located right on the edge of the beach, offers a wonderful, eclectic mix of good food and magnificent ice creams as well as free dog treats for your four legged friends. If you fancy a nice stroll, you can pick up the South West Coast Path for a fabulous dog walk to the charming fishing village of Polperro.
Where is it: Between Looe and Polperro, south east Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Walking at the waters edge
Facilities: Car park, toilets, shop and the Talland Bay Beach Café with tables practically on the beach
Stay nearby: Killigorrick Farm Cottages, near Looe (7 miles) | sleeps 2 dogs each and 2-6 humans

7. Watergate Bay

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Watergate Bay, near Newquay, north Cornwall

Why dogs and owners love it: Perhaps one of North Cornwall’s most loved dog-friendly beaches, Watergate Bay has lots of space for dogs to run free with over two miles of sandy beach at low tide and lots of rock pools and sea caves. After an invigorating session on the beach, you and your canine companion can pop into The Beach Hut café and Living Space restaurants in the Watergate Bay Hotel for something to eat and drink while drinking in the spectacular backdrop of the Atlantic breakers. An adventurer's haven, Watergate Bay this famous beach is a hugely popular surfers hotspot and caters to the traditional beachgoer, with areas to swim in the sea and chairs to hire.
Where is it: Near Newquay. north Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Chasing tennis balls on the sand, hole digging and cliff path wandering
Facilities: There are two beachside car parks, toilets, a pub serving food all day, cafes and restaurants overlooking the beach, an academy to learn how to surf, paddle board and more. Lifeguarded in season
Stay nearby: Luxury Yurts, Colan (6 miles) | sleeps one dog each and 3-6 humans
Rosevean House
, St Agnes (14 miles) | sleeps one dog and 12 humans

8. Trevaunance Cove

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, north Cornwall

Bottom left image © Jonathan Wilkins

Why dogs and owners love it: At the foot of gorgeous dog-friendly St Agnes, Trevaunance Cove is a family favourite, perfect for explorers on two legs or four. Head there at low tide for surfing, swimming, caves and rock pools which reveal a fascinating array of marine life for children to study. A buzz of activity all year, events include the RNLI day in August and the annual Easter dog-race. Many of the local bars, cafes and pubs are dog friendly, including Schooners bar and grill on the beach and The Driftwood Spars, iconic brewpub and restaurant. You can also enjoy breathtaking walks with your pooch on the coast path to the remains of Wheal Coates engine mine and reward yourself with an infamous Hedgehog ice cream from Chapel Porth's beach café.
Where is it: St Agnes, north Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round, but must be kept on leads during the summer
Perfect for: Exploring rock-pools, surfing
Facilities: Dog-friendly beach café and beach pub, shop, parking. surf board, wetsuit and beach hut hire. Lifeguarded in season
Stay nearby: Rosevean House, St Agnes (12 minute walk) | sleeps one dog and 12 humans
Luxury Yurts
, Colan (14 miles) | sleeps one dog each and 3-6 humans

9. Seaton Beach

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Seaton Beach, near Looe, south east Cornwall

Why dogs and owners love it: Catering to a wide range of beachgoers - from families to fishermen, surfers and, of course, dog owners - this large south facing beach is a mixture of sand with small pebbles and has a river running across it, providing the perfect paddling spot for dogs and children. Behind the beach, there is a children’s playground, plus a sensory garden and outdoor gym. It is located at the entrance of the Seaton Valley Country Park, home to an abundance of wildlife and great for dog walking. The South West Coast Path runs above the beach and you can also walk to neighbouring dog-friendly Downderry Beach at low tide. Treat your canine chum to a dog friendly ice cream at the Seaton Beach Café, a little treasure offering delicious freshly cooked food and lots of pooch-friendly seating.
Where is it: Just east of Looe, south east Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Paddling, swimming, water sports and exploring rock pools
Facilities: Dog-friendly Seaton Beach Café and The Smugglers Inn, shop, parking and toilets. Chair hire, kayak and SUP paddleboard hire. Lifeguarded in season
Stay nearby: Killigorrick Farm Cottages. near Looe (10 miles) | sleeps 2 dogs each and 2-6 humans

10. Polpeor Cove

Dog-friendly Cornwall beaches: Staycation Holidays, Polpeor Cove, Lizard Point, west Cornwall

Bottom left image © Ian Capper; bottom right image © Anne Burgess

Why dogs and owners love it: To finish this list of dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, we wanted to invite you to beautiful Polpeor Cove. Found at the bottom of a steep, narrow lane from Lizard Point and dominated by the former Lizard lifeboat station, its abundance of rocks and rock pools make this a great place for your pup to explore at mid to low tide. And for those wanting to spend an afternoon with nature, there are common sightings of the famous Cornish Chough and regular appearances from basking sharks and grey seals here. There’s the added bonus of the excellent very dog friendly Polpeor Café – located right on the cliff edge. Sit in or outside on the patio – the views are one of the best on earth! Why not incorporate this beach and most southerly café in Britain into a fabulous dog walk along the South West Coast Path?
Where is it: Lizard Point, west Cornwall
Restrictions: Dogs welcome all year round
Perfect for: Exploring rock-pools, nature watching
Facilities: Dog-friendly café, National Trust car park
Stay nearby: Bonython Farmhouse on the magnificent Bonython Estate (7 miles) | sleeps 2 dogs and 10 humans

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