Our Favourite Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

Our Favourite Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

Our Favourite Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

Cornwall has a wealth of golden sandy beaches that will get your dogs legs twitching at the thought of all those miles of open beach to run along. We’ve selected a few of our favourite beaches that are dotted around the coast of Cornwall and are guaranteed to get any tail wagging.

Constantine Bay

On the north coast near Padstow you can find Constantine Bay. This is a long beach which connects to Booby’s bay at low tide. As well as dunes, there’s plenty of rock pools to splash about in to help cool your dog off. On a big swell, there are strong rip currents so keep an eye out if you have a dog that loves to head straight out to sea as soon as he hits the beach.

Crantock Beach

A favourite with dog walkers and dogs alike. At low tide the river Gannel is visible as it wends its way from the north end to the south end. For a hot sweaty dog, the draw to jump in will be strong! There are steep sand dunes on the landward side so running up and down across these will ensure your dog is well exercised before heading home. The National Trust look after the dunes and car park and sometimes leave a bowl of water out for thirsty hounds. If not, our dog water bottles are a handy way to help her rehydrate before the journey back home.

Lantic Bay

This secluded cove is found on the south coast between Fowey and Polperro and is a great place to escape a northerly wind thanks to the steep cliff surrounding the bay. Those of you with dogs who like their own company may prefer to go here as it’s a bit off the beaten track. It’s worth the trek as it’s one of Cornwall’s hidden gems. At low tide you can access Little Lantic beach and soak up the view while getting the daily exercise done. There’s a bit of a steep beach break so be wary about your dog jumping in at certain stages of the tide.

walking the dog on the beach in Cornwall

Polurrian Cove

Situated on the Lizard, Polurrian Cove is a bit of a special place. It’s worth walking over the headland by heading north from the harbour at Mullion Cove as the views are breathtaking. At low tide, there’s plenty of sandy beach for your dog to happily run around for hours. For dogs that love to swim, it’s worth investing in some drying mitts to ensure your car isn’t covered in sand and mud from the walk back to Mullion.

Seaton

This beach tends to be less busy than others due to its pebbles and course sand. It’s also located on a quieter stretch of the south coast at the foot of the wooded Hessenford Valley. The river Seaton runs along the south side of the beach and is a favourite for children. If you’re after a really long walk, wait till low tide when a long stretch of sand is uncovered and you can walk to Looe beaches to the west or Downderry beach to the east.

Perranporth

This beach is a doggy favourite. Not only is there the sandy beach but also the high dunes of Penhale Sands flank the north end of the beach. This is a joy of a beach to walk at low tide and you’ll find it much quieter heading north. Due to its size, it’s the perfect place for some canine catch using a large squeaker ball which has the added advantage of floating in case it inevitably ends up in the shallows! The car park is right by the beach so there’s quick access onto the sand. The Watering Hole restaurant and bar is right on the beach so you can refuel and let your dog scamper about happily.

Godrevy

Godrevy sits just north of Hayle, famous for its lighthouse and seals. Fortunately the seals pup in a cove inaccessible to dogs and people so you can peek down on them from the top of the cliff on the headland. Heading south and joining onto the beach by the National Trust manned cabin you’ll find miles of golden sand sweeping south all the way down to Hayle with views to St Ives across Carbis Bay. If you have a large dog, she’ll be delighted with the space to roam.

Widemouth Bay

True to its name, this wide beach just three miles south of Bude offers perfect dog walking territory. Being nearly two miles long and with rock pools punctuating the stretches of sand, your dog will happily while away his time sniffing about and having a scamper. If you’re staying at one of the places along the cliff surrounding the beach, it’s a fab spot for a sunset walk. An LED collar is the ideal way to see your dog in the gathering darkness and a must when the beach is as long as this one!

Whitsand Bay

At nearly four miles long, it’s possible to get away from others completely. On the south coast between Portwrinkle and Rame Head, Whitsand it’s considered one of the best beaches along this stretch of coast. You can access the beach from near Tregantle Fort, a reminder left over from Napoleonic times. If you have a water loving dog you may need to keep an extra eye on him as the currents along this beach can be dangerous.

Marazion

Not far from Penzance is Marazion. There is plenty of parking and great places to eat and despite looking busy, the beach never gets overcrowded. One of the biggest draws to this beach is the stunning St Michael’s Mount which can be accessed over the causeway at low tide, keeping owner and dog happy in one fell swoop! There are rock pools clustered around the Marazion end but sand predominates heading north towards Penzance which is only three miles away.

Where are your favourite places to walk your dog in Cornwall? Send us your suggestions via Facebook.

Leave a comment

* Required fields

Please note: comments must be approved before they are published.