If you hate the idea of leaving your four-legged friend behind when you go on holiday, why not consider a fun, relaxed dog-friendly cottage break in beautiful Cornwall? With acres of wild, unspoilt countryside to sniff out, hundreds of dog-friendly attractions, cafes and pubs, and some of the best beaches in the country, it really is a canine’s paradise!
Cornwall’s beaches are famous for their beauty, but did you know that over 120 of them allow dogs throughout the year? An additional 70 allow dogs during low season, which in general runs from Easter Day until October 1st.
We know there’s nothing quite like seeing man’s best friend digging in the sand, chasing the waves and bounding in and out of the water… that’s why we’ve picked our 10 favourite Cornish dog beaches for you and your canine companion to explore during your next holiday!
10 of the Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in Cornwall Revealed (plus two extras!)
- Daymer Bay
- Gwithian Towans Beach
- Nanjizal
- Longrock Beach
- Mullion Cove
- Porthluney Cove
- Polstreath
- Crantock Beach
- Par Beach
- Talland Bay
- St Ives
- Bude
Daymer Bay
Not far from the famous town of Rock, Daymer Bay is a golden, sandy beach dotted with rock pools at the North end. At the low tide, the sea reveals an impressive stretch of sand, making it perfect for your dog to go bounding after a tennis ball or frisbee! The sand dunes are also a great place to go exploring. Dogs are welcome all year round, and there are toilet facilities and a café for human visitors.
Gwithian Towans Beach
This beach could have been pulled straight from a postcard – you’re sure to fall in love with the golden sands, rock pools and caves… not to mention the fantastic views of the lighthouse island out to sea! There are rolling dunes for you and your furry friend to explore, and when the tide is out the beach connects with its neighbours, making it ideal for running and playing!
Gwithian Towan’s Beach doesn’t allow dogs between 1st May and 30th September, and has parking, toilets and a café.
Nanjizal
Just a mile away from Land’s End, Nanjizal is something of a hidden gem. There’s no direct access and reaching the beach itself requires a bit of a walk, but it is certainly worth the effort. Your canine companion will enjoy the stroll, while you drink in the beautiful Cornish scenery. The beach is relatively small and often deserted, with golden sand, calm waters and beautiful rock formations… there’s even a freshwater waterfall!
Longrock Beach
Longrock Beach has seasonal dog bans in place for visitors East of the harbour crossing. However, once you step away from the sometimes-crowded middle section, you can enjoy a dog walk at any time of year. It’s a safe, family beach with plenty of room to run and play – it’s also popular with swimmers and windsurfers, so keep an eye out if your dog is running in and out of the waves! Once you’re both tired, the nearby town of Penzance means there’s plenty to do away from the water!
Mullion Cove
Perhaps closer to a harbour than a beach, Mullion Cove has two sea walls that sit close to the beach and almost meet a little way off the coast. However, at low tide a small stretch of sand is revealed, allowing for easy access in and out of the waves. This and the calm water mean that Mullion Cove is a great spot for your pup to swim safely! There’s plenty of beautiful walks and scenery to enjoy in the surrounding area, as well as toilet facilities, parking and a café.
Porthluney Cove
Porthluney Cove is an extremely dog-friendly beach with a large stretch of sand for digging, sniffing and exploring. The beach is extremely accessible, with a car park right next to the sand. It’s simple to unload your four-legged friends and get them down to the waves, without having to negotiate any traffic or crowds. The beautiful backdrop of Caerhays Castle and Gardens provides some fantastic views to enjoy alongside the beach, and you can pop into the café whenever you need a quick pitstop!
Polstreath
Another secluded treasure, you’ll need to navigate a charming stretch of coastal path and a steep climb to reach Polstreath beach. However, once you arrive, you’ll have a long stretch of golden sand and some safe waters to enjoy. Polstreath allows dogs all year round, and your pet is sure to love the adventure of the walk, the fresh sea air and the open spaces.
Crantock Beach
Crantock beach welcomes dogs throughout the year, and is only a short 10-minute drive from the popular seaside town of Newquay. With wide stretches of golden sand, surrounded by green hills and dunes, it’s a great place to take even the most active dogs exploring. Once you’re in need of refuelling, there’s a café where you can treat yourself to a cup of tea.
Par Beach
A popular destination with a wide expanse of firm, white sand and dunes that stretch for half a mile, Par Beach is available for dogs all year round and the perfect place to run around. Just 4 miles from St Austell, this south-facing beach has parking, shops and facilities are all within the immediate area.
Talland Bay
Not far from the town of Looe, Talland Bay consists of two shingle beaches, both of which welcome dogs all year round. There’s a good selection of facilities nearby, including parking, toilets and restaurants. The water is also very calm, with both dogs and people enjoying a swim around the rocks during high tide. There’s also plenty of sand during both high and low tide for running and fetching!
Of course, these 10 beaches are just a small selection of the fabulous coastal gems situated throughout this marvellous county. You can find specific information about dog restrictions on all of Cornwall’s beaches here.
But with so many beautiful dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, it's hard to pick just ten! So here's a couple of extras, just for you...
Dog friendly beaches St Ives
St Ives has some really lovely beaches close by, but two of the best for dog owners are Bemaluz and Lambeth Walk. Bemaluz is right in the heart of St Ives and allows dogs to run around off-lead throughout the year. With a mixture of sand and pebbles, it's a lovely place for four-legged friends to explore. Be aware that this small beach does vanish at high tide. Meanwhile, Lambeth Walk can be found next to the Lifeboat Station and also welcomes dogs year-round, although it is also at the mercy of the tide times. However, being so close to the town centre, both these beaches are perfect for pairing with a visit to one of St Ives' many dog-friendly pubs and eateries.
Dog friendly beaches Bude
Bude is another seaside town with a fantastic selection of beaches, some of which also allow dogs throughout the year. Northcott Mouth, Sandymouth Bay and Duckpool are three such beaches, all with lovely sandy shores and more than enough space for a game of fetch.
Enjoy the best dog friendly beaches in Cornwall with Rural Retreats
There’s something special about seeing your pet having the time of their life in the great outdoors, enjoying a fantastic break in Cornwall with the rest of the family. If we’ve inspired you to bring your canine companion along on your next break, don’t miss our collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages. With enclosed gardens, open fires and hundreds of walks and attractions within easy reach, they’re the perfect place for you and your dog to return to after a long day exploring. If you need more inspiration, we recommend you check our secret walks in Cornwall post with some unique places to enjoy with your dog, or - if you don't want to stick to Cornwall - take a look at our self-catering cottages near the coast and near beaches.
Find a dog-friendly cottage in Cornwall.