The best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall
Watergate Bay, Newquay
Ask anyone for beach recommendations and they’ll point you to Watergate Bay. Set between two dramatic cliffs, it’s a mile-long stretch of calm, unbroken sand. This isn’t some remote spot where you’ve got the place to yourself, however. You will find a lot of company here but that can work in your favour. There’s plenty to do thanks to the popularity, so when you’re not making the most of just strolling the beach or playing frisbee with your dog, options for food and drink are plentiful!
Try out Cubs Coffee for a caffeine fix to take away and admire the rockpools, or if lunch is in order you'll find pizza, hot dogs, ice cream and local beer at Beach Food, a cool 'festival feel' set up next to the beach. The afternoon’s all yours with the option to take it in turns at the surf school (sadly they don’t teach dogs). Or to hike the South West Coast Path (SWCP) running directly through the area – so you can head north towards Mawgan Porth Beach, or South towards Porth Beach.
Stay at: Appletree Cabin
Lantic Bay, Polperro
On Cornwall’s southern coastal stretch, Lantic Bay’s set between the two more famous Cornish hotspots, Fowey and Polperro. It might not be the biggest beach, but it’s got wonderful white sands, and a mediterranean feel, which make it a lovely spot for a quick jaunt with the dog. When you’re not enjoying the views of the rugged headlands, or lying back for a quick dog nap, the SWCP’s just behind you, offering longer walks to admire the coast. Just be careful in the water, as this spot’s known for the odd riptide!
The immediate area’s not well populated, so there’s great walks around the fields, but if you’re looking for a bite to eat or a quick coffee, you’ll need to head a little further out. If you make it out to Polperro, you can pop into The Three Pilchard’s or The Blue Peter Inn for some food with a lovely dog-friendly atmosphere. Or if you head west to Fowey, then there’s a few spots to check out. You can head to The Ship Inn, Havener’s or The Galleon Inn for dog-friendly bites to eat!
Stay at: Honeysuckle Cottage, Hollyhock Cottage, or Laurel Cottage.
Trebarwith Strand, Tintagel
This tiny beach is less about the sand and more about the incredible location. Hidden away from everything, it has an incredibly off-the-beaten-track feel, but is only two miles south of Tintagel. It’s a nice spot to introduce the dog to the water, but only when the lifeguards are present – as some of the currents can be dangerous. The beach is framed on either side by epic cliffs that feel incredibly Cornish, and there’s plenty to explore, just be sure to check the tide times!
Despite being quite isolated, there’s plenty to do nearby, you can grab a coffee at The Strand Café, just at the entrance to the beach, and a little further up the road, there’s The Coffee Cup Cornwall – a small coffee van. If food’s on the cards after exploring the SWCP either side of the beach, then there’s Port William, a classic pub, overlooking the beach, and directly on the end of the trail. If you’re looking for more options, there’s always Tintagel just a few miles up the road, where there are several dog friendly spots to grab a bite.
Stay at: Trengayor Farm
Porthkidney Beach, Hayle
Probably the largest of the selection, Porthkidney’s around a mile long, and when the tide goes out, you’re left with a deep stretch of sand that reaches another mile or so. Even better, this behemoth of a beach is backed with gentle dunes that make for a lovely stroll. There’s plenty of room to play with the dog, and the entire area is riddled with walks, so you can head further into the estuary area to find RSPB Hayle, or out the other way to Hawkes Point and on to Carbis Bay (just be aware that the latter has some seasonal dog restrictions).
This entire area’s pretty well populated for Cornwall, so there are lots of beaches to visit, and Hayle, Lelant, Carbis Bay and St Ives are all within easy driving distance. You can head to any of the former in search of good food and coffee pit stops. If you head out to St Ives, many of the best dog-friendly options are all spread out across Wharf Road, and there are innumerable options to check out!