Best dog-friendly Cornwall beaches

At Stay In Cornwall, we understand the importance of being able to cater for your dog during your dog-friendly holiday in the county.

We have a wide selection of pet-friendly accommodation throughout the county to suit all of your needs, and you can see our top five dog-friendly cottages here. 

To help you make the most of your break, we have compiled our list of the top 20 dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall. Read on for more details on each, and information on the 200+ dog-friendly beaches throughout the county:

1. Sandymouth, Bude, North Cornwall

Sandymouth beach is a terrific family-friendly and dog-friendly beach near Bude in North Cornwall, close to the Cornwall border. At low tide, you will be afforded plenty of sand on which to run about chasing sticks and balls, before heading to the water to cool your tired paws. Be aware, access is limited due to a steep walk so may be unsuitable for the less suitable or older dogs, but for those who do visit, it is well worth the effort!

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

2. Trebarwith Strand, North Cornwall

During low tide, Trebarwith Strand in North Cornwall is a lovely long sandy beach that offers lots of room for four-legged friends to run about on, and the water is lovely and cool. Be aware that at high tide, the sand is completely covered so ensure that you check the tide times! Access can also be quite limited so may be unsuitable for some.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

3. Daymer Bay, North Cornwall

At Daymer Bay in North Cornwall, you will find a wide expanse of sand with rock pools to explore at the north end of the beach. At low tide, a vast area of sand is revealed as the beach stretches to the nearby town of Rock.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

4. Harlyn Bay, North Cornwall

Harlyn Bay is a very popular, sheltered and sandy family beach on the North Coast of Cornwall. The white sand is wide and spacious and accessible all day as the tide only comes partway up, meaning that the beach is free for dog walking at all times. It is easy to access, with rocky shorelines and surrounding dunes, making it the perfect playground for dogs.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

5. Mawgan Porth, North Cornwall

This beach is surrounded by hills and cliffs and sits at the bottom of the bay, but dog walkers should not be put off by this as it is still very easy to step onto due to the flat land at the rear. Mawgan Porth is another very popular area with families, children and surfers, but is a little less well known than the nearby Newquay and Watergate resorts a few miles down the road, making it quieter and more open for dogs to run around on.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

6. Watergate Bay, North Cornwall

One of Cornwall’s most famous beaches and one of the few year-round dog-friendly beaches with 2 miles of sandy beaches available at low tide, Watergate Bay is a must for dogs and their owners alike. After exploring the rock pools and caves and burning off energy long the long stretch of sand, why not stop for a bite to eat outside one of the three great restaurants that are found nearby?

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

7. Crantock Beach, North Cornwall

Very close to the popular resort of Newquay, Crantock beach is open to dogs all year round. It has wide stretches of golden sand and is surrounded by beautiful dunes and green hills to spend some time exploring in-between playing fetch on the beach.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

8. Porthkidney, West Cornwall

Porthkidney in West Cornwall has a reputation of being a dog walker’s paradise. Not your traditional family beach resort due to parking being limited and the lack of facilities, the beach is sandy and deceptively long, with the amount of beach available being affected by the tide. Dogs and their owners are often left to enjoy the stunning views and beach all to themselves.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

9. Nanjizal, West Cornwall

Found a mile away from Land’s End, Nanjizal is a secret gem and truly worth a visit for adventurous dog walkers. The effort to reach this beach is certainly worthwhile, due to its beautiful scenery just off of the western Cornwall coastline. It’s a relatively small but sandy beach, clear calm waters and a rock formation that will leave visitors astounded.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

10. Longrock Beach, West Cornwall

Dog walking on Long Rock Beach does have its restrictions between May and September, so be cautious of this. But step away from the crowded central section and enjoy dog walking on the rest of this beautiful sandy beach all year round.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

11. Lansallos Beach, West Cornwall

Another hidden gem, visitors and locals alike enjoy walking their dogs because of the surrounding area and countryside. Keep your eyes peeled for the small waterfall to the west of the beach which once powered a small mill. The closest car park is in Lansallos Village, a 20-minute walk from the beach, but the sights and activities along the stream make it worth the journey.

12. Mullion Cove, West Cornwall

More of a harbour than a beach, Mullion Cove’s focal point is the two sea walls that hug the beach and almost meet a little way off the coast. At low tide there is a small section of sand that allows for easy access into the water, where the sea is calm due to the walls, allowing for safe swimming for dogs. The surrounding scenery and walks are also outstanding.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

13. Gwithian Towans Beach, North Cornwall

Gwithian Beach is a wide-open area of sand and sea that, when the tide goes out, connects to other surrounding beaches. With golden sands, stretches of water, rock pools and caves to explore, fantastic views of a lighthouse island out to sea and a backdrop of rolling dunes; this beach has everything.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome on this beach (except between 1 May and 30 September 8am - 7pm) when a seasonal dog ban is in place between Ceres Rock and Red River.

14. Porthluney Cove, South Cornwall

An extremely dog-friendly beach in South Cornwall with access allowed all year round even during the busy summer months. The beach has a large area of sand with the beautiful backdrop of Caerhays Castle and Gardens behind it. The car park is right by the beach so access is incredibly easy, the ideal place to pop down to the water’s edge and give dogs a good run around.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

15. Polstreath, South Cornwall

Polstreath beach is another beach where the difficulty of reaching it owes so much to its unspoilt beauty. Dogs are allowed all year round and can make use of the long stretch of beach once you have arrived here.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

16. Hemmick Beach, South Cornwall

Hemmick Beach is a perfectly pleasant sandy stretch - but, to many, it remains a secret Cornwall beach! The large expanse of sand allows for plenty of exploring and the rock pools will enable dogs to sniff out the intriguing marine life. Be aware that access can be limited.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

17. Par Beach, South Cornwall

A popular destination with 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. Parking, shops and facilities are all within the immediate area so access is straightforward.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

18. Talland Bay, South Cornwall

Talland Bay is split up into two shingle beaches and they both allow dogs all year round and have a number of car parks, facilities and restaurants in the immediate area. The waters are said to be quite calm, with many people swimming around the rocks at high tide, so our four-legged friends also have the chance to get their paws wet and enjoy a doggy paddle.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

19. Lantic Bay, South Cornwall

If you feel up for a bit of a hike then Lantic Bay rewards you with one of the most fabulous views in Cornwall. The National Trust car park is about 15 minutes away and leads onto a well-marked footpath for dogs and people to share. Once you reach the cliff edge below you is a sand and shingle beach in a cove cut into the cliffs. The trek down to the beach is steep so take your time and enjoy the view.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

20. Mother Ivey’s Bay, North Cornwall

Mother Ivey’s Bay lies in a sheltered location surrounded by picture-perfect scenery. The sandy beach is perfect for running around on in the summer and for romantic walks with the dog in winter. The facilities are limited, meaning the bay rarely gets busy, even during the summer period, leaving it clear to be dog-friendly all year round.

• Restrictions: Dogs are welcome all year

Want to know where you can and can't take your hounds?

There's no better feeling than visiting a beautiful beach with your dog, leaving paw prints in the sand and playing fetch to your heart's content. Thankfully, there are more than 200 beaches in Cornwall where you can walk your dog.

From popular spots including Fistral and Watergate Bay in Newquay, to secret coves and bays that you may never have heard of before now, we've done the homework to let you know which Cornish beaches allow dogs.

Read on to see the full list of beaches where dogs are allowed all year round, where there are restrictions, and where there are annual bans.