Dog Friendly Devon

Your guide to the best dog friendly places to stay, walks, beaches, pubs and days out across Devon – from the surfing beaches of North Devon to the hidden coves of the South Hams and the wild heart of Dartmoor.

Devon is one of those rare places where everything a dog could wish for comes together. Two coastlines – the wild, surf-pounded beaches of North Devon and the sheltered coves and fishing villages of the South Hams. Between them, 368 square miles of Dartmoor, where ponies roam freely across open moorland and ancient oak woodland clings to granite hillsides. It is the kind of county where a single day can take you from a beach walk with sand between your toes to a moorland tor with views across half of southern England.

With more of the South West Coast Path than any other county, a UNESCO World Heritage coastline in the east, and some of the finest country pubs in England, Devon rewards dog owners who like to explore. The welcome is genuine too – from hotels that provide dog beds and treat jars to pubs where a water bowl by the fire is as standard as the hand pump on the bar.

Whether you are watching your dog bound across Saunton Sands, navigating the mossy boulders of Wistman’s Wood on Dartmoor, or settling into a clifftop terrace with a cream tea and a tired dog at your feet, this page pulls it all together – places to stay, walks, beaches, pubs and days out – so you can plan your Devon adventure in one place.

Dog Friendly Places to Stay in Devon

From five-star coastal hotels and Dartmoor-edge retreats to treehouses hidden in the North Devon countryside – handpicked places where dogs are part of the welcome.

Devon does dog friendly accommodation with real range. Clifftop hotels where your dog gets their own bed and a welcome hamper. Contemporary lodges a short walk from year-round beaches. Treehouses deep in the countryside with copper bathtubs and nothing but birdsong. Whatever kind of escape you are after, your dog is as much a part of the holiday as you are.

Boringdon Hall Hotel & Spa near Plymouth is a stunning Elizabethan manor with over 500 years of history, set in peaceful Devonshire countryside. Dogs receive a warm welcome with their own bed, bowls and treats, and Dartmoor is right on the doorstep for morning walks before breakfast.

Cary Arms & Spa in Babbacombe is five-star coastal chic at its finest – a boutique inn perched on the cliffs above its own dog friendly beach. Dogs are genuinely celebrated here, with a welcome hamper and direct beach access. The kind of place where you will struggle to leave.

The Mole Resort near Chittlehamholt sits in the rolling North Devon countryside between Dartmoor and Exmoor. A contemporary country resort with a relaxed feel, wonderful grounds to explore, and easy access to both moors and the North Devon coast.

Hayditch at Great Field Lodges is a beautifully designed contemporary lodge near Braunton, a short drive from Saunton Sands – one of the finest dog friendly beaches in the country, where dogs can roam freely year-round on miles of golden sand.

Rafters at March End Lodges near Georgeham is a stylish countryside retreat perfect for couples, set between the surfing villages of Croyde and Woolacombe with Dartmoor within easy reach to the south.

The Watershed in Croyde brings retro beach charm to life – a lovingly restored 1960s beach cabin with character to spare. Croyde Bay is minutes away, and the whole North Devon coast is on your doorstep.

Amana is a modern beachside hideaway, also in Croyde – sleek, contemporary and perfectly placed for beach days and coastal walks along the South West Coast Path.

Deep in the North Devon countryside near Hartland, the Watermead estate is home to three of the most distinctive dog friendly stays in the county. Nest Treehouse is a luxury treehouse surrounded by woodland, where your dog can enjoy the sights and sounds of the countryside from the treetops. Hideout Treehouse takes things further with an indoor-outdoor copper bathtub and beautifully crafted interiors. And Cosy Cowshed is a luxuriously converted Devon cowshed with all the warmth and character you would hope for. All three welcome dogs and sit within easy reach of Hartland Point and the dramatic North Devon coast.

River Dart Hideaway near Galmpton offers three luxury hideaways tucked into the South Devon countryside, close to the River Dart and the coastal walk from Broadsands to Fishcombe Cove. A beautiful base for exploring the South Hams, with Dartmouth and Brixham a short drive away.

Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in Devon

Dartmoor tors, ancient woodland, dramatic coastline and year-round beaches – the best places to explore with your dog across Devon.

Devon has walking for every mood. Dartmoor offers 368 square miles of open moorland, ancient woodland and granite tors. The South West Coast Path delivers some of England’s most dramatic cliff-top scenery. And the beaches – from vast sweeps of golden sand to sheltered pebble coves – welcome dogs year-round in many places. A word on Dartmoor: between 1 March and 31 July, dogs must be on a short fixed lead of no more than 2 metres on all Access Land, to protect ground-nesting birds and young livestock. At all other times, keep your dog under close control – Dartmoor ponies, sheep and cattle graze freely across the moor, and farmers can lawfully shoot dogs worrying livestock.

Dartmoor Walks

The Haytor Quarry and Tramway Trail is one of the great Dartmoor walks – a 2-mile circular from the Haytor car park taking in the iconic tor, the atmospheric old quarry pools (perfect for a dog paddle) and the preserved 1820 granite tramway. Short enough for families but genuinely on the moor. Park at Haytor Visitor Centre lower car park (TQ13 9XT) – pay and display, fills quickly on summer weekends. The Rugglestone Inn in nearby Widecombe-in-the-Moor is a short drive for post-walk food.

Wistman’s Wood from Two Bridges is one of the most atmospheric walks in England. An ancient stunted oak woodland growing from a boulder field, draped in moss and lichen – genuinely otherworldly. Around 5 miles circular, with the wood itself 1.3 miles from the small free car park at Two Bridges Hotel (PL20 6SW). The terrain within the wood is rough and rocky, so not suitable for very elderly or mobility-limited dogs. Dogs on lead throughout (cattle and sheep along the route).

Heddon Valley to Heddon’s Mouth on the Exmoor border is a beautiful National Trust walk through ancient woodland along the River Heddon to a dramatic pebbly cove where the river meets the sea. Two miles each way, relatively level, with some of the highest sea cliffs in England on the coast path extension. Dogs on lead (livestock), but the National Trust gives it their highest three-pawprint rating. The Hunter’s Inn sits right at the start – the perfect post-walk pub.

Morte Point near Mortehoe is a dramatic rocky headland jutting into the Atlantic, with views to Lundy Island and along the coast in both directions. A 2.5-mile circular from Mortehoe village car park (EX34 7DT), following the South West Coast Path. Keep dogs under close control near the cliff edges. From here, Woolacombe Beach is a short drive – dogs welcome year-round south of Mill Rock, with seasonal restrictions at the north end between April and September.

On the South Devon coast, Broadsands to Fishcombe Cove is a gorgeous walk connecting two sheltered beaches via the coast path near Brixham – ideal if you are staying at River Dart Hideaway nearby. And the Noss Mayo Circular Walk near Plymouth is a stunning circuit around the Yealm estuary, with wooded creekside paths and open coast – one of South Devon’s finest.

For beaches, Saunton Sands in North Devon is hard to beat – over three miles of golden sand where dogs can roam freely year-round. If you are staying at Hayditch at Great Field Lodges, it is right on your doorstep. On the Jurassic Coast, Branscombe Beach is a dramatic pebbly cove backed by towering cliffs, with year-round dog access on most of the beach – far quieter than Sidmouth or Beer and genuinely unspoilt.

Dog Friendly Pubs & Cafes in Devon

Unspoilt Dartmoor inns, coastal hangouts and countryside cafes where muddy paws are as welcome as muddy boots.

Devon does dog friendly pubs exceptionally well – and the best ones tend to be the kind of places you would choose to eat at regardless, which makes them all the more satisfying after a day on the moor or the coast. Whether you are after a proper pie by a crackling fire in the middle of Dartmoor or a relaxed lunch overlooking the Atlantic, these are places where your dog is as welcome as you are.

The Rugglestone Inn in Widecombe-in-the-Moor is the quintessential Dartmoor pub – unspoilt, cosy, and serving some of the best food on the moor. Dogs are welcome throughout on a lead (watch out for the free-roaming chickens in the garden). Locally sourced Dartmoor produce, real ales, and a wood burner to warm cold paws. Perfect after a Haytor or Hound Tor walk.

Warren House Inn on the B3212 near Postbridge is the highest pub in southern England, sitting at 434 metres above sea level in the middle of the moor with nothing but moorland for miles. Dogs welcome in the bar area (not the dining room). The fire has reportedly been burning since 1845, and the home-made rabbit pie is famous. Pairs naturally with Bellever Forest and Wistman’s Wood walks.

The Hunter’s Inn in Heddon Valley is a Victorian inn rebuilt in distinctive Swiss chalet style, surrounded by National Trust land right on the South West Coast Path. Dogs welcome inside, with treats and water provided – and the National Trust’s Pantry cafe next door serves doggie ice cream. The perfect pairing with the Heddon Valley walk, as it sits right at the trailhead. Also has rooms if you fancy staying the night.

On the Devon border, Tamar Lake Cafe at Upper Tamar Lake is a lovely spot for a relaxed lakeside stop with your dog, with water and countryside in every direction.

Dog Friendly Days Out in Devon

Castles, gardens, waterfalls and 368 square miles of national park – days out where your dog is genuinely welcome.

Devon has more dog friendly attractions than you might expect – including several where dogs are allowed inside, which is still rare in England. Here are some of the best, with honest details on exactly where your dog can and cannot go.

Powderham Castle near Exeter is exceptional – one of very few historic houses in England where dogs are welcome inside on the castle tour. The seat of the Courtenay family for over 600 years, with beautiful grounds and a 200-acre deer park. Dogs cannot enter the deer park (understandably) or the walled garden, but the castle tour itself with your dog alongside is a genuinely rare experience. Adults around GBP 15, dogs free.

Greenway near Brixham is Agatha Christie’s holiday home, now managed by the National Trust, and has their highest three-pawprint dog friendly rating. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the 30-acre garden, the atmospheric boathouse (where Christie set scenes in Dead Man’s Folly), the cafe and the shop. Doggie ice cream available in summer, and complimentary Pooch Passports from reception. Dogs cannot go inside the house itself. If you are staying at River Dart Hideaway, Greenway is practically next door.

Canonteign Falls near Exeter is home to England’s highest man-made waterfall – 70 metres of cascading water set in 90 acres of woodland, lakes and nature trails. Dogs welcome throughout on a lead, including in the cafe and shop, and they go free. The attraction has won Devon’s Dog Friendly Attraction of the Year award. Every full-price ticket includes a free return visit. Adults around GBP 16.50. Open daily but closed seasonally in winter.

Castle Drogo on the edge of Dartmoor is the last castle built in England, designed by Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1930. Dogs on leads welcome in the gardens, shop and wider 1,000-acre Teign Gorge estate, but not inside the castle (assistance dogs only). The real draw for dog owners is the Teign Gorge walk through ancient oak woodland along the river, with swimming spots and spectacular scenery. Water bowls and dog splash points provided throughout. Between March and July, short leads required to protect ground-nesting birds. Adults around GBP 17, free for National Trust members.