The Ultimate Guide to Dog Friendly Days Out in Cornwall
Cornwall is often lauded as one of Britain’s most popular holiday destinations and remains the home of the UK staycation. From squidging sand between your toes to squawking sea birds soaring over the South West Coast Path, a sojourn in Cornwall never fails to wash away the worries of daily life. It’s a sure bet for a dog friendly Cornwall break, with an excellent choice of dog friendly days out and plenty of accommodation welcoming dogs. Ice cream, anyone?
Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Hayle Towans
It would be rude to start a dog friendly guide to Cornwall with anything other than a beach. And what a beach: the sandy sweep of Hayle Towans stretches for three miles at low tide, linking to the neighbouring beaches of Gwithian and Godrevy. The word ‘towans’ is derived from the Kernewak (native Cornish) ‘tewyn’, meaning ‘sand dunes’, and the dunes here are some of the biggest in Cornwall – perfect for launching that first zoom onto the beach.
Dogs are welcome here almost all year round with a limited period of restrictions in July and August. However, unlike many places with dog bans, lots of Cornish beaches (Hayle Towans included) allow dogs all year round before 10am and after 6pm. And if you ask us, that’s usually the best time to head to the beach anyway. It’s one of the best dog friendly beaches in Cornwall for long sandy walkies.
Dog Friendly Gardens & Outdoor Attractions
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Almost as well known as Cornwall’s beaches is its extensive collection of show-stopping gardens. The best of these (if you ask us) are the Lost Gardens of Heligan. The gardens were lost to time during the First World War when the team of gardeners who cared for the grounds went off to war; sadly, many of them never returned.
The gardens were left to grow wild and be reclaimed by nature until a chance discovery in the 1990s sparked Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Today, some 200 acres have been restored, ranging from jungle-like explosions of green to a farmyard area sure to delight the whole family. Dogs are welcome throughout the site, with restrictions only where it’s sensible to do so, such as on the rope bridge. The garden map even handily tells you where you can find the nearest poop bin! It’s a brilliant option if you’re looking for dog friendly days out in Cornwall beyond the beach.
The Minack Theatre
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Minack Theatre has been looking out over the Atlantic for centuries, but it’s actually less than 100 years old. Equally, the theatre appears to have been specially constructed by expert craftsmen, but the Minack’s true origins are far more impressive.
Rowena Cade bought the Minack headland in the 1920s and built a house and clifftop garden here. A few years later, she became involved in an open-air theatre production and offered use of the clifftop garden to stage performances: she just needed somewhere for the actors to perform and somewhere for the audience to sit. And so began an incredible story of creation, with Rowena and her team carving the theatre you can see today out of the rock using mainly hand tools, with Rowena herself carrying sand up from the beach below to mix the cement.
Dogs are welcome to explore the theatre with you when performances aren’t ongoing, and they can also join you in the beautiful subtropical gardens. Advanced booking is essential, as the Minack is one of Cornwall’s best known and best loved attractions. Afterwards, call at Porthcurno Beach for dogs to have a blast along the sand. It’s easily one of the most unique dog friendly places to visit in Cornwall.
Lanhydrock Estate
When in Cornwall, it’s compulsory to sample a local cream tea (jam first, unless you pop over the border to Devon, in which case it’s cream). And where better to enjoy a scone (or two or three) than the National Trust’s Lanhydrock Estate?
While the house at Lanhydrock is rather fancy, it’s the gardens which are truly the must-see. Planted during the Victorian period, there’s a riotous display of colour with a huge variety of plants. Best of all is the enormous collection of more than 200 magnolia trees. The magnolias are at their most impressive in the springtime, but at Lanhydrock it’s possible to find a magnolia in flower during every month of the year.
Dogs have been welcome on the wider estate for years, with several walking trails available, but recently the National Trust extended their invitation to also allow dogs on leads into Lanhydrock’s formal gardens (the only exception is the herbaceous border). Your pooch can also join you in two of the cafés and the second-hand bookshop. You don’t need to remember all of that though, the visitor reception provides a handy map showing where dogs can and cannot go, plus information on dog bathing spots along the River Fowey.
Dog Friendly Historical & Cultural Days Out
Geevor Tin Mine
Woven just as intrinsically into Cornwall’s identity as the coast and countryside is its rich mining history. For centuries, Cornwall was a hub of mining activity, particularly along the ‘Tin Coast’. Today, many of these former mines make up the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, and there’s nowhere better to get a flavour of this industry than Geevor Tin Mine near Pendeen.
Operating as a working mine right up until 1990, Geevor offers a fascinating insight into what tin mining meant to locals. Visitors can head underground in the Wheal Mexico Mine, while The Dry, left exactly as it was when miners last surfaced, is a moving and poignant experience. Many of the guides here were miners themselves and now share their knowledge with visitors.
Dogs can join you everywhere on site except underground in the Mexico Mine. This includes the café and museum, as well as many of the family-friendly activities such as gemstone panning and quizzes. It’s one of the most immersive dog friendly attractions in Cornwall.
Tintagel
The coast at Tintagel evokes a lingering air of mystery. So much so that Geoffrey of Monmouth, the 12th-century author, noted it as the place where the legendary King Arthur was conceived. The Arthurian connection persists today, with visitors flocking to the castle ruins on the headland. A recently installed sculpture based on Tintagel’s myths provides a great photo opportunity, and Merlin’s Cave below the castle is home to a small beach at low tide. Dogs on leads are welcome everywhere on site.
Entry to the castle and the rather striking bridge is paid for (free for English Heritage members), but you can also walk along the coast path from the village for free views. A walk from Tintagel to Bossiney Haven clocks in at around three miles and offers dogs the chance for a run on the beach at Bossiney (dog friendly year-round, though steep steps and not accessible at high tide). Tintagel is an atmospheric and classic dog friendly day out in Cornwall.
Pendennis Castle
Storm the Tudor keep of Pendennis Castle to be rewarded with panoramic views of the Cornish coast. Constructed during the reign of Henry VIII, Pendennis Castle and its sister at St Mawes guarded the mouth of the Fal estuary at a time when fears of invasion from Europe ran high.
Today, the castle is cared for by English Heritage, who maintain a fascinating exhibition on the site’s history and a sizeable collection of historic guns. Some of these are even fired during special event days. The site also hosts jousting, family trails and other seasonal activities.
Dogs are welcome everywhere at Pendennis Castle, including indoor exhibitions. The only exception is the interior of the café, though outdoor seating is available. It’s one of the most dog friendly historic attractions in Cornwall.
Dog Friendly Wildlife & Family Attractions
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary
What could be better than seeing seals and puffins up close? Doing so with your dog by your side! The Cornish Seal Sanctuary near Gweek is one of the best family-friendly and dog friendly visitor attractions in Cornwall.
The sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates more than 70 injured or orphaned seals each year and recently welcomed a group of puffins from their sister sanctuary in Iceland – collectively known as a circus or improbability of puffins. Volunteers run talks throughout the day, sharing the seals’ individual stories and the vital work the sanctuary carries out.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome everywhere on site except the seal hospital. If you’re planning a visit, booking online a few days ahead can save up to 20% on entry.
Dog Friendly Walks & Countryside Adventures
Bodmin Moor
Offering a completely different vibe to the crashing waves of the Cornish coast, Bodmin Moor is one of the most remote places in Cornwall and a perfect option if you prefer your walks on the quieter side. At ten miles by ten miles, it’s not Britain’s largest moor, but it’s packed with geological wonders and ancient history. Plus, if you’re a trig-bagger, it’s home to the highest point in Cornwall: Brown Willy.
Bodmin Moor is characterised by huge granite tors with fantastic names like the Cheesewring, as well as hidden gems such as the waterfalls at Golitha Falls. History lovers can visit the Hurlers stone circle, while Arthurian fans can head to Dozmary Pool, the legendary place where Arthur supposedly handed Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake. We can’t promise you’ll find the sword, but you will have a peaceful and atmospheric walk.
Dogs are welcome to join you on Bodmin Moor. Just remember to follow access land rules by keeping them on leads during ground-nesting bird season and lambing (1st March–31st July).
Dog Friendly Coastal Towns & Beaches
Rock Beach & Daymer Bay
Rock Beach is a beautiful sandy beach near Padstow on Cornwall’s north coast. Connecting to Daymer Bay at low tide, it offers plenty of space even on busy summer days, and both beaches are dog friendly year-round.
The sheltered waters make this a great option for dogs (and humans) who enjoy swimming, SUP, or simply paddling in the shallows. Beyond the sea, there are lovely coastal views and the opportunity to walk along the South West Coast Path: the hike around Pentire Head is a firm favourite.
For a more leisurely après-beach experience, hop on the ferry from Rock to Padstow. Padstow is one of Cornwall’s most dog friendly towns, with plenty of shops, cafés and pubs welcoming dogs, including Rick Stein’s St Petroc’s Bistro (booking recommended).
Planning Your Dog Friendly Cornwall Trip
Whether you’re after beaches, gardens, moorland, castles or wildlife encounters, Cornwall is packed with dog friendly days out that suit every kind of adventure. Combine a few of these stops with a cosy dog friendly place to stay, and you’ve got the perfect Cornish getaway lined up.
