Located on the Rame Peninsula, often referred to as ‘Cornwall’s forgotten corner’, we think Whitsand Bay offers everything you could wish for in a dog friendly day out. It’s ideal if you’re looking for somewhere a little off the beaten track, that never gets as busy as some of the more popular Cornish hotspots.
- By The Beach
- Children Welcome
- Multiple Dogs Allowed
- Parking
- Rural Walks
Good to know
Overview
Backed by dramatic cliffs dotted with quirky huts, Whitsand Bay stretches all the way from Portwrinkle in the west to Rame Head in the east. This stunning and wild stretch of coastline is made up of several sandy beaches including Portwrinkle, Tregantle, Tregonhawke, Freathy and Polhawn.
At low tide, all of these beaches join together to become one huge four-mile expanse of sand for dogs to run free on. Rock pools are scattered along the all the beaches, perfect for splashing in. Pooches will have the time of their lives running around and playing in the shallows. Better still, it’s dog friendly all year round with no seasonal restrictions.
The South West Coast path runs behind the bay and offers an excellent option to extend your walk to nearby Rame Head. Wander past the wild Dartmoor ponies grazing the headland before climbing the many stairs up to the Rame Head Chapel. Records suggest that this tiny chapel dates all the way back to the 14th century, perhaps even further. Visit on a clear day and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views onto Plymouth Sound, as well as over towards West Cornwall.
It is rather a steep walk down to the beach (and back up!) so you’ll want to wear sensible footwear. It’s also worth noting that there are few facilities in Whitsand Bay, so pick up a freshly baked pasty from The Cornish Pod en route if you’re going to get peckish.
The sunsets are pretty special at Whitsand Bay, so definitely stick around if you have time. Our top tip – make sure to track the tide times, it’s very easy to get cut off and stranded on the wrong beach when approaching high tide.
For The Dogs
Dogs are able to roam off lead. Pack water, towels and poop bags.
Opening Hours
None as such but daylight hours recommended.
Parking
Park at Freathy car park. It’s free 1st November – 31st March, but hourly charges apply the rest of the year.
The Area
Much of the Rame Peninsula is part of the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, which covers over 865 acres and was the earliest landscaped park in Cornwall. Here, you and your dog can enjoy not only open parkland and ancient woodland, but also formal gardens awash with colour from spring to autumn. Within the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Kingsand and Cawsand are twinned villages with outstanding views of Plymouth Sound and a rich smuggling history. Wander the narrow streets passing charming colour-washed cottages before splashing in the Cawsand rockpools.
For more walks, pubs and places to stay, see our guide to dog friendly Cornwall.
