Whatever your views on the seasonal dog ban, come the end of summer a whole new world of beachy options open up for doggy walks. There’s nothing like a good stomp on the beach with waves crashing, seagulls wheeling above and the air crisp and salty to awaken the senses, and most dogs tend to love running on long stretches of sand and dodging the waves. Here are our top suggestions for great dog walks on beaches.
The Far West
If you’re lucky enough to be staying in this beautiful, remote part of Cornwall, head to the iconic beach at Sennen – much loved by surfers but with a big, sandy beach that dogs will love. Nearby Lamorna has a very small pebbly beach but with the South West Coastal path running alongside it you don’t need to worry about popping pooch back on a lead. Moving south from here Mousehole beach, Penzance promenade and Marazion beach are great – especially for fab views of St Michael’s Mount. Moving north from Sennen, all of the gloriously sandy beaches of St Ives are dog-friendly (great if you’re staying in this popular town). Further along, Gwithian, a huge sandy beach, is perfect for wild and woolly walks.
South West
On the south coast of this gorgeous part of Cornwall you’ll find Praa Sands – a vast stretch of beach – which pulls some impressive surf. Porthleven, a pretty fishing village now home to some great restaurants and famous for bearing the brunt of sea storms, has a lovely beach but if your dog tends to go in the water, watch out for the very strong currents. Moving east from here, you’ll find the stunning Lizard, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and also home to some great beaches. Gunwalloe, Polurrian Cove, Kynance Cove (a personal favourite - inquisitive dogs will love the caves) and Kennack Sands all become dog friendly in October and are just stunning. On the north coast head to Hayle Towans for gorgeously big space – at low tide, the golden sands stretch over three miles.
North Coast
For wild and dramatic coastline, it doesn’t get more impressive than the north Cornish coast. Porthtowan is best visited at low tide when it stretches to nearly one and a half miles along to Chapel Porth beach, overlooked by the iconic Wheal Coates engine house. Trevaunance Cove, the main beach at St Agnes, is a mix of sand and shingle and you can explore the rock pools at low tide. Heading towards Newquay and beyond you’ll find many of the beaches are dog friendly all year, most notably Holywell Bay, Penhale Sands, Crantock beach, Towan beach (actually in Newquay and home to our gorgeous retreat The Island), Watergate Bay, Bedruthan Steps, and Constantine Bay to name but a few. Pastow’s closest beach, St George’s Cove faces out into the Camel estuary and is great if you’re staying in Padstow with a pooch once the ban has been lifted. Across the estuary, Rock beach will definitely see an influx of pedigree pups now the ban has lifted, whilst Polzeath beach is enormous at low tide and a bit more laid back. Port Isaac beach and Trebarwith Strand are dog friendly all year, whilst Crackington Haven, relatively protected compared to most of the north coast, is a lovely spot for dogs when the ban is lifted.
South Coast
Falmouth has some gorgeous beaches that welcome dogs once the ban is lifted; Gyllyngvase, situated in the town, is a great beach with rock pools and a fab cafe. Sandy Swanpool and Maenporth – a little out of the town - are also worth a visit. Further around onto the Roseland Peninsula, the large sandy beaches of Porthcurnick and Pendower are dog-friendly all year. Carrying on around is Polkerris, the last home of Daphne du Maurier and has a lovely sandy beach which welcomes dogs during the winter months. Further along towards Rame Head, Whitsand Bay stretches for four miles and is dog friendly all year, whilst Freathy beach, popular with locals, has the seasonal dog ban as does the sheltered bay of Cawsand.
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