Dog-Friendly Gardens in Cornwall 

There’s nothing more rewarding than discovering the beauty of Mother Nature with your four-legged friend at your side. Fortunately, the county of Cornwall provides endless opportunities for exploration together, sprinkled with herbaceous pockets of paradise that welcome all with budding blooms and heady floral aromas. From estates with expansive grounds to traditional gardens with tangled hedgerows to exotic oases filled with unusual plants, here are some of the best dog-friendly gardens in Cornwall. 

Trebah Garden, Falmouth

One of the ‘Great Gardens of Cornwall’, the 26-acre Trebah Garden is a gorgeous sub-tropical haven located in Mawnan Smith near Falmouth. Set within a sheltered valley above the Helford River, it is one of the most dog-friendly gardens in Cornwall, with its gardens and neighbouring beach welcoming dogs all year. There are even designated doggie tables at the onsite Trebah Kitchen café and a dog-friendly garden terrace in the garden’s picnic area. To top it off, doggy water bowls are located outside the Visitor Centre and complementary poop bags are made available on arrival.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell

One of the most romantic and curious estates in England, the Lost Gardens of Heligan were nearly consumed by a sea of brambles and brush following the outbreak of WWI. Later becoming the subject of one of Europe’s greatest garden restoration projects, its revived 200-acres now provide a wonderful escape for two and four-legged visitors alike. Making it easier to look after your pup, free garden maps are also available detailing the locations of all doggy bins onsite too. Wander the paths, marvel at the sights and refuel with a home-made cake from Heligan Bakery.

Trengwainton Garden, Penzance

With views ranging from far-reaching coastal vistas to leafy frames that hint at more exotic climes, Trengwainton Garden in Penzance is a great place to strut with your mutt. Home to 25 acres of sheltered exotic gardens with weird and wonderful trees and shrubs, it’s the kind of place that easily absorbs the hours. Stick to the paths and enjoy Trengwainton’s walled gardens, wooded paths, green spaces and views of St Michael’s Mount and the Lizard, before making the most of its dog-friendly shop and dog-friendly seating in the garden of its café.

Pinetum Gardens, St Austell

Pinetum Park and Gardens exude cathartic energy and set the perfect scene for tranquil rambles with your canine chum. The result of 40 years of work, this dog-friendly attraction covers 30 acres and features one of the biggest plant collections in Cornwall with over 6,000 types of plants. Around the site, several unique gardens provide a feast for the eyes throughout the seasons, as well as a sensory explosion for visitors of the wet-nosed variety. Like with most of Cornwall’s dog-friendly gardens, dogs are expected to be kept on a lead to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors.

Eden Project, Bodelva

The Eden Project is one of the most famous attractions in Cornwall and a real highlight for dog owners. With countless trails and paths to follow, you can easily while away the hours discovering the continents through Eden’s themed gardens. While you can’t take dogs into the biomes or undercover areas, if there’s more than one of you then you can take it in turn waiting with your pooch. Dogs are also welcome in the Visitor Centre and there’s a designated undercover dining area outside too. For convenience, there are water bowls and dog waste bins dotted across Eden.

Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance

With its views of Mount’s Bay, intriguing and inspiring art installations, woodland walks, babbling streams and exotic plants, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens in Penzance offers the full package. Open almost every day of the year and with dogs on leads welcome to wander its grounds at leisure, it makes for a magical setting for strolls with your dog whatever the season. To round off your visit, you can also take a seat outside at one of Tremenheere Kitchen’s dog-friendly tables or head to the take-away hut for treats on the go.

Pencarrow House & Garden, Bodmin

Pencarrow House is home to some of the best dog-friendly gardens in Cornwall. Located on ancient ground, the gardens themselves were laid out between 1831 and 1835 and feature many curiosities, including an Iron Age hill fort, sunken Italian Garden, old icehouse, ancient Cornish cross and a mysterious grotto thought to have once been a secret meeting place. Needless to say, there is plenty to see and do that will keep all generations of booted and paddy-pawed visitors interested. For refreshment, there’s a café with dog-friendly seating that serves dog-friendly ice cream too.

Enys Gardens, Penryn

Enys Gardens in Penryn are believed to be some of the oldest in Cornwall. Laid out in a formal Italianate style in the 18th Century, the original design was relaxed over the centuries and today has a much more unspoilt feel. Spread out across 30 acres are a number of distinct areas, including an open meadow, ponds, flower garden, stumpery, orchard and more. That said, one of the gardens’ most famous features comes in the form of its bluebells which blanket its grounds in spring. If you’d like to visit, Enys’ open season runs from April to September and dogs are welcome on leads.

Tanglewood Gardens, Penzance

A place for humans, canines and wildlife alike, Tanglewood Gardens in Penzance offer a wilder escape than many gardens in Cornwall. Adopting a more natural approach to its landscaping, this garden and woodland setting is home to a mix of habitats and ponds across 9 acres. With lots of native trees, mixed plants and some exotic varieties thrown in for good measure, the whole site is awash with activity and a haven for wildlife species both great and small. There’s also plenty of space to throw down a picnic blanket and savour an alfresco feast with your whole pack.

Feeling inspired? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Cornwall.