For all us dog lovers, knowing which beach to take our four-legged friends is a very important task when it comes to setting the holiday itinerary. For this reason, we have put this handy blog together, giving you a guide to the best dog-friendly beaches to visit in Cornwall and when to visit them.
We also understand that knowing where to stay nearby is crucial so you, your family and the dog can make the most out of your holiday in Cornwall. With over 300 dog-friendly cottages to choose from, you can plan your stay and itinerary for your holiday all in one sitting - Enjoy!
To make it a little easier to plan, we have broken it down into three sections; firstly by the region of Cornwall you were looking for and then by place within that region. Simply follow the links below or browse the blog at your own pace...
Find out more
North Cornwall
- All year-round dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall
- Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in North Cornwall
South Cornwall
- All year-round dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall
- Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in South Cornwall
West Cornwall
- All year-round dog-friendly beaches in West Cornwall
- Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in West Cornwall
North Cornwall
Looming cliffs, big and beautiful beaches, stretching vistas that really test the scope of your camera… North Cornwall doesn’t do things in small doses so if you want a dramatic location for your walkies, this is the place for you.
All year-round dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall
Sandymouth Beach, Bude 
- Parking: National Trust Car Park above the beach
- Accessibility: You access the beach via a steep, stoney path
- Facilities: Sandymouth Beach Café is perched above the beach with refreshments, a small gift shop and toilets
Whether you’re a keen surfer or you just like to walk along the shoreline with the sea lapping at your toes, Sandymouth is great for water lovers.
Taking the kids for a walk as well as the dog? You’ll find plenty of rockpools here at low tide, which are home to all manner of sea creatures ready for exploring!
With plenty of footpaths leading off from this beach, it is a perfect beach to combine with your dog walk along the South West Coast Path where you can truly experience the dramatic glory of North Cornwall.
Daymer Bay Beach, Padstow
- Parking: Large car park
- Accessibility: Short walk and steps from the car park above
- Facilities: Shop and toilets by car park
A lovely gentle sloping sandy beach perfect for an evening stroll with the dog, all year-round. Nestled in the Camel Estuary and backed by dunes, this perfectly sheltered beach is a little oasis of calm on the north coast and as such makes it popular for swimmers (although it’s worth noting that lifeguards do not patrol here).
At low tide, you can even follow the long stretch of sand around to Rock, although make sure to make the trip quickly as you don’t want to get cut off when that pesky tide comes in again.
Mawgan Porth Beach, Newquay 
- Parking: In the village
- Accessibility: Easy, level access for wheelchair users with sand chairs available from Betty’s News
- Facilities: Toilets, cafés and shops can be found in the village
Just as breath-taking as its neighbouring beaches, Mawgan Porth Beach is often much quieter as people flock to the big names of Fistral and Crantock Beach (both of which are also dog-friendly all year round).
Sheltered from the wind, plenty of space for you and your furry friend to spread out (even on the busiest days), this beautiful beach has lots to explore and enjoy. At low tide, some fantastic rock pools and caves emerge ready to be explored by furry noses and curious eyes.
Other dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall
- Bossiney Cove Beach
- Duckpool Beach
- Northcott Mouth Beach
- Summerleaze Beach
- Constantine Bay Beach
- Harlyn Bay Beach
- Hawkers Cove
- Mother Ivey’s Bay
- Port Gaverne Beach
- Porthcothan Bay Beach
- Rock Beach
- Trebarwith Strand Beach
- Treyarnon Bay Beach
- Crantock Beach
- Fistral Beach
- Great Western Beach
- Holywell Bay Beach
- Towan Beach
- Watergate Bay Beach
- Porth Joke Beach
- Bedruthan Steps (closed due to rockfall)
- Trevaunance Cove Beach
- Perranporth Beach
Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in North Cornwall
Crooklets Beach, Bude 
- Dates: Restrictions from 15th May to 30th September, 10am - 6pm
- Parking: Large car park above beach
- Accessibility: Fully accessible beach with sand chairs available for disabled visitors at the shop
- Facilities: Beach café, showers, play area and beach huts available for hire
This is a very accessible beach, making it a firm favourite for all visitors. It’s also dog friendly for most of the year, or perfect for a dawn dog walk in the summer months, so you can gather up the whole family for a proper beach stomp.
Popular with surfers, Crooklets Beach is lifeguarded between May and September so you can swim with confidence. Or, if you prefer to take things a little more relaxed, the outdoor tidal swimming pool provides the perfect place to practice your strokes without the worry of zigzagging surfers.
Polzeath Beach, Padstow
- Dates: Restrictions from 15th May to 30th September, 10am - 6pm
- Parking: Several nearby car parks and one at the beach
- Accessibility: Good disabled access with sand chairs available
- Facilities: Toilets, shops and cafés nearby in the village
Very popular with families over the summer months, Polzeath is best to visit with a dog out of the peak summer weeks. With a great expanse of beautiful golden sand, a stroll on this dog-friendly beach in the spring at sunset is really rather special.
A Blue Badge Beach, high tide unearths an enormous expanse of sand that reaches half a mile in every direction, perfect for dogs who need that extra bit of space to run like the wind and really let their fur down.
Other beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in North Cornwall
- Crackington Haven
- Widmouth Bay Beach
- St George’s Well/Cove
- Trevone Bay Beach
- Tolcarne Beach
- Porth Beach
- Chapel Porth Beach
- Porthtowan Beach
Excited to explore North Cornwall? Find out everything you need to know about this rugged stretch of Cornwall here.
South Cornwall
Basking in its own microclimate, South Cornwall is home to some stunning stretches of sandy beaches that are just waiting to be sniffed, dug and sprinted across by our four-legged besties.
All year-round dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall
Whitsand Bay, Looe
- Parking: Tregantle Fort or Sharrow Point if red flags are flying
- Accessibility: Steep paths and steps lead down to the beach
- Facilities: Can be found at the nearby golf club
If you’re looking for a place to let your dog run as wild as they possibly can, this is the place. One of the best beaches and hidden gems in Cornwall, Whitsand Bay reaches four miles in length when the tide is out.
Swimming is not recommended at Whitsand Bay due to strong rip currents (lifeguards patrol the beach during the summer) but with plenty of rocks, pools and other interesting sights and smells, this beach is perfect for a blustery stroll with the dog. Note, the military operates in the area so if you see red flags it means access is prohibited. Nearby coast paths and beaches are just as fun for some spirited walkies though.
Nansidwell Beach (Woodlands), Falmouth
- Parking: Along the road past Meudon Hotel
- Accessibility: An uneven, woodland path that isn’t suited to pushchairs or wheelchairs
- Facilities: None
While Falmouth is not the best area for dog-friendly beaches, there is one small beach beyond Maenporth that is perfect for you and your pooch. Looked after by the National Trust, enjoy a pleasant walk down to the beach from Mawnan Smith through a little woodland area.
Once you arrive at the sand and shingle beach it’s leads off for some good old-fashioned beach fun with lots of rockpools and stretches of sand to keep the dogs fully entertained.
Other dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall
- Downderry Beach
- Hannafore Beach
- Talland Bay Beach
- Seaton Beach
- Polridmouth Cove
- Lansallos Beach/West Combe
- Lantic Bay
- Par Sands Beach
- Carne Beach/ Gerrans Bay
- Gorran Haven Beach
- Hemmick Beach
- Porthcurnick Beach
- Pendower Beach
- Portholland Beach
- Porthluney Cove Beach
- Vault Beach
Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in South Cornwall
Polkerris Beach, Fowey
- Dates: Year-round restrictions between 10am - 6pm
- Parking: Short five-minute walk from beach
- Accessibility: Ramped access to the beach and disabled toilets
- Facilities: Toilets, café, shop and pub all near to the beach
The watersport hire shop and tuition have you covered whatever you want to do in or on the water… dog paddleboarding anyone?
Harboured by the wall and with a gentle shelf, this pretty little beach is perfect for families looking for a quiet day in and out of the water.
Perfectly positioned to make the most of the afternoon and setting sun and dog friendly from 6pm onwards, why not take a picnic dinner with you and make the most of the evening?
Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth
- Dates: Restrictions from 15th May to 30th September, 10am - 6pm
- Parking: A minute’s walk up the road
- Accessibility: A gentle slope to the beach
- Facilities: A café, restaurant and toilets all at the top of the beach
Gyllyngvase beach, or Gylly to the locals, is the main beach in Falmouth and very popular with everyone who visits. Learn how to paddleboard on calm days, surf on windier days or enjoy a spirited game of fetch along the waterline.
Whether it’s hot chocolate or ice cream, the café at Gylly Beach is always worth a visit.
Other beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in South Cornwall
- Cawsand Beach
- Readymoney Cove
- Portscatho Beach
- Summer’s Beach
- Pentewan Beach
- Portmellon Cove
- Castle Beach
- Maenporth Beach
- Swanpool Beach
- Helford Passage Beach
Make the most of sunny South Cornwall with our complete guide.
West Cornwall
Known for its balmy climate and staggering cliffs, West Cornwall is a dog’s paradise with lots of sights and smells to explore along the coast path and on one of its many dog-friendly beaches.
All year-round dog-friendly beaches in West Cornwall
Loe Bar Beach, Helston
- Parking: Either in Porthleven, Gunwalloe or the National Trust car park where you can walk in via the estate
- Accessibility: An uneven, occasionally steep walk is required from any direction
- Facilities: None at the beach, the closest are Porthleven or Chyvarloe Farm
A long strip of sand between The Loe and the sea, this is a great beach for letting the dog run free. As the beach is only accessible by footpaths from either Porthleven or Gunwalloe, why not use the beach as a resting point during your longer walk.
The surrounding cliffs and shaded wooded area of Penrose are also fantastic for walking. Be aware that no swimming is allowed at Loe Bar Beach in any circumstances due to strong rip currents and the lake can have algae that’s poisonous to dogs so keep them away from the water.
Gwynver Beach, Land’s End
- Parking: At the top of cliffs above the beach
- Accessibility: Access to the beach is a steep path with lots of steps
- Facilities: None on the beach, although there are toilets and a café round the corner on Sennen
From this stunning stretch of sand, you can look out toward the Isles of Scilly on a clear day and even walk round to Sennen beach (seasonal dog restrictions in place here) during low tide.
The long walk down and surrounding sand dunes really do make this beach perfect for pooches, with the sea offering waves and tidal pools to play in (fun for dogs and their humans).
Prussia Cove, Land’s End 
- Parking: A small car park at the end of the lane with designated bike area
- Accessibility: An uneven road down followed by steep steps
- Facilities: None
Nestled in its own little nook, Prussia is a small rocky cove with a shingle beach and rocks to explore at low tide.
It’s great for a spot of rock pooling or snorkelling when the sea is calm, with seals, spider crabs and lots of fish calling this stretch of coastline home. The rocks make for a lovely place to picnic in the sun between dips in the sea and the ancient boat lines carved into the rock are an unusual and special sight.
Other dog-friendly beaches in West Cornwall
- Mullion Cove Beach
- Porthoustock Beach
- Coverack Beach
- Mexico Towans Beach
- Porthkidney Beach
- Lamorna Cove Beach
- Portheras Cove Beach
- Priest’s Cove
Beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in West Cornwall
Kynance Cove, The Lizard
- Dates: Restrictions from 1st July to 31st August, 10am - 6pm
- Parking: National Trust car park at the top of the cliffs
- Accessibility: A short, occasionally steep path down with steps at the end
- Facilities: Café by the beach with toilets at the café and in the car park
With waters looking tropical in summer and lots of beach when the tide is low, Kynance Cove is almost ridiculously picture perfect with its serpentine rocks and impressive cliff formations.
It does become very busy on warm sunny days, but it’s well worth the trek down if you’re in the mood for clear waters and plenty of caves for your dog to investigate. When you’ve soaked up the sea and scenery, head up to the café for a Cornish pasty or an ice-cold beer… ah, perfect.
Carbis Bay Beach, St Ives
- Dates: Restrictions from 15th May to 30th September, 10am - 6pm
- Parking: Train station and car park by beach
- Accessibility: Level access from the car park
- Facilities: Shop, café and toilets all by beach
The stretch of postcard-ready coastline surrounding St Ives has plenty of beaches that welcome dogs for most of the year.
Just outside of St Ives, the golden sands of Carbis Bay are very popular with families due to a lack of swell, which make it perfect for paddling and swimming. On the right days, the bay looks very tropical with its surrounding sub-tropical plants adding a perfect holiday vibe to the area.
Other beaches with seasonal dog restrictions in West Cornwall
- Church Cove, Gunwalloe
- Polurrian Cove Beach
- Porthleven Beach
- Praa Sands Beach
- Cadgwith Cove
- Housal Bay
- Kennack Sands Beach
- Porthmeor Beach
- Porthminster Beach
- Porthgwidden Beach
- St Ives Harbour Beach
- Godrevy Beach
- Gwithian Towans Beach
- Harveys Towans
- Portreath Beach
- Porthchapel Beach
- Sennen Cove Beach
- Long Rock Beach
- Mousehole Beach to Skilly Beach
- Perranuthnoe Beach
- Porthcurno Beach
- Porthgwarra Beach
- Marazion Beach
Discover all that West Cornwall has to offer here.
For some walk ideas why not have a look at our Winter walks in Cornwall blog and our Dog friendly pubs in Cornwall for some foodie inspiration. Ready to explore Cornwall? Check out our beautiful Cornish cottages here.
