Here at Caerhays, we know that four-legged friends are truly part of the family but, when it comes to taking them on holiday with you, sometimes it’s hard to know what to do and where to go.
Never fear – Cornwall’s about as dog-friendly as you can get! Here are some of our favourite places to visit and best things to do with your dog in Cornwall – guaranteed to have tails wagging!
Beach Walks
Cornwall is surrounded by sea, with almost 300 miles of coast path to walk along – lucky us! From wide-open, sandy beaches, to dramatic clifftops and sheltered pebbly beaches; we’ve got it all. If we absolutely had to pick three favourite beaches to take your dog for a run, they’d be:
Tintagel Castle. One of Cornwall’s most dramatic sites, the home of myth and legend, and the perfect picnic setting for you and your woofer. A brand new footbridge from the mainland onto Tintagel Castle means it’s never been easier to get to King Arthur’s legendary castle with your dog.
Perranporth and Penhale. At low tide, Perranporth and Penhale beaches on the north coast join up to create what looks like an endless sweeping stretch of sand – plenty of room to run about and explore before a spot of doggy paddling in the ocean. Dogs are welcome all year round, but must be kept on a lead between 10am and 5pm in July and August.
Finally, it’s our favourite and beautiful Porthluney Cove here at Caerhays. Nestled on Cornwall’s south coast on the Roseland Peninsula with coastal walks to both the east and west, dogs can run, splash and play in our sheltered bay before retiring for refreshments at the Caerhays Beach Café!
Gardens and Woods
If beach walks aren’t your thing, there are plenty of sheltered gardens, rivers and woodlands to explore with your four-legged friends in Cornwall instead. Our favourites:
Boscowen Park to St Clement to Malpas. This circular walk takes you through farmland fields and alongside a beautiful tidal creek, before heading through Duchy woodland around the point of the peninsula and ending up in Malpas, a quaint village boasting picturesque views of boats moored up and down the river.
Trelissick Gardens. This National Trust property lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, meaning your pooch can have the paw-fect afternoon racing through open fields or splashing through the river in the prettiest of surroundings!
Lanhydrock and Respryn. Although dogs aren’t allowed into the main gardens at Lanhydrock House, the river Fowey and the woodlands around it are peaceful and beautiful for a stroll, especially in the autumn as the leaves start to turn bronze and golden.
Eating Out
No need to worry about leaving the woofer at home during dinner time in Cornwall! Here are three, four-legged friendly restaurants to try:
Lusty Glaze, Newquay. This beachside restaurant not only welcomes dogs year-round but it even has its own dog-friendly menu! For just £3, your pooch can enjoy a tasty bowl of ‘Terrier-eine’ with the proceeds going to St Francis Home for Animals, a local rehoming charity.
Potager Garden, near Falmouth. An absolute hidden gem and lovingly reclaimed from an abandoned market garden, the garden produces a range of fruits and vegetables and houses workshops and studios for local artists and craftspeople. The café is a converted greenhouse, and dogs are welcome on leads throughout.
The Fountain Inn, Mevagissey. This small but perfectly formed historic pub is right in the heart of this beautiful, Cornish fishing village. boasting excellent fish and chips and locally sourced produce. Dogs are welcome to snuggle up by the roaring fire while you tuck in.
Heritage and Education
If history and culture is more your thing, there are plenty of places in Cornwall to explore with your dogs.
Heartlands, Pool. This 19-acre site celebrating Cornwall’s international mining heritage is free to visit. Explore the internal displays and exhibits or lounge in the Diaspora Gardens. Dogs are welcome throughout (apart from the Adventure Playground).
The Eden Project, St Austell. You can visit this world-famous eco-attraction with no extra charge for your dog! While they’re not allowed amongst the more delicate plants inside the biomes, they’re welcome across the outside gardens and dining areas.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Penzance. For cultured canines, the sculpture garden features a range of artists in large and small installations across the beautiful site. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome throughout the gardens and in the outside café.
Dog-friendly Accommodation
This one we’ve definitely got covered!
The Engine House. This beautiful self-contained property is on the grounds of Caerhays Castle and Gardens, sleeping 4 people in a double and twin set-up. Featuring a wood-burning stove in the open plan kitchen and living area, it’s all on one level, making it paw-fect for walkers, families and up to two furry friends!
Burncoose House. This spectacular Georgian house manages to remain completely secluded while being nestled in the historic village of Gwennap in the heart of Cornwall. Set in 30 acres of garden and woodland, it sleeps 14 and is perfect for special gatherings of family and friends – and their dogs!
Parc an Bounder. This newly refurbished barn conversion is a light and airy haven on the Roseland, less than three miles from the picturesque village of Portscathoe. Sleeping 6 in a two double and twin set up, up to two dogs are welcome to rest tired paws in front of the log burner.
Cornwall really is a wonderful place to spend some quality time with your pooch. Many of our spectacular beaches are dog friendly throughout the year, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and pubs that welcome dogs year-round. Have you and your woofer explored Cornwall? Which places would you add to the list?