10 of the Best Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall

A huge stretch of sand going almost to Carbis Bay. At low water the tide goes out a long way creating an even larger expanse of beach. Great for our four-legged friends because it has several sources of fresh water for dogs to drink.

The views here are stunning as you walk along the Hayle estuary. Godrevy Island and lighthouse lie just off the coast and the water and sand of the estuary create fantastically, vibrant colours during the spring and summer. While your dog may not be interested in the views, they will enjoy the space, a splash in the river or a swim in the sea and you can capture some great holiday photos.


Porthkidney Sands can be accessed at all states of the tide and is dog friendly all year round.

1. At low water from St Uny Church, Lelant, where you follow the path past the church, through the golf course, under the St Ives Branchline and down the steps onto the beach.

2. Alternatively, you can walk down the lane through another part of the golf course to the old quay and then turn left to access the beach. There is also a pay and display car park on the quay.

3. At very high tides, use route 1. until just before the railway line, then take the coast path to your left. Follow the path to access smaller paths leading down onto the beach.

Dog bins are available near the beginning of route 1 either side of the path by the church and near the free parking area.

For refreshments try the Heritage Centre in the churchyard opposite St Uny Church (Wed - Sat 11am - 4pm) for teas and homemade cakes or if you’re looking for lunch/dinner and real ales then the Badger Inn is at the top of the road and has its own car park.

Road Directions

Tucked away between Holywell Bay and Crantock, Porth Joke is a long, sandy beach, widening as it reaches the low tide zone. With a stream crossing the beach, caves and tiny coves in the side of Kelsey Head, it is a perfect place to enjoy with your dog. The freshwater stream is available all year round so there’s always some cool water for your dog to drink.

Porth Joke can be accessed at all states of the tide but is best on an outgoing tide. It is dog friendly all year round.

1. From the road at Crantock, heading to West Pentire, turn left for Treago Farm and follow the road down through the farm to a gate which you need to open to drive/walk onto Cubert Common (please close the gate after you, as there are often ponies roaming on the common). Take the track across Cubert Common until you reach a National Trust car park. From here you walk down the valley to the beach. If the tide is high you can follow the coast path to the left to walk along the headland until it crosses a small wooden bridge. In this area you can access one of the small coves on the side of Porth Joke beach.

2. Head to West Pentire where there are two car parks to choose from. Follow the road and join a track behind the Bowgie Inn. This takes you out onto West Pentire headland. Pass through a kissing gate and shortly afterwards take the path to the left which leads you downhill through open fields with wonderful views to the stream and the beach.

3. You can make this a circular walk by visiting our West Pentire and Porth Joke Circular Walk

There is a dog bin at the car park in route 1 and general bins available at West Pentire.

For refreshments, the Bowgie Inn is open all year.

Road Directions

Just off the coast road between Newquay and Padstow is the beautiful beach at Constantine Bay. A wide, sweeping sandy beach merges with Booby’s Bay to the north.

You can also enjoy a walk along the coast path to Treyarnon Bay (also dog friendly throughout the year) or onto Trevose Head. (If you walk up onto Trevose Head then please put your dog on a lead as you begin to climb the coast path)

Constantine Bay is accessible at all states of the tide and is dog friendly all year round.

1. There is a small car park near the beach. If you’re walking you can arrive from Treyarnon Bay which is a short, easy, level walk. Treyarnon Bay has the benefit of a large pay and display car park.

2. At the top of the beach road near the local stores there is another small parking area. You can then walk down the road to the beach.

There are recycling bins near the beach.

For refreshments there is a store selling pasties etc. at the top of the beach road. Nearby at St Merryn is a pub, the Farmers Arms.

Road Directions

In south east Cornwall between Looe and the Rame Peninsula, Seaton’s sandy beach merges with Downderry’s to create a long strip of sand perfect for a walk with your four-legged friends. The Seaton River crosses the beach providing a source of freshwater for your thirsty pets and an alternative to a paddle in the sea.

Seaton/Downderry beaches can be accessed at all states of the tide but are best on an outgoing tide. The beaches are dog friendly all year round.

There are bins at Seaton and Downderry.

For refreshments, there is a cafe on Seaton Beach and a restaurant overlooking the beach.

There is a large pay and display car park near the beach.

Road Directions

This lovely beach is in fact three beaches that merge at low tide. To enjoy these beaches you must visit on a falling tide or at low water, as there is no beach at high tide. Check the tide table for this area. Due to the walk and the climb down over the rocks, Tregardock Beach is usually very quiet but it is well worth the effort as you will have half a mile of sand, rock pools and caves to enjoy as well as a waterfall at the northern end of the beach.

If you visit at high tide you won’t be able to walk down to the beach but the view of the waves from the cliff top is spectacular.

Tregardock Beach is dog friendly all year round.

To visit Tregardock Beach you need to walk through farmland with livestock, especially sheep, so it’s very important that you keep your dog on its lead until you reach the beach.

There is limited roadside parking near Tregardock Farm. Please park considerately and do not obscure farm gates or block the lane.

There are no dog bins so please take any waste away with you and dispose of it in Delabole, where there are waste disposal facilities.

For refreshments there are shops and a pub in Delabole.

Road Directions

At the end of a lane on the eastern side of the Lizard peninsula you’ll find the lovely beach, Kennack Sands. The beach is split into two sections by a small headland except at low tide when you can walk from one to the other.

While the first beach Kennack Sands (West) restricts dogs between Easter Sunday and 30th September, Kennack Sands (East) is dog friendly all year round.

A footpath takes you behind the first beach and up onto the headland from where you descend to Kennack Sands (East). Along the path, you can access a freshwater stream from which your dog can drink.

There are sometimes ponies grazing near the footpath so please keep your dog on a lead until you reach the beach.

Kennack Sands (East) can be accessed at any state of the tide but the beach is considerably smaller at high water. It is dog friendly all year round.

There is a paying car park at Kennack Sands (West) and some off road parking beside the lane on the way to the beach.

There are bins to dispose of your doggie bags.

For refreshments there are two seasonal cafes.

Road Directions

This lovely village on the south coast between Portloe and Gorran Haven has two beaches which merge at low tide to create a large expanse of sand and rock pools. A stream flows down the valley and crosses the beach providing another source of water for your dog to enjoy.

Portholland’s beaches are dog friendly all year round.

There are small free car parks at both beaches. If the tide is high you can walk along the road between the beaches.

There are bins to dispose of your doggie bags.

Refreshments are available from the shop above East Portholland beach.

Road Directions

A huge sandy beach backed by a small dune system, Par Sands is located on the south coast between Charlestown and Fowey. A stream runs beside the beach near the car park giving access to fresh water for your dog and many dogs enjoy cooling off in the stream.

Par Beach is dog friendly all year round.

Large pay and display car park. Free between 1st November and 31st March.

There are bins to dispose of your doggie bags.

Refreshments available from the cafe on the nearby holiday park and there’s a pub near the road where you enter the beach.

Road Directions

This beach is quite a surprise and is easily missed if you’re driving towards St Anthony Head. Towan Beach is long and sandy with rock pools at low tide.

A very short, level walk from the National Trust car park at Porth.

Towan Beach is dog friendly all year round.

Parking in a pay and display car park.

There are no dog bins so please take any waste away with you and dispose of it appropriately.

Refreshments available in the courtyard opposite the car park.

Road Directions

A long sand and shingle beach, Fishing Cove at Gunwalloe extends all the way to Loe Bar and its pool on the Penrose Estate, giving you the option of adding a woodland walk to your time at the beach. You can also see the building used as the exterior of the cottage of Poldark’s Dr Enys

Fishing Cove, Gunwalloe is dog friendly all year round.

Very limited parking area just above the beach. Please respect the residents when parking and do not park in the areas where there are no parking signs. Alternatively, you can park in the large National Trust pay and display car park a little further down the road at Church Cove and then walk up the coast path over Pedngwinian Head and enjoy the stunning views along the coast.

There are no dog bins so please take any waste away with you and dispose of it appropriately.

For refreshments there is a pub at the top of the lane and to the right and a seasonal cafe at Church Cove.

Road Directions