Dog Friendly Beaches in Cornwall
Spring has well and truly sprung, and while the weather hasn’t quite decided what it wants to do, it’s time for us to start looking towards the summer and planning our holidays. In the recent Petplan Census, we discovered that 49% of the 60,000 respondents chose their holiday destination because of their pets, and 39% chose to spend their holidays in the UK for the same reason.
If you’re one of these people, then why not look to the English south west coast? With some of the best weather in the UK, it’s no wonder that so many English holidaymakers flock to Cornwall every year. If you’re looking to bring your pet along on a trip that everyone can enjoy, check out this selection of the best dog friendly beaches in Cornwall according to Petplan.
Cornwall and Dogs
Located on the south west coast of England, Cornwall has long been a perfect holiday spot for humans, but it’s also great for dogs too. With 250 miles of coast and 300 beaches, along with small towns and country walks, it’s easy to see why 70% of the pet owners who live there are dog owners.
Dogs are prevented from attending just seven beaches the year round, and a further 70 during the holiday season, which spans from Easter Weekend to October 1st. This might seem like a lot but when you consider that there are another 220 beaches that would make a fine holiday spot for your dog, without restrictions, it soon becomes apparent why dog owners come to Cornwall in droves.
Porthkidney
Porthkidney is one of those many beaches that allows dogs all the year round, and at roughly one mile long, there’s plenty of space for you and your four-legged friend to run and play to an almost limitless degree.
Found at the mouth of the River Hayle and stretching all the way to Hawkes Point in Cabris Bay, Porthkidney’s size alone ensures that you’ll have plenty of personal space, so even if your dog is shy around others, it’s perfectly suited to a solo adventure. If you are and your dog are looking to socialise with others, however, you’ll be able to find many other walkers on this vast sandy expanse to play with.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the north end of the beach is popular with surfers due to the larger waves, so if your dog is something of a water baby, try to stay away from this end as they might not be able to handle the currents.
Holywell Bay Beach
Holywell Bay Beach is situated on the northern coast of Cornwall and is an ideal beach for anyone looking to take their dog on holiday. While it’s not the largest beach on the coast, it does have some of the most spectacular golden sands for you and your pooch to play on, great for a relaxing day out.
Dogs are allowed here all year round, and with a lifeguard present from mid-May to September, there’s plenty of opportunity to paddle in the waves. There are also several facilities nearby, including beach refreshments so you can make sure you and your dog have plenty of energy to make the most of this amazing beach.
Whitsand Bay
Whitsand Bay is technically four beaches in one, that stretches for four miles along the southern coast. Just outside of Plymouth these beaches are incredibly dog friendly and dogs are permitted to access all year round.
It’s best to attend at low tide, due to the extra space it gives you, there’s no reason that you and your dog can’t have the time of your lives along this beautiful and serene patch of English countryside.
Mawgan Porth
Mawgan Porth, located on the north west coast of Cornwall, is an ideal location for your and your pooch to get a real taste of everything that the county has to offer. This sheltered beach is just four miles from Newquay meaning that you can choose between being an urban or country explorer in these parts.
Even at high tide, the beach offers plenty of space and is relatively quiet all year round, allowing you to have enjoy a peaceful visit.
On top of this, the beach also has some beautiful natural formations, including rockpools, a stream, and even caves to investigate, if you’re so adventurously inclined.
Do you have any other suggestions for dog friendly beaches in Cornwall? Let us know in the comments below...