If you’re visiting Bude with your dog, then you’re in luck. North Cornwall has lots of great dog-friendly beaches, and Bude is no exception. With a mix of all-year-round dog friendly beaches as well as seasonal dog beaches, there are plenty of beaches for you and your doggo to enjoy in Bude.
Bude beaches that are dog-friendly all year round
There are five beaches in and near Bude that are dog-friendly all year round with no restrictions.
Northcott Mouth Beach
Postcode: EX23 9EL
Dog-friendly all-year-round, Northcott beach is a secluded alternative to the more popular beaches in the town centre and Widemouth Bay. Northcott Mouth is a rocky beach which opens to a large expanse of sand.
The cliffs are rich with geological folds and there is a shipwreck in the sand which can sometimes be seen. With towering cliffs, this National Trust beach is hauntingly beautiful and feels like a cove.
Children will love the wide open space, numerous rock pools and making dams to block the stream. It’s a lovely walk to Sandymouth, and if the tide is right, you can walk on the sand (which is much easier than the Coast Path) – but check the tides with a Lifeguard first.
Sandymouth Bay
Postcode: EX23 9HW
A gorgeous National Trust beach just 15 minutes (by car) north of Bude. When the tide is out, the fantastic sandy beach is exposed and it’s usually much quieter than the other main beaches.
The beach is just a short walk down from the National Trust car park, where you will also find toilets and a café with seasonal opening times.
At low tide you can walk the 2 miles from Crooklets Beach to Sandymouth along the beach; you may see a shipwreck buried in the sand and look out for the honeycomb structures of the sandcastle worm.
Duckpool Beach
Postcode: EX23 9JN
Another beach that’s dog-friendly all-year-round and loved by many for its wild and remote setting, this is a beautiful and quiet cove at the bottom of the Coombe Valley.
Children will love the wide-open space and the large rockpools will keep them happy for hours. There are large pebbles at the entrance to the beach, but you’ll be rewarded by an expanse of sand at low tide.
We advise you to climb the cliff path in either direction as you will be delighted by the amazing views. The Coombe Valley offers some lovely walks too.
Black Rock Beach (south of Widemouth Bay)
Postcode: EX23 0AG
On the south side of Widemouth Bay and a short 6-minute drive from Bude town centre, Blackrock beach has wild beauty in abundance. Look to the south and you’ll spot a prominent rocky outcrop which gives this beach its name.
Watch out for big tides here (Blackrock Beach becomes isolated at the height of the tide). Some major point and reef breaks draw the surfers (a great activity in North Devon for teenagers!), while nature lovers of all ages will enjoy looking through the abundance of rock pools at low tide.
Millook Beach
Postcode: EX23 0DF
Not only does Bude boast some of the best beaches in North Cornwall, we have one of the wildest beaches too! There’s not much sand here, but this pebble and shingle beach is a welcome retreat from the summertime crowds and is a true haven for wildlife.
The beach is a 15-minute drive from Bude, and is of huge geological interest with world famous zig zag folds in the towering cliffs. It’s not safe to swim here as there are no lifeguards. Be warned that the road to the beach is very narrow and steep.
Bude beaches that are dog-friendly seasonally
There are three beaches in and near Bude that are dog-friendly on a seasonal and restricted basis.
Summerleaze
Postcode: EX23 8HN
Summerleaze Beach is Bude’s central hub of sand, surf and sun, and it’s the first port of call for many visitors. Dogs must be on a lead between 21st May and 30th September between 10am and 6pm.
Clean, safe and easy on the eye, Summerleaze Beach has a variety of activities that mark Summerleaze as arguably the best beach in Cornwall for outdoor pursuits and water sports.
There are superb local surf schools, for example, but you could also try kayaking, sea fishing or sample the thrills of climbing or coasteering with friendly professionals.
Summerleaze Beach also has features that show why Bude is popular for family friendly and disability friendly holidays. Summerleaze offers level access and a flat viewing area, for example, while the sheltered sea pool is ideal for young ones to have a salt water dip.
Widemouth Bay
Postcode: EX23 0AH
Just a couple of miles from the centre of Bude (5 minutes in the car) is Widemouth Bay, a relaxed beach community that has seen a surge in homeowners renovating their beach shacks into glossy beachside mansions. Think Cornwall’s version of Sandbanks.
The beach is fully dog-friendly during the winter months, but has restrictions from 15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm. Which means you can still walk the dogs early in the morning and in the evenings even in summer.
It’s well worth making a journey to this extremely popular beach, which is a vast expanse of sand with lots of rock pools to explore, and has stunning sunsets.
Crooklets Beach
Postcode: EX23 8NF
Crooklets Beach is actually attached to Summerleaze Beach so is only 5-minute walk from Bude town centre. During low tide, you can walk between the two across the sand in 15 minutes. This means there is also easy access to the Bude Sea Pool.
Dog-friendly any time of day during the winter months, during the summer months there are the same restrictions as Widemouth, with dogs required to be on the lead from 15th May to 30th September between 10am and 6pm. They can be off the lead outside of those hours.
Although a little pebbly at the top of the beach, Crooklets offers a huge expanse of golden sand and rock pools to explore once the tide is out. Clean, safe and easy on the eye, Crooklets Beach is a big hit with surfers, beach bums and families.
Crooklets Beach has a lovely sloped promenade which offers level access and a flat viewing area, and there are lots of cute beach huts available for daily hire.
The Perfect Holiday Destination For Dog Owners
Bude is a fantastic holiday destination for dog owners due to the dog-friendly nature of the town and surrounding area, including lots of beautiful gardens that allow dogs as well.
In addition to the vast selection of dog-friendly beaches, there are also plenty of dog-friendly cafes and restaurants, takeaway spots, accommodation, and dog-friendly attractions nearby.
