As dog owners ourselves, we’ve discovered the very best dog-friendly beaches to explore and enjoy in the local area of North Cornwall.
Whether you’re looking for a quick walk and a game of fetch, or a beach suitable for a day spent rock pooling, sunbathing and swimming, there’s something for everyone.
All of the beaches on this list allow dogs all year round, so there’s no worrying about what dates and times you have to adhere to.
Summerleaze Beach, Bude
Summerleaze Beach is one of our favourite beaches. It’s situated within easy walking distance from Bude town centre and has plenty of facilities and the famous Bude Sea Pool.
It’s a popular beach for both families and dog owners due to its wide expanse of sand, and although dogs are permitted on Summerleaze all year round, they are required to stay on a lead from late May to the end of September.
Bude has lots of dog-friendly cafes, or try one of our favourite takeaway spots and take it down onto the beach!
Widemouth Bay / Black Rock, Bude
Another favourite near Bude (Bude has lots of dog-friendly beaches), dogs are allowed on Black Rock (directly next to and adjoined to Widemouth) all year round, and on Widemouth they’re banned from 15th May – 30th September between 10am and 6pm, so you can still get in a morning or evening walk on Widemouth itself.
The two beaches are stunning and provide the very best sunsets, as well as having two brilliant cafes (although the Black Rock Cafe is our favourite and does a fantastic cornish cream tea).
Sandymouth, Bude
Sandymouth beach is a National Trust managed beach a short drive from Bude, and is brilliant for dogs as it’s usually quieter than other nearby beaches.
At low tide there’s plenty of sand to run about chasing a tennis ball, and lovely calm waters to go for a swim or cool down those paws on a hot summers day.
Sandymouth is very popular with both families and surfers and is set against a dramatic back-drop of sheer cliffs, with the beach itself just a short walk down from the National Trust car park, where you will also find toilets and a café with seasonal opening times.
Be warned that there’s a steep walk down to the beach so it may be unsuitable for the less able or older dogs.
Port Isaac Beach, Port Isaac
Port Isaac is the Cornish harbour village made famous in the TV series, Doc Martin, as well as being the home of shanty band Fisherman’s Friends.
The village itself is very quaint and picturesque to walk around, and the beach is dog friendly all year round – just check the tide times first to make sure there’s a good stretch of beach there to give your dog a nice walk.
Even if the tide is in, it’s a really lovely walk around the headland towards Port Gaverne…just make sure to keep your dog on a lead on the paths!
Harlyn Bay, Padstow
Further down just past Padstow, Harlyn Bay is a beautiful, sheltered stretch of sandy beach perfect for a game of fetch.
The wide, horseshoe shaped beach provides plenty of space and there is a lifeguard during the summer months making the waters generally safer for swimming than other nearby beaches.
There’s also lots to keep dogs, kids, and adults occupied with rock pools, sand dunes, and a surf school for novice surfers.
Treyarnon Bay, Padstow
A glorious cove with clear blue waters, you and your dog/s will love swimming and sunbathing on Treyarnon Bay! Ideal for both walking and water-activities, Treyarnon has plenty of rockpools for exploring and is also suitable for wheelchair users.
It’s easy to get on to the beach and has a sand chair available for disabled visitors.
The beach is Marine Conservation Society Good Beach Guide Recommended 2017 – Excellent water quality, and is a lovely clean, north-west facing, sandy beach surrounded by low cliffs and backed by sand dunes.
Whipsiderry Beach, Newquay
Quieter than nearby Watergate Bay (also dog friendly), Whipsiderry is a beautiful cove with lots of caves and rock pools to explore with your dog/s, as well as plenty of dry sand for sheltered sunbathing.
Whipsiderry has steep steps so may not be suitable for those with accessibility issues or older dogs, but if you can manage the steps the beach is well worth visiting at low tide when the caves are accessible.
The best cave to explore is The Cathedral Cavern which has a large pillar, a pool of water and several tunnels leading off from it. More recently, Whipsiderry Beach was voted in the top 20 of Europe’s Best Beaches.
