We believe that no four-legged family member should be left behind when you head off on holiday! Luckily, Cornwall is incredibly dog-friendly with lots of special places to take your pooch all year-round.
Here are some of our favourite places to visit, eat and stay with your dog in Cornwall – paw-fect for the whole family!
Beach Walks
With almost 300 miles of coast path and more than 200 dog-friendly beaches, Cornwall is perfect for a spot of doggy-paddling and digging in the sand! Our favourite dog-friendly bays are:
Godrevy & Gwithian. These are our two local beaches on the rugged north coast. Flanked by cliffs and sand dunes, they combine to stretch for miles, which is perfect for long runs along the sand. With great surf, views down to St Ives and fiery sunsets, you can spend the entire day here with the whole family.
Prussia Cove. Located between Marazion and Praa Sands, this stunning, sheltered bay on the edge of the peninsula is a heavenly place for a doggy-paddle on a hot summer’s day! It also has a a rich smuggling history for the culture enthusiasts.
Porthluney Bay. Nestled on Cornwall’s south coast on the Roseland Peninsula, this beautiful beach is owned by the Caerhays Estate. With coastal walks to both the east and west, dogs can run, splash and play in this sheltered bay before retiring for refreshments at the Caerhays Beach Café!
Gardens and Woods
If your dog doesn’t like sandy paws, there are lots of gardens, woodlands and National Trust areas that are dog-friendly. Our favourites:
Mineral Tramway Trails, Bissoe. This local gem features miles of well maintained trails, which are based on old mineral railways that were used to take materials to and from the numerous mines dotting the landscape. Perfect for walkers and cyclists, your pooch is welcome to explore this beautiful part of the county off lead, although there are some road crossings and areas where dogs should be kept on leads
Godolphin House and Gardens. This National Trust property features a spectacular Grade 1 listed Tudor/Stuart mansion, built on riches from the mining activities on the Estate – which is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining World Heritage Site. The house itself is open selected days a month, while the Kings Room, outbuildings and grounds are open for wandering throughout the year.
Kennall Vale, Ponsanooth. This atmospheric valley is peppered with the ruins of a 19th century dynamite works. Managed by Cornwall Wildlife Trust, it’s a wildlife haven, home to pipistrelle bats and an abundance of bird species. With no grazing stock and trails wandering through the woodlands, over streams and past water-filled quarry, dogs are welcome to roam throughout!
Eating Out
Cornwall is probably one of the most dog-friendly places in the world, so there are plenty of restaurants, cafés and pubs that take reservations for the four-legged family members! Our favourites:
Trevalsa Court Hotel, Mevagissey. If your Cornish wanderings take you over towards our sister properties at Caerhays Castle and Gardens, the Trevalsa Court Hotel in Mevagissey is a dog-friendly find – with a fabulous view to boot. Winning two AA Rosettes, The Nutty Duck – a relaxed yet elegant restaurant – shows off local produce to its absolute best.
Dynamite Brewing Company, Ponsanooth. Just down the road from Burncoose, the Dynamite Brewing Company is nestled in the valley just west of Ponsanooth (perhaps combine a walk at Kennall Vale with your visit?) Beer Cafe is open every Saturday,12-6pm and features delicious dinners from Boos Goodh (meaning ‘wild food’ in Cornish) every month. Sign us up!
The Pandora Inn, Restronguet Creek. Tucked away on the Carrick Roads, the Pandora Inn is an award winning 13th century thatched roof pub. Although it suffered a fire in 2011, it was beautifully restored using traditional materials and building methods to comply with its Grade II listing. Serving up a range of classic pub dishes using local produce, dogs are welcome to snuggle up in the cosy nooks and crannies in the bar areas.
Heritage and Education
Although Burncoose House is set in 30 acres of beautiful gardens and mature woodlands, it’s also nestled in the heart of Cornwall’s historic mining district – and there are plenty of interesting sites and places to visit with your pooch.
Gwennap Pit. The historic preaching pit at Gwennap is very close to Burncoose House. Although the initial depression in the ground may have been the result of mining activities, the 12 circular terraces were built by local miners between 1803 and 1806. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, preached here 18 times between 1762 and 1789, allegedly attracting 32,000 at the height of the non-Conformist movement in 1773. Still in use for services and other events, the amphitheatre like structure can comfortably hold 2,000 people and is free to visit with your dog all year round.
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth. This Tudor fortress was constructed between 1540 and 1543 welcomes dogs on leads throughout, including inside the castle and the grounds. Museum interpretations show how the castle and its artillery were of instrumental strategic importance in conflicts across the ages.
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno. Why not take a tour round what’s surely Britain’s most spectacular stage? Built into a rugged granite cliff-face in west Penwith, the Minack Theatre was created in 1932 by Rowena Cade and hosts a varied programme of professional and amateur productions to the stage every season. Dogs are welcome throughout during visiting hours and can attend Storytelling events on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.
Dog-friendly Accommodation
Our spectacular Georgian house is in the paw-fect location to explore wonderful woodlands, gardens and the stunning Cornish coastline. With 30-acres of secluded grounds to run around and space for 14 people plus their woofers, Burncoose House is a truly unique location for dog-friendly gatherings of family and friends.
Have you got a dog-friendly spot in Cornwall to add to the list?