Cornwall is a very special part of the UK, It’s no wonder holiday cottages are super popular in this part of the world. With sea views, sandy beaches and quiet rocky coves dotted along the coast, you can spend hours making sandcastles, collecting shells or visiting towns along the coast. Dog friendly days out in Cornwall are popular as pets love a trip to the seaside too, spend your days at Seaton, Portnadler, Watergate Bay and Coombe Haven, they all welcome dogs all year round.
The Best Places To Take Dogs in Cornwall
Exploring the Cornwall countryside on foot is great family fun day with the dog and one not to be missed. A tour of the Luxulyan Valley will fill you with wonder. It’s a natural woodland surrounding the Par River with decaying remains of the mining industry scattered around the landscape.
Another great day out from the cottage is The Camel Trail starts in Padstow, a route that takes walkers and your dog all the way to Bodmin Moor. Following the Camel Estuary, there are views of creeks and villages along the way.
To reach St Michael’s Mount perched 360 metres off shore, visitors need to walk the Medieval causeway. It reveals itself at low tide so you can walk, but it’s one stroll you’ll never forget. Your canine buddy is welcome on this tidal island – you can wander the harbour, village and café together, but they are restricted from going inside the castle.
Widemouth Bay, Port Isaac, Mawgan Porth and the South West Coast Path are great days out with your four-legged friend. For 7 more dog friendly attractions in Cornwall, read on:
Activites & Places To Visit
Find below 7 of the best days out in Cornwall for dogs
1. Healy’s Cornish Cyder Farm
Learn cider making, visit the distillery, see the farm animals and take a tractor ride. Healy’s has plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including your canine companion who, as long as kept under control, can join you in all areas, including the shop where you can buy preserves, Scrumpy and of course cider.
2. Visit the Eden Project
The Eden Project is one of the most famous attractions in Cornwall and welcomes 850,000 visitors a year, and the family pooch can go along as well to enjoy the outdoor gardens and miles of pathways. Learn all about sustainability, insects and man’s dependency on plants –
There’s lots to explore at this world-famous resource. The giant biomes house a rainforest, exotic plants and rare flowers; dogs are not allowed inside. However, there’s an outside area to the café where you can all relax together. It really is a must on any cottage break! Be sure to check for special offers online.
3. Walk on Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor sits in the middle of Cornwall and its ancient granite landscape struck fear and awe into visitors in the past. Nowadays, the area is enjoyed by hikers and dog walkers who love the dramatic scenery. There’s a choice of planned circular routes of varying lengths here, making it a dog-friendly paradise, such as the 5-mile walking trail from Camelford to Watergate. It’s close and passes through bluebell woods and the Camel valley. Walking here is the perfect way to spend your doggy escape.
4. See Rescued Seals
The Cornish Seal Sanctuary, located on the pretty Helford Estuary, is home to rescued seals that have been nursed back to health by a dedicated team. Hear the mammals’ dramatic stories, and learn about the rehabilitation efforts of the sanctuary. Alongside the seals are otters, penguins, sheep and ponies, who also call this haven home. They are dog-friendly here if your pet is on a lead.
5. Tour Pendennis Castle
Arguably, Henry VIII’s finest fortress, Pendennis Castle, guarded the town of Falmouth from Tudor times until WW2. With towers, tunnels and an observation point to tour, there’s plenty to keep you busy, and the noon gun is fired at 12 o’clock during the summer, so don’t miss hearing that. Climb up to the roof and be rewarded by views across Cornwall. Four-legged friends can enter the castle with you; they are permitted inside all of the buildings, making it one of the top attractions in Cornwall.
6. The Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Leave the holiday cottage behind and enjoy dog walks in Cornwall or take a ride on a heritage carriage of this full-size steam railway. As far as attractions go, it’s pretty fun. It’s a 13-mile round trip from Bodmin to Boscarne Junction that takes you through the pretty Cornish countryside.
The beautifully restored station at Bodmin General has a café, gift shop and a workshop area where visitors can view the engine repair work. Boscarne Junction is close to the Camel Trail, so dog walking is easy to enjoy before boarding for the return journey. Dogs on a lead are welcome to ride the trains with their owners.
7. Walking the Tin Coast
Last on the list of attractions is a 7-mile stretch of rugged land in West Cornwall; the Tin Coast is rich in mining history and is also a lovely place to walk with the dog. Our retreats provide an ideal base to find plenty of places to explore, including some of the family-friendly walking routes.
Follow one of the routes here and you are close to Levant Mine – a mine that was heavy with copper and tin and is still home to a restored engine powered by steam. A little further along, this place offers Botallack Mine. It was featured in the TV series Poldark.
Looking at Visiting the Area
With so many dog-friendly places in Cornwall, is it any wonder millions of dog owners flock here every year and with seemingly countless holiday homes which allow pets you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Holiday Cottages
From Lands End to Bodmin, whatever your pleasure there are plenty of Cornwall holidays with dogs available to pick from.
We also cover Cornwall hot tub cottages for pets here.
Log Cabins
Want a swimming pool, spa, facilities for the kids all in an idyllic location? then the best dog-friendly timber lodges in Cornwall might be the answer for you.