5 of the best dog friendly beaches

Discover our selection of beaches that are free to roam all year round, including a few hidden gems that you might not know already.

Dogs love running and playing in the sand and the surf, and when it comes to beaches in Cornwall they’re really spoilt for choice. But remember some beaches are off limits from Easter Day to 1st October. So here are some they can enjoy any time of the year.

1 Polpeor Cove, THE Lizard

With an abundance of rocks and rock pools to explore, Polpeor Cove is a great place for your pup to explore. With beautiful views, common sightings of the famous Cornish Chough and regular appearances from basking sharks and grey seals, this is certainly a great place to spend an afternoon with nature. Plus there’s the added bonus of a dog-friendly café, excellent if you fancy a cup of coffee and slice of cake after a nice long walk. The beach is best accessed at mid to low tide to make the most of the beach and rock.

2 Loe Bar, Porthleven

With access from Penrose walks, Porthleven or Chyvarloe; Loe Bar is a lovely stretch of beach to walk across or throw the ball. Although this beach is dog friendly all year round, there are warnings in place because of the dangers of the sea and Loe Pool. It is a beautiful spot, but one to be enjoyed with a bit of caution. A place of great natural beauty, the beach is perfect to visit combined with a walk through Penrose Woods, this can be started from Penrose Estate itself with a handy carpark situated at the top, or for a longer walk, from Helston, again with a carpark close by.

3 Mawgan Porth
Just a few miles from Newquay and with lots of rockpools, caves and a large stream running down one side of the beach, there is no wonder this is a family favourite for exploring. Sheltered by high cliffs and blessed with golden sands and beautiful coastline, this is a fantastic spot to spend the day with your pooch. Plus there’s the added benefit of having a lifeguard in the summer months, so your pup will be glad to have a quick dip to cool off after all the running about. There are also some great pubs and restaurants in the surrounding area so you call cool off too.

4 Godrevy Cove, THE Lizard

Not the one near Hayle (although this is great off season too), this undiscovered beach is actually on the Lizard Peninsula near St Keverne. It’s a bit of a walk to the nearest car park, but without any cliffs to climb down, you are rewarded on arrival with a glorious beach: golden sand at all tides for the doggie to run wild on! The perfect spot to watch the sun go down with an evening picnic.

5 Durgan Beach 

Glendurgan, with its stunning subtropical gardens, is a must visit when in Cornwall. And nearby Durgan Beach set on the banks of the Helford River is an idyllic spot in which to relax, while your four- legged friend enjoys some beach- combing. Adventurous pooches will love scrambling over the rocks and dipping their inquisitive noses into rockpools, while energetic canines can perfect their fetching skills on the sand and shingle. Much of the land here is managed by the National Trust and there is a car park at the top of the valley.