Cornwall holidays are fantastic because of the stunning places to visit, things to see, fun things to do and nice seafood to eat. It is a dog friendly county and there are lots of places to enjoy a holiday with dogs. My Cornwall adventures include a train trip for a solo holiday to Penzance and St Ives, with day trips to Mousehole and other Cornish villages. I have fond memories of trips as a child and when older. I have visited Cornwall at least every few years, including with a dog.
Cornwall is a stunning part of the UK with some fantastic countryside but comes into its own on the coast. The coastline has some excellent beaches, lots of rugged cliffs and many tiny fishing villages to go sightseeing.
Things to see or do in Cornwall
Cornwall is a heavenly place for the outdoor enthusiasts. However, it is also a great place to relax. These are some suggestions for things for visitors to the county can do.
Hiking The Cornish Coast
The South-West Coast Path is a long distance hiking trail follows the whole coastline of Cornwall. This is 600 miles long, but you can hop on and off the walking route. Every section is beautiful and a great way to find remote beaches and spectacular views of the sea.
We’ve enjoyed various dog walks along the south coast section of the walk between Fowey and Looe. It can be hard walking in sections, especially the steep parts on a hot day.
Enjoy a Camping Holiday
The county is excellent for camping trips, particularly in the warmer months. There are sites around to suit all tastes from posh glamping sites, holiday park camping or farms with basic amenities like Great Kellow farm in South East Cornwall.
We also enjoyed camping at Tencreek Holiday park. A lovely place in the countryside and a short walk to the coast and beaches. This was a dog friendly place to stay and as a bonus was excellent for sunrises.
Enjoy Watersports like Kayaking
The county is a haven for watersports enthusiasts, including those that enjoy sailing or kayaking. Many of the towns of the area have Kayak or canoe schools where you can learn new skills or just hire the kit. Surf Schools are popular with tourists, especially in Newquay and Polzeath.
Lizard Point
A popular tourist attraction is Lizard Point, a headland on the south coast. Lizard Point is the southernmost point of mainland Great Britain. It is known for its dramatic and beautiful coastline. It’s a fantastic place to go for a hike, to see the lighthouse or explore and photograph the impressive cliffs.
Sea Fishing Trips
Fishing is also a big draw for professionals, and opportunities for beginners to go mackerel fishing. Trips out to see can vary from short two-hour affairs to longer, more specialist all day deep sea fishing trips. Many allow you to keep what you catch, which is ideal for a nice fish supper after a day out at sea.
Best Places to Stay or Visit in Cornwall
Some of the nicest places I have visited or stayed at in the county. There are also many other places I have yet to explore and the county is pretty consistent with its niceness. Most of Cornwall is pet friendly and a fantastic place to take your dog on holiday. Most of the towns and villages in the area have suitable places to stay and dine out.
Polperro
The pretty fishing village of Polperro is on the south coast of Cornwall. Polperro village is in the tree-lined river Pol valley; the river runs into the tidal harbour. It is a pretty place to browse around and has a selection of touristy shops, a museum of smuggling, and a few art galleries.
The village is suitable for either a day trip, if you are local to the area or for a relaxing UK staycation. Places to stay are varied, from boutique hotels to getting back to nature at the dog Great Kellow Farm overlooking the village. You can find pet friendly accommodation in Polperro using the pets allowed filter on Booking.com.
Outside of the harbour is a small beach and is ideal for a paddle or a dip. Cliffs surround the beach, some of which are safe to explore rock pools. Following the coastal path on a steep and scenic climb leads you to Chapel Pool, a natural swimming pool. This becomes a pool after half tide and quickly warms up in the sunlight. This was a very enjoyable location to sit and relax.
There are various activities to take part in, including hiking on the South Coast Trail. This is a very nice but challenging walk via secluded bays and rugged cliffs. Watersports are on the menu and kayaking from the harbour is a popular recreational activity enjoyed in the village. Fishing trips are daily in the warmer months where you can take a boat ride and catch your supper, primarily mackerel. For younger children, crabbing from the dock is popular and relaxing pass time, catching shore crabs while others admire the working port.
The village is a top destination for seafood, and many of the local pubs and restaurants have their speciality. One of the village’s top culinary experiences is the Three Pilchards Inn.
The Pretty Town of Looe
In the South East of the county is Looe, a delightful tourist town and fishing port. Looe is a great place to visit or stay for a holiday with a beautiful coastline and great places to eat out. It is a popular place for a day trip to do some sightseeing or for a week long family holiday.
The beach is a popular attraction, as is fishing off the harbourside. Because of its size, it has many options for visitors to enjoy a boat trip along the South Cornwall coast.
The nearby area has a beautiful coastline, and great places pet friendly pubs to eat out. The coastal path around Looe is fantastic for dog walking.
While visiting Looe, we enjoyed a dog friendly fishing trip which Henry enjoyed. You will find lots of options for dog friendly places to stay, including holiday homes, hotels and campsites. We stayed at Tencreek Holiday park for a budget dog friendly holiday near Looe. You can find pet friendly accommodation using the pets allowed filter on Booking.com.
Fowey A Town By The Sea
The town of Fowey is a picture-perfect town with some fantastic views on the coast and the river. As well as being picturesque, Fowey has an interesting history dating back to the Norman Invasion in 1066. There are many nice places to dine out or pick up picnic supplies for the beach.
There are many pleasant dog friendly bars or restaurants to enjoy a drink or meal out. This includes some with marvellous views of the river estuary. There are many options for holiday accommodation in Fowey, some of which are pet friendly. You can find many of these using the pets allowed filter on Booking.com.
Tintagel
Tintagel is a place of mystery on the north coast that has many King Arthur legends associated with it. The cliffs are high and rugged, with caves passing through them. The entire area surrounding Tintagel is worth of exploring, including the town.
Tintagel village and beach are free to enter. However Tintagel Castle the principal attraction requires tickets. Most places in the area are great for travelling with dogs, including the castle and the local beach. The walk down to Tintagel beach is rather nice, albeit steep on the way back up. There are also many places to visit for meals out here, including some wonderful places for Cornish pasties.
Polzeath
Polzeath is a nice North Cornwall village with a great surfing beach. There are lots of things to do in the area. For starters, Polzeath has a great sandy beach, river walking and clifftop walks. Polzeath has some pleasant bars and restaurants overlooking the ocean. Some of the best dog friendly places to eat out include The Oyster Catcher and The Waterfront.
They permit dogs on Polzeath beach all year round, except between 10am and 6.00pm from 15 May to 30 September. This means you and your dogs can enjoy a fantastic beach holiday in the village. The clifftop walks and those along the Camel estuary are wonderful, too. You can find multiple options for pet friendly holiday accommodation in Polzeath on Booking.com.
Go Sightseeing in Mousehole a Picturesque Fishing Village
Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village near to Penzance. This village has charm and beauty and is a great place to take photos or for artists to paint. You can take boat trips from the village or enjoy a walk on a splendid part of the coast. It is one of many nice places in Cornwall, especially if you like to relax and enjoy the coast.
Penzance
Penzance is a pleasant base camp for a Cornwall holiday with dogs and there are many options for places to stay that are dog friendly. The town is at the end of the train line into Cornwall, thus easy to reach with a canine companion. Penzance is quite quaint, with many independent shops and eateries lining its streets and markets selling local produce. The local coastline is great and as a backdrop is St Michael’s Mount, located just up the coast.
Many of the bars and restaurants are pet friendly, including The Dolphin Tavern, who serve delicious food and beer. The Navy Inn and Admiral Benbow are also suitable to visit with a dog. The town also has the dog friendly Long Rock Beach which is a great place for walkies. There are lots of things to see in the town and many options for coastal walks.
Explore the Arty Side of St Ives While on Holiday
The town of St Ives is at the west end of the county and is a long journey to reach. The town is absolutely stunning and a great place for tourists, artists and foodies. There are loads of things to see and do, including hiking, sea related activities and lots of art attractions. A highlight of my trip was the boat trip to seal island and see some Cornish wildlife.
The town has great sandy beaches and an interesting harbour that stocks the local eateries with fresh food from the sea. St Ives is best known for its arty side, with lots of galleries and painters painting the views.
St Ives is known for its art and food scene and has some fantastic galleries and restaurants. There are many options for pet friendly pubs and eateries in the town. This includes The Sloop Inn is a wonderful place for locally caught seafood.
A fun thing to do with your furry friend is to go on a boat trip to seal island. This is a lovely trip along the coast and you get to see seals in the wild. There are various beaches in the town that are dog friendly, however some have times where pets are not allowed. Often out of peak season, dogs are allowed on most beaches. Overall, St Ives is a fantastic place for a holiday with or without dogs.
Visit Bude, a fantastic place for surfing
Bude is a lovely place to visit or stay for a holiday on the North Cornwall coast. It is a great place for surfing, including on the popular Widemouth Bay beach just outside of Bude. A great option for a place to stay in Bude is at Widemouth Bay Holiday Park. Bude town centre also has lots of options for guesthouses and hotels in the town centre. They also have some great options for places to dine out or pubs to visit for a drink. There is a natural swimming pool on Bude beach which is great for swimming in the summer months.
Lots of places in Bude are pet friendly, including bars and restaurants. This includes the centrally located globe hotel. Finding suitable accommodation in Bude is pretty straightforward on Booking.com or Airbnb.
For beach loving dogs, there are options in Bude. Large beaches like Widemouth bay allow dogs before 10am and after 6pm with no restrictions from October until mid may. Summerleaze, the main beach in Bude, has a rule about dogs being on leads.
Visit Marazion Home To The Famous St Michael’s Mount
A fun thing to do in Cornwall is to walk to St Michaels Mount in Marazion. St Michael’s Mount is a small tidal island in Mount’s Bay. A man-made granite causeway links the island to the town of Marazion. You can walk across the causeway in the sea between mid-tide and low water. Alternatively, at higher tides, you need to take a boat ride to get to and from the island.
St Michael’s Mount is spectacular to admire from afar or up close while visiting. It is one of the iconic places to visit. The mount and surrounding beaches can get busy in peak season and the summer holidays. The beach is mostly dog friendly except for 10am until 6om during peak season.
St Michaels Mount has a rich history, including evidence of being inhabited in the Neolithic era. Between the early 8th century and 11th century, the mount was supposedly a site of a monastery. The earliest buildings on the island date back to the 12th century, including the castle.
The village of Marazion is the starting point for many adventures on the island. Marazion is a pleasant village with an expansive sandy beach and pubs for refreshments. One of the dog friendly pubs in the village is The Godolphin, mainly because of excellent food and also the terrace with magnificent sea views. There are many other places to get refreshments in the village, and also a few shops selling local art.
Is Cornwall Dog Friendly?
The county of Cornwall in England is a fantastic place to visit with a dog because there are many dog friendly features of the county. There are dog friendly beaches, bars, restaurants, beaches and attractions in Cornwall.
Cornwall holidays often involve visiting stunning places and beaches. There are many options for tourist attractions to visit, including some that are dog friendly. The nice seafood available at the restaurants is fantastic too especially in the fishing villages.
It is a stunning part of the UK with some fantastic countryside but the big draw is its picturesque coast. The coastline has some excellent dog friendly beaches, lots of rugged cliffs, and small fishing villages to go sightseeing.
The coastal paths, including the South-West Coast Path, are fantastic for dog walking. As well as the coastal routes, Cornwall has many walking routes through its beautiful countryside. Note: be aware of livestock in the countryside and keep your dog on a lead. For a beautiful walk, the route to Lansallos Bay is beautiful.
Find Dog Friendly Accommodation in Cornwall
We have always found it pretty straightforward to find dog friendly holiday accomodation in Cornwall. the first port of call is using the pets allowed filter on Booking.com. This throws up an excellent selection of hotels, holiday homes and caravans to choose from. Airbnb is also a good option when searching for pet friendly places to stay. On Airbnb, you add your pets as guests on the initial search.
Also, Pitchup.com is fantastic with a similar feature. They have a variety of camping and caravan pitches that are pet friendly. However, they sometimes have glamping availability on their website. Their website is pretty straightforward to use, their search page includes a pet allowed search filter.
Dog Friendly Pubs & Restaurants in Cornwall
Dogs are commonplace when out for a beer or meal out in Cornwall. Many places are dog friendly throughout the county. Those that don’t allow pets inside sometimes have a garden where dogs are welcome.
We found many establishments also offered water or had a dedicated water station/dog bar.
I highly recommend the fresh seafood in the restaurants and the Cornish beer like Korev, a nice refreshing lager.
We found the Cornish fishing village of Polperro to be a fantastic place to visit with a dog, and most pubs and restaurants were dog friendly. Looe is a lovely town on the coast and was a pleasant place to visit with Henry with many dog friendly facets.
Buses & Trains
Public transport in Cornwall is pretty dog friendly, thus you can with patience reach most places without a car. Trains in the UK are dog friendly and don’t charge any extra for canine passengers. Obviously, dogs need to be well behaved and on a lead or in a carrier.
Cornwall buses have their own rules. Basically, only 2 dogs are allowed per bus, at the discretion of the driver. Dogs must not be on the seats and again in a carrier or on a lead. There are no charges for canine passengers for gocornwallbus.co.uk buses. Other smaller coach companies operate in the county too and from experience are pet friendly too.