Cornwall with your dog

DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN CORNWALL

Compare dog access across North and South Cornwall before committing to the coast road.

Plan before you set off

Choose a Cornwall beach that fits the rules

Cornwall's restrictions are often date and time specific. This guide separates full bans from lead-only periods and points out nearby year-round sections.

20: Beach guides
5: Year-round beaches
4: Beaches with dog zones
11: Seasonal restrictions

Check the signs when you arrive. Dog control orders and private beach rules can change. The dates below are a planning guide, while signs at the beach show the rule in force that day.

11 local guides

Dog-friendly beaches in North Cornwall

View the North Cornwall dog-friendly guide

Dog-friendly section

Bude

Dogs welcome year-round on Summerleaze. Lead required between 21 May and 30 September, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO: lead-only rule, not a ban). Off-lead permitted before 10am and after 6pm during this period, and any time outside these dates.

Where dogs can go: Whole Summerleaze beach - lead-only in season, not a ban.
Lead rules: On-lead 21 May - 30 September, 10am-6pm.
After the beach: Life's a Beach - dog-friendly café and restaurant on Summerleaze. Dogs welcome inside and outside; dog menu, water bowls and treats provided. Directly on the beach.
Parking with a dog: Cornwall Council Summerleaze car park: Large car park directly behind the beach. Card and contactless payment. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Constantine Bay

No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome all year. The dunes are a protected habitat - keep dogs under control and clean up at all times.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
Lead rules: Close control required in protected dunes (SSSI). Not legally a lead requirement, but strong advice.
After the beach: The Harlyn - dog-friendly pub and taproom at Harlyn Bay, approximately 1.5 miles east. Dogs welcome.
Parking with a dog: Private car park behind dunes: Limited spaces; overflow field in peak season. No dog exclusion. Arrive early in summer.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Fistral Beach

No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome year-round on the full beach. Keep under close control near the surf schools and lifeguarded zone.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
Lead rules: Close control recommended near lifeguarded area; no specific lead requirement stated.
After the beach: Rick Stein Fistral - dog-friendly beachfront bar and kitchen. Dogs welcome inside; water bowls and treats provided.
Parking with a dog: Fistral Beach car park (private, ANPR) / Belmont Road / Dane Road (Cornwall Council): Private beachfront car park uses number-plate recognition; pay before leaving. Belmont and Dane Road council car parks a 5-minute walk. No dog exclusion from any of these car parks.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Harlyn Bay

No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome on the beach all year. Check water quality signs after heavy rain (stream runs across sand).

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: The Harlyn - dog-friendly pub/taproom directly behind the bay. Dogs welcome. Note: the original Harlyn Inn was replaced by the Harlyn Taproom & Restaurant from August 2025, which explicitly welcomes dogs.
Parking with a dog: Private car park with ANPR cameras, beside beach: Pay for full intended stay; number-plate recognition is in use. Overflow field opposite. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Mawgan Porth

No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome on the beach all year. Check water quality after heavy rain (River Menalhyl crosses the beach).

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: The Merrymoor Inn - dog-friendly pub and inn a few steps from the sand, beside the car park. Dogs welcome inside and in beer garden; rooms available (small extra dog fee).
Parking with a dog: Two private car parks behind beach: One behind the Merrymoor Inn, one nearer the café. Both privately run; charges on site. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Dog-friendly section

Perranporth

Dogs welcome all year. A lead-only rule applies on the central lifeguarded section during July and August, 10am - 5pm. Dogs may be off lead year-round on the northern and southern sections of this 3-mile beach.

Where dogs can go: Central/lifeguarded section: lead-only July-August, 10am-5pm. Northern and southern sections: off-lead year-round.
Lead rules: On-lead central section July-August, 10am-5pm (Perranzabuloe Parish Council PSPO; enforced by beach wardens).
After the beach: The Watering Hole - dog-friendly bar built on the beach. Dogs welcome inside and on terrace; water bowls provided. Open year-round.
Parking with a dog: Cornwall Council Wheal Leisure car park / Promenade car park: Wheal Leisure is the main long-stay option (short walk to beach). Promenade car park on Beach Road is closest to sand (actively enforced ANPR). No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Polzeath

Dogs banned on main Polzeath beach 15 May - 30 September, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO, Blue Flag beach). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day from 1 October - 14 May.

Where dogs can go: Whole main beach.
After the beach: The Oystercatcher - dog-friendly pub above the beach with sea views. Dogs welcome in bar and dog-friendly accommodation; water and treats provided.
Parking with a dog: Cornwall Council Polzeath Beach car park / Sea View / New Polzeath: Beach car park is on the sand at the southern end and closes on highest spring tides. Sea View and New Polzeath are privately run alternatives. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Porthtowan

Dogs banned 15 May - 30 September, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO, Blue Flag beach). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day from 1 October - 14 May.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: Blue Bar - dog-friendly beach bar and kitchen on the dunes. Dogs welcome on terrace on leads; dog bowls provided. Open through the day and into the evening.
Parking with a dog: Cornwall Council Beach Road car park: Directly behind the beach. Seasonal charges apply; free in winter. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Dog-friendly section

Towan Beach

Dog restrictions differ between Newquay's neighbouring town beaches. Check the current Cornwall Council beach list and Towan's on-site signage before visiting with a dog.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach, but confirm current rules on-site as Newquay's town beach restrictions can differ from beach to beach.
After the beach: Saltsheds Bar & Bistro - dog-friendly restaurant overlooking the beach, with an outdoor terrace.
Parking with a dog: Towan Headland car park / Manor Road car park (Cornwall Council, pay and display): Both are a short walk above the beach and fill quickly in summer. No dog exclusion from either car park.

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Seasonal restriction

Trevone Bay

Trevone Bay: dogs banned 15 May - 30 September, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day outside these dates. Neighbouring Newtrain Bay (10-minute walk along coast path) has no restriction year-round.

Where dogs can go: Trevone Bay: seasonal ban. Newtrain Bay (adjacent): year-round dog-friendly alternative.
After the beach: The Harlyn - dog-friendly pub 1.5 miles west at Harlyn Bay.
Parking with a dog: Village car park and field car park (both private, ANPR cameras): Village car park beside beach stores; larger field car park opposite beach. Both use number-plate recognition - pay for intended stay. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Watergate Bay

No seasonal dog ban. Dogs welcome on the beach all year. Two miles of sand means ample space for dogs away from surf schools and busy sections.

Where dogs can go: Whole 2-mile beach.
After the beach: The Beach Hut - fully dog-friendly restaurant on the beach - dogs welcome throughout, inside and outside. Water bowls and treats provided. Booking recommended in peak season.
Parking with a dog: Private car park (beachfront) / Cornwall Council car park: Private car park is first from Newquay direction, closest to the beach ramp. Cornwall Council car park a little further along. Both fill quickly on summer weekends. No dog exclusion from parking.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

9 local guides

Dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

View the South Cornwall dog-friendly guide

Dog-friendly section

Coverack

Dogs welcome year-round. Lead required on the beach 1 June - 31 August, 9am - 6pm (St Keverne Parish Council rule). Off-lead permitted before 9am and after 6pm during this period, and any time outside June-August.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach - lead-only in peak summer months.
Lead rules: On-lead 1 June - 31 August, 9am-6pm.
After the beach: The Old Lifeboat House - dog-friendly café, restaurant and fish-and-chips takeaway in the former lifeboat house.
Parking with a dog: North Corner and Dolor Point car parks (St Keverne Parish Council, honesty box): Both within walking distance of the beach; proceeds to village funds. Harbourside car park also available. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Kynance Cove

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year. Always welcome on coast path and NT heathland.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach: seasonal daily ban July-August. Coast path and heathland: year-round.
After the beach: Kynance Cove Café - National Trust concession café, confirmed dog-friendly at outdoor tables year-round. Water bowls provided. Seasonal opening (check hours in winter).
Parking with a dog: National Trust clifftop car park: Steep 10-minute walk with steps down to beach. Free for NT members; JustPark app or coin machines for others. Fills early on sunny summer days. No dog exclusion from car park.

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Seasonal restriction

Maenporth

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: The Cove at Maenporth - dog-friendly restaurant and bar above the beach with outdoor terrace. Dogs welcome at outdoor seating.
Parking with a dog: Maenporth Estate car park: Fee-paying car park directly behind the beach (level access). Managed by Maenporth Estate, not Cornwall Council. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Poldhu Cove

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year. Always welcome on surrounding coast path.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: Poldhu Beach Café - dog-friendly café right at the beach; dogs on leads welcome at all times, open approximately 363 days a year. The Old Inn, Mullion village (~5 min drive) is also a confirmed dog-friendly traditional pub.
Parking with a dog: National Trust car park (~300 yards from beach): Free for NT members; JustPark app or pay-and-display for others. Extra free parking sometimes available near Marconi Centre. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Long seasonal restriction

Polkerris

Dogs are not allowed from Easter Day to 1 October. In 2026, the restriction runs from 5 April through 30 September. Dogs are welcome from 1 October until the day before Easter Sunday.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: The Rashleigh Inn - dog-friendly waterfront pub right beside the beach. Dogs welcome in bar, dining room and terrace year-round. Historic 1775 harbour building.
Parking with a dog: Small car park close to beach: Less than 5-minute walk to beach. Overflow field sometimes available in summer. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Porthcurno

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: Porthcurno Beach Café - dog-friendly; dogs 'always welcome' on the sun terrace. Licensed family-run café by the beach car park serving breakfasts, lunches and cream teas.
Parking with a dog: Pay-and-display car park, Porthcurno valley: Approximately 200-250 metres from the sand; toilets alongside. Not National Trust managed; no membership discount. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Praa Sands

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: The Welloe - dog-friendly restaurant overlooking the beach; dogs on leads welcome. Homemade pizza, local seafood, vegan options.
Parking with a dog: Large privately operated car parks behind beach: Several hundred spaces with overnight campervan provision. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Readymoney Cove

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year. The slipway and coast path to St Catherine's Castle are always open to dogs.

Where dogs can go: Whole cove. Slipway and coast path: year-round.
After the beach: Brown Sugar Café - Dog-friendly café in Fowey, around a 10 to 15-minute walk from Readymoney Cove. Dogs are welcome on the ground floor.
Parking with a dog: Fowey town car parks (~10-min walk): Approximately 150 spaces across several car parks in Fowey. No parking at the cove itself. No specific dog rules on Fowey car parks.

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Seasonal restriction

Swanpool Beach

Dogs banned 1 July - 31 August, 10am - 6pm (Cornwall Council PSPO). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 6pm during this period, and all day the rest of the year. Dogs are always welcome at the café's outdoor tables.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach during ban period. Café outdoor seating: year-round.
After the beach: Swanpool Beach Café - dog-friendly outdoor seating at the café, described as 'always welcome' even during the beach ban period. Teas, coffees, sandwiches and ice cream. Directly at the beach.
Parking with a dog: Large pay-and-display car park opposite beach: Cash or JustPark app; no overnight camping or caravans. No dog exclusion from parking.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules