South Cornwall with your dog

DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN SOUTH CORNWALL

Plan dog-friendly beach time around the Lizard, Falmouth and Fowey's summer restrictions.

Plan before you set off

South Cornwall beach access for dogs

Many coves use a July and August daytime ban, but the hours and private-beach rules still vary. Check the direct answer on each card.

9: Beach guides
0: Year-round beaches
1: Beaches with dog zones
8: 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.

9 local guides

Dog-friendly beaches in South Cornwall

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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.

Read the beach guide Check current dog rules

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