South Hams with your dog

DOG-FRIENDLY BEACHES IN SOUTH HAMS

Plan around private-estate rules, summer bans and year-round beaches along the South Devon coast.

Plan before you set off

South Hams dog rules without the guesswork

Rules vary sharply here - even neighbouring beaches can have different dates, hours and car-park restrictions. Each entry starts with the rule that matters most.

12: Beach guides
6: Year-round beaches
0: Beaches with dog zones
6: 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.

12 local guides

Dog-friendly beaches in South Hams

Seasonal restriction

Bantham

Main beach: dogs not allowed 1 May - 30 September (Bantham Estate private management). Estuary/River Beach section north of Hams End is open to dogs year-round and is clearly signed from the car park entrance.

Where dogs can go: Main beach: seasonal ban. River Beach (north of Hams End): year-round dog-friendly alternative.
After the beach: The Sloop Inn - dog-friendly 14th-century pub in Bantham village, short walk from the car park. Dogs welcome inside and outside.
Parking with a dog: Bantham Beach car park (Bantham Estate): Pay and display; privately managed. No dog exclusion from car park itself during the ban period - the restriction applies to the beach only. Gatekeeper can direct to the River Beach.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Beesands

Dogs welcome all year with no seasonal restrictions. Check current signage on arrival.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
Lead rules: On-lead near boats and potential wildlife (seals occasionally offshore) is recommended.
After the beach: The Cricket Inn - dog-friendly pub with rooms, directly beside the car park at Beesands. Known for seafood; dogs welcome inside.
Parking with a dog: Free parking beside beach: Free but limited spaces alongside the beach via narrow approach lane. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Bigbury-on-Sea

Dogs banned 1 May - 30 September, 10am - 7pm (South Hams District Council PSPO, confirmed 2024-2027). Dogs welcome before 10am and after 7pm during this period, and all day from 1 October - 30 April.

Where dogs can go: Whole main beach.
After the beach: The Henley Hotel - dog-friendly small hotel on Folly Hill, 5-minute walk from beach with sea views. Dogs welcome in rooms and lounge.
Parking with a dog: Bigbury-on-Sea car park: Large pay-and-display car park above the beach. No dog exclusion from car park; arrive early in summer.

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Long seasonal restriction

Blackpool Sands

Dogs are banned from the beach and car parks from 1 May to 30 September under the privately managed site's Blue Flag rules. No dogs are allowed on site during this period, except registered assistance dogs. Dogs are welcome from 1 October to 30 April.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach and car parks: ban applies 1 May-30 Sep.
After the beach: The Cricket Inn, Beesands - dog-friendly pub approximately 15 minutes' drive. The onsite Blackpool Sands Café is inaccessible to dogs during the ban period (car parks excluded).
Parking with a dog: Blackpool Sands on-site car park: Dogs not permitted in car parks during ban period (1 May-30 Sep). Plan for off-season visits only if travelling with dogs.

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Dogs welcome year-round

East Portlemouth

Dogs welcome all year, no seasonal restrictions.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach (Mill Bay and estuary beaches near ferry landing).
Lead rules: On-lead near ferry embarkation/disembarkation recommended.
After the beach: Village Farm Café - Dog-friendly café around a 20-minute walk from the ferry. Dogs are welcome and should be kept under control.
Parking with a dog: Park in Salcombe, take passenger ferry: Very limited parking on East Portlemouth side; road access narrow. Recommended route: park in Salcombe, take 5-minute foot ferry across the estuary.

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Seasonal restriction

Hope Cove

Mouthwell Sands (main beach): dogs banned 1 May - 30 September, 10am - 7pm (South Hams PSPO, confirmed 2024-2027). Dogs welcome before 10am, after 7pm during this period, and all day 1 October - 30 April.

Where dogs can go: Mouthwell Sands main beach.
After the beach: Hope & Anchor - dog-friendly gastropub literally beside the beach, 2-minute walk from car park. Serves food; rooms available.
Parking with a dog: Inner Hope and Outer Hope village car parks: Pay and display. Short, flat walk to beach. No dog exclusion from parking.

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Seasonal restriction

Mothecombe

Dogs are not permitted on Mothecombe Beach from 1 May to 30 September and are welcome outside those dates. Public access is limited to selected days, typically Wednesdays and Sundays, so confirm the current opening days with Flete Estate before visiting.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: School House - Dog-friendly restaurant and café around a five-minute walk from Mothecombe Beach. Dogs are welcome inside and outside.
Parking with a dog: Small Flete Estate car park above beach: Pay and display. No specific dog exclusion from parking.

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Dogs welcome year-round

North Sands, Salcombe

Dogs welcome all year, no seasonal restrictions.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
After the beach: The Winking Prawn - Dog-friendly café directly opposite North Sands, with dogs welcome inside and outside.
Parking with a dog: North Sands car park: Limited spaces directly at the beach. Walking from Salcombe (15-20 min) is often easier and avoids parking pressure.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Slapton Sands

Dogs welcome all year on the full 3-mile stretch from Strete Gate to Torcross - no current seasonal restrictions.

Where dogs can go: Whole 3-mile beach.
After the beach: The Start Bay Inn - dog-friendly pub in Torcross, directly facing the beach. Dogs welcome in bar and on seafront patio; water bowls provided.
Parking with a dog: Roadside A379 car parks / Torcross car park: Multiple roadside pay-and-display car parks along the coast road. Torcross car park at southern end. No dog exclusion from parking. Check A379 road conditions before visiting (storm damage has occurred in past years).

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Dogs welcome year-round

Soar Mill Cove

Dogs welcome all year, no restrictions on the beach.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach.
Lead rules: On-lead on coastal paths around livestock. Close control required on the approach path through NT farmland.
After the beach: Thirty Three By The Sea - dog-friendly restaurant in nearby Bolberry, approximately 5-minute drive from the NT Bolberry Down car park.
Parking with a dog: National Trust Bolberry Down car park: Small car park at top of valley (10-15 min steep walk to beach). Free for NT members; pay-and-display for others. No dog exclusion from car park; dogs should be on-lead on farm paths.

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Long seasonal restriction

South Sands, Salcombe

Dogs banned 24 hours a day, 1 May - 30 September (South Hams PSPO, confirmed 2024-2027). The only exception is dogs on a lead may cross the sand to board or disembark the passenger ferry during operating hours. Dogs welcome 1 October - 30 April.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach: 24-hour ban 1 May-30 Sep.
Lead rules: On-lead only, for ferry crossing during ban period.
After the beach: South Sands Hotel - dog-friendly hotel directly at the beach. Dogs in designated rooms and dining areas. Note: hotel guests may access the hotel from the path but dogs cannot go on the beach 1 May-30 Sep.
Parking with a dog: Small South Sands car park / Salcombe town + seasonal ferry: Car park fills quickly; seasonal sea tractor/ferry from Salcombe recommended. During ban period dogs cannot access the beach even if you park at South Sands.

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Dogs welcome year-round

Thurlestone

Dogs welcome all year at both Thurlestone Sands and the National Trust-managed South Milton Sands section. No seasonal ban.

Where dogs can go: Whole beach (both Thurlestone Sands and South Milton Sands).
Lead rules: Close control required; on-lead around livestock on adjacent farmland.
After the beach: Beach House - Dog-friendly beachfront café at South Milton Sands, with dogs welcome inside and outside.
Parking with a dog: National Trust car park (Thurlestone): Closest to the beach. Free for NT members; pay-and-display for others. Overflow field opens in busy periods. Golf club car park reserved for members only. No dog exclusion.

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