Tencreek’s Guide to Dog Friendly Beaches in Southeast Cornwall
A holiday in Cornwall can be a true holiday adventure by the sea. Fish and chips, BBQs, caravan park fun, and, of course, the beach. But what if your dog is in for all the fun? No one wants the family’s best friend to miss out.
When staying in Looe, we want everyone to enjoy themselves. To help those travelling with their dogs, we have pulled together this list of dog-friendly beaches for you to enjoy. At Tencreek Holiday Park, dogs are always welcome. Some of our caravans are dog friendly and we even have a small exercise area for them to enjoy as well.
Southeast Cornwall is known for their dog-friendly pubs and cafes. Here is more information on beaches in the area to bring your dog:
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Downderry Beach
Located in Looe, Downderry Beach is found just off the South West Coast Path. It is perfect for fishing, swimming and windsurfing. It is also a popular walking beach – even for the dogs. At low tide, it can be connected to other beaches as well. For a great bite to eat or a nice pint, the Inn on the Shore pub is just off the beach in the Downderry village.
The beach is open to dogs all year round. There are no seasonal lifeguards at Downderry.
Plaidy Beach
Also in Looe, Plaidy Beach is a small sandy beach surrounded by steep cliffs. Be aware there is very little beach exposed during high tide, so be sure to check the Tide Tables before leaving for a visit. There are facilities located in Looe – which is about a mile away along the Coast Path.
The beach is open to dogs all year round. There are no seasonal lifeguards at Plaidy.
Hannafore Beach
About a mile from West Looe, Hannafore Beach offers visitors a sandy, shingle beach. At low tide, the reef is exposed creating a number of unique rock pools. With stunning views of St George’s Island, there is a short promenade and you can venture out onto the South West Coast Path towards Talland Bay.
The beach is open to dogs all year round. There are no seasonal lifeguards at Hannafore.
Kingsand Beach
Kingsand is part of the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park and has a neighbouring beach called Cawsand. About 16 miles from Looe proper, it is set within a tiny village full of cottages, shops, cafes and pubs. There is a connecting ferry to Plymouth during the summer holiday season. For the finest in local produce visit The Old Boatstore Café.
There are no seasonal lifeguards at Kingsand, and the beach is open to dogs all year round.
Talland Bay Beach
Made up of a sandy beach and rock pools, Talland Bay is a great dog-friendly beach. Located between Looe and Polperro, be aware that there is limited parking for this beach. To help you enjoy this lovely part of Cornwall, the Talland Bay Beach Café welcomes visitors with light bites, cakes and ice cream. They also sell all the stuff you need to enjoy a day at the beach.
There are no seasonal lifeguards at Talland Bay. The beach is open to dogs all year round.
Lansallos Beach
In Polperro, Lansallos Beach is a small sand and rock cove near Pencarrow Head. The perfect site for dog walking, this beach features a waterfall once used in the past to power a small mill. This secluded cove is off the beaten path, and requires a 20-minute walk to the sea to reach it. It is part of the National Trust.
There are no seasonal lifeguards at Lansallos. The beach is open to dogs all year round.
Seaton Beach
Seaton Beach is a fantastic sand and pebble beach at the mouth of the River Seaton. Located just a few miles from Looe, this beach is extremely popular with families. Facilities include a café, shops, and The Smugglers Inn. This beach is great for sailing, shore fishing and surfing. At low tide, Seaton connects with the Downderry Beach.
The beach is open to dogs all year round. There are no seasonal lifeguards at Seaton.
Readymoney Cove
Noted for its excellent water quality, this beach is found just south of the town of Fowey. The beach is cleaned daily during the summer season and even has a bathing platform moored in the bay to enjoy. From this beach, there are great views of St Catherine’s Castle and the Fowey estuary.
Dogs are only welcome on the beach in the colder months. There is a seasonal dog ban from Easter until September 30.
Whitsand Bay Beach
Located near Saltash, in fact four beaches make up Whitsand Bay: Tregonhawke, Tregantle, Freathy and Sharrow Point. Tregonhawke is the primary beach and has cafes and toilets for visitors to use. It is also home to the Adventure Bay Surf School – a great place to learn how to surf and hire equipment as well. Tregantle Beach is a popular firing range for the Ministry of Defence and sometimes can be closed for military training.
All beaches around Whitsand have seasonal lifeguards and are dog friendly all year.