Sometimes it can be tricky to travel with your furry companion.
Unfortunately, not every establishment in Cornwall will be dog-friendly! As such, it can get a little tricky to find dog-friendly Cornwall attractions ahead of time.
Luckily, whether you’re looking for a history lesson or a beautiful beach walk, there are still plenty of canine-approved areas in Cornwall for an unforgettable day out with your pet.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Things to do in Cornwall with a dog
- Places you can visit that are dog-friendly in Cornwall
Grab your hairy best doggy mate, and let’s get into it!
Hit the Beach
Coastal Cornwall has much to offer in the way of breath-taking beaches and coastal scenery.
Not to mention we bet your pooch loves to run in the sand and splash in the water!
Luckily, there are many dog friendly beaches in Cornwall. We’ll cover some in this guide in a little more depth, but you should also check out:
- Seaton Beach
- Watergate Bay
- Fistral Beach
- Gwynver Beach
- Mexico Towans.
For a more comprehensive guide to which beaches have restrictions or bans on dogs during the summer, the Cornwall government website has an easy-to-read table.
Harlyn Bay
A family-friendly beach known for its calm surf, Harlyn Bay sits on Cornwall’s north coast and is popular for water-sports, such as surfing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and swimming.
With a multitude of rock pools to explore, impressive wildflower-covered sand dunes, and a stunning landscape, Harlyn Bay is a top-tier dog-friendly beach!
Plus, dogs are allowed all year round!
Trebarwith Strand
Trebarwith Strand is another beach on the northern coast of Cornwall, close to the village of Tintagel.
With sea caves at either end of the beach– plus many rock pools along the shore– Trebarwith Strand is perfect for exploring!
This stunning beach stretches a mile long and makes for a good walk.
Dogs are welcome here all year round, though it’s advised you check the tides before taking your dog for a walk along the shore. This is because the water can come so far up you may find yourself stuck during high tide!
Summerleaze Beach
Summerleaze Beach is located in the town of Bude.
With a backdrop of green hills and dramatic cliffs, you’ll find this beach where the mouth of the river Strat meets the ocean.
The shore is often littered with small fishing boats and swimmers alike, and is family and dog friendly.
Though dogs are welcomed all year round, you’re required to keep your dogs on a leash from late-May through to late-September.
Visit a Historic Castle
Launceston Castle
Launceston Castle is a top dog-friendly attraction in Cornwall for those wishing to visit.
Located in Launceston — the capital of Cornwall — Launceston Castle was built in the 11th century for strategic purposes and has a rich history. In fact, it’s served many roles over the centuries!
Dogs are always welcome, but must be kept on a leash for the duration of your visit.
St. Mawes Castle
St. Mawes Castle is located just outside of Falmouth, Cornwall. Built by Henry VIII in the 1500s, the castle was used as an artillery fort.
It’s a spectacularly well-preserved and historically-significant site and — luckily! — dogs are allowed on the premises.
If you want to visit and walk around the grounds with your pooch you’re welcome to, though dogs are required to be kept on a leash (as to be expected).
Pendennis Castle
A visit to Pendennis Castle goes hand-in-hand with a visit to St. Mawes Castle as the two border the mouth of the river Fal!
Pendennis was built in the same time period as St. Mawes, and also served as an artillery fort.
There’s plenty to do and see at Pendennis with historic weaponry on site, as well as fantastic coastal views.
As with the other castles, dogs are allowed both inside and outside on the grounds so long as they’re kept on a lead.
Visit the Eden Project
The Eden Project is an eco-educational attraction and charity, located close to the town of St. Austell.
A garden attraction created on barren land where a clay pit once was, the Eden Project has many bio-domes– each with different artificial climates, allowing it to house many exotic and native plants alike.
While the inside of the Eden Project is an incredible place to visit, dogs are unfortunately not allowed inside the bio-domes.
There are, however, a huge variety of outdoor gardens and walks all around the grounds that you can take your dog on.
There are also plenty of provided dog bowls for water, as well as an undercover eating area where furry friends are welcome.
Hot tip: If you visit the Eden Project and purchase a ticket, you can also visit The Lost Gardens of Heligan for free– a stunning estate and gardens.
Abandoned and grown-over after the first World War, the gardens were rediscovered accidentally in the early nineties.
It’s an amazing story, and not only are the gardens incredible– they’re also dog friendly!
You will need to keep your fluffy pal leashed, but there are miles and miles of garden to wander around together.
Walk the South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path is a national trail in Cornwall, and the longest trail in the UK.
Spanning a total of 630 miles from Somerset to Dorset, this path takes you along the coasts of Devon and Cornwall.
To walk the whole track in its entirety it would take you roughly 1–2 months.
However, for a short summer walk, you may want to consider one of the many smaller sections of the path where you can hop on and hop off. If you’re keen for an adventure, dogs are welcome along the whole 630 miles of the South West Coast Path, too!
Be aware that some beaches on the trail have dog bans in the summer. If you’re crossing these you may still walk across (quickly!) with your doggo, but you’ll need to make sure they’re on a lead.
Fancy a pint during your walk? Read our Dog Friendly Pub Guide to Cornwall!
Explore Mining Heritage
Did you know that Cornwall has a strong mining heritage?
Luckily for dog owners who fancy themselves as a bit of a history-buff, these are among some of the top dog-friendly attractions in Cornwall!
Geevor Tin Mine
Geevor Tin Mine was once an active tin mine, previously called North Levant Mine, operational from 1911 through 1990.
The site is now a museum and one of the largest preserved mining sites in the UK. The museum offers an interesting insight into Cornwall’s past and the world of mining in general.
Dogs are permitted at Geevor Tin Mine, though not in the gift shop, the café, or underground.
Heartlands
Heartlands is a 19-acre heritage site, celebrating and preserving important Cornish history.
The site includes a museum, parks, playgrounds, and their Diaspora Gardens.
The gardens take visitors through carefully curated greenery and plants, centred around the vegetation from different continents significant in Cornish migration.
Heartland welcomes all “furry friends” on-site, with only a few restrictions (such as the children’s playground).
With this in mind, you’re welcome to explore this historic site with your dog while paying all necessary respects (ie, picking up any poop!) and being mindful of others.
King Edward Mine Museum
King Edward Mine Museum is another heritage site located in Cornwall’s Camborne that makes our list of dog-friendly attractions.
Once an operational tin mine, it continued operations through the 1800s.
The museum offers both deep insight into the lives of Cornish miners in and around Camborne, as well as information about the significance of mining in Cornish history.
There are fun, interactive exhibits in the museum, as well as underground tunnels for you to explore!
Dogs are welcome at King Edward Mine Museum, though must be kept on a short lead.
Find Local Gardens
Cornwall has many beautiful– even world-famous – gardens!
If you feel like exploring nature with your best pal, there are many dog-friendly grounds you can visit.
Trelissick Gardens
Trelissick House and Gardens is a National Trust historic estate built in 1755, and it overlooks the Far river.
Over time, various aspects were added to the house– resulting in the incredible structure you see today.
The gardens have a three-mile woodland loop walk that you’re welcome to take your dog on while visiting Cornwall.
Sadly, dogs are not allowed in the main gardens, but they are allowed in the surrounding parkland.
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens
Located in west Cornwall, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens displays world-renowned art in a sub-tropical, expansive garden space.
It’s the unique location that allows for the microclimate needed for many of the plants around the gardens, many of which aren’t normally seen in the UK.
In addition, the gardens are home to the Tremenheere Gallery, as well as a nursery, shop, and restaurant, Tremenheere Kitchen.
Dogs on leads are permitted on site, as well as on the nature walks surrounding the art displays.
Pencarrow House & Gardens
Pencarrow House & Gardens is a popular family and dog-friendly attraction in Cornwall, with many walking trails, picnic spots, as well as the famous historic home of the Molesworth-St Aubyns.
Consisting of over 50 acres of land, you and your pooch will have a real dog’s day out here!
Dogs are allowed to run off-lead, except for in the area outside the house and café where the garden’s chickens and peacocks roam.
Dogs (other than service dogs) are not allowed inside the house, though they are allowed in part of the café.
Water bowls are available, there’s a doggy waste bin in the carpark, and you can even buy a dog-friendly ice cream at the café!
Old Sock flavour, anyone?
Port Elliot House and Gardens
An architectural and historical haven, Port Elliot House and Gardens has been continually inhabited for over 1,000 years.
There are many attractions on the grounds, including the house, gardens, church, and a café where you can get a slice of cake and coffee.
On Wednesday dogs are welcome to run free around the park. However, on all other days dogs are only permitted as long as you keep them on a lead.
Land’s End
Land’s End overlooks the rugged ocean in classic English style, with deep blue water, crashing waves, and dramatic rocky cliffs.
Thought of as Britain’s best loved landmark, Land’s End is at the westernmost point of Cornwall.
As well as its breathtaking views, don’t forget to get a photo with the famous ‘Land’s End’ sign that denotes distances to other cities around the world.
You could even get a picture with you and your dog, as dogs (on leads) are always welcome at Land’s End!
Lappa Valley
Lappa Valley is a unique dog-friendly attraction in Cornwall that opened all the way back in 1905.
Notable for the many small steam and diesel trains ready to take you around the attraction, you’ll also find play areas, historical sites, and an abundance of walks. You can even stop for a bite to eat or refuel with a coffee at The Engine Shed.
Lappa Valley is definitely family-oriented, but there’s still plenty here for those without kids — not including furry ones! — to enjoy.
Dogs on leads are welcome at Lappa Valley — they can even come onto the trains! And when they need to let loose and run wild, there’s a special area where dogs can frolick around off lead.
St Nectan’s Glen
St Nectan’s Glen is a gorgeous woodland area surrounding the banks of the Trevillet river near Tintagel. The area features 3 waterfalls– including one that’s 60 ft. tall!
The walk from the carpark to the main waterfall takes approximately 30 minutes. This will take you through the ancient forest, complete with the sound of the running river beside you as well as local birds in the trees.
St Nectan’s Glen has been listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to the rare species of plant that grow there.
Even so, dogs are welcome so long as they’re well-behaved and kept on leads.
Keen for more? Read our guide to 7 Stunning Waterfalls in Cornwall (They’re doggo friendly!)
Hurlers Stone Circles
Thought to be from the Neolithic or Bronze Age, Hurlers Stone Circles are an important historical site in Cornwall, located in the civil parish of St Cleer.
The circular structure of the monuments are unique to Britain, and over 150 similar monuments have been discovered around the country.
You may have even heard of the most famous one, located in Wiltshire. Stonehenge, anybody?
Hurlers Stone Circles are thought to have been a ceremonial site for an ancient civilisation, likely active around 1500 BC.
Yet another dog-friendly site, they’re welcome to roam around with you as long as you keep your dog on a lead!
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of dog friendly attractions in Cornwall.
If you’ve got a pooch in tow, Cornwall has loads to offer for a day out together.
Whether you’re in the mood for a long coastal walk, stroll along the beach, castle visit, visit to a museum or historical site, nature walk, or garden tour, there’s something here for you and your dog!
The bottom line is that most places around Cornwall will be more than happy to welcome you and your furry pal.
Just remind Fido to be on their best behaviour and keep them on a lead, unless they’re specifically allowed to run free!
Introducing Eliot, the Editor here and Cornwall local with a wanderlust spirit and an insatiable appetite for adventure. With a passion for the great outdoors, he can often be found catching waves on his surfboard, scaling peaks on a hiking trail, or discovering hidden gems in his exploration of Cornwall.