The best dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall

The southwest of England is a popular holiday destination. And it's no wonder really, as Cornwall boasts some of the most fantastic beaches that the country has to offer. But what about if you're heading off on holiday with some four-legged friends in tow? Which beaches in Cornwall are dog friendly?

We asked one of our dog-friendly campsites in north Cornwall, Trewan Hall, for the lowdown on which are the best beaches in the area that allow dogs.

Constantine Bay
A stunning, wide beach backed by steep dunes and with great coast paths at either end. At high tide, there is still plenty of room to roam, and at low, a large area of rock pools emerges for exploring. If you follow the coastal path to the north you can head up to Trevose Head for some fantastic views and loop back around through Trevose Golf course. To the south, you can link up with Treyarnon Bay (also dog friendly) which has a cafe and a small beach shop.

Harlyn Bay
Around the Trevose headland from Constantine Bay is Harlyn Bay, With a pub, shop and parking all right by the beach its a beach of great convenience. This beach is is slightly more northerly facing, and benefits from the natural shelter of the headland if its a windy day. If you want to go exploring you can head to the neighbouring beach of Mother Iveys (also dog friendly) along the cliffs.

Images: Mawgan Porth (Left), Porthcothan (Right). Both images courtesy of Trewan Hall.

Mawgan Porth
A real favourite for dog walkers, at low tide Mawgan Porth offers boundless space with dramatic cliffs surrounding the beach. Be aware though, the tide comes in fast. If you are pitching up for the day be sure you are above high water or you might find yourself having to move in a hurry!

Porthcothan
A personal favourite of the team at Trewan Hall. Porthcothan has an enclosed cosy feeling with low cliffs running down the side that opens up to a wider bay at low tide. At high tide, there is still a good amount of space at the top of the beach, with sheltered nooks to find in the dunes for some special spots for a barbecue. If you follow the coastal path on the southern end of the beach you will come across an extension of Porthcothan that gets cut off as the tide comes in. If you are up for a short walk making camp here for the day is definitely worth it.

Watergate Bay
The most well-known beach on this list. Famous for its surf and watersports, Watergate Bay is probably the largest of all the beaches mentioned. Watergate's real strength is its amenities. It has numerous surf hires, cafes and restaurants all very close to the sand. Parking and toilets are also right there.

So, if you're looking for somewhere to take a holiday with your dog, north Cornwall has plenty of dog-friendly beaches and Trewan Hall provides the perfect base to explore them from.

Campsite details:
Trewan Hall
St Columb Major, Cornwall TR9 6DB
01637 880261
Open: 13 May - 12 September

Images (L-R): Constantine Bay, Harlyn Bay, Watergate Bay. All images courtesy of Trewan Hall.