There’s no denying it: us Brits are fools for our dogs. Part of the fun of holidaying in the UK is being able to make it a doggy-day too. Which is a pleasure at Tom’s Cottage: the rural location, enclosed garden and woofer-welcome just make tails want to wag.
How dog friendly is the area?
Exceedingly! North Cornwall lends itself to canine days and boasts a variety of countryside to explore. No adventure need be the same twice, and most pubs accept dogs under the supper table.
Tom’s dog guide
Here’s our top picks of local dog-friendly spots…
Port Gaverne beach: our nearest beach is mutt heaven and is super child friendly too. Take a picnic or just go for a paddle, walk the coastpath to Port Isaac (just over the hill) or out onto the headland; this beach triples in size at low tide and is renowned as being a safe haven sea-wise. Pub lunch recommended
Barretts Zawn: our closest access point to the South West Coast Path Find the footpath off the Port Gaverne road (by Hendra farm) and walk down the valley to ‘Freshwater’ (next to Barretts Zawn) for that ‘place that time forgot’ feel. Steepish in places and the path goes through farmland/beside a farmyard, worth every step!
Rock beach on the Camel Estuary, great as a stand-alone walk and where to catch the ferry (with dogs) to Padstow and then walk on to Tregirls – also known as Harbour Cove. Or from Rock at mid to low tide: walk beyond the sailing club to Porthilly beach, and in the opposite direction to Daymer Bay (and find St Enodoc Church in the dunes). Cafes along the waterfront, great deli and good bakery at top of village.
Lundy Bay/Pentire/The Rumps: coastal circular walk (leads recommended) – stunning scenery in a National Trust wildlife reserve. NT café in the Pentireglaze car park.
Shell Woods on the Camel Trail – beautiful woodland beside the river. Easy walking and a dog’s delight. Not far from the Snails Pace café at Wenford Bridge (the head of the trail) which is full of home-baked goods and has outside seating.
Levethan Woods near Blisland: ancient woodland and a nature reserve – a magical place. A 2¾ mile circular walk can be found on iWalk Cornwall starting in the village where there’s pub, shop and village green.
Pendrift Downs and Jubilee Rock: also near Blisland but open landscape with livestock grazing on the common. Amazing surroundings yet softer ambiance than some of Bodmin Moor.
Roughtor and Brown Willy: park at Roughtor Ford and hike up Roughtor, its twin peak (Brown Willy) is the highest point in Cornwall. This is true Bodmin Moor wilderness.
Crowdy Reservoir/Davidstow Aerodrome: popular flat moorland walking, but so vast it doesn’t feel crowded.
Lanhydrock Estate: Tom’s Cottage nearest National Trust property, the extensive estate paths through parkland and woods shouldn’t be missed (the house and gardens are very much worth a visit too). We favour parking at Bodmin Parkway station and walking the old estate carriage-way to Respryn Bridge, through woods by a stream to the ancient bridge. From there, stroll up the house’s drive for parkland vistas and a great view of the front façade.
Cardinham Woods: run by Forestry England with a great range of walking trails in a delightful setting with the fab Woodland Café. Car park can get busy at weekends.
The Angry Anchovy: Port Isaac’s pizzeria that takes dog-friendliness to the next level. At the top of village (near car parks) with staff that are likely to greet four-legged dinners before their human companions. Dog menu and gallery (they love to take a mutt-shot) and indoor seating.
From seaside to woodland, open moors to parkland and designated trails: Tom’s Country is a dogcation dream. More local walks (including doorstep ones) are listed on our walks page. Please remember to follow the Countryside Code
Tom’s doggy facilities
Tom’s Cottage belongs to have a pet about the place. It radiates country home and private space.
The generous garden is discreetly fenced at the back of the house, while the front is walled (albeit with a lowish stretch either side of the front garden gate) and has plenty of lawns. House doors open directly into gardens (front and back); and the ¼ mile entrance lane is a perfect leg-stretcher on arrival or last thing at night.
Indoors, the hard floor of the utility room is an ideal staging post for wet/muddy woofers and is even stocked with fresh dog towels for a rub-down. The kitchen is partially tiled/partly carpeted with door opening to the patio and back garden: perfect for lingering over the first cuppa of the day with that indoor/outdoor vibe. No need to worry about neighbours clocking an unusual dressing gown while watching Fido roll in the grass – the birds really aren’t bothered! (The cottage stands in splendid seclusion).
In spring and autumn, the garden room* comes into its own: overlooking the front garden this is dog-together-time - padding back and forth from the lawn while the humans chill with a drink or book. *The garden room has since been replaced with a paved patio, furnished with rattan furniture. Sheltered in a natural suntrap, there's now a free-flow between lawn and seating.
When it comes to love me love my dog, Tom’s Cottage Cornwall makes perfect dog-days.
