Dog Friendly Holidays

Not exhaustive by any means, here’s our local picks of dog friendly eateries. If booking a table in advance, we’d advise mentioning ‘plus dog’ in case it affects seating area. When out and about, a quick ‘may the dog come in too?’ will often be greeted with a positive response.

Farm shops

• St Kew Farm Shop the most bistro style of local farm shops with contemporary menu, dogs welcome inside. Weekend speciality suppers in summer.
• Trevathan Farm Shop St Endellion: new for spring ’26: extended restaurant which’ll be the designated dog area.  Farmhouse style food plus the exceptional Ann’s Pasties Extensive outdoor space for lead walks (and children’s run around)
• Boscastle Farm Shop: dogs at outside seating only but just a stroll from the coast path; great food

Cafés

• Churchtown Café, St Teath. Great homemade fare including soups, quiche, paninis and cakes (especially the eclairs). General hours 9am-3pm, closed Sundays/Mondays and winter closure January/February. Dogs indoors with their humans.
• TJ’s surf café, Polzeath. Dogs welcome throughout (has a dog menu too!)
• Coby’s Café, Fletchersbridge. Where we go for picture framing/art supplies and an alternative to the café in Cardinham Woods when they’re busy. Properly dog friendly (situated upstairs).

Nurseries

• Trelawney Garden Centre, Part of the Blue Diamond chain (on the outskirts of Wadebridge). Dogs on leads allowed throughout the site, apart from the main restaurant (designated area for eating with dogs is at outside tables). Somewhat commercialised in comparison to our other nurseries, but the closest to Tom’s Cottage.
• The Mill Café at Bodmin Nursery Independent nursery with genuine plants. Dogs welcome on leads throughout and at outside seating area of café (some under a canopy). We recommend the Welsh Rarebit, quiche and homemade cakes.
• The Café at Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, The bees’ knees of Cornish horticulture. Dogs on leads allowed in outside areas and indoor café, but not in the Orangery restaurant, shop or glasshouses. Most refined menu of the nurseries.

Pubs

• St Kew Inn: quintessential country pub, fab food
• White Hart, St TeathWhite Hart, St Teath: family orientated, frequented by locals
• Port Gaverne handy for a pint and a bite after the beach or for supper. Dogs welcome in bar and restaurant, we’ve heard rumours of them serving Proper Dog ale!
• Golden Lion, Port Isaac: classic fishing village pub, park at top of village & walk down. Dogs on ground floor only.
• St Tudy Inn: another exemplary country pub, firmly on the foodie map
• The Mariners, Rock. Paul Ainsworth gastropub – popular with visitors and locals alike. Dogs in downstairs bar and terrace only (both have tables).
• The Oystercatcher, Polzeath. Contemporary pub, frequented by locals and visitors alike. Dogs welcome throughout.
• Surfside, Polzeath. Rum bar on the beach, dogs welcome inside and out.
• Port William, Trebarwith: renowned for watching sea-sunsets over a drink, sea-view tables sell out fast

Bistro restaurants

• Angry Anchovy, Port Isaac: pizzeria at top of village that specialises in dog-friendliness. Evenings tend to be their thing, food good enough for return visits. Take-away also available

• Pilchards, Port Gaverne. Trendy vibe with food to match, open evenings as well as day time in high season.
• The Mote, Port Isaac. Character building on The Platt, menu has great local food provenance. Dogs at ground floor tables only (gets busy in high season)
• Four Boys, Dogs on terrace only, great view over the estuary. Good food (run by the sons of Fee’s Food)
• The Waterfront, Dogs welcome throughout, gets busy in high season.
• Upper Deck, Dogs allowed inside and out.

Sometimes, a day out is about what the humans fancy doing; accompanied by four-paws. Not every day is a beach day – there’s other pawsome adventures to be had from Tom’s Cottage.

Heritage

• Tintagel Castle: dogs most welcome! Cliff-edge ancient ruins with a strong Arthurian association. Access is via a long (and high) footbridge. Dog friendly café/heritage centre. Tintagel village within walking distance: lots of pubs, cafes and bakeries; gift shops and chemist.
• Pencarrow House, Dogs permitted in the gardens and outside area of Peacock Café.
• Lanhydrock House extensive trails over the 900 acre estate, dogs are welcome in certain parts of the house grounds and cafes; but not indoors.
• Launceston and Restormel castles are both historic ruins and welcome dogs. Less commercialised than Tintagel, Launceston sits atop a steep hillock in the town while Restormel looks out over gentler countryside. Walks to Restormel Castle include a circular route from Lostwithiel town or an out and back from Duchy Nurseries (a must for keen gardeners!)
• Castle An Dinas: iron age hill fort near St Columb. Roam around the bank and ditch rings in open heathland: the connection to Cornwall’s ancient people is undeniable. Free entry (run by Cornwall Heritage Trust: its small membership fee entitles free entry to English Heritage sites across Cornwall!) No amenities.

Beauty spots

• St Nectan’s Glen: the waterfall where knights of King Arthur’s round table are reputed to have been blessed prior to setting off on their quest to find the Holy Grail. Walk the 1-mile riverside path through temperate rainforest to enter The Falls (admittance fee at that point). Café and shop with (on-lead) dogs welcome.
• Boscastle Harbour: stroll through the village alongside the river to the harbour and up onto the cliffs beyond. The ambiance is a mix of walkers, ambling doggy folk and locals. Cafés, shops and pubs.
• Any clapper bridge on Bodmin Moor, Delphy Bridge probably being the best known locally. We favour the less frequented ones in the tiny valleys between Stannon and Advent (OS Explorer map 109). Great picnic spots, stream paddling and ball games. Top tip: take deck chairs/a rug and a flask!
• Watch the sunset at Trebarwith Strand, from the rocks or with wine, sitting on the Port William’s outside seating.

Other dog days

• Catch the ferry from Rock beach to Padstow harbour (scenting the sea air all the way!) While in town visit the National Lobster Hatchery (dogs welcome), and walk out past the war memorial to Harbour Cove. At low tide walk back along the sandy seashore to the harbour for the ferry back.
• The Lost Gardens of Heligan: one of the Great Gardens of Cornwall and – as the name suggests – a fascinating place. Dogs (on leads) welcome just about everywhere. Highly recommend.
• Take a ride on Bodmin Railway’s steam train – the only full-sized steam locomotive in Cornwall. Dogs thoroughly welcome except over Christmas (the Santa Specials can’t cope!)

Events

• Port Isaac Shanty Weekend (3^rd–4^th Oct ’26) and Boscastle Shanty Festival (6^th–8^th Nov ’26) are the places to experience real Cornish coastal life. Like a local. Based around village hostelries, most (if not all) are dog friendly, although likely to become somewhat crowded (and progressively merry!)
• Camelford Agricultural Show (2^nd Wednesday in August) is everything countryside. Full of livestock, trade stands and entertainment; with food and crafts aplenty. Includes a pet dog show (rosettes to be won). More spread out and less crowded than other events this might be a better fit for a lot of canines.
• The Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge (4^th–6^th June ’26) – Cornwall’s biggest event and recently crowned Cornwall’s Best Family Event. A bigger and more polished version of Camelford Show, it does attract large crowds. Not every dog’s day out but spots like the Countryside Area tend to be a bit quieter. Dogs on leads welcome.
• Cornwall Spring Flower Show (28^th–29^th March ’26) held in exhibition halls at the Royal Cornwall Showground, and dubbed The Westcountry’s Chelsea. ‘Well behaved dogs on short leads welcome’, but tends to get very busy.

Dog friendly beaches

Port Gaverne: best for a quick stretch of the legs and/or with a picnic. Tom’s Cottage’s nearest beach and a haven for family fun. Paddling on sand at low tide and rock-pooling at mid tide. Clifftop stroll accessible from beach and shortish walk to neighbouring Port Isaac – traditional fishing village with lots of amenities. Cornish Rock Tors are based here, providing coasteering, sea kayaking and SUP.

Daymer Bay is another dog and family favourite, with a different vibe. On the edge of the Camel Estuary, its golden sand expanse and shallows make this a busier beach. Car park at top of beach. Coastline walks in both directions: to Rock (also dog friendly) and Polzeath (summer dog restrictions 10am-6pm).

Bossiney Cove and Trebarwith Strand are both great for dogs, but best at low tide – there’s very little (or no) beach at high tide.

A list of dog friendly Cornish beaches can be found at Visit Cornwall and those with dog restrictions can be found here.

The coast path

Tom’s Cottage is near the North Cornwall stretch of the South West Coast Path, roughly midway between Tintagel and Padstow. Fantastic walking for dogs happy to hike at heel, there’s a multitude of tiny beaches revealed along the way at low tide. Perfect for letting off steam and a wild swim.

Our favourites? Port Isaac to Port Quin circular and Tregardock (neither for the faint hearted!) For a gentler amble we favour a potter around St Enodoc

Woods and trails

Our go-to footpaths include a circular round Delabole Quarry (a mile of easy terrain, muddy patches in wet weather) and the Camel Trail - accessible from many points and good surface for pushchairs. Likely to encounter other dogs at both locations.

In hot weather, a lesser-known path at Sladesbridge (along the River Allen) is a haven from the heat. The mature canopy serves as a parasol and is a paradise for both dogs and humans. Park in the ex-road layby beside Trelawney Garden Centre (the hamlet side of the entrance) and find the wooden access gate at the ‘hump’ bridge end. Footpath marked on OS Explorer map 106, ending at Hingham Mill. Garden centre dog friendly (on leads) and dogs welcome in the conservatory area of restaurant.

We adapt the Respryn Bridge – Lanhydrock House circular by parking at Bodmin Parkway train station and walking the old estate carriageway to Respryn Bridge. This extra leg follows (an easy) wooded riverside to the ancient bridge, but don’t forget to pay for parking. Stable Café at Lanhydrock House is dog friendly.

Cardinham Woods has miles of managed paths and is doggy heaven. From the fairly level riverside walk to puffing up the valley sides for glimpses of pastoral vistas, there’s marvellous variety. Great (dog friendly) café near car park (parking charges apply).

Moorland

Bodmin Moor: sometimes overlooked for the clamour of the coast, this huge wilderness holds a special place in our hearts. And because so many have gone to the beach: it’s quieter.

For invigorated ruggedness: park at Roughtor Ford and walk up Roughtor and back. A longer hike takes in Cornwall’s highest point (Roughtor’s twin peak) Brown Willy

A less steep but still remote walk is out to King Arthur’s Hall from St Breward (our nearest moorland village), where The Old Inn makes a welcome pit stop (dog friendly of course!)

For a subtler side of the moor, we favour Blisland (one of few Cornish villages to have a green) and discovering Jubilee Rock. Dogs welcome in the pub and lovely community shop next to the church.

Explorer dog

We’ve sniffed out our top outdoor (online) assistance…

• iWalk Cornwall app – Cornish walks with doggie detail
• My Coast app – use the dog walk filter to find local beaches that are dog friendly. Lifeguard only beaches listed. Water quality, sea conditions and tide state all in one place.
• MET office – weather forecast (the farmers’ friend)
• The Countryside Code and Dogs – how to best enjoy coast and countryside with furry members of the family

Tom’s Cottage is also stocked with walking books and Ordinance Survey maps, along with plenty of local literature to help inspire new discoveries.  

Dog Paddocks

We absolutely loved testing these out. Being totally secure, they’re all great for free-ranging and bonding over both your woofer’s favourite game and the in-situ equipment. Our labrador’s top tip: allow time for just sniffing!

All offer different length sessions, and include a few dogs in the basic price; with options for increasing numbers if planning a meet-up. Agility equipment differs from site to site so although similar is varied.

Unleashed, Wadebridge

Our session:       30 mins, £5 (allow 5 minutes for changeover)

Environment:     mild hum of traffic from bypass bridge, walkers/cyclists visible on Camel Trail  

Setting:                 quaint meadow by River Camel, track access; suntrap if hot

Equipment:         basic agility & free space, human seating

Handy for:           the Camel Trail (including dog trailer hire from bike hire establishments)

Booking:              easy online

Tip:                         pet supplies in the area:

• • • Wadebridge Petz Shop is within walking distance  (01208 816088)
    • Wynstay farm store is on the edge of town
    • Rawtastic (raw food) is on the other side of town (near Tesco)

Padstow Pooch Paddock

Our session:       30 mins, £5 (allow 5 mins for changeover)

Environment:     some traffic noise from the A road over the hedge

Setting:                 lovely view of the Camel Estuary in the distance, highish ground if breezy

Equipment:         basic agility & free space, human seating

Handy for:           visiting Padstow

Booking:              easy online

Tip:                         Harbour Cove (also known as Tregirls beach) is a great dog friendly beach and is within walking distance from Padstow harbour

Knightswood Welly Walk* nr Newquay – choice of 3 meadows

Our session:       1 hour, £8

Environment:     peaceful countryside

Setting:                 valley meadows with water features, might get wet underfoot in places

Equipment:         small (equine) cross country jumps, undergrowth patches, streams/ponds & human seats/pathways

Handy for:           A30 (Fraddon) on arrival/departure

Booking:              easy online

Tip:                         longest lead time needed for booking slot of choice (to avoid a 6am or 9pm session) En route:-

• Mole Valley Farmers, St Columb is on the way home to Tom’s Cottage – a top country store, including pet supplies
• Halfway House is a great supper stop (also) on the way home to Tom’s Cottage – good food, marvellous service & dog friendly

*Overall rating: outstanding in its field! The clue is in its name: meadows rather than paddock. Competitively priced for an hour, you get 6 or 7 acres to roam over rather than 1ish acres. Fabulous ambiance and doggy heaven – makes a great dog walk in rural Cornwall that non-doggy folk would never see. The Major Oaks meadow is also accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs & mobility scooters. Thoroughly worth the ½ hour drive from Tom’s Cottage.

Woodlands Farm ‘Wiggly Woods’, nr Bude

Our session:       1 hour, £18.50 (up to 4 dogs with 1 car)

Environment:     30 acres of secluded countryside

Setting:                 mix of woodland, tracks and fields

Equipment:         natural obstacles + summertime agility

Handy for:           Bude beaches 

Booking:              easy online (Ts & Cs need reading), tracker hire available, 1^st session includes a meet and greet

Tip:                         The Weir Café is en route: dog friendly with canal path walk to Bude.

With an advertised lead time of 2-3 months for booking: grab a slot well in advance. Easily could have spent longer here - didn't explore every path or play in the paddocks and didn't once retrace our footsteps. Tuck shop near car park (we were gasping for a cuppa and a sugar-fix) complete with wipe board full of doggie comments. Surpasses Knightswood Welly Walks for a real romp. 

Tom’s Dog Walk

(The Fold) is roughly ⅓ woodland floor and ⅔ open grassland, gently facing south; we advise wellies during damp spells. Fences are standard agricultural height (about 4’, 1.2m) composed of sheep netting 32” (81cm) high with 2 strands of hight tension wire above. It’s this type of fencing because the field is still part of the farm and not open to the general public. Should your best friend have the leap of a kangaroo, we suggest keeping them on a longline and making it all about playtime with the humans.

Instead of agility equipment or garden benches we have natural features: tree stumps to perch on and logs to leap over, running water to splash in and mature trees to sniff around. And space to run – in a living landscape.

More detail about The Fold is available in our Tom’s Dog Walk blog

Doggy etiquette

• Dogs do need to be on-lead between Tom’s Cottage and The Fold (35m through the wagon-house yard) due to this area being unfenced against wildlife areas and grazed fields over the hedge.
• We also ask that Big Jobs be bagged and disposed of in the bin provided – for the welfare of the environment and all guests.
• Our golden rule is to keep The Fold gate shut at all times. This creates a contained vibe when the field is in use and prevents unexpected visitations (like a passing farm-dog!)
• Unfortunately, our insurers have excluded use by any breeds listed in the UK as dangerous dogs, so however well trained or expertly handled, we are unable to welcome these canine companions.

We do ask everyone to follow the Countryside Code.

Local dog supplies/services

Dog food, a fresh lead or some pigs’ ears – it’s all close by…

• Rawtastic, Estuary Retail Park, Wadebridge (near Tesco, just beyond Barnecutt’s Bakery - great pasty stop!) The go-to place for all your raw-fed food. Most obliging & experienced in serving holidaying dogs. Please note: opening is by appointment only but the proprietor lives extremely close-by and is on-call 6 days a week 7.30am – 10pm; we get the feeling Sundays wouldn’t be a problem in an emergency! Many visitors make a pre-order and confirm collection time on arrival. 07969 181488, , or message via Facebook/Instagram.
• Tom’s Cottage freezer (situated in utility room) has 3 drawers: the middle having largest capacity – holding 12 x Dog’s Butcher 1kg packs of 80.10.10 mince. Top & bottom drawers hold 4-6 packs each, so there’s scope for some bones too; and some human stuff!
• Petz of Wadebridge, pet shop in Palmorla Arcade 01208 816088 open 9-5 Mon-Fri, 9-4 Sat
• Wynnstay, Trenant Ind Est, Wadebridge 01208 812444 – farm & country store with sizable pet section including broad selection of dry food. Open Mon-Fri 8.30-5, Sat 8.30-midday
• Mole Valley Farmers, St Columb 01637 881115 – similar to Wynnstay but our preference if in the area. Potentially cheaper and open 7 days/week: Mon-Sat 8-5.30 & Sun 10-4

Every dog has its day

• Hotdogs K9, Wadebridge and Newquay: dog trainer and various drop-in sports sessions (for those that have completed relevant foundations). 1-2-1 sessions available (in Tom’s Cottage Garden or our Fold dog walk area). We highly recommend these guys – they’re natural dog people, professional yet personable. 1-2-1 sessions need arranging several weeks in advance. Drop-in sessions (Wadebridge or Newquay) include: man trailing, scent detection, sports dog and gun dog. Contact: or message 07702 831574
• Swim Dog, Newquay – we’ve heard plenty of good reports about this professionally run, dog specific pool. Open spring to autumn, it’s ideal for woofers in need of non-weight bearing exercise or just some exceptional fun. Allow for post-session downtime: there’ll be a tired-out vibe!
• Wetherham Kennels, nr St Tudy: should doggy day care ever be needed. If dogs on a specific day out is a non-starter, this is who we trust with our furry friends. Bookings need to be made well in advance (such is their reputation locally) and dogs do need to be up to date with health treatments, including kennel cough vaccination. Reminder: dogs cannot be left unattended at Tom’s Cottage, primarily for the dog’s wellbeing.

Vets

Nobody wants to need these guys, but it’s not always an emergency – something routine may fall during the holiday…

• Penbode Vets, Camelford 01840 213277 Who we use – we particularly like Olivia. Note: out of hours emergencies are usually asked to meet the duty vet at their Stratton branch (near Bude).
• Nute’s Vet Surgery, Wadebridge 01208 813258 Plenty of locals use this practise
• Harleigh Vets, Bodmin 01208 72323 A little further away from Tom’s Cottage but highly reputable (& who many of us used as farm vets way back when!)