Dog friendly days out in Cornwall
Bringing your four-legged friend to Ekopod? You’re in for a treat! Cornwall is full of beautiful beaches, coastal walks, cosy pubs and lovely little towns to explore together.
We’ve put together some of our favourite dog friendly days out in Cornwall to help you plan a week of adventures, whether your dog loves a good run on the beach, a moorland adventure or simply finding somewhere new to sniff.
Obviously there’s no need to follow the itinerary to the letter, one of the best things about Ekopod is having the time to sit and relax! Pick and choose what takes your fancy, keep an eye on the weather and tides, and leave yourself plenty of time to enjoy the slower pace of a Cornish holiday.
Day 1: Beach adventures and big moorland views
Start the day with a leisurely breakfast in your pod. Fancy making it extra special? Order one of our delicious breakfast hampers and enjoy a lazy start before heading out.
First stop is Trebarwith Strand, around 20 minutes from Ekopod. It’s a beautiful spot for a beach wander with your dog, with dramatic cliffs and plenty of fresh sea air. After a couple of hours exploring, head to The Port William for lunch with a gorgeous view over the coast.
Next, swap the sea for the moors and head to Roughtor car park. From here, you can walk up to Roughtor, taking a little over an hour. The views from the top are well worth the climb, especially on a clear day.
A little tip: Check the tide times before setting off, as Trebarwith Strand disappears at high tide. If the tide is high in the morning, simply switch things around and tackle Roughtor first.
Got energy to spare? Continue on to Brown Willy, Cornwall’s highest point. You can find a 5.2-mile circular route taking in both peaks here. There are two stiles on the way to Brown Willy, and dogs will need to be lifted over the higher one to reach the summit.
Remember that sheep, cattle and ponies graze on the moor, so keep your dog under close control. Dogs must be on a lead no longer than 2 metres from 1 March to 31 July to protect ground-nesting birds.
If you fancy a little extra: The Cornwall at War Museum is around 10 minutes from Roughtor car park. Dogs on leads are welcome, although the museum opens seasonally, so check before visiting.
And if you’re visiting between November and March, keep an eye out for the spectacular starling murmurations around Roughtor at dusk. The road before the car park is a good place to watch the birds gather and swirl across the sky.
Day 2: A proper Sunday lunch and a countryside walk
If you’ve arrived on Friday, why not make Sunday a day for a lovely long walk followed by a traditional pub lunch?
The Rising Sun Inn is around a 50-minute walk from Ekopod and serves a great Sunday roast. Dogs are welcome in the bar area, but do book your table in advance.
For a straightforward walk, follow the there-and-back route in our guidebook. If you’re up for something a little longer, this figure-of-eight walk from St Clether Church takes you through the surrounding countryside and includes the pub along the way. The walk starts from the church car park, just down the road from Ekopod.
It’s also a lovely opportunity to explore St Clether Church and the atmospheric St Clether Holy Well Chapel, tucked away in the countryside nearby.
Short on time or saving your legs for another day? The church and chapel are just down the road and across the fields from Ekopod, so you can take a short walk to pop over for a look whenever you fancy.
Day 3: Tintagel, Boscastle and a spectacular coastal walk
Today is all about Cornwall’s dramatic coastline, pretty harbours and Arthurian legend.
Start with breakfast at Boscastle Farm Shop, overlooking the sea. Dogs are welcome outside, and it’s a good place to pick up a pasty for your lunch later.
Park in Boscastle’s main car park, then catch the bus to Tintagel. Check the bus timetable before you go. Allow around two hours to explore Tintagel Castle, steeped in the legends of King Arthur and perched dramatically above the sea.
Our tip: Book Tintagel Castle ahead of time, especially during peak season, as tickets can sell out.
Once you’ve visited the Castle now enjoy a walk along the coast path to Boscastle? It’s a hilly 5.5-mile route, but the views are wonderful. Allow two to three hours so you can stop for photos, enjoy that pasty and reward yourself with an ice cream on the way up the hill.
Once back in Boscastle, you could even take a dip in the harbour if conditions and tides are suitable. If you love wild swimming, Benoath Cove is another option along this stretch of coast, although only at low tide.
It’s a full day out, but a lovely way to experience this spectacular stretch of the Cornish coast.
Day 4: A beach day at Hawkers Cove and lunch in Padstow
Fancy another beach day? Head to Hawkers Cove, where you can spend the morning enjoying the sand and sea with your dog. There’s a car park in a field, around a 10-minute walk from the beach. Here the Camel estuary means the water is shallow, warm and a stunning colour on sunny days.
When you’re ready for lunch, follow the coast path to Padstow, around a 40-minute walk away. Pick up fish and chips from Stein’s Fish & Chips, then pop into The National Lobster Hatchery, where dogs on leads are welcome.
After lunch, have a wander around Padstow before heading back to Hawkers Cove for a little more beach time.
There are no facilities directly on the beach, but the little Rest a While tea gardens further along the coast path serve food and have toilets. It’s worth checking their opening arrangements before setting off.
If you’d rather spend less time on the sand, drive back via pretty Port Isaac. Wander its narrow streets, explore the harbour and see if you recognise the village from Doc Martin or Fisherman’s Friends before heading home to Ekopod.
Day 5: Steam trains, independent shops and a castle
Just 20 minutes from Ekopod, Launceston makes a lovely day out. It was once Cornwall’s capital and has a characterful town centre, independent shops and an impressive castle.
Start with something a little different at the Launceston Steam Railway. Hop aboard for a return trip to New Mills and enjoy the countryside from a vintage steam train. The railway operates seasonally, and dogs can travel for an extra £1, so check the current timetable before you go.
Afterwards, park in the long-stay car park in town and head off to find some lunch. Liberty Coffee is our usual pick.
With lunch sorted, have a wander through the town and visit Launceston Castle for a little local history and lovely views.
Finish with a drink on the terrace at the Eagle House Hotel, known for its gin selection. A rather nice way to round off the day!
Then grab a takeaway from Native Burger to enjoy back in your pod. If you’re a beer drinker, you might also like to check out Firebrand Brewing, whose brewery and taproom are just outside Launceston. Check ahead for opening times and food options.
Day 6: Bude, canal-side strolls and a dip in the sea pool
Bude is one of our favourite places for a day by the coast, with its lovely beaches, canal and independent shops. It’s a very dog-friendly town, and many shops and cafés welcome four-legged visitors, often with water bowls and the odd treat.
On the way, stop at The Weir for breakfast overlooking the lake. Dogs are welcome both inside and outside, making it a lovely spot to start the day.
From The Weir, you can walk into Bude along the canal path, or drive to one of the town’s car parks. Summerleaze car park has direct access to the beach.
Once in town, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the canal or browse the independent shops. You could also take a refreshing dip in Bude Sea Pool. It’s a wonderful spot for a swim, although dogs aren’t allowed in the pool itself, so you’ll need to take turns if you’re travelling together.
Afterwards, head to Summerleaze Beach. During the seasonal restrictions, dogs must be kept on leads between 10am and 6pm from 21 May to 30 September.
Fancy a longer coastal adventure? If the tides are right, you can walk all the way from Bude to Sandymouth along around two miles of sandy beaches. This is only possible at low tide, so check the tide times carefully before setting off. It’s easiest around a low spring tide, and setting off about an hour before low tide is a good starting point.
At high tide, you can follow the South West Coast Path instead and enjoy the beautiful views from above the beaches. iWalk Cornwall has a circular walking route on it’s app to help you plan your day.
If you fancy a coffee along the way, Sip and Sea at Northcott Mouth is a lovely dog-friendly tea garden to look out for.
Day 7: A steam train adventure to Lanhydrock
For your final day, how about combining a vintage steam train ride with a wander around one of Cornwall’s loveliest country estates?
Head to Bodmin and catch the Bodmin & Wenford Steam Railway. Book an excursion ticket and check the current timetable for the 10.30am departure to Bodmin Parkway. From there, it’s around a 1¾-mile walk to the entrance at Lanhydrock.
With around 900 acres to explore, there’s plenty of room for a good walk, from woodland paths to riverside trails. There are two cafés for refreshments, and you can find a helpful selection of routes here.
On a warm day, you might even fancy a paddle or wild swim in the River Fowey, where conditions and access allow.
Lanhydrock is a great place to explore with your dog. Dogs are welcome in the parkland, countryside and most of the gardens, although some areas have restrictions. They aren’t permitted inside the house or shop, and you should follow the signs around the estate and keep them on a lead near livestock.
It’s a lovely way to finish your Cornish adventures, especially if you enjoy woodland walks and a little history along the way.
Wild Card: A little mystery and magic for the whole family
Travelling with children as well as a dog? We love Hidden Valley, a puzzle park about 15 minutes away from Ekopod.
Spend the day exploring the grounds, following clues and solving puzzles together. There are different trails for different ages, so it’s a great option for families who want to keep everyone entertained.
The children can discover fairy houses, enjoy the play park and see what surprises they stumble across along the way. The talking toilet was a particular hit with our niece and nephew!
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas, although they can’t join you on the mini train or inside the main house. There’s still plenty to explore together outside.
It’s a lovely option for a family day out when you fancy doing something a little different from the beach. Hidden Valley opens seasonally, so check its website for current opening dates before visiting.
Still looking for inspiration?
These are just a few ideas to get you started. For more walks, places to eat and things to do during your stay, have a browse through our Ekopod guidebook.
And who put this dog-friendly guide together? Our very own Ekopod dogs, Monty and Millie, of course! They’ve been busy sniffing out the best adventures and also think of themselves as our chief testers of the Forthglade dog treats waiting for our four-legged guests on arrival.
We hope you and your dog enjoy our top dog friendly days out in Cornwall. Happy adventuring!
Rachael, Matt, Monty & Millie xx
