Day 1: Head to the beach
Day one of our dog friendly guide starts with Breakfast in your pod, maybe cook up one of our delicious breakfast hampers? Well fed, head over to Trebarwith strand. Which is a 20 minute drive from Ekopod. Spend a couple of hours on the dog-friendly beach there before enjoying lunch at The Port William with its coastal views. After lunch, head to Roughtor Carpark. From here you can walk to Roughtor, which will take just over an hour. On a clear day the views from the peaks are particularly impressive. Check the tide times before you go as there is no beach at Trebarwith at high tide. So if it’s high tide in the morning do the walk up Roughtor first.
If you want to extend your walk, continue on past Roughtor to Brown Willy (the highest peak in Cornwall). The circular walk taking in both peaks can be found here: Roughtor and Brown Willy walk.
Please note there is livestock on the moor, so dogs need to be under control at all times and are legally required to be on the lead 1st March to 31st July due to nesting bird season.
Additional extras
The Cornwall at War Museum is a ten minute drive from Roughtor carpark. Dogs on leads are welcome. (Open seasonally)
From November through to March the starling murmurations are stunning over Roughtor. The best place to view them is along the road before you get to the car park at Roughtor.
Day 2: Sunday Lunch
Assuming you checked in on Friday, day two of your visit will be Sunday. The Rising Sun Inn is a 50 minute walk from us and does a great Sunday Lunch (book in advance!). Dogs are allowed in the bar area. You can either do the ‘there and back again’ walk found in our guidebook. Or if you fancy a longer walk the I Walk Cornwall app has a figure of 8 loop walk that includes the pub and starts from St Clether Church’s carpark. If you’re doing the longer route it’s worth stopping and taking a look St Clether Church and St Clether Holy Well Chapel during the walk. Otherwise they’re just across the road from Ekopod. So pop in and take a look around at another time during your stay.
Day 3: Tintagel and Boscastle
Stop at Boscastle Farm shop on the way into Boscastle and have breakfast overlooking the sea (dogs outside only). You could, also pick up a pasty for your lunch. Next, head into Boscastle itself and park in the main carpark. Get the bus to Tintagel – check the bus timetable before you go. Allow two hours for exploring the legendary birthplace of King Arthur; Tintagel Castle. Then head back to Boscastle along the coast path, stopping for an ice cream on your way up the hill. The walk back from Tintagel to Boscastle is a hilly 5.5 miles. There are beautiful views from this so allow 2-3 hours for the walk, photographs and to eat that pasty! Once back in Boscastle, depending on the tides, you can swim in the harbour to cool off and walk back through the picturesque town to your car. Remember to book Tintagel Castle in advance – this is essential if you are going in peak season, as it can get fully booked.
Day 4: Padstow and Hawkers Cove
Drive to Hawkers Cove and park up at the carpark in the field (10 minutes walk from the beach). Spend the morning on the beach, then walk to Padstow (40 mins) for lunch. Get fish and chips from Rick Steins and visit The Lobster Hatchery (dogs on leads). Then head back to Hawkers Cove for more beach action. There are no facilities on the beach but the little ‘Rest a While’ tea gardens further up the coast path does food and has toilets.
Don’t want to spend too much time on the beach? Head back from Hawkers Cove and stop in pretty Port Isaac for a wander around the town that is the backdrop for both Doc Martin and Fisherman’s Friends before heading back to Ekopod.
Day 5: Launceston
Launceston is our closest town (20 minutes by car). Once the capital of Cornwall, it has a pretty town centre which is definitely worth exploring round with an interesting castle.
Start your day by driving past the town to Launceston Steam Railway. Take a return trip to New Mills (dogs cost an extra £1). Afterwards park up in Launceston long stay car park, have lunch in the fully Vegan Budhas Kitchen and Lounge (Wednesday – Sunday), or sample produce from local farmers at West Gate Street Deli. Refuelled, wander through the town centre, to get to Launceston Castle and finish off with a drink on the Terrace at the Eagle House Hotel (Launceston’s only Gin Hotel).
Day 6: Bude and Canoes
Head over to Bude, stopping en-route at The Weir, for breakfast looking over their lake. After breakfast, drive to Bude and take a walk along the canal. If you fancy getting on the water, Bude Canoe Experience allows dogs on their private experience trips. This must be booked in advance! Afterwards head to Summerleaze Beach (dogs on leads from 10am to 6pm) or take a look around town. Lots of the shops allow dogs. We recommend a dip in the sea pool, although you will have to take turns to look after the dog as they aren’t allowed in!
Day 7: Lanhydrock by steam
Day seven of our dog friendly trip to Cornwall starts in Bodmin. Get an excursion ticket on the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway and take the 10.30 to Bodmin Parkway to get off for a walk around Lanhydrock’s famous gardens. Lanhydrock has pushchair friendly routes and the opportunity for wild swimming in the River Fowey. There are 900 acres at Lanhydrock to explore and two cafes for refreshments. There is a useful guide to the walks at Lanhydrock that can be found here. Food can also be ordered for your train journey. Please note that dogs aren’t allowed in the formal gardens or house at Lanhydrock.
Bonus Day for children and your dog!
Looking for something a bit different? Hidden Valley puzzle park is our favourite combination for families with children as well as dogs. Drive over to Hidden Valley (15 minutes). Spend the day exploring their beautifully manicured gardens and solving different puzzles around the grounds. With different routes for different ages, it’s great fun for the whole family. Dogs aren’t allowed on the mini train or in the main house, but the outside area will keep you entertained all day and kids will love the fairy houses (the talking toilet was a particular hit with my nephew and niece) and the brand-new play park.
Still looking for more to do? We have a more inspiration in our Guide Book.
Our Dog Friendly Days in Cornwall guide was researched by Ekopod’s dogs Monty and Millie :-). They’re also chief testers of the Forthglade doggy treats that our four legged guests get on arrival.
