Who said seaside fun is just for humans? Take your four-legged friend for an adventure and explore the dog-friendly beaches in Newquay. Feel the sand between your feet and paws and the salty sea breeze blow through your hair and fur.
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Dog Friendly Beaches Newquay
Newquay in West Cornwall is a top pick for dog friendly beaches. With sunny skies and sandy shores, your pup will beg for more. You will be close to one of the stunning beaches wherever you are in Newquay. Here are the best dog beaches in Cornwall.
Fistral Beach
Fistral is Newquay’s iconic beach. It is long with golden sand, ideal for a winter walk or summer sunbathing. The beach even hosts festivals, surfing competitions and events. It is also a haven for dog walkers, with plenty of room to run around or splash in the waves.
🐾 Are dogs allowed on Fistral Beach throughout the year? Yes, they are!
Porth Beach
Porth Beach is a sandy beach sheltered by headlands on both sides. It is accessed by a narrow footbridge and even the remains of an ancient settlement. At the end of the island is a blow hole which can be seen at mid-tide.
🐾 Is Porth Beach dog friendly? Porth Beach has a ban on dogs between Easter and September.
Crantock Beach
Crantock Beach is at the mouth of the Gannel Estuary, boarded by sand dunes and cliffs. The beautiful beach also has a large grassy area at the back, where dogs can run around freely off the lead. The most popular beach area is next to the river, with a National Trust car park. National Trust Members can park here for free!
🐾 Dog friendly all year round
With your National Trust Membership, you can visit over 500 houses, gardens, parks and castles in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from £6.40 per month. Members get:
- Unlimited free entry to all of the properties.
- Essential companion card where you can bring up to two carers if you have a disability. These can be different people; the card is in your name.
- Free parking at the majority of car parks. Some National Trust car parks are in other natural areas like beaches and countryside walks. You can save money just by using their car parks.
- Annually you’ll be sent a handbook full of information about the properties. However, the website is easy to navigate, finding places to visit by area or postcode.
- Regular members magazine, sent three times a year.
- Regular e-newsletters.
- Join by direct debit and get a £15 gift card to spend in the National Trust shops or café.
Towan Beach
Overlooking Newquay Bay on Towan Head is the newly restored Huer’s Hut. The current building is mid 19th Century, but there has been a shelter for a Huer since the 14th Century. The Huer would watch out to sea all day, even on moonlit nights, looking out for shoals of pilchards or other fish passing by. He would then announce their presence to the fishermen by shouting “Hubba, Hubba” or “Heva, Heva”.
🐾 Dog friendly all year round
Tolcarne Beach
Tolcarne Beach is in a beautiful crescent-shaped bay set against cliffs. The beach has soft sand, easy swimming and surfing and exciting rock pools to explore at low tide. You get to the beach by steps or a sloping roadway with beach huts and sunbathing platforms.
🐾 Tolcarne Beach has a seasonal ban on dogs between May and October. However, they are allowed before 9am and after 6pm.
Harbour Beach
Newquay’s smallest beach is Harbour Beach. But what it lacks in size, it definitely makes up in character. The beach is completely covered at high tide, but a beautiful sandy and sheltered sun trap is revealed when the water drops back. The harbour is a buzz with fishermen landing their daily catch.
When I visited here, my dog Ivan got overexcited and did some zoomies whilst on the extendable lead, catching my legs and giving me a rope burn on the back of my legs. Ouch! The fishermen also shared their titbits with him.
🐾 Dog friendly all year round
Great Western Beach
The beach is popular with families and surfers, and although it’s close to the heart of Newquay, it is still one of the quieter beaches. High cliffs tower over Great Western Beach, giving some protection from the worst winds and a shadow later in the afternoon if you need a break from sunbathing.
🐾 Is Great Western Beach dog friendly? A seasonal dog ban from May to September in the Blue Flag areas.
Whipsderry Beach
Just outside Newquay is Whipsderry Beach, which has been voted in the top 20 of Europe’s Best Beaches in the Sunday Times. It’s often called a hidden gem as it is quiet and sheltered, surrounded by cliffs. Low tide is the best time to explore with your dog, as the sand stretches around Watergate Bay. Along this stretch, you’ll discover Fruitful Cove and Zarcy’s Island, with a large cave known as Cathedral Cavern. Be careful, though, as the tide can cut you off.
🐾 Dog friendly all year round
Watergate Bay
Two miles outside of Newquay is Watergate Bay. When the tide is out, it becomes a vast expanse of unbroken golden sand with high cliffs. Like many beaches in Newquay, there are good waves, ideal for surfing and kitesurfing. There is no seasonal ban, so it’s an endless sandy playground for dogs.
🐾 Dogs are welcome all year round
Holywell Bay
A little further out of Newquay, and the other side of the headland from Crantock, is Holywell Beach, where a walk across the golden sands and up big dunes will tire out any pup. The one-mile route begins at Holywell National Trust car park and heads to the beach.
🐾 Dog friendly all year round
Mawgan Porth
The pretty village of St Mawgan is situated between Padstow and Newquay on the rugged Cornish coast. Mawgan Porth Beach has acres of golden sand, great for relaxing, playing games, making sandcastles or walking the dog. The fantastic Atlantic breakers make for magnificent surfing.
🐾 Dog friendly all year round
South West Coast Path
From Newquay, the Coast Path stretches out with views everywhere you look. The sea’s erosion has carved out caves of marble, and blowholes have been created where water has been forced through the rocks. There are various walks to choose from, including easy to challenging.
🐾 Dog friendly
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Dog Friendly Attractions Newquay
Whether planning a day out on the Newquay beaches or a staycation, you’ll need to know about things to do in Newquay. From sunbathing to a surf lesson or discovering Newquay attractions, you’ll be excited to explore what this Cornwall town offers. The popular seaside resort is family friendly and dog friendly.
Dog Friendly Restaurants Newquay
Don’t panic; there are plenty of places to eat in Newquay. I was told it’s a real foodie hotspot – but I must have gone to all the wrong places. I’ve had better food elsewhere in Cornwall. However, there are plenty of cuisines to discover, so research before eating out, but here are a few suggestions.
The Lusty Glaze is in a secluded cove offering stunning scenery and tasty dishes. During the day, there is relaxed dining and formal in the evening. It’s on many people’s top things to do at night in Newquay list. In 2023, The Pickled Chef will have a residence serving seafood linguine, seared scallops, bang bang cauliflower and sticky toffee pudding.
Or visit celebrity chef Rick Stein’s restaurant on Fistral beach. It serves fish and chips as well as flavours from India. On the menu are fish chilli burgers, cod curry, Goan chicken curry and Rick’s famous homemade tartare sauce, aioli and authentic curry sauce. Eat in or take away. Have I had better fish and chips elsewhere? Absolutely, but a pleasant meal nonetheless.
My favourite find was Hakari Kitchen, and I’m gutted I only found it as we were leaving Newquay. The street food vendor has poutine, po’boys and kimchi fried rice. There are also grilled cheese sandwiches, Philly cheesetakes and dirty fries. This takeaway is a must-try!
Dog Friendly Pubs in Newquay
Some dog friendly Newquay pubs include Concho Lounge (we have Juno and Fino Lounge in Cardiff), where they offer pints, wine, cocktails and homemade drinks. The Sink Inn has local food and beverages, with ten craft beer and cider lines alongside your favourite tipples. The Red Lion in the harbour is a traditional pub, as well as the Fort Inn in the town centre.
Get 50% off food in Newquay
We all need to refuel and rehydrate after visiting the dog friendly beaches in Newquay. If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? You get 50% off the food bill or two meals for the price of one. There are over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Places to Stay in Newquay
If you know when you’d like to travel and visit the dog friendly beaches in Newquay, try to book in advance and as soon as possible. Prices rise the closer you get to the travel date. However, there is a vast array to accommodate all budgets.
Travelodge Newquay Seafront
I stayed at the Travelodge Newquay Seafront. The stay was purchased during their January Sale, so we got a great deal – 4 nights in May 2023, room only, for £256, including the pet charge. We had to pay an additional £40 for parking at Asda, which is across the road. I was a bit apprehensive about this at first because I didn’t know the area. But it was so easy and convenient.
The rooms aren’t serviced unless you stay for more than 6 days. However, you can request top-ups and fresh towels. Ivan was made to feel welcome by the staff and guests. The only “difficulty” we had was trying to clean his food bowl in the tiny sink.
What I loved most was listening to the waves from Tolcarne Beach when nodding off and, of course, waking up to the sound too. Considering the room is above Aldi and on a main road, I was concerned it would be noisy – especially on the weekend – but we had no issues at all. We heard nothing, and our window was open all night!
Parkdean Resorts
Holywell Bay Holiday Parks is part of Parkdean Resorts, just 15 minutes from Newquay. If you’re after peaceful relaxation, you’ll find it here at the caravan and camping holiday park. There’s a heated outdoor pool with a 300-foot waterslide. You can also take a 10-minute stroll to the beach.
🐾 Dog friendly
Park Leisure Holidays
The luxury holiday homes at Pentire in Newquay are part of Park Leisure Group and are open all year. Choose from stylish caravans, lodges, cosy cottages and glamping experiences. They all have two or three bedrooms, flat-screen TVs and are modern and well-equipped. Lodges also have a balcony or decking area. You’ll also be incredibly close to places to visit in Newquay.
🐾 Dog friendly
Haven Holidays
Perran Sands Holiday Park is only a 15-minute drive from the dog friendly beaches in Newquay. Facilities include two heated swimming pools, sports and leisure activities and a privately-owned beach with a surf school. Both caravans and lodges are available in this peaceful paradise. Accommodation starts from £69 for three nights.
🐾 Dog friendly
Best Western
There are two Best Western hotels in Newquay. Best Western Hotel Bristol overlooks the golden sands of Tolcarne beach. The hotel has 24-hour room service, free parking, and free WiFi.
🐾 Dog friendly
Porth Veor Manor Hotel is just over a mile from Newquay. Prettily perched above Porth Beach, you can take in the breathtaking views across to Trevose lighthouse. The 19th Century manor has original features such as a winding staircase and open fires. There is free parking and free WiFi throughout the hotel.
🐾 Not dog friendly
Cornwall Hideaways
Cornwall Hideaways have a massive selection of luxury holiday homes to make your next staycation perfect. Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a family holiday, there’s plenty to choose from. You’ll be able to find properties with the things on your tick list, including dog-friendly, sea views, walking routes or even a log fire. There are barn conversions, cottages, lofts and manor houses.
🐾 Dog friendly
Sykes Cottages
Sykes Cottages has over 17,500-holiday cottages to rent across the UK, including in Cornwall and the surrounding areas. There are pet-friendly cottages, large holiday homes and even houses with hot tubs. They’ve been operating for over 30 years, so you know you’re booking is in good hands.
🐾 Dog friendly
National Trust Holidays
You can stay in cottages, converted farmhouses and campsites in Cornwall with National Trust Holidays. With countryside views, you’ll have all the facilities and home comforts to hand, including patio areas or gardens and BBQs to enjoy in warmer weather.
National Trust Holiday Promo Code
Get 15% off selected cottages for bookings made and taken by 29 February 2024. Use discount code NTAF.
Plan a Trip with Expedia
Booking a hotel via Expedia is a seamless experience that offers convenience and choice at your fingertips. With just a few clicks, you can browse through a wide array of cosy boutique hotels to luxurious resorts, tailored to your preferences and budget. Compare prices, read reviews from fellow travellers, and explore amenities, ensuring you find the perfect place to stay for your trip.
Create your Itinerary
Using TripAdvisor when booking a hotel allows you to access a wealth of reviews and ratings from fellow travellers, helping you make an informed decision on where to stay, while also providing recommendations and insights on planning things to do during your trip.
Last Minute Deals
You can also plan with LastMinute.com. Stay at great hotels at a fraction of the price. When booking a hotel, utilising LastMinute enables you to secure fantastic deals on accommodations, ensuring a budget-friendly and spontaneous travel experience.
Places to Visit in Cornwall with Dogs
Cornwall is usually my staycation of choice, and my dog is always in tow. Luckily, there are so many things to do in Cornwall with dogs, including dog friendly places to visit and dog friendly beaches in Cornwall.
Dog Friendly Places to go in Cornwall
It’s no secret, but I feel like Polperro in Cornwall is my second home. I usually hate revisiting the same places again and again. Especially as there is so much more I’d love to explore. However, I try to get to the tiny fishing village at least once a year. Each trip is different as there are plenty of things to do in Polperro.
Looe is a small seaside town in South East Cornwall. It is split into two, East Looe and West Looe, with the river Looe running through the centre. The beauty spot has a rich history, fun attractions, activities, beaches and wonderful places to eat. There are plenty of things to do in Looe that will keep you entertained.
If you’re looking for sea air, coastal walks and fascinating history, Fowey in Cornwall should be on your staycation bucket list. It is a popular spot with holidaymakers, many tourist attractions, charming narrow lanes, food, drink and nearby beaches.
The small seaside resort of Bude in North Cornwall is often compared to Newquay. I prefer it! It is smaller, not too commercial and is quiet in comparison – a plus if you want to escape the crowds. With beautiful beaches, rolling countryside and exciting history, there are plenty of things to do in Bude.
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