Looking for the perfect getaway for you and your beloved pet? We pick the best dog-friendly escapes in Cornwall your dog will love as much as you
Spring is the perfect time to plan a getaway and Cornwall offers some of the dreamiest coastal and countryside escapes, also known for being one of the most dog-friendly counties in Britain. Read on for my round up of the best dog-friendly hotels in the area, offering everything from complimentary treats, bowls and beds to blankets and toys. Whether you're seeking a coastal retreat, to unwind and relax or a rural hideaway, surrounded by miles of countryside to explore, there is something for every owner and their faithful four-legged friend - because it's not a holiday if they can't come too, right?
Home to 14 dog-friendly rooms, The Old Coastguard is a delightful seaside inn, celebrating all things coastal, nestled in the charming fishing village of Mousehole with staggering views out to sea. Dogs are allowed in the bars and outside in the gardens, allowing you to dine with your canine pal. When guests arrive they will find biscuits, a blanket, a towel and a dog bowl in the room.
Where to walk: Walk south along the coast path to Lamorna, about a two hour round trip. There are seasonal dog restrictions at Lamorna Cove, but out of season, it offers the perfect setting to stop for refreshments.
During the evening, take a walk along the seafront, right down to Newlyn. It is worth noting that there are no dogs allowed in Mousehole Harbour.
Dine with your dog: The bar area offers ample seating, serving old-world wines and exceptional food, sourced within the region
Doggie room rate: No charge for dogs
A former coaching Inn, dating back to the 1800s, The Gurnard's Head is a striking landmark, offering seven dog-friendly rooms, on a beautiful and rugged stretch of coastline in West Cornwall. Sink into comfortable surrounds and enjoy a fresh seasonal menu with your mutt at your side, in the midst of the exposed Penwith Moorland. Dogs are allowed throughout the bar area and on arrival, guests will find biscuits, a towel, dog bowl and blanket laid out for them.
Where to walk: The Gurnard's Head is based at the halfway point of the South West Coast Path, between Land's End and St Ives - both of which take about four hours, offering wonderful views along the way. Previously the centre of the tin mining world, the landscape is still dotted with Mine Stacks, providing unique walks right on the doorstep. For a shorter stretch, head to the point of the Gurnard's Head or take one of the lovely circular walks in the village to Porthmeor.
Dine with your dog: In the bar area
Doggie room rate: No charge for dogs
Your dog will be in canine-heaven at The Lugger, situated in one of the last unspoiled hamlets in Cornwall, at the centre of the Cornish coastal path, overlooking the picture-perfect cove at Portloe. The hotel offers a welcome oasis in the middle of nowhere, boasting 22 dog-friendly rooms with the option to dine in the lounge with your canine companion. Expect lots of fuss form the dog-loving staff and doggie biscuits in your goody bag on departure.
Where to walk: Take in the sights of the Roseland Heritage Coast, following the South West Coast Path south to Nare Head and Portscatho, or north to Gorran Haven.
Dine with your dog: Within the hotel's lounge
Doggie room rate: £15 charge for the duration of your stay
A beautiful dog-friendly Georgian townhouse, where your canine pal is able to join you for freshly prepared suppers and breakfast in the basement kitchen. Sleeping pads, bowls and high-end responsibly sourced doggie treats and towels are provided in all rooms and suites.
Where to walk: Enjoy the beautiful expanse of sand at Long Rock Beach, overlooking Mounts Bay and St Michael's Mount.
Dine with your dog: The Jubilee Pool Café is very dog friendly and on the last day of the season, dogs are invited to jump in and take a dip!
The Cornish Barn, just minutes from Chapel House, is great for both cocktails and food, allowing your dog in all areas
Doggie room rate: £10 per night
Allow your pampered pooch to experience four-star luxury by the beach, either in the hotel, or in one of the luxurious cottages. Dogs are welcomed with open arms, fussed over by staff and spoilt with a welcome pack that includes a bowl, blanket, food and mouth-watering treats.
Where to walk: The Headland is situated on a peninsula, overlooking Fistral beach, one of several beaches along the north coast that accept dogs all year round. A day of beach walks, swimming and stomping along the coastal path is guaranteed to make your pooch ready for a much needed rest, while you enjoy the far-reaching vistas over seasonal fare. Friendly staff at the Headland are more than happy to look after your dog at reception, whilst you dine.
Dine with your dog: The Stable for pizza and pies overlooking the beach, Rick Stein's fish and chip restaurant or Lewinnick Lodge, bar and restaurant
Doggie room rate: All hotel rooms and cottages are dog friendly with a surcharge of £24 per night
St Moritz knows that your dog is part of the family and that they love the beach as much as you do! The hotel has two all year-round dog-friendly beaches, along with miles of coastal walks, right on the doorstep, located on the headland of Trebetherick, boasting stunning views across Greenaway Beach, the Camel Estuary and Atlantic Ocean. Due to popular demand, the hotel have set aside two dog friendly Junior Garden Suites, perfect for those wanting to explore Cornwall with their four-legged friend. The ground floor rooms are spacious, with direct outside access through their own sun lounge that opens out onto a patio area leading to the hotel gardens.
Where to walk: A walker's paradise, the North Cornish coast boasts sweeping bays and stunning cliff walks with uninterrupted sea views for miles. St Moritz is perfectly positioned for exploring the South West Coastal Path with its wild, rugged landscape, peppered with sandy beaches and coves; the dramatic rock-face is fused with spectacular beaches; walk just ten-minutes west of the hotel to dog-friendly Daymer Bay, with its huge expanse of low tidal sands and dramatic sculptural rocks, head east and you will find yourself wandering across Greenaway, a pebble beach with many inlets and rockpools at low tide. From here, take the coastal path towards Polzeath, one of the most popular surfing meccas of Cornwall.
Dine with your dog: Your dog is welcome to join you in the Sea Side Café, outside of school holidays
Doggie room rate: £20 per night, per dog
A stylish family-friendly hotel with a contemporary coastal theme, Watergate Bay allows guests to kick back and enjoy good food at one of Cornwall's best surfing beaches. The two-mile expanse of sand offers the perfect retreat for a dog-friendly getaway. Dogs are welcome at Watergate all year round, with a total of 40 dog-friendly rooms available; dog beds and bowls are provided.
Where to walk: There are a number of dog-friendly beaches on the North Cornwall coastline, including; Watergate Bay, Mawgan Porth, Porthkidney Beach, Mother Ivey's Bay and Prussia Cove beach.
Dine with your dog: Dogs are welcome to join you in The Beach Hut and The Living Space, both of which are on site
Doggie room rate: Dogs are charged at £15 per night, and £5 per night for an additional dog
Falmouth's oldest hotel provides lashings of style at the water's edge; this is a dog-friendly coastal retreat with maritime heritage at the heart. There are nine dog-friendly rooms, five with harbour views. A fleece blanket, water and food bowl with gourmet treats from Bob and Lush are left in the room and if you can take breakfast with your dog in a small separate lounge area.
Where to walk: Your four-legged friend will be spoilt for choice, with a host of beaches that remain dog friendly all year round, including Sunny Cove, Helford Passage, Durgan Beach, Perranporth and Holywell Bay. Gyllyngvase Beach and Swanpool Beach area seasonal.
There is also a small tidal beach on the hotel's doorstep, ideal for dog walking, and a range of water sports including paddle boarding and kayaking from the hotel's pontoons.
Dine with your dog: Dogs are welcome in The Working Boat pub underneath the hotel, where dog treats are available on the bar
Doggie room rate: £12.50 per night
St Michael's provides a selection of seven dog-friendly rooms, where you will find beds, towels and poo bags, along with a dog-friendly guide of the area and packets of treats. Dogs are allowed in the arrival lounge and dog-friendly rooms where they can stay while you dine or spend time in the spa or health club, alternatively staff will be happy to dog sit in the back office. If you'd prefer to dine with your dog, there is the opportunity to dine in the Locker, a lovely space opposite the bar.
Where to walk: One to enjoy from the doorstep, starting at Gyllyngvase Beach, take the coastal path south towards Swanpool. This is great fun for your dog - exploring the beaches, rockpools and grassy hills - whilst you get to enjoy the fabulous views.
Dine with your dog: Some nearby favourites include; The Stable Falmouth, Gylly Beach Café and the Muddy Beach Café.
Doggie room rate: £12.50 per night, per dog
Stein's Seafood Restaurant, Padstow
Experience a relaxed seaside dog-friendly retreat, with an internationally renowned food offering; this harbourside restaurant, opened by Rick and Jill Stein in 1975, has established a reputation for imaginative, locally caught seafood and shellfish, offering a luxury stay, not only for guests, but for their dogs too!
Dogs are welcome in 12 of the rooms, where they will receive a Chalky's Pals fleecy dog blanket, Olive the Octopus dog toy, a water bowl and organic dog treats, along with a dog guide with dog friendly walks, beaches and restaurants in the area and if that's not enough to get your dog's tail wagging, the sausage at breakfast, most certainly will!
Where to walk: Enjoy circular walks from Padstow, either via Crugmeer, Trevone and Stepper Point (seven miles) or for a shorter option, via Hawker's Cove (four miles). Another popular route, taking in some wonderful coastal scenery along the way is Padstow to Polzeath, via Rock and St Enodoc Church (around three and a half miles).
Dine with your dog: Dogs are able to dine with their owners in the conservatory area and the roof-top terrace of the Seafood Restaurant, the cosy bar dining rooms of St Petroc's Bistro and Stein's Café courtyard, as well as the Cornish Arms, offering a classic British pub menu.
Doggie room rate: There is a £30 charge for the first night, and £5 for any additional nights. Two dogs will be £50 for first night and £10 for additional nights. Three dogs are £65 for first night and £15 for each additional night.
The Beach is home to one dog-friendly suite that has two double bedrooms, a family-sized bathroom, and a large open plan living/dining/kitchen area. This is the first self-catering option at the hotel, just a short walk from the bar and restaurant.
Dogs are welcome on the large terrace at the front of the hotel - which enjoys uninterrupted views of Summerleaze Beach and the ocean.
Where to walk: Bude Canal provides a two-mile flat tarmac path great for dog walking all-year-round and the Bude town-trail offers a great circular walk. For keen walkers (and dogs) try the Bude to Crackington Haven or Bude to Marsland Mouth routes.
There are ample dog-friendly beaches in the area, including Summerleaze Beach, Sandymouth, Northcott Mouth and Black Rock that are dog friendly all year, whilst seasonal Widemouth Bay and Crooklets Beach allow dogs between 1st October and 31st March.
Dine with your dog: Rosie's Kitchen at Crooklets Beach is a modern diner-style beachside café, with plenty of Cornish charm and the Brendon Arms, offers a proper dog-friendly pub, overlooking Bude's inner harbour, a stones throw from Summerleaze Beach.
Doggie room rate: £35 per dog, per night
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