Cornwall Beaches... It's a Dogs Life

If dogs could speak and their owners took the time to ask them where they'd like to go for their next beach holiday… it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to hear them say 'Cornwall'. The land of sand, where hundreds of kilometres of dog friendly beaches await over excited canines chasing sticks, exploring rock pools or taking a refreshing dip. And it’s not just perfect for dogs, pet owners will love the beaches as well; blessed with some of the country's most scenic coastal walks, cool beach cafes, pubs and some of the best beachfront cottages and apartments to rent in the South West.

Starting with Cornwall's southern coast there are some great dog friendly beaches located around the resorts of Fowey and Looe. Your pooch will be spoilt for choice at either Hannafore, Polperro, Par Sands or the fabulous Whitsands, a wild beach with caves and dunes to explore and home to some of the most gorgeous sea views. Polperro and Hannafore are a little more commercially developed but offer a number of great bars and nearby sites for pet owners to have some fun too. And both of you will relish the fantastic coastal walks along these south eastern shores, with far reaching views of offshore islands and the craggy coastline beyond.

If your dogs like a walk on the wild side then you must take them to the rugged regions of the Falmouth Estuary and the Roseland Peninsula. Filled with picturesque waterways and wild shores, these beaches are surprisingly un-crowded. The remote nature of these beaches can sometimes result in having most of the beach to yourselves. The dog friendly beaches here are quite varied so it's worth visiting them all, especially Carne Beach, a shingle shore on Gerrans Bay with some incredible views of the peninsular disappearing into the distance. Hemmick beach is another scenic spot, offering superb walks just above the beach. The last stop should be the romantic beach of Porthluney Cove, as it nestles into green hills and is overlooked by a castle making it the perfect place for a nap in the sun.

If your faithful hound is into surfing then they'll love the spectacular beaches around the popular Newquay. There are numerous superb surfing beaches close by including Crantock, Towan, Mawgan Porth, Holywell and Watergate Bay, all of which welcome dogs all year round. On the other hand, the more cultured canines out there might prefer upmarket Padstow or St Ives. There are still great surf beaches near here, but there are the added benefits of culture and cuisine. The idyllic sandy bays of Constantine and Treyarnon are a privileged spot to let your 'best friend' play while only a few miles away lies yet another gorgeous beach called Porthkidney Sands with some great walks and tons of soft sand and dunes to roll about and play in.

Just a little further North lies the very established surfing haven of Bude where your dog can take his pick from beaches like Bossiney, Duckpool and Sandymouth. The sheltered beach of Bossiney Haven is definitely a favourite, as it offers breath-taking sea views and loads of nooks and crannies to explore at low tide, including access to the cove of Benoath next door. That said, Duckpool, does guarantee good waves and has lovely views, as does Sandymouth, which is a National Trust beach so very natural and un-spoilt.

So there you have it, an absolute plethora of dog friendly beaches combined with a vast selection of Cornwall pet friendly cottages to rent close to all of the beaches, some actually located right on the beachfront with sea views and direct beach access.