A researched Cornwall beach guide

Dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall with clear rules

Twelve checked beaches across four coastal regions, with seasonal rules, lead conditions and practical arrival points.

Researched from official sourcesLast checked 15 September 2026

Wide sandy Perranporth Beach beneath the Cornish coast. — Perranporth Beach, a starting point for the Newquay coast.

Start with the rule, then the beach

Choose a coast before setting out

Rules differ by exact beach section, date and time. Pick the coast that suits your day, then reopen the official link and check signs on arrival.

Sandy bays south of NewquayNewquay coastThree beaches with distinct all-year and summer lead details.

Widemouth Bay from the south on the Bude coast.

Padstow Bay and the Bude coastNorth coastThree exposed north-coast options, including a year-round alternative.

Long sandy Godrevy beach on the St Ives Bay coast.

St Ives Bay to Land’s EndWest CornwallFour beaches where named zones, footpaths and beach approaches matter.

Elevated coastal view towards Carne and Pendower beaches on the Roseland Peninsula.

South Cornwall’s sheltered Roseland coastRoseland PeninsulaTwo National Trust beach approaches with seasonal or changing access details.

What “dog friendly” means here

Every card links to the source for its rule and access details. A beach can be dog friendly at one time, but have a timed restriction, a lead condition or a difficult route to the sand at another.

Sandy bays south of Newquay

Newquay coast

Three beaches with distinct all-year and summer lead details.

Perranporth

Perranporth Beach

Best for: A broad stretch of sand beside Perranporth, with all-year dog access.

The dog ruleDogs are allowed all year, according to Visit Cornwall.

Lead rule: In July and August, dogs must be on a lead from 10am to 5pm on the main beach area. The dunes and beach beyond Flat Rocks remain available.
Access: The Promenade car park borders the south end; Wheal Leisure car park is next to the main street.
Arrival: The Promenade car park sits beside the south end of the beach.
Before you go: Check signs at the main-beach boundary before letting a dog off lead.

Visit Cornwall beach dog guidance Visit Cornwall Perranporth guidance Open in Google Maps

Holywell near Newquay

Holywell Bay

Best for: A sandy bay and dune approach with all-year dog access.

The dog ruleDogs are welcome all year, according to Visit Cornwall and the National Trust.

Lead rule: No beach-wide lead rule was stated by the checked sources. Keep close control and follow signs.
Access: From the National Trust car park, cross the road and follow the beach path. Sandy dune paths have slopes and are unsuitable for standard pushchairs or wheelchairs.
Arrival: Start at Holywell National Trust car park and cross the road for the beach path.
Before you go: Check local beach signs on arrival.

Visit Cornwall Holywell Bay guidance National Trust Holywell beach walk Open in Google Maps

Crantock

Crantock Beach

Best for: A broad sandy beach reached through dunes from Crantock.

The dog ruleDogs are welcome all year under control, according to the National Trust.

Lead rule: The National Trust specifically asks for control around visitors and on Rushy Green.
Access: The National Trust main car park has uneven and soft beach access; coast-path routes have steps and uneven terrain.
Arrival: Start at the National Trust main car park and follow the sandy approach.
Before you go: The car park can be very busy.

National Trust Crantock dog guidance Open in Google Maps

Padstow Bay and the Bude coast

North coast

Three exposed north-coast options, including a year-round alternative.

Bude coast

Widemouth Bay

Best for: A north-coast beach visit outside the summer daytime restriction.

The dog ruleDogs are prohibited 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council’s 2026 PSPO. They are welcome outside those hours and dates.

Lead rule: This is a prohibition window, not a lead-only rule.
Access: Marine Drive reaches the named bay approach; the southern end becomes rocky at Blackrock.
Arrival: The map opens Widemouth Bay. Marine Drive runs along the bay approach.
Before you go: Use current RNLI information and local signs.

Cornwall Council beach restrictions Visit Cornwall Widemouth Bay details Open in Google Maps

Polzeath

Polzeath Beach

Best for: A sandy surf beach for a visit outside the summer daytime restriction.

The dog ruleDogs are prohibited 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council’s 2026 PSPO. They are welcome outside those hours and dates.

Lead rule: This is a prohibition window, not a lead-only rule.
Access: The pay-and-display beach car park is at the south end, off Dunders Hill.
Arrival: Use the beach car park at the south end, off Dunders Hill.
Before you go: Use current RNLI flags and safety advice.

Cornwall Council beach restrictions Visit Cornwall Polzeath Beach details Open in Google Maps

Harlyn near Padstow

Harlyn Bay

Best for: A Padstow coast option with year-round dog access.

The dog ruleDogs are welcome all year, according to Visit Cornwall.

Lead rule: Keep close control and follow local signs.
Access: The beach is reached from the Harlyn Bay Beach arrival area near Padstow.
Arrival: Use Harlyn Bay Beach as the arrival point, then follow the beach access from the village.
Before you go: Check local signs and current sea-safety information on arrival.

Visit Cornwall Harlyn Bay guidance Open in Google Maps

St Ives Bay to Land’s End

West Cornwall

Four beaches where named zones, footpaths and beach approaches matter.

Godrevy section, St Ives Bay

Godrevy, Gwithian

Best for: The long sandy Godrevy section of St Ives Bay outside its summer daytime restriction.

The dog ruleFrom Harveys Towans to Godrevy Point, dogs are prohibited 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm.

Lead rule: Outside the prohibition, National Trust says dogs are welcome under close control.
Access: The National Trust main car park has uneven steps, ramps and paths; a boardwalk reaches another part of the beach.
Arrival: Use Godrevy National Trust Car Park for the Godrevy end of the bay.
Before you go: Other parts of Gwithian and Hayle have different boundaries. Check signs if continuing along the coast.

Cornwall Council beach restrictions National Trust Godrevy guidance Open in Google Maps

Lelant, St Ives Bay

Porth Kidney Sands

Best for: An all-year dog-friendly beach reached on foot.

The dog ruleVisit Cornwall states Porth Kidney Sands is dog friendly all year.

Lead rule: Dogs must be on a lead on the footpath from St Uny Church to Porth Kidney Sands.
Access: There is no close parking or facilities. Access from St Uny Church or Lelant station involves steps.
Arrival: Start the beach walk at St Uny’s Church in Lelant. Plan parking separately.
Before you go: Avoid swimming around the Hayle Estuary mouth.

Visit Cornwall Porth Kidney guidance Open in Google Maps

Porthcurno

Porthcurno Beach

Best for: A dramatic beach outside its July and August prohibition window.

The dog ruleDogs are prohibited 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council’s 2026 PSPO.

Lead rule: The National Trust asks for a short lead around wildlife, especially on the valley and coast path.
Access: The village car park connects by steep steps or a sandy slope with rope handrail; the National Trust warns of rockfall.
Arrival: Start at Porthcurno Museum and Beach Car Parks, then take the beach approach.
Before you go: Assess steps, loose sand and cliff risk on arrival.

Cornwall Council beach restrictions National Trust Porthcurno guidance Open in Google Maps

Sennen

Sennen Cove

Best for: A cove outside its longer Council summer prohibition window.

The dog ruleDogs are prohibited 15 May to 30 September, 10am to 6pm, under Cornwall Council’s 2026 PSPO. They are welcome outside those hours and dates.

Lead rule: This is a prohibition window, not a lead-only rule.
Access: Two car parks sit at the bottom of the hill, with a further field car park above.
Arrival: The map opens Sennen Beach. Choose a village or upper car park for your approach.
Before you go: Follow current RNLI flags and local warnings.

Cornwall Council beach restrictions Visit Cornwall Sennen Cove details Open in Google Maps

South Cornwall’s sheltered Roseland coast

Roseland Peninsula

Two National Trust beach approaches with seasonal or changing access details.

Veryan, Roseland Peninsula

Carne Beach

Best for: An all-year beach visit on the Roseland, with dogs on leads in summer.

The dog ruleNational Trust states dogs are welcome across Carne and Pendower all year.

Lead rule: National Trust says local byelaws require dogs on leads on the beaches in summer, but does not give dates or hours. Keep a lead ready and check signs on arrival.
Access: Carne car park is reached by small lanes. Beach access is uneven, with steps and ramps.
Arrival: Use Carne Carpark, reached by the lanes from Veryan.
Before you go: At low tide, Carne and Pendower form one longer stretch of sand.

National Trust Carne dog guidance National Trust Carne and Pendower details Open in Google Maps

Porth near Portscatho

Towan Beach, Porth on the Roseland

Best for: A quiet Roseland beach reached from Porth through the National Trust’s coastal setting.

The dog ruleNational Trust says dogs are welcome all year.

Lead rule: Keep dogs under close control, especially around wildlife and other visitors.
Access: Use the signed Porth car parks, then the beach approach down an uneven ramp whose level can change after storms or high tides.
Arrival: Use the National Trust Porth arrival point, then follow the signed route from the two Porth car parks.
Before you go: The ramp and sand level can change after storms and tides.

National Trust Porth dog guidance National Trust Porth circular walk Open in Google Maps

The useful short answers

Questions about dog-friendly Cornwall beaches

Are dogs allowed on Cornwall beaches all year?

There is no countywide answer. Read the rule on the individual card, then check the linked current source and beach signs.

When do summer beach restrictions apply?

Several Council restrictions run at fixed times, while Perranporth and Carne have their own lead conditions. Check each card for the exact beach and date.

What should I check before travelling?

Confirm the current rule, tide and weather, then make sure the car park or walking approach suits you and your dog.

Help keep this guide useful

Is something wrong?

Beach rules can change. Tell us if a rule, arrival point or official link is out of date.