If you’re after a UK staycation with your pooch that combines convenience with beautiful beaches, consider a dog-friendly holiday park in Cornwall. Cornwall is a jewel of the south coast with its rugged coastline, picturesque countryside and charming villages. Throw in that it has a reputation for canine-welcoming tourist attractions, restaurants and cafés, there are many reasons why pet owners flock to this welcoming part of the country for their dog-friendly holidays.
From vast sandy beaches and winding coastal paths to expansive rural landscapes, Cornwall offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures with your canine companion. When planning a holiday in Cornwall with your pooch, you may want to opt for a dog-friendly holiday park. They not only welcome your furry friends with open arms, but they offer everything you and your family could need throughout the duration of your stay and are often situated right on, or just a stone’s throw away from, Cornwall’s gorgeous sandy shores.
Best dog-friendly holiday parks Cornwall at a glance:
• Best dog-friendly Away Resorts holiday park in Cornwall: St Ives Bay – view on Away Resorts
• Best dog-friendly Parkdean Resort holiday park in Cornwall: Newquay Holiday Park – view on Parkdean Resorts
• Best dog-friendly Haven Holidays holiday park in Cornwall: Perran Sands Holiday Park – view on Haven Holidays
Staying in a dog-friendly holiday park in Cornwall eliminates the stress of finding suitable hotel accommodation that accepts pets and they tend to provide more tailored facilities for your pooch. As well as spacious grounds and prime beach or countryside locations for walkies, you’ll often find designated doggie exercise areas and sometimes pet-friendly menus in selected dining venues. Your chosen caravan or lodge may also offer a welcome pack for your pooch that could include blankets, bowls, treats, toys and more, so be sure to look out for that when booking. Not to mention, Cornwall holiday parks also provide a wealth of activities for the whole family to enjoy, including outdoor sports, play parks, lively entertainment and more.
Beyond offering practical amenities, booking a dog-friendly holiday park in Cornwall will enhance your overall holiday experience as you’ll be able to explore new surroundings and make memories as a whole family, without leaving your pooch behind. Whether your ideal holiday is sinking your toes in sandy shores, putting on your hiking shoes and heading off on an adventure, or simply kicking back and relaxing, dog-friendly holiday parks in Cornwall offer a comfortable and accommodating base so everyone, including your pup, can have a happy holiday.
Best dog-friendly holiday parks Cornwall
Best dog-friendly Away Resorts holiday park in Cornwall
Away Resortswww.awayresorts.co.uk
Perched right on the shorefront with access to a three-mile-long stretch of sand that's completely private, the St Ives Bay - Away Resorts offers an ideal location for beach-loving pups. It's got a dog-friendly Bistro and bar on-site so you can bring everyone together for a bite to eat. The Sands Bistro also offers a doggy menu, including pet-safe ice cream and Prosecco so even your pup can indulge on their holidays. Book Exclusive accommodation and your pooch will even receive a goody bag with a collapsible bowl, rope toy, fleece blanket and waste bags.
Customer review: "As a family of four, with two dogs, we had a fabulous stay. Everything we could have wanted was there and we had a caravan with a great position close to the beach and swimming pool.
Entertainment was great in the evenings and the site had all that we needed. The caravan was clean and modern. Would recommend and return."
Pros
- Access to private beach
- Dog-friendly menu served at on-site bistro
Cons
- Only certain accommodation types get doggy welcome bag
Best dog-friendly Parkdean Resort holiday park in Cornwall
Parkdean Resortswww.parkdeanresorts.co.uk
Embark on an action-packed holiday with your pooch at the Parkdean Resort Newquay Holiday Park. When it comes to golden sands, you're spoilt for choice as Newquay has 11 beautiful beaches and all of them are just minutes away. On-site within the grounds of the holiday park, you'll find one of Parkdean's Woof Parks. This enclosed agility course is paw-fect for your pooch to burn off some energy while teaching them new tricks or socialising with other dogs.
Customer review: "Fabulous, dog friendly, family-friendly lodges. Plenty to do for the whole family; arcade, woof park, 3 swimming pools, high ropes, golf and great food. Great transport links to wander a little further, plus lots of walking opportunities. Lodges are clean and well equipped and staff are friendly and keen to help. Highly recommend."
Pros
- Close by to 11 beaches
- Woof Park on-site
Cons
- Restrictions on dogs entering common areas
Best dog-friendly Haven Holidays holiday park in Cornwall
Haven Holidayswww.haven.com
Surfs up at Haven's Perran Sands Holiday Park. It's sat in one of the UK's surfing hotspots, Perranporth Beach and it has an on-site surf school so the family can learn how to catch a wave during your stay. There's also plenty to keep your pooch happy as there are miles of beach and sand dunes to explore and lots to sniff at as you walk along the coastal pathway. Dog-friendly accommodation at Perran Sands Holiday Park consists of caravans and chalets.
Customer review: "I would highly recommend this park if you have children and/or dogs. I stayed in a dog-friendly 2 bedroom chalet with my eldest nephew and his wife and dog. I was pleasantly surprised at how clean and well-equipped the chalet was, the only things we needed were soap, toilet rolls, washing-up liquid and tea towels. The dunes are amazing for walking your dogs or for kids to play about in. The staff were very friendly and helpful and I didn't want to leave, it was like home from home. To be fair I didn't find the food on site to be overly expensive, it's what you'd expect for the convenience factor. The beach and beach bar at Perranporth are also great. I has fish and chips there, again, not overly expensive for the amount you get and the fish melted in my mouth. Great four days holiday, well worth the trip!"
Pros
- Sat at a UK surfing hot spot
- Plenty of coastal walks to explore with your pooch
Cons
- Extra charges to use entertainment, pool and some other on-site facilities
Best dog-friendly holiday park near Padstow, Cornwall
Sykes Cottageswww.sykescottages.co.uk
Resting within the superb Retallack Resort, near the town of St Columb Major, Lodge Sixty Six is a luxury lodge with open-plan living inside and two patio areas for alfresco dining and watching the sunset with a glass of something cold with your pup by your feet. Included with your stay, you'll have use of the holiday park's facilities including the health and spa club, restaurant, lounge, waterpark and more. Designed to welcome up to eight guests and two well-behaved dogs, you're sure to have a memorable holiday with the whole family in tow.
Customer review: "The accommodation was great very spacious for 6 adults 1 infant and a dog. Some of the furnishings could do with an upgrade but everything was clean. Overall very happy with the accommodation and holiday."
Pros
- Luxury lodge
- Two outdoor patio spaces
Cons
- No smoking allowed so if you are a smoker, this may not be the property for you
Best dog-friendly holiday park near Tintagel in Cornwall
Sykes Cottageswww.sykescottages.co.uk
Escape to the Cornish countryside with at a stay at Bay Lodge within the Bossiney Bay Holiday Park. Being set amongst a lush green landscape and just a short walk from the Southwest Coastal path, you and your dog get the best of both worlds when staying here. Bay Lodge itself offers bright and airy accommodations with two bedrooms so up to four guests and one dog can stay at a time. The enclosed decked area is the perfect spot to sit back and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Customer review: " V good communication, the lodge was spotless on arrival, very safe walking doggy around the site."
Pros
- Countryside and coastal views within the holiday park
- Plenty of areas to explore on walkies
Cons
- There are steps to the exterior of the lodge so may not be accessible to all
Best dog-friendly holiday park on the south coast of Cornwall
Sykes Cottageswww.sykescottages.co.uk
Nestled just behind the sand dunes of Par Beach and a stone's throw from the shoreline, there's unspoilt scenery and local gems to uncover when you stay at Eden Way 45, situated within the Par Sands Holiday Park. There are many fantastic beaches and scenic walks for you to enjoy nearby, whereas on-site you'll find a swimming pool, tennis court, café and more to keep you entertained. Whether you're cooking up a storm in the kitchen before heading out in the evening or sitting back after a busy day exploring, Eden Way 45 will be a lovely base for you and your dog.
Customer review: "The Van was absolutely lovely. It had a perfect setting within the park. Very easy to access and two delightful decks, unfortunately the weather didn't oblige but that doesn't detract from its loveliness! The van was decorated to an excellent standard and everything was beautifully clean."
Pros
- A stone's throw away from the beach
- Plenty to do onsite and surrounding area
Cons
- Some on-site facilities need to be booked and paid for locally
Best dog-friendly holiday park in Tintagel Cornwall
Sykes Cottageswww.sykescottages.co.uk
For a quiet and simply relaxing break away with your pooch, stay at Chi Prenn Byhan in the Bossiney Bay Holiday Park. This lodge boasts a luxurious hot tub where you can sit and soak after a long day of exploring and wonderful countryside views. Nestled on the rugged North Cornwall coast, there's plenty to explore nearby, such as the fishing village of Boscastle and the historic castle village of Tintagel. You've also got a coastal path a short stroll away which will take you and your dog to the cliffs above the pretty cove. A stay here will tick all the boxes for a peaceful getaway.
Customer review: "Lovely quiet lodge in a great location. Location was ideal for coastal walks. Small village of Tintagel a short 30 min walk away."
Pros
- Has a hot tub
- Countryside and coastal areas to explore with your pup
Cons
- No gate on the decking so might not be ideal if your dog has a tendency to wander off
Dog-friendly holiday parks Cornwall: FAQs
Why is Cornwall so dog-friendly?
There are many reasons why Cornwall is a great destination to explore with your canine companion. Cornwall is shaped by its stunning natural landscapes, including miles of coastline and countryside, which is perfect for walkies with your pooch as there are plenty of dog-friendly walking routes and trails to discover. Many businesses and attractions in Cornwall welcome pups in with open arms too, so you won’t have to worry about leaving them behind and you can enjoy almost every minute of your holiday with your pooch in tow.
What beaches in Cornwall are dog-friendly?
There are many dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall, which is one of many reasons why dog owners are drawn to the south coast for their staycations. With help from Visit Cornwall, here are some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the area:
Porthcurno Beach - nr Penzance
Nestled amidst towering cliffs and embraced by the serene turquoise waters, Porthcurno Beach stands as a gem along the picturesque Cornish coastline. Although dog access is restricted on the beach during peak hours in July and August, from 10 am to 6 pm, fear not! You and your furry companion can still relish a delightful stroll through the surrounding valley and coastal pathways, immersing yourselves in the awe-inspiring vistas that await.
Harlyn Bay - nr Padstow
Harlyn Bay is a wide and spacious beach of yellow sand and pebbles with plenty of interesting rock pools backed by dunes and situated on the eastern side of Trevose Head, just west of Padstow. The perfect day out for your four-legged friends.
Trebarwith Strand - nr Tintagel
Trebarwith Strand is approximately a mile and a half south of Tintagel and can be reached on foot along the coast path from St Materiana's Church at Tintagel. Trebarwith is, when the tide is out, a superb all-round beach that boasts good bathing and surfing with plenty of nooks and crannies for your pets to explore.
Summerleaze Beach - Bude
Popular for its river and its bobbing fishing boats, which flank the wide sandy beach, Summerleaze is sheltered by the impressive breakwater, making the beach particularly popular with families and surfers. Dogs are very much welcome all year round, however, they must be kept on leads from 21 May-30 September.
Seaton Beach - nr Looe
This lovely beach with a large café, shop and toilets, has everything you need for a memorable day out with the pooch. The large sandy beach with small pebbles is south-facing and cut through by the Seaton River. Behind the beach, the country park offers more dog-friendly walks.
Watergate Bay - nr Newquay
Watergate Bay beach, about three miles from Newquay on the North Cornwall coast, boasts two miles of golden sand at low tide, and out to sea enormous waves come in from the Atlantic providing a spectacular sight. Plenty of space for your four-legged friend to have a good run around before retiring to one of the cafés that front onto the beach.
Fistral Beach - Newquay
The beautiful Fistral beach is west-facing, long and sandy. Backed by rocks and cliffs, it offers simple pleasures of sea and surf combined with first-class beach and seafront facilities including surf equipment hire, lessons, showers, toilets, car parking, shops, restaurants and cafes. A natural playground for all, including the family dog.
Gorran Haven - nr Mevagissey
An east-facing sandy beach, popular with families visiting this quieter part of Cornwall. There is parking in the centre of the village and facilities down on the beach. The beach is dog friendly, however they must be kept on leads.
Gwynver Beach - nr Sennen
Gwynver Beach is located at the base of steep cliffs and accessed by either a path from above or along the South West Coast Path from Sennen Cove. This means that the beach is never too crowded. Popular with surfers, there's also plenty of room for dogs to have a good run.
Mexico Towans - Hayle
Mexico Towans forms part of a glorious four miles of sand that starts from the mouth of the Hayle estuary and reaches out to the lighthouse at Godrevy Point. Situated between Hayle Towans and Upton Towans, the beach is backed by magnificent sand dunes, or towans as they are known in Cornwall.
Porthoustock Beach - St Keverne
Known locally as Pro'stock, Porthoustock is an east-facing beach with a large flat expanse of coarse dark sand and shingle that is popular with dog walkers. Overshadowed by industrial relics of the nearby former quarry, the cove is also used by divers heading out to the Manacles Reef. Parking is allowed at the back of the beach, where there are toilets and some thatched cottages.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Take A Break Pets, specialising in all things dogs. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers.