Padstow sits on the Camel estuary, and the beaches split into two groups: the sheltered estuary sands right by the town and the bigger surf beaches out on the Atlantic coast. The dog rules are seasonal and set beach-by-beach by Cornwall Council's Public Spaces Protection Order, enforced with 100-pound fines. Two Padstow-side beaches carry a summer daytime ban: Trevone bans dogs from 15 May to 30 September between 10am and 6pm, and St George's Cove bans them from 1 July to 31 August, 10am to 6pm. The good news is that Harbour Cove and Hawker's Cove just north of the town, and Daymer Bay and Constantine Bay a short hop away, stay dog-friendly all year, so a dog is never stuck. Note that neighbouring Rock Beach and Polzeath run their own tighter seasonal bans, so aim for Harbour Cove or Daymer Bay in high summer, and always check the signs on arrival as the order can change.
A wide, sheltered sweep of golden sand on the Camel estuary just north of Padstow, backed by dunes and reached on foot along the coast path or the beach at low tide. It is the town's main year-round dog beach and the natural target in high summer when the town-side beaches are restricted.
Rules: Dogs welcome year-round; keep them under close control, watch the incoming tide which covers the sand quickly, and clean up after them.
A popular sandy surf beach in a sheltered cove on the Atlantic coast west of Padstow, with rock pools and a blowhole nearby. It carries the area's longest seasonal dog ban, so it is a spring, autumn and winter dog beach rather than a high-summer one.
Rules: Outside the ban dogs are welcome; a 100-pound fine applies for breaking the seasonal restriction, so before 10am, after 6pm and off-season are the times to go.
A big, calm expanse of sand backed by the St Enodoc dunes on the Rock side of the estuary, sheltered from the surf and popular with families and dog walkers. Reached quickly from Padstow via the Black Tor Ferry to Rock, it stays open to dogs all year while nearby Rock Beach does not.
Rules: Dogs welcome year-round on a lead or under close control; note that adjoining Rock Beach has its own seasonal dog ban, so keep to the Daymer Bay side in summer.
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Seasteps Padstow
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