Salcombe's sheltered estuary beaches are its finest asset for a dog, but the rules are seasonal and beach-by-beach, set by South Hams District Council's Public Spaces Protection Order and enforced with fines of up to 100 pounds. The key one to know: South Sands bans dogs completely from 1 May to 30 September, around the clock. North Sands, by contrast, stays dog-friendly all year, and Mill Bay across the water welcomes dogs year-round on a lead, so a dog is never stuck. Always check the current signs on arrival, as the order can change.
A sheltered, gently shelving sandy cove on the estuary, backed by the dog-friendly Winking Prawn cafe and safe for a paddle. It is Salcombe's one truly year-round dog beach, where local owners head in high summer when South Sands is off-limits.
Rules: Dogs welcome year-round; keep them under control and clean up after them. It is small and popular, so a lead is sensible at busy times.
A pretty south-facing sandy beach below the South Sands Hotel, with calm, sheltered water and the seasonal ferry and sea tractor linking it to town. It has one of South Devon's stricter dog rules: a full round-the-clock ban through the summer, but it is a lovely quiet dog beach out of season.
Rules: No dogs at any time from 1 May to 30 September (fines up to 100 pounds), except dogs on a lead crossing the sand to board or leave the South Sands ferry. From 1 October to 30 April dogs are welcome under control.
A run of sheltered sandy coves on the East Portlemouth side of the estuary, reached by the short dog-friendly ferry from Salcombe, with National Trust woodland walks right behind. It is dog-friendly all year, which makes it the go-to summer beach when South Sands is closed to dogs.
Rules: Dogs welcome year-round but must be kept on a lead (National Trust land); clean up after them and follow local signage.
Our top-rated pet-friendly hotels, handpicked and verified.
Brightham House - Exclusively for Adults
★★★★★ · 9.8/10
€120/night
Driftwood Lodge
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Charborough House Apt 3
★★★★★ · 9/10
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