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Best Dog Friendly Beaches Devon – Few things will cause a wagging tail like the sounds, smells and swimming your dog can expect when going to the beach. Finding a dog-friendly beach can be difficult, especially when you’re far from your local area and need to research accommodations, transportation, and dog-friendly restaurants.
Fortunately, Devon has a network of dog-friendly beaches on the north and south coasts, so dog walking and paddling sessions won’t be too far away. To make it easier to find the ones you’ll want to visit, we’ve included only our favorite Devon beaches that are dog-friendly all year round (perfect for your four-legged friends, of course).
Best Dog Friendly Beaches Devon
North Devon’s Best Dog-Friendly Beaches (East to West) Lynmouth Exmore National Park Walk and Cracked Cliff Railway
Nine Secluded Dog-friendly Beaches In The Uk
We start in the stunning surroundings of Exmoor National Park, in the north-east corner of Devon, close to the Somerset border. The area is especially good for dogs, as exercise in the park’s mix of mountain, forest and coastal habitats is sure to perk up their ears and get their blood pumping.
When it comes to finding a place along the Exmoor coast where you can let them escape the seaside, it doesn’t get much better than the village of Lynmouth. The village center has many dog-friendly pubs, restaurants and cafes, and the cliff railway linking it to the hilltop village of Linton is also dog-friendly.
The main stretch of shingle beach here – known, somewhat confusingly, as Blacksands Beach – runs about 500 meters east of the harbor wall and is backed by cliffs, forests and coastal paths (at low tide, there’s even a rock pool where dogs can sniff around). Keep in mind that there can be very large waves here at certain times of the year, so if your dog isn’t such a strong swimmer you may want to look elsewhere.
Next up is Ilfracombe, a town we think has all the ingredients for a dog-friendly holiday. There’s plenty of parking and a wide variety of dog-friendly restaurants and attractions to explore. With golf courses, Victorian architecture and well-maintained walkways, this place has a relaxed and humble atmosphere.
The 10 Best (and Safest) Dog-friendly Beaches In The Uk
However, from your dog’s perspective, Ilfracombe’s biggest advantage is probably how many different beaches you can explore with your pet throughout the year. Wildersmouth Beach, an old smugglers’ bay near the town centre, is a quiet rocky spot with distant sea views, while around the corner there is also the secluded bay of Rapari and the small stretch of sand at Wildersmouth Beach. Cheyne.
Your dog won’t be able to enjoy this pet-friendly beach in North Devon. Welcome to Waggy Tails all year round, Saunton Sands Apeldore and Westward Ho! Across the tau estuary from the villages of Ko is a rural area surrounded by farms!
Saunton Sands’ sophisticated zoning system means that dogs are welcome to roam this vast stretch of sand that stretches for almost three miles of beach.
There are few facilities here, but there is a beach shop where you can buy sweet snacks or buckets and spades (you don’t need to with a hidden little dog…). Seasonal beach huts and lounge chairs are also available for rent.
Dog Friendly Dartmouth
Although it’s a bit remote and small in scale, the pretty seaside village of Clovelly is well worth a visit if you’re spending time in North Devon. There is a fee to enter the village itself, although this can usually be avoided if you do not use Clovelly’s main car park and enter via the South West Coastal Path, a public road. Taking the latter route is an excellent choice, as this stretch of coastal path is considered one of Devon’s most beautiful.
At the bottom of the village’s steep main road is a small pebble beach surrounded by the old harbor walls. Snorkeling is a very popular pastime here during the summer months, as the sheltered coastal waters around the coast are a veritable haven for marine life.
Base yourself in a dog-friendly location near Clovelly for easy access to Devon and Cornwall’s best beaches.
Best Dog Friendly Beaches in South Devon (East to West) Dawlish Warren Family Friendly Beaches within easy reach of Exeter
North Devon Beaches
Dawlish Warren is a family beach that is very popular with locals and visitors from Exeter and the surrounding area. This mile-long stretch of sand is less than half an hour from the city center, but this pet-friendly spot has its own charm.
Surrounded by sand dunes and a wildlife reserve which is an important refuge for birds, Dawlis Warren is a classic South Devon sandy beach with plenty of space for water sports, picnics, beach walks or just relaxing and unwinding on the sand. Dogs are welcome here all year round between the ages of 4 and 9.
In terms of other practicalities, Dawlish Warren gets bonus points for having a train station a stone’s throw from the beach and being close to the dog-friendly mansion Powderham Castle five miles above the River Exe.
Situated in the stunning South Hams and a short drive from the famous towns of Kingsbridge and Salcombe, Beesands is a small seaside village with a mile-long, dog-friendly shingle to a tranquil freshwater lake.
Dog Friendly Beaches- South And Southwest Of England
Fishing boats can often be seen coming ashore, and typical seafood, including freshly caught crabs and lobsters, are often sold within walking distance on the village green.
Parking is plentiful at Beesands, as the village has free parking and designated parking (perfect for dogs who want to run in the sand as soon as the tailgates open). There are also some walks available here, as Beesands is just one mile south of Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve.
Sour Mill Cove A secluded cove backed by wooded countryside with direct access to the South West Coastal Path.
Below are options that serious hikers may find interesting. Proving that even South Devon can be dramatic, Sour Mill Cove is a stunning little beach backed by the black cliffs of Bolt Head. The surrounding landscape is very rural and sparsely populated, although there are hotels and car parks within walking distance of the beach.
Best Dog Friendly Beaches In North Devon
To reach this sandy bay, you have to walk at least part of the South West Coastal Path. While Soar Mill Cove isn’t the easiest of our favorite dog-friendly beaches, the trip here is more than worth it—it’s sure to be a place to make memories with your dog along the way.
If simplicity is what you’re looking for, check out our ultimate selection. While some beaches have carnivals, showers and cafes on their doorstep, Thurlestone beaches are getting back to basics. Accessible only by foot or single-lane road, this pristine stretch of coarse sand is sheltered, has several safe bathing areas (with lifeguard service in extreme summer), and is generally not as busy as other dog-friendly beaches in the area. the world
Dogs are welcome here year-round and can explore the algae-covered rocky outcrops that are exposed at low tide.
Looking for the best place to stay in Devon? See our travel guide or click here to explore South West England. Devon is one of the best places in the UK to holiday with your dog. Man’s best friend walking in this beautiful part of the world is never work. Mountain cliff paths, winding forest trails and country roads on misty moors are even more fun with your dog by your side.
Our Guide To The Perfect Dog Friendly Holiday In Devon
However, one of the most rewarding sights for dog owners is watching their four-legged friends run excitedly along the beach – sending the sand flying every time their feet touch the ground. Whether digging or paddling with the dogs, climbing rocks or playing with shells (and of course, smelling all kinds of fishy smells!) – a trip to the beach is heaven for dogs.
Most of Devon’s beaches are dog-friendly out of season, but from Easter, or in some cases from 1 May, dog restrictions apply to many of the county’s most popular beaches. While this means you can usually still bring your dog if you want to keep him, or keep him at the front, it can be limited, so it’s also good to know that your loyal friend is welcome all year round.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 dog-friendly beaches in Devon, with no dog restrictions, so you and your dog can visit together at any time. This is our top pick of dog-friendly beaches in Devon…
Located in a beautiful beach area