Best Dog Friendly Beaches Devon – The warm climate and two stunning coastlines make Devon a great holiday destination. If you’re looking for the perfect place for your four-legged friend, you’re in luck. With hundreds of cottages, cafes and restaurants, pets are welcome with open arms and Devon’s dog-friendly beaches will spoil you. Here’s our pick of the best in the field.
The North Devon coast is dotted with sand dunes and small, picturesque coves. Most allow dogs to visit, including:
Best Dog Friendly Beaches Devon
Three miles of golden sand await visitors to Saunton Sands in Saunton! This is one of Devon’s best beaches for dogs, with plenty of space to stretch out and play. Jugs are allowed on the sand year-round, although there is a small area next to the main slide where they are prohibited.
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Situated between Saunton Sands and Pottsborough Beach, Croide is a lovely bay which is dog-friendly most of the year. The wide expanse of sand makes it great for dogs who like to run around, while the big waves ensure its popularity with surfers. Additionally, National Trust Buggy Point is to the south and is reached via a spectacular cliff top path, perfect for adventurous dog owners and their dogs.
This sandy and rocky beach is a great place to walk and splash in the sea. It is close to Ilfracombe and great for fishing or snooping in the beautiful rock pools at low tide. If you fancy a long cliff walk, Hale Bay is another beach with direct access to the South West Coast Path.
Dog walker magnet, face west! The beach has not only a unique name, but also many services. It is mostly a pebbly beach, although there is golden sand to walk on near the shore. Westward Ho!, with a two mile area to explore, several windsurfing schools and a wide selection of shops and restaurants. An excellent dog friendly holiday destination in Devon.
This pleasant and often deserted beach is close to Morteho and slightly off the beaten track on the South West Coast Path. Rockham Beach is a popular dog walker with lots of sand and several rock pools. Please note that it is accessed via steep stairs, so it is not suitable for small children or people with reduced mobility.
Dog Friendly Accommodation, North Devon
Woolacombe has one of the largest sandy beaches in North Devon and has a Blue Flag, making it particularly popular with families. Woolacombe Beach has golden sand to play on and the seaside town has many cafes.
Next to Woolcombe Beach is Putsborough Beach. There is also wonderful soft sand, and the water is sometimes calm enough for (dog) paddling. There is a cafe where you can get coffee and snacks, and there is direct access from Putsborough to Buggy Point, which offers beautiful views of the sea and coast.
This northern sandy beach is very private due to its hidden location, making it a favorite spot for nudists. A short walk from Combe Martin, Wild Pear Beach is a dreamy little cove with fine sand and uninterrupted views. The walk there is about two kilometers long and winds along the cliff tops. Try to time your visit so it’s not high tide or your dog won’t have too much beach to explore!
For a beach where you can enjoy a brisk walk, Peppercombe Beach is a great shout. The dog friendly beach in Devon is a quiet shingle beach with few facilities and great sea views. You can go directly to the coast from Horns Cross through the leafy valley or follow the South West Coast Path above.
North Devon Beaches|dog & Child Friendly Beaches|nutcombe Holiday Cottages
If sunny South Devon is your dog holiday destination of choice, you’ll find great beaches in the area. It includes:
Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, North Sands Beach in Salcombe is a great choice for dog walking and scenic photography. At low tide, there is a wide sandy beach to walk on and several places to drink nearby. However, time your trip well as most of the beach is underwater at high tide.
Crab and lobster fishing boats ply the sea just off Bissands Beach. The undulating shingle beach near Kingsbridge is a lovely place for a leisurely stroll and dogs are always welcome. After breathing in the fresh sea air, join the South West Coast Path, which winds through lush green fields.
Attractive Torquay Beach is a popular choice for accommodation. Most of its beaches are dog-free during the summer months. However, if you’re visiting in the off-season, be sure to take a walk along Hollycombe Beach. Dogs love to zoom along its red sand, while shell collectors find many beautiful trinkets buried in the shallows.
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Sore Mill Cove is a beautiful cove near Salcombe and a great place to swim and sunbathe. Its location on the South West Coast Path makes it a good stop if you’re hiking from nearby Salcombe. Dogs love its many rock pools and caves, while humans appreciate the beautiful sunsets.
Dogs allowed: All year, except May to October when they are only allowed at two ends of the beach.
Another seaside town with plenty of amenities and a dog-friendly beach is Exmouth. Located at the mouth of the river Exe and close to Exeter, the city is blessed with a beautiful sandy beach. Visit Exmouth Beach and spend the day walking, paddling and eating local food at one of the many restaurants along the coast.
With dramatic cliffs on one side and deep blue sea on the other, Ness Cove Beach provides an ideal backdrop for family (and four-legged friends) photos. You can find it at the tip of Cape Ness, east of Shaldon, and it’s reached through an old smugglers’ tunnel. Quieter than other beaches in the area, it’s perfect for a day at the beach on your dog-friendly Devon holiday.
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Despite its name, Blackpool Sands is nowhere near a popular seaside resort. In fact, it’s one of the most dog-friendly beaches in Devon, and you’ll find it near Dartmouth. The gorgeous sandy beach is privately managed and has a blue flag, making it a great place for a day trip with kids.
Wonwell Sands Beach is located at the mouth of the River Arme in South Devon and is surrounded by rolling green hills. It’s a peaceful place to walk your dog, especially since it’s rarely busy. Be sure to go when the tide is out or your feet/paws are very wet!
If you prefer your dog to not have all the sand, a pebble beach like Weston Mouth Beach is a great option. East of Sidmouth is a huge stretch of coast and is a real hidden gem. There is no parking nearby. In fact, the best way to get there is to follow the South West Coast Path from Sidmouth or Branscombe. Cocker Spaniel Albie and his Dan from @the.devon.good.life love their local Devon beaches. Whatever your ideal beach holiday, Devon has something for every shark. For the curious, terriers can explore rock pools and climb miles of fetching sand dunes. Read Dan and Albie’s list of the six best beaches in Devon for dogs.
I think if I could ask Albie what his favorite beach was, it would be Saunton Sands on the North Devon coast. With three and a half kilometers of sandy beach to walk, it’s the perfect place to bring the dogs and the family for a day trip. If the beach wasn’t impressive enough, it is backed by Braunton Burrows, one of the largest sand dunes in the UK. Some reach a height of 30 meters! If your dog is anything like mine, he’ll tire himself out running up and down the dunes, allowing you to enjoy a quiet evening after a day of exploring. Fun fact, Robbie Williams filmed his Angels music video here!
Dog Friendly Dartmouth
Sour Mill Cove is one of those special beaches that feels like a local’s secret. Accessible only by foot or boat, it is never too busy and is a paradise for walkers and their four-legged friends. It is not a bad time to visit this beach. At low tide, golden sands and hidden rock pools are revealed, and at high tide, it’s the perfect place to swim or paddle in the crystal clear waters. Albie and I often park at Bowlberry Down National Trust car park and walk the miles of track, enjoying the wonderful views along the way. You can also park at Soar Mill Cove Hotel and walk 15 minutes to the beach or take the longer route and walk seven miles from Salcombe. You may even be lucky enough to see mountain cows, which often roam the top of the cliffs. They are such gentle giants, but be sure to keep all dogs under control when you pass
