FREE and DOG FRIENDLY days out – our top picks
Without doubt Cornwall is one of the most popular dog friendly destinations to visit with over 420 miles of coastline and over 300 beautiful beaches. We’re literally spoilt for choice.
Our guests often ask us for pointers on recommended places to visit and these are our top picks. These destinations are FREE and you can take your dog. All an easy drive from Trenannick and designed to help you plan your stay.
Bodmin Beacon Local Nature Reserve
This is an award winning open space with 87 acres of managed farmland, and woodlands to explore. You can picnic in the meadows and woodlands and enjoy lovely walks with your dog.
bodmin-beacon-leaflet.pdf (cornwall.gov.uk)
– Open every day
– Free parking
Bude Canal
Enjoy a level walk along the tow path starting at either Bude to Whalesborough or vice versa. Wildlife is abundant along the canal with a huge variety of birds and you might even spot an otter. Bude Canal and Marshes – Cornwall Council There is a lovely café The Wier at Whalesborough Whalesborough Farm, Bude EX23 0JD where you can sit outside overlooking the lake with ponies and alpacas with a small play park.
Summerleaze Beach at Bude is dog friendly all year round too!
Open every day
Free parking for The Weir café users, and plenty of pay and display car parks at Bude.
The Camel Trail
A traffic free route along a disused railway line. It stretches for 12 miles between Bodmin and Padstow. Super walk, pushchair and cycling friendly. Take your camera! Fabulous views across the estuary to the sea. Wonderful place to spot wildlife like otters, bats, herons, kingfishers and egrets to name but a few. You’ll see plenty of bird spotters armed with big cameras along the route getting quietly excited!
Choose to join the trail at Bodmin, Wadebridge or Padstow where you can also hire a bicycle for around £18 for the day. There is ample parking, toilets and cafes at each of the start points. We generally park at Wadebridge and either head into Padstow to have a bimble about and nab a fresh crab sandwich – delish!
– Open every day
– Parking pay and display
Kit Hill at Callington
With over 400 acres this country park is in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There are beautiful views from the wild and rugged hilltop and a fascinating history. There’s a quarry, the North Engine Shaft and Mine Summit Stack. With easy walking trails taking about 2 hours you’ll likely to spot cuckoo, stonechats, skylarks and buzzards too.
Kit Hill leaflet (cornwall.gov.uk)
– Open every day
– Pay and display parking
Rough Tor and Brown Willy
Enjoy a 5 mile challenging circular walk amongst the granite, grazing ponies and gorgeous panoramic views where you can see for miles!
Honestly, a bit strenuous near the peaks but we just take our time. The Rough Tor summit is 1313 feet above sea level, and Brown Willy 1378 feet making it Cornwall’s highest point.
Just park at the entrance to Rough Tor, wear good footwear and take a picnic. The last time we visited we packed a cream high tea!
– Open every day
– Parking free
Rocky Valley
Lots of people visit St Nectan’s Glen which is a popular walk with a waterfall, but fewer people are aware of Rocky Valley. This is the lower end of the whole valley heading out to the sea. This is a favourite little walk for us being just around a mile and we visit numerous times throughout the year. You can park for free in the lay-by near Trevillet Mill. There is a huge diversity of wild flowers from spring to autumn and the valley boasts 160 different species of moss and liverwort. Do look out for the bronze-age carvings on the rock face about half way along.
When you reach the sea you might want to take the steps off to the left up the cliff and walk along to Bossiney Cove. We’ve spotted seals down there!
– Open every day
– Free parking
Widemouth Bay to Crackington Haven (or vice versa)
Crackington Haven is our nearest beach just a few minutes’ drive from Trenannick, and Widemouth Bay is about 15 minutes away.
This is a nicely challenging walk with some steep bits but wow you’ll be spoilt for beautiful coastline vistas.
Park for free at the viewing point (National Trust car park) at Widemouth Bay looking across the stretch of both north and south beaches before you begin your 6 mile adventure. We love The Barton Arms at Crackington Haven and it is dog friendly and there’s also a choice of cafes serving local food and drinks too.
Trebarwith Strand near Tintagel
Top tip: check the tide times and visit when the tide is out so you can access the beach, caves and coves. A stunning dog friendly beach and a great pub The Port William that offers good food and ale with lovely outdoor dining overlooking the coast. Cheers!
– Open every day
– Pay and display parking
Lydford Gorge near Tavistock
Is a National Trust treasure. As a National Trust Member, we enjoy free days out here. It has the deepest river gorge in the south west, a 30 metre high waterfall, and the Devil’s Cauldron. Take your camera and a picnic. We recommend parking at the main car park to start the walk and generally stop at the café half way down the gorge. Our rate 10/10 for enjoyment. Top Tip: high winds mean the Gorge is closed so do check the weather forecast and do wear comfortable outdoor shoes. During the very hot weather, this is a brilliant place to visit to avoid the crowds and find shade Lydford Gorge | Devon | National Trust
