The best dog-friendly hotels in Cornwall
Cornwall is all well and good for humans, but it’s nothing short of paradise for dogs. Bounding along great expanses of sandy beach, splashing about in the surf, going for long walks on the moors or along the Southwest Coast Path. And in turn, the Duchy loves its four-legged visitors. Most pubs and cafés are dog-friendly, and a great many hotels lay on a special welcome – beds, biscuits and toys – for guests’ pet pooches. So if you are looking to bring your canine companion on a Cornish holiday, here are some of the best dog-friendly hotels in Cornwall.
With plenty of style, comfort and breathtaking sea vistas, this adults-only Newquay hotel is ideal for a restorative coastal escape. Days can be spent exploring the beautiful cliff paths situated right on the doorstep (the Bedruthen Steps are a 30-minute walk away; while Watergate Bay is well worth the hour’s trek for the stunning expanse of sand that awaits), or you can simply stay put, as the beach right outside the hotel (pictured) welcomes dogs all year round, a rarity in Cornwall. There are both dog-friendly and dog-free areas throughout the hotel, and six bedrooms in which pooches can stay with their owners (£15). Food and water bowls, blankets, waste bags and even dog treats are provided.
Set in a Georgian house in the centre of town – there’s no real sea view, just occasional glimpses – this place is all about being part of the bohemian life of this town and particularly in summer, it's about enjoying a cocktail or three in its small but coveted garden, where dogs are more than welcome. In fact dogs are greeted with open arms here and provided with Lily’s Kitchen organic dog treats, bed and bowls for just a £15 supplementary charge per night. The overall vibe is friendly, upbeat, informal – think beach bar grown up – and you get the refreshing feeling that everyone working there loves their job. With some rooms designed by artists, and others looking like an upscale rum shack, the style is resolutely eccentric and a signature part of the Artist Residence brand.
With spacious bedrooms, traditional décor and a sunny south-facing position on the Roseland Peninsula, The Nare is one of the loveliest places to stay in Cornwall with dogs (from £16 per dog, per night). Perhaps one of its most unique activities is tuition from Jeanni their artist-in-residence who offers painting classes year-round – a fantastic chance to capture your pet in a canvas forever (pictured). Four legged-friends are welcome in the gardens, bedrooms, and field behind the car park, and will enjoy boundless walks along the coastal paths and beach, which the hotel has direct access to (they will need to be on a lead in summer). As with other guests in the hotel, dogs are offered a pooch-friendly table d'hôte menu, with any dietary requirements taken care of. There are also self-catering kennels for ‘outdoorsy’ and working dogs.
When staying in St Ives, dog-friendly hotels like The Gurnard’s Head are ideal for a low-key, restorative break in a wild coastal location. The striking yellow inn is situated at the half-way mark on the South West Coastal Path between St Ives and St Just, and is ideally situated for visiting local attractions and exploring the surrounding coast and countryside before returning for outstanding food, comfortable rooms and warm service in a cosy atmosphere. Dogs are allowed in bedrooms and are even permitted to sit by some dining room tables in the excellent restaurant. Dog-friendly accommodation in Cornwall can sometimes be unexpectedly costly, but here there’s no fee.
A delightful traditional seaside hotel for pet-friendly holidays in Cornwall. On a clifftop location near Mullion on the Lizard peninsula, it has a welcoming and convivial atmosphere and will appeal to couples and families with older children. In glorious isolation above an historic fishing cove, there are far-reaching views towards Land’s End, and the coastal footpath runs past the door, giving access to sandy beaches. Dogs are allowed in some bedrooms and one lounge (plus the main guest lounge); they are given a complimentary welcome pack; plus there’s no charge during low season (£9 per night during other times of the year).
This is the only hotel on Watergate Bay, a two-mile stretch of beach near Newquay, with fabulous views in both directions and the beach laid out just below. It's particularly ideal for dog walkers and those who enjoy an array of watersports, especially as the area is peppered with sandy coves begging to be explored. This is the aim of the hotel – to encourage guests to enjoy the beach and sea before venturing back inside to relax, swim, enjoy good food and drink with family and friends. Many of the rooms are dog-friendly, as is the beach, but there is a charge of £15 per night for one dog (a second dog incurs a £5 supplement).
Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame used to stay at this Victorian seaside mansion when it was a private home and would approve of its reincarnation as a luxury family hotel. Set in landscaped gardens on a bluff above the sailing town of Fowey in south Cornwall, the hotel has far-reaching sea views and access to 630 miles of coastal walks. Head west on the footpath to the Menabilly estate, Daphne du Maurier’s former home, or east to do the Hall Walk around the estuary, famous as a place to dally since Tudor times. Two dogs are permitted in each of the main house’s rooms (£15 per dog, per night) and get doggy blankets, feeding bowls, a tennis ball and biscuits.
This revamped resort near Blue Flag Gyllyngvase Beach is perfect for unwinding, with interiors that draw from the coastal surrounds, reflecting a beach-chic vibe that is contemporary yet unpretentious, and a spoiling spa on-site. Just a 15-minute walk will take you to Swanpool Beach and the town centre, where you will find a variety of independent shops and cafés, at the hub of a growing art and entertainment scene. The main house boasts 52 rooms, some with great sea views and balconies, with 32 Deluxe rooms in the beach house. Dog-friendly rooms are kitted out with a large dog bed, water bowls and treats, for those staying with their pets.
The Lugger is situated in one of the last unspoiled hamlets in Cornwall, at the centre of the Cornish coastal path, overlooking the picture-perfect cove at Portloe, a perfect morning paddle spot for dogs. The inn also offers the ideal position to explore the South West Coastal Path, discovering myriad coves and cafés along the way and tiring out your pooch before retreating back to the cosy atmosphere. Dogs are welcome in all room categories (except for junior suites and cottages) and are £12.50 per night. The main restaurant is dog-free, but book a table in the conservatory for a light-filled summer evening supper you can all enjoy together.
Contributions by Ros Belfrod, Hattie Garlick, Natalie Millar-Partridge
