If you love to go on holiday but hate to leave your dog behind, why not plan the perfect dog friendly holiday in Cornwall? We have picked a range of great options, all with a really warm welcome for you and your dog.
Excellent Facilities for You and Your Dog
The Bed and Basket www.bedandbasket.co.uk, St Austell offers high quality self-catering holiday accommodation in two converted traditional barns. There is a one-bedroom barn that sleeps up to two people and a three-bedroomed barn that sleeps up to six people.
What really sets this place apart from the crowd is its fantastic facilities for dogs and their owners. The floors are all easy-to-clean wooden or slate tiled with cosy underfloor heating. Dog throws are provided in case your dog is used to sleeping on the beds or furniture. On arrival you will receive a welcome basket of essentials for dogs, including baskets, poo bags, balls and ball throwers. Temporary dog tags are also provided with the contact details at the barn.
Visitors can spend time relaxing on their private furnished patio, which has a useful doggie shower to wash off sandy paws. The patio leads directly on to a very large grassed enclosed exercise area, which is perfect for dog visits in the early morning and last thing at night.
A personal kennel is provided so that you can leave your dogs safely if you wish to go out to a local attraction where you can’t take dogs, such as the Eden project or The Lost Gardens of Heligan in the summer months. The kennel is heated if required and there is a small outdoor run. The owners, Brian and Dawn, are dog owners themselves and will happily look in on your dogs if you wish.
There are loads of dog friendly attractions nearby including Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum and Country Park, Trewithen Gardens, Marsh Villa Gardens, Caerhays Castel Gardens, Hidden Valley Gardens and Lappa Valley Steam Railway.
Par Sands, Porthluney Cove, Gorran Haven Beach, Vault Beach and Hemmick Beach are all sandy beaches within about 7 miles of the barns with areas where dogs are allowed all year round.
The one-bedroomed barn costs £270-£540 per week and the three-bedroomed barn costs £600-£1,100 per week with a 25% discount if booked as a two-bedroomed. There is no charge for dogs and no limit on the number of dogs that can stay. The barns are not suitable for people or dogs with mobility problems as there are quite a few steps up to the front door.
Luxury Accommodation with Stunning Dog Walks on the Doorstep
Treat yourself to a luxury self catering holiday in Helsbury Park www.helsburypark.co.uk, Camelford. There are four dog friendly cottages to choose from with access to one hundred acres of unspoilt woodland, pasture and river frontage on the doorstep. Each of the cottages is detached and all have been sympathetically renovated with many original features such as ancient beams, granite fire places, slate floors and exposed stone work. Shared facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym in a beautiful new building with stunning views.
The cottages Westhayes and Marhayes share an open plan garden, whilst Broadview and the Farmhouse are set a little further apart with enclosed gardens. It’s always possible to take your dogs for a walk on Helsbury land and many guests do so every day, enjoying the woods, river and parkland on circular nature walks. There are buzzards nesting in the woods and deer can be seen in the park. There is also a small mixed fruit orchard and a picnic spot by a large pond. A map of on-site dog walks is available on the Helsbury Park website.
Your dog’s favourite food can be delivered to your cottage, saving you the trouble of bringing it with you or searching for it when you arrive. Each cottage also has its own private kennel so that you can leave your dog without worry if you need to pop out without them. There are also dog bowls, dog soap, treats, poo bags, travel food and water containers and blankets for covering the furniture. A local dog listener offers her services to help you and your dog work through any behavioural or communication issues in the comfort of your own cottage if you wish.
Delicious meals can be enjoyed at several local dog friendly pubs. The Mill House Inn in Tintagel is a former working mill set in seven acres of wooded gardens close to the coastal path. Harlyn and Daymer Bay beaches are very popular with dogs and their owners staying at Helsbury Park. There are also loads of dog friendly attractions nearby including Pencarrow, Bodmin Jail, Cardinham Woods and Bodmin and Wenford Railway and the cottages are only a mile away from the Camel Trail.
The cottages sleep 5-6 people and prices range from £795-£1895 per week. There is an additional charge of £20 per dog per stay. The owners are flexible about the number and size of dogs allowed to stay. Please let them know how many dogs you plan to bring at the time of booking.
Great Value Bed and Breakfast in West Cornwall
A warm welcome awaits you and your dog at this clean and tidy bed and breakfast Bolankan Cottage, www.bolankan-cottage.co.uk in St Buryan in Penzance. The cottage is easy to access as it stands on the main A30 trunk road approximately halfway between Penzance and Lands End. A twin, family and double room are available.
The Cornish breakfasts are delicious and the bed and breakfast has lots of visitors that return year after year. The owners have friendly dogs of their own and will make your dog most welcome.
Visitors with dogs can make the most of the many dog friendly attractions that are nearby. Trewidden Garden, Trereife House Garden, Chygurno, Trengwainton, Geevor Tin Mine, St Ives Bay Line, Trevarno Estate and the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek are all great days out that are only short drives away. The Old Success Inn is a very popular dog friendly pub next to the promenade at Sennen Cove. Dogs are only allowed on the beach at Sennen in the early morning and evening although there are some fantastic walks at the back of the beach that can be enjoyed with your dog at any time.
A short break at Bolankan Cottage will not break the bank as bed and breakfast costs £65 per room per night or £60 per room per night for two nights or more (based on two sharing).
Traditional Cornish Pub on a Coastal Footpath in North Cornwall
If you enjoy cliff top walks with your dog and then relaxing at a cosy pub afterwards then a stay at The Driftwood Spas www.driftwoodspars.com in Trevaunance, near St Agnes could be for you. The establishment is a 17th century building full of history. The name ‘Driftwood Spars’ hints at its local history as the ceiling beams in the bars contain spars from some of the ships that have been wrecked in Trevaunance Cove, the local beach.
The pub has 15 en suite rooms all decorated in a charming nautical style. There are some rooms in an annexe that are particularly suitable for dog owners, on the opposite side of the quiet road. They are separated from the road by a tall hedge and babbling stream. These rooms do not have wireless internet access but there is free wifi in the bar.
Live music is a regular feature in the bar and the pub has its own microbrewery. The only place that dogs are not allowed is the restaurant but you are welcome to eat breakfast and dinner in the bar with your dog. The staff make a real fuss of dogs and are happy to cook your canine companion a breakfast sausage.
Walks along the cliff paths next to the pub take you past ruined tin mines, magnificent sea views and sandy coves. There is plenty of parking at the pub.
There are many dog friendly attractions a short drive from Driftwood Spars. Garden lovers will enjoy visits to Roseland House, Burcoose Garden and Nurseries, Lanterns or Penjerrick Garden. Or for something different, dogs are welcome in the grounds of Poldark Mine or Pendennis Castle. Dogs are allowed all year on the local Trevaunance Cove Beach. The large sandy Perranporth Beach and Holywell Beach are also dog friendly. Both have a fresh water stream perfect for doggie paddles and thirsty dogs.
Prices to stay at Driftwood Spars range from £43-55 per person per night depending on the room. There is a small additional charge of £3 per dog per night.
All of these dog friendly places to stay and visit in Cornwall are listed on Rover Recommended www.roverrecommended.com
If you have visited any of them with your dog we would love to see your reviews.
Louise Dolan
Find places to stay and visit with your dog at www.roverrecommended.com
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Dog Friendly Days Out and Holidays 