St Ives is arguably one of the best locations to holiday with your dog in the whole of the UK. With several stunning, dog-friendly beaches on the doorstep, plus the coastal path and countryside to explore, your four-legged friend won’t want to leave!
Here’s our guide to making the most of a visit to St Ives, Carbis Bay and Lelant, paws and all.
Beaches
Dogs are allowed on all St Ives beaches outside of the main season. So, from 1st October through to 14th May, there are no restrictions on when you can take your pooch to the frolic on the sands. It goes without saying the owners are expected to clear up after their dogs and keep them under control at all times.
In the main season there are still some beaches around St Ives Bay which are open to dogs all the time. These are Bamaluz Beach (a hidden spot just around from the Harbour, beneath the St Ives Museum!) Porthkidney Beach at Lelant, and Mexico Towans near Hayle.
However, on the main beaches in town (Harbour, Porthminster, Porthmeor and Porthgwidden) dogs are not allowed between the hours of 10am – 6pm during the height of the summer season. Restrictions come into force on different dates for these beaches so please check before hand – the latest info can be found here.
Top Tip: Gorgeous Trendreath accepts pets on request and is just a 10-minute walk from the Hayle Estuary and Porthkidney Beach.
Walks
From St Ives, the South West Coast Path offers delights in both directions. The stroll to Carbis Bay and Lelant is relatively gentle and will eventually lead you onto Porthkidney Beach – a quiet stretch of golden sand where dogs are allowed all year.
In the other direction it’s a different picture! The coast path between St Ives and Zennor is spectacular but challenging, although there are inland routes you can pick up to take a breather. We also highly recommend exploring the hills around St Ives (Trencrom, Rosewall, Knill’s Monument) for great views and a distinct lack of crowds.
Please be extremely careful when walking dogs along the coast path – there are sudden drops in places.
Top Tip: Some of our favourite rural properties make ideal bases for dog friendly breaks in and around St Ives. The Count House, The Fairings, and Corva Farmhouse all accept pets on request and are attractive options whatever the time of year.
Eating and Drinking
Some excellent eateries in St Ives allow dogs in outdoor areas. Porthgwidden, Porthmeor and Porthminster Beach Cafés all allow well-behaved dogs in specified areas on their sea view terraces.
If walking in the countryside around Zennor, the garden at The Tinner’s Arms is a great place to enjoy a pint with your four-legged friend in-tow, while The Gurnard’s Head allows dogs in the bar area where you can book a table for lunch or dinner.
Top Tip: For a dog-friendly property in a central location, try Chywidden. Located in Downalong, it’s very close to the town’s beaches for those early morning walks. There’s also a cosy wood burner to keep discerning dogs happy…
Finally… If you’re in need of extra help from our friendly local team, just ask! Whether we’re talking doggy hampers, dog walking services or dog sitting, we’ll do our best to help you have the perfect dog-friendly break in St Ives.
