Dog-friendly places - City, Countryside & Coast
Dog-friendly places in & near Truro
Truro’s biggest park has gardens, a dog-friendly cafe, & designated exercise area for dogs by the tennis courts. The riverside walk that loops around the park’s outer edge is good for a stroll. Easy walk from Hotel VARA. Location: Malpas Rd, Truro TR1 1SG
Head to the Trelissick Estate (10 minutes drive). The countryside estate is dog-friendly with parkland, woodland, shoreline & beach to explore. There are walks by the water’s edge - a short stroll across the parkland that overlooks the Fal estuary. Or take a longer a trek down through the trees to Roundwood Quay.
Not far from the village of Feock, (10 minutes drive), Loe beach has views across the Fal Estuary - the Carrick Roads, & this stretch of sand & shingle is a popular place for watersports, including kayaking, paddle boarding & sailing. There is a cafe in the summer months, & dogs are welcome all year round! Location: Green Cl, Feock, Truro TR3 6SH.
Forest trails to walk just outside Truro - a few dog rules apply for safe & trouble free walks.
Days Out & Further Afield
Start with a walk on the mile-long sand & pebble beach of Marazion & then head across to St Michael's Mount. You can either walk across the causeway at low tide, or hop aboard a boat when the tide is in. If you don't fancy crossing over to the castle, you can walk along the bay for about 2 miles - but if you skip St Michael's Mount - you are missing out! (50 minutes drive - depending on traffic).
Around 20 minutes from Truro, this three-mile stretch of sand is hard to beat when its a stormy day & the waves are huge! Dogs are allowed on the main beach all year, (on a lead between 10 am & 5 pm in July & August.) You can park just by the beach - but it does get busy at peak times. Location: S W Coast Path, Perranporth TR6 0AQ (About 20 minutes drive).
The Eden Project is now a world-famous ecological attraction & educational charity located in a reclaimed china clay pit near St Austell. Often described as a "living theatre of plants & people. It's a great dog-friendly attraction in Cornwall. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor gardens, nature trails, & picnic areas. (Not in the enclosed biomes). (About 40 minutes drive).
One of the best walking & cycling trails in Cornwall, the Camel Trail is a real favourite for dog walkers. Stretching from Padstow to Wenford Bridge, it covers 18 miles of mostly traffic-free, surfaced trail. Level almost the whole way, with great views & some dog-friendly eateries en route. We recommend heading to Wadebridge & joining the trail there. Parking is easy & you can hire a bike too. (About 45 minutes drive).
From tractor rides through apple orchards to animal meet-&-greets to cider tasting, there’s something for everyone at Healey’s Cyder Farm. A brilliant dog-friendly attraction near Truro, it welcomes dogs everywhere onsite. To round off your visit, head over to the farm’s dog-friendly Old Bottlery Restaurant. (About 30 minutes drive).
An easy way to hop over to The Roseland from Truro, taking the car (& dog) across on the car ferry, to explore the Roseland Peninsula's coast, beaches & St Mawes. Book tickets on line or pay on the ferry. (About 10 minutes drive just past Trelissick).
This affluent village on the Roseland Peninsula. With galleries, independent shops, & cafes to explore, all along the waterfront street. Popular for kayaking, sailing, fishing, & walking, (you can also head there via the passenger ferry linking the village to Falmouth year-round). There's a small beach, & you can head to the castle too.
Twinned with Pendennis Castle (both English Heritage) on the opposite side of the Fal Estuary, St Mawes is one of the best-preserved of Henry VIII's coastal artillery fortresses. Bring dogs on leads to stroll around the beautiful grounds of St Mawes Castle which stretch down to the Fal Estuary.
Take a boat trip on the River Fal
Scenic boat trips along the River Fal pass wooded creeks, historic houses, linking Truro to Falmouth, Malpas, St Mawes, & Trelissick Gardens. Routes & timetables vary with season & tide, so it’s worth checking ahead. (Departs from Truro).
Falmouth is a vibrant, creative, & historic seaside town on Cornwall’s south coast. Lively & full of character, this bustling harbour town has quirky shops, & great food spots & the world's third-largest natural harbor. It combines a relaxed, artistic atmosphere with a thriving student population, a mix of sandy beaches, indie shops, lively nightlife, & rich maritime history. Don’t miss Pendennis Castle.
Trebah Garden allows dogs on leads around most of its subtropical grounds. You’ll find gorgeous greenery & even a private beach with an ice cream hut at the bottom of the garden! Open daily, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm (last entry 3:30 pm). Check website closures. Location: Mawnan Smith, Falmouth TR11 5JZ (About 40 minutes drive).
The whole of the Lizard Peninsula is fabulous dog-walking - cliff-top coastal paths & sea views. Fascinating landscape & historic sites - from Mullion in the west to Coverack in the east - as well as a handful of tiny fishing harbours.The most popular place to visit on the peninsula is the most southerly point in mainland Britain: Lizard Point with its famous lighthouse - it also has a great dog-friendly café to refuel! (About 60 minutes drive).