Dog-friendly Cornwall 2026–27
Before 10am and after 6pm, dogs are welcome on every beach with a summer ban. In between, 11 council beaches close to them from 15 May to 30 September, and 34 more in July and August.
Checked 28 September 2026 against Cornwall Council’s 2026 dogs on beaches order, which runs until April 2029.
Drag the sun through the day, or pick a date below
The council’s order sets the same dates every year while it runs, and it runs until 12 April 2029. Every ban is daytime only: 10am to 6pm. Before and after that, the sand is all yours.
The leads rules at Summerleaze and Polruan come from a separate council order that ends on 14 October 2026. When the council confirms what replaces it, we’ll update the map.
Every seasonal ban runs from 10am to 6pm, even in the middle of August. A dawn run on Porthmeor or a sunset stroll along Porthminster is perfectly allowed, so it’s worth planning your beach days around the dog rather than the other way round.
The order lists “Harveys Towans to Godrevy Point”, but the council’s map shades only the Gwithian end up to the lighthouse and the Hayle end by the estuary. The long middle of the bay, Upton and Mexico Towans, has no summer ban at all.
The shaded stretch runs from Long Rock east to Marazion. Eastern Green, the long beach between Penzance station and Long Rock, isn’t shaded, which makes it a handy summer walk if you’re staying in town.
At Widemouth it’s the central stretch in front of the main car park, and at Kennack Sands it’s the eastern of the two beaches. Each beach card links to the council’s own map so you can see the exact line.
Dogs are welcome at both. At Summerleaze they need to be on a lead from 10am to 6pm between 21 May and 30 September; at Polruan, on the beaches, slopes, steps and promenade from Easter to 1 October.
The council can issue a £100 fixed penalty, and a court fine can reach £1,000. Assistance dogs, hearing dogs and working dogs (while they’re working) are exempt. Privately run beaches can also set their own rules, so it’s always worth a glance at the signs when you arrive.
| Beach | Near | The rule | What’s covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadgwith Cove | The Lizard | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Cadgwith Cove (PDF) |
| Carbis Bay | St Ives | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Carbis Bay (PDF) |
| Carnsew Pool | Hayle | No dogs at any time, all year | Protected for wading birds. Council map for Carnsew Pool (PDF) |
| Castle Beach | Falmouth | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Castle Beach (PDF) |
| Cawsand Beach | Cawsand | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Cawsand Beach (PDF) |
| Chapel Porth | St Agnes | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Chapel Porth (PDF) |
| Church Cove | Gunwalloe | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Church Cove (PDF) |
| Copperhouse Pool | Hayle | No dogs at any time, all year | Protected for wading birds. Council map for Copperhouse Pool (PDF) |
| Crackington Haven | Bude | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Crackington Haven (PDF) |
| Crooklets | Bude | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Crooklets (PDF) |
| Gwithian to Godrevy | Hayle | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The northern end of St Ives Bay, from in front of Gwithian up to Godrevy Point. This is one of two stretches the council's map shades under "Harveys Towans to Godrevy Point"; the towans in between aren't covered. Council map for Gwithian to Godrevy (PDF) |
| Gyllyngvase | Falmouth | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Gyllyngvase (PDF) |
| Harvey's Towans | Hayle | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The Hayle end of St Ives Bay, by the estuary mouth. The second of the two stretches shaded under "Harveys Towans to Godrevy Point". Council map for Harvey's Towans (PDF) |
| Hayle Estuary | Hayle | No dogs at any time, all year | Parts of the estuary and saltings, protected for wading birds. Council map for Hayle Estuary (PDF) |
| Hoodny Beach | Portwrinkle | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach |
| Housel Bay | The Lizard | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Housel Bay (PDF) |
| Kennack Sands | The Lizard | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The council's map shades the eastern of Kennack's two beaches. Council map for Kennack Sands (PDF) |
| Kynance Cove | The Lizard | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Kynance Cove (PDF) |
| Long Rock to Marazion | Marazion | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | Listed in the order as "Penzance Harbour to Marazion". The council's map shades the beach from Long Rock east to Marazion; Eastern Green, between Penzance station and Long Rock, isn't shaded. Council map for Long Rock to Marazion (PDF) |
| Maenporth | Falmouth | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Maenporth (PDF) |
| Mousehole to Skilly Beach | Mousehole | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The harbour beaches and the shore running north from Mousehole towards Newlyn. Council map for Mousehole to Skilly Beach (PDF) |
| Newlyn to Battery Rocks | Penzance | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The beach below Penzance promenade, from Newlyn to Battery Rocks by the Jubilee Pool. Council map for Newlyn to Battery Rocks (PDF) |
| Perranuthnoe | Near Marazion | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach |
| Poldhu Cove | Mullion | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Poldhu Cove (PDF) |
| Polruan | Fowey | Dogs on leads Easter Day to 1 October | Dogs on leads on Polruan's beaches, slopes, staircases and promenade from Easter Day to 1 October. |
| Polurrian Cove | Mullion | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Polurrian Cove (PDF) |
| Polzeath | Near Rock | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Polzeath (PDF) |
| Porth Beach | Newquay | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Porth Beach (PDF) |
| Porthcurno | Near Land's End | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Porthcurno (PDF) |
| Porthgwarra | St Levan | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Porthgwarra (PDF) |
| Porthgwidden | St Ives | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Porthgwidden (PDF) |
| Porthleven West | Porthleven | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The strip of beach just west of the harbour entrance. Council map for Porthleven West (PDF) |
| Porthmeor | St Ives | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Porthmeor (PDF) |
| Porthminster | St Ives | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Porthminster (PDF) |
| Porthpean | St Austell | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Porthpean (PDF) |
| Porthtowan | Near St Agnes | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Porthtowan (PDF) |
| Portmellon Cove | Mevagissey | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Portmellon Cove (PDF) |
| Portreath | Near Redruth | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | Includes the harbour. Council map for Portreath (PDF) |
| Portwrinkle Harbour | Portwrinkle | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach |
| Praa Sands | Near Porthleven | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Praa Sands (PDF) |
| Readymoney Cove | Fowey | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Readymoney Cove (PDF) |
| Sennen | Near Land's End | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole of Sennen beach along Whitesand Bay. Council map for Sennen (PDF) |
| St George's Well | Padstow | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for St George's Well (PDF) |
| St Ives Harbour Beach | St Ives | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for St Ives Harbour Beach (PDF) |
| Summer's Beach | St Mawes | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Summer's Beach (PDF) |
| Summerleaze | Bude | Dogs on leads 10am to 6pm, 21 May to 30 September | Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead from 10am to 6pm, 21 May to 30 September. |
| Swanpool | Falmouth | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Swanpool (PDF) |
| Tattam's Beach | Portscatho | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Tattam's Beach (PDF) |
| Trevone | Padstow | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The whole beach Council map for Trevone (PDF) |
| Tunnel Beach | Falmouth | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 1 July to 31 August | The whole beach Council map for Tunnel Beach (PDF) |
| Widemouth Bay | Bude | No dogs 10am to 6pm, 15 May to 30 September | The central stretch in front of the main car park. The rest of the bay isn't shaded on the council's map. Council map for Widemouth Bay (PDF) |
None of these are in the council’s order, so as far as the council is concerned your dog is welcome all year. A handful of Cornish beaches are privately run and set their own rules, so do look for signs when you get there.
Plan your stay
436 of our hand-picked cottages welcome dogs, from harbour-side cottages in Mousehole to big family houses above the north coast surf.
Yes. Cornwall Council keeps dogs off 45 beaches in summer, but only between 10am and 6pm. Before 10am and after 6pm dogs are welcome on all of them, and most Cornish beaches have no council ban at all.
Eleven Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches are dog-free from 15 May to 30 September, and 34 more from 1 July to 31 August, always from 10am to 6pm. Carnsew Pool, Copperhouse Pool and the Hayle Estuary are closed to dogs all year. The same dates apply every year until the order ends on 12 April 2029.
Before 10am and after 6pm, every day, even in August. The seasonal bans only cover the hours between.
Any beach that isn't in the council's order, which includes Daymer Bay, Harlyn Bay, Holywell Bay, Watergate Bay, Constantine Bay, Crantock, Perranporth and Porth Kidney Sands. A few privately run beaches set their own rules, so check the signs when you arrive.
Porthmeor, Porthminster and Carbis Bay are dog-free from 10am to 6pm between 15 May and 30 September. Porthgwidden and the harbour beach are dog-free from 10am to 6pm between 1 July and 31 August. Bamaluz isn't on the list.
Partly. The Gwithian end of the bay up to Godrevy Point is dog-free from 10am to 6pm between 1 July and 31 August. The towans between Gwithian and Hayle have no ban, so you can walk there all summer.
The council can issue a fixed penalty notice of £100. If it goes to court, the fine can be up to £1,000.
No. Registered blind people, deaf people with a hearing dog, disabled people with a trained assistance dog, and working dogs while they are working (on farms, in search and rescue, with the police or the armed forces) are exempt from the order.
Print the map and the A to Z for the glovebox, or send a beach to whoever’s bringing the dog.
Run a dog blog or a holiday let? You’re welcome to embed the live map. Copy this code:
The beaches, dates and times come from the Cornwall Council Public Spaces Protection (Dogs on Beaches) Order 2026, sealed on 10 March 2026 and in force from 13 April 2026 for three years, and from the Dogs on Leads Order 2023. Where a listing covers only part of a beach we’ve followed the council’s own maps, which you’ll find on its dogs on beaches page. Beach outlines and the other beaches come from OpenStreetMap. We checked everything on 28 September 2026. Rules can change and signs on the day always win; if you spot something that’s changed, let us know.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · © Mapbox