19 dog-friendly beaches in Devon

Warmer climes and two stunning coastlines make Devon a prime destination for a staycation. If you’re searching for somewhere suitable to take your four-legged friend, you’re in luck, too. As well as hundreds of holiday cottages, cafes and restaurants that welcome pets with open arms, you’ll be spoilt for choice by dog-friendly beaches in Devon. Here’s our pick of the best in the region.

Dog-friendly beaches in North Devon

Wide sand dunes and tiny, picture-perfect coves line the coast of North Devon. The sheer majority allow dogs to visit, including:

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Saunton Sands

Location: Saunton

Dogs allowed: All year round (except on the patch of sand just right of the slipway)

Facilities: Toilets, parking, lifeguards in summer, cafes

Three miles of golden sand are what’s in store for visitors at Saunton Sands in Saunton! It’s one of the best dog-friendly beaches in Devon with ample space to stretch out and play. Pooches are allowed on the sand throughout the year, although there is a small section next to the main slipway where they’re prohibited.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Salar Cottage

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Croyde

Location: Croyde

Dogs allowed: Outside the summer months

Facilities: Toilets and showers, lifeguards in summer, parking, cafes/shops

Tucked away between Saunton Sands and Putsborough Beach, Croyde is a lovely bay that’s dog-friendly for most of the year. Its wide expanse of sand makes it great for dogs who love to run around, while its big waves ensure its popularity with surfers. What’s more, the National Trust Baggy Point sits just south and is accessed via a brilliant cliff top trail perfect for adventurous dog owners and their canines.

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Beach Hut

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Hele Bay

Location: Ilfracombe

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Toilets, parking, pub and cafe

This sand and shingle beach is a gorgeous spot to venture to for a stroll and a splash around in the sea. It’s close to Ilfracombe and fantastic for a game of fetch or a sniff around in the wonderful rock pools at low tide. Hele Bay is another beach with direct access to the South West Coast Path if you fancy a longer walk along the cliffs.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Harbour Cottage

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Westward Ho! Beach

Location: Westward Ho!

Dogs allowed: All year round at the north end, limited access at the south end in summer

Facilities: Toilets, lifeguards in summer, cafes and shops, parking, wheelchair access

A magnet for dog walkers, Westward Ho! Beach not only has a unique name, but loads of facilities. It’s predominantly a pebble beach, although there is golden sand to walk along closer to the shoreline. With two miles of terrain to explore, several windsurfing schools and a wide range of shops and restaurants, Westward Ho! is a sublime location for a dog-friendly holiday in Devon.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Silver Birches

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Rockham Beach

Location: Mortehoe

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: No facilities and limited access

A little off the beaten path near Mortehoe - and along the South West Coast Path - is where you’ll find this idyllic, and often deserted, beach. Rockham Beach is a popular pick for dog walkers and features a wide expanse of sand and several rock pools. Note that it’s accessed via a steep set of stairs, making it unsuitable for young kids or those with limited mobility.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Harrold Lodge

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Woolacombe Beach

Location: Woolacombe

Dogs allowed: Restrictions apply between April and November north of Mill Rock

Facilities: Toilets, lifeguards in summer, parking, cafes and shops, surf schools

Woolacombe boasts one of the largest sandy beaches in North Devon and it’s got Blue Flag status, making it particularly popular with families. Woolacombe Beach has swathes of golden sand perfect for playing fetch on, in addition to a few dog-friendly cafes in the seaside town itself.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Beachcomber

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Putsborough Beach

Location: Putsborough

Dogs allowed: All year round, except in certain sections between April and November

Facilities: Toilets and showers, parking, cafe, wheelchair access

Next door to Woolacombe Beach is where you’ll find Putsborough Beach. It also has lovely soft sand and the water is sometimes calm enough for a (doggy) paddle. There’s a cafe where you can grab a coffee and snacks, plus Putsborough has direct access to Baggy Point which offers stunning views of the sea and coastline.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Hillside

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Wild Pear Beach

Location: Combe Martin

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: No facilities and limited access

This north sand beach is extremely private due to its hidden location, making it a much-loved locale for naturists. Accessible by foot from Combe Martin, Wild Pear Beach is a dreamy little cove with fine sand and uninterrupted views. The walk to reach it is around two kilometres long and meanders across the clifftops. Try to time your visit so it’s not high tide otherwise there won’t be much beach left for your dog to explore!

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Coach House

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Peppercombe Beach

Location: Horns Cross

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Limited access and no facilities, although there’s parking and a pub in Horns Cross

For a beach you can enjoy a brisk walk on, Peppercombe Beach is a great shout. The dog-friendly beach in Devon is a peaceful pebble stretch with few facilities and gorgeous ocean vistas. You can stroll directly onto the beach via a lush valley from Horns Cross or trace the South West Coast Path just above.

Find more dog-friendly cottages in North Devon >

Dog-friendly beaches in South Devon

If sunny South Devon is your destination of choice for a dog-friendly holiday, you’ll find the area inundated with brilliant beaches. This includes:

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Salcombe North Sands Beach

Location: Salcombe

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Toilets, parking, nearby cafes and shops

Lodged within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Salcombe’s North Sands Beach is a brilliant option for picturesque dog walks and scenic photo ops. At low tide, there’s a wide expanse of sand to run around on, plus a couple of places nearby to grab a drink. Time your visit right, though, as most of the beach is submerged at high tide.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Blueboat Cottage

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Beesands Beach

Location: Beesands

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Toilets, cafes and shops, parking

Fishing boats catching crabs and lobsters bob about in the sea just off Beesands Beach. The unassuming pebble beach close to Kingsbridge is a nice spot for a leisurely walk and always welcomes dogs. Once you’re done breathing in the fresh sea air, join the South West Coast Path which trails its way through lush green fields.

Dog-friendly place to stay: 2 Bayview

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Hollicombe Beach

Location: Torquay

Dogs allowed: Restricted between May and November

Facilities: Limited/no facilities

Attractive Torquay is a popular pick for a beach staycation. Most of its beaches are dog-free during the summer months. Nevertheless, if you’re visiting off-season, make sure you take a walk along Hollicombe Beach. Dogs will love zooming across its red sand, while shell-collectors will find lots of lovely trinkets washed up in the shallows.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Harbourside Cottage

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Soar Mill Cove

Location: Soar, Salcombe

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Parking

Soar Mill Cove is a pretty cove not far from Salcombe and a lovely destination for a swim and a sunbathe. Its location along the South West Coast Path makes it a good pitstop if you’re hiking from nearby Salcombe. Dogs will love its many rock pools and caves, while humans will appreciate the vibrant sunsets.

Dog-friendly place to stay: 5 Ocean Reach

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Exmouth Beach

Location: Exmouth

Dogs allowed: All year round, except between May and October when they’re only allowed at the two far ends of the beach

Facilities: Toilets, lifeguards in summer, parking, cafes and shops, wheelchair access

Another seaside town with lots of amenities AND a dog-friendly beach is Exmouth. Located at the mouth of the River Exe and not too far from Exeter, the town is blessed with a stunning sandy beach. Visit Exmouth Beach for a day of walking, paddling and dining on local fare at one of several eateries on the shoreline.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Ty Glas

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Ness Cove Beach

Location: Shaldon

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Toilets, parking, cafes and pubs

With dramatic cliffs on one side and the deep blue sea on the other, Ness Cove Beach provides the ideal backdrop for family (and four-legged friend) photos. You’ll find it at the tip of the Ness Headland, just east of Shaldon, and it’s accessed through an old smugglers tunnel. Quieter than other beaches in the area, it’s brilliant for a beach day out on your dog-friendly holiday to Devon.

Dog-friendly place to stay:Ness Dene House

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Blackpool Sands

Location: Blackpool, Dartmouth

Dogs allowed: Yes, except between March and October

Facilities: Toilets, lifeguards in summer, parking, cafes and shops, water sports hire

Despite its name, Blackpool Sands sits nowhere near the famous seaside resort. In fact, it’s one of the most dog-friendly beaches in Devon and you’ll discover it close to Dartmouth. The spectacular sandy beach is privately managed and has Blue Flag status, making it a great place to day trip with kids.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Little Seawatch

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Wonwell Sands Beach

Location: Kingston, Kingsbridge

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Limited access and parking

Wonwell Sands Beach lies on the estuary of the River Erme in South Devon and is surrounded by lush rolling hills. It’s a peaceful location for a stroll with your pooch, especially because it’s rarely busy. Make sure you visit when the tide is out, though, otherwise you’ll get very soggy feet/paws!

Dog-friendly place to stay: Kings Corner

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Weston Mouth Beach

Location: Sidmouth

Dogs allowed: All year round

Facilities: Limited access

If you’d rather your canine didn’t get all sandy, a pebble beach like Weston Mouth Beach is a great pick. The vast coastal stretch sits east of Sidmouth and it’s a real hidden gem. There’s no car park nearby. In fact, the best way to access it is on foot along the South West Coast Path from Sidmouth or Branscombe.

Dog-friendly place to stay: Otters Corner

Find more dog-friendly cottages in South Devon >