Having had our June holiday cancelled due to Covid19 we decided to rebook for September and hope for the best. We have been to Cornwall numerous times before but this was our first time taking the dogs so we were extra excited.
We booked a lovely little cottage - Bluejay cottage - in Newquay via airbnb that was dog friendly. This was the perfect location for us having previously stayed in more rural locations or on the outskirts of town we didn't want to have to drive anywhere. This time we were within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants and beaches.
Bluejay Cottage -
On our first afternoon after arriving we took a walk from the cottage using our trusty ordnance survey map (OSM) on our phones and walked along the footpaths down past Newquay harbour, along the coast paths to Huers hut and then along to Fistral beach to enjoy some Rick Steins chips (dogs allowed) and the Cornish sunset.
Day 2 (Monday) - For our first full day in Newquay we decided to walk to our favourite beach; Crantock. Usually we have to drive and pay for parking but being so close and using our OSM we mapped out the footpaths and headed out. We walked out of town, through the graveyard and down to the river Gannel. The tide was quite high at this point so we had planned to use the ferry crossing at Fern pit cafe but discovered upon arriving that it was closed due to covid.
We headed back the way we came and down to the river for a paddle and back along the river bank to the foot bridge. The water was still knee high at this point but we managed to make it (Arwen and Marty being carried) and were finally across!
After a run around for the dogs we headed up to the coast path along the cliff edge and towards the main beach. `We then headed up the cliff for a much needed (prebooked) drink at the dog friendly Bowgie Inn - Pimms and pineapple cider!
The trip back along the beach now the tide was out was much easier and quicker so we finally headed home after about 5 hours and 8 miles!
Day 3 (Tuesday) - After a visit to the skatepark we headed out to the local secure dog field - This was one of the best fields weve been to with lots of different structures, kennels, hills, tires, tunnels, pincic area and other bits and bobs.
After some local shopping in Newquay including a great pet shop - The Pet Centre Newquay - we headed for a quick walk at the local beach Towan.
Day 4 (Wednesday) - We drove to Perranporth another dog friendly beach for a rather windy walk and picked up some more natural instinct raw dog food as well as some cute bandanas and this brilliant cornish pasty dog toy from the Perranpooch pet store!
We then had another evening walk along Towan beach. The dogs really loved climbing the rocks and sniffing all the different smells!
Drying off time!
Day 5 (Thursday) - We headed out early to Crantock beach to give the dogs a run around before the humans headed out to Truro for the day for some brunch and shopping!
In the evening we headed along past Towan beach and down to Trenance gardens for a walk along to the boating lake. Our OSM really came in handy here for finding some very hidden footpaths for a quicker route home!
Day 6 (Friday) - For our last day we headed out early to Porth Joke (public carpark near the bowgie) after walking down to the beach we followed the coast paths in the hopes of spotting some seals and towards Chick Island. We carried on to a deserted Hollywell bay beach (sadly the tide was too high to visit the famous cave) and then back a different footpath along the river to Porth Joke before heading home.
After a final delicious dinner our holiday was sadly over. We couldn't recommend Cornwall highly enough for dog friendly holidays. Dogs are allowed on almost all of the beaches (check websites), in most of the pubs, restaurants and shops. We also found the local dogs were so much better behaved and we weren't bothered by any out of control dogs running up to us like at home. We even saw two dogs waiting for their owner who was surfing!
Have you been to Cornwall before? Would you like to?
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