Dog Days Out in Devon – a guide to the best beaches, walks and experiences to share with your dog

Beaches:

Staunton Sands 

While the focal point of most beaches is ahead of you as you walk on to the sand, here it’s what lies behind this straight stretch of soft golden grains that will intrigue the most. Known as Braunton Burrows, behind Saunton Sands is a warren of grassy dunes that was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1976 thanks to its collection of rare plant and animal life. Keep the dog on the lead in the Burrows to protect the ecology and look out for 11 different species of orchid, 33 different types of butterflies and even a few reptiles – including adders. Devon’s own breed of Ruby Red cows graze the shrubbery as part of a land management system, and deer can sometimes be seen snacking on the plants, too. It’s a fascinating and peaceful place for a stroll before heading on to the sand for swimming, surfing or simple games of fetch on the beach. Beach wheelchairs are available for hire from Saunton Sands Beach Shop (01271 890771). 

Parking: EX33 1LQ or EX33 2NX 

North Sands 

At only 100 metres long, North Sands isn’t Salcombe’s largest beach, but this scenic, sheltered little bay is a gorgeous spot for an afternoon of sunbathing and swimming. Set amid leafy cliffs and looking out over the entrance to Salcombe Harbour, you can enjoy views of the boats going to and fro, either from the sand or the dog-friendly The Winking Prawn cafe over the road.  

Parking: TQ8 8LD 

Beer Beach 

Walk down the plunging hill that leads on to the shingles of Beer Beach and you’ll find yourself surrounded by white limestone cliffs within a delightfully sheltered bay. Dogs can roam the eastern end of this beach year-round, where boats lean to on the pebbles, having spent the morning out on the ocean seeking fish to sell ashore, and a few ramshackle cafes set amid the beach huts serve up English breakfasts and cream teas. With its calm waters, this bay is a fine spot for swimming and rentable deck chairs make a comfy spot to relax after a dip with the dog. Don’t forget to pick up a fresh catch from Beer Fisheries on your way back to the village – fresh crab, mussels, cockles and scallops abound in this modest little fishmonger overlooking the beach. For a meal with a view, eat dinner in the clifftop garden of the Anchor Inn, where you can watch the sun set over the sea as you dine on the catch of the day  

Parking: EX12 3AQ 

Experiences:

Paddle your way around the Avon 

Take to the water with the dog on board one of Singing Paddles’ canoes. On a four-hour group tour of the Avon Estuary you’ll learn about the area’s ecology from passionate guide Dave, see wildlife such as green woodpeckers, sparrowhawks and egrets, and stop off on a secluded bank to make a campfire and indulge in a Devonshire cream tea.  

Ride the rails in South Devon 

Take a trundle along the tracks of the South Devon Railway, where dogs ride for just £1 and you’ll get to watch the bucolic landscapes between Buckfastleigh and Totnes zoom past on this 22km return journey by steam.  

See the ancient cliffs from the sea 

Get up close to the dramatic red cliffs of the Jurassic Coast on one of Stuart Line Cruises’ cheerful red, yellow and blue boats. Departing from the traditional seaside town of Exmouth, this three-hour sailing takes you eastwards to admire the 185-million-year-old coastline. This is the oldest section of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, encompassing geology that goes back to the Triassic era. You’ll spot seabirds nesting in the cliff faces, peer into sea caves, and you can even order a cream tea on board.  

Places:

Bygones 

Take the kids – and the dog – on a Victorian adventure at eccentric museum Bygones. Explore 15 different shops, packed with 19th-century memorabilia including wooden toys and old-fashioned sweets, and clamber on the 27-ton steam train before watching the 8.5-metre-long model railway chug around its tiny tracks. 

The Donkey Sanctuary 

Set across 134 acres of farm and woodland, this huge donkey sanctuary is home to around 50 donkeys all year round. Meet them in the enclosure and barns, learn about why they need to be rescued, and finish off with lunch in the dog-friendly Kitchen restaurant, which serves seasonal local produce and freshly baked cakes. 

Clovelly Village 

Life is lived at a slower pace in Clovelly, a tiny village set along a steep main street that tumbles down to an old fishing quay below. There are museums exploring its fishing history and local writers, glorious seafood suppers, and a herd of donkeys that once pulled sledges up and down its steep streets. 

Walk:

Valley of the Rocks 

Start point: The Esplanade, EX35 6HW 

Distance/Time: circular 5km/2 hrs 

This is an easy and wheelchair-accessible walk around the craggy, dramatic Valley of the Rocks that was formed during the Ice Age. Take the water-powered cliff railway up into Lynton town before following the tarmac coastal path along the precipitous cliff edges to enter this undulating, rugged beauty spot with its curious rock formations and glorious sea views. Look out for wild goats teetering on the rocks, and if you’re lucky, you might even meet an Exmoor pony.  

What’s for lunch? Charlie Friday’s Coffee Shop does cracking fry-ups, pancake and waffle brunches and fantastic falafel.  

Need to know: Dogs should be kept on leads due to steep cliff edges. 

Explore our dog-friendly places to stay in Devon > 

Written by
Lottie Gross

Lottie has spent four years finding the best dog-friendly places in the UK and around Europe with her dogs and putting them into books and articles for Bradt Guides, The Telegraph and The Times. Arty, her Manchester Terrier, is refined creature who prefers the finer things in life, while Lottie is a keen walker in any weather, much to her dog’s dismay.