Our dog-friendly guide to visiting Devon
Delightful Devon’s cliff-lined beaches, wild moors and rugged coastal paths are some of the most tempting spots for scampering on four legs and two. With so much to see and do, it’s worth making a weekend of it by using a dog-friendly cottage as a launchpad for exploring. We’ve rounded up superb walks in forests and along the coast, visits to ancient castles, mighty waterfalls and even dog-friendly steam train rides and ferry trips. We’ve also picked places to dine with your dog and some off-the-beaten beaches that welcome them year-round. Get stuck in!
Dog-friendly walks
This 6-mile circular sets off from the heart of Branscombe village, passes by the historic Forge, Old Bakery and Manor Mill before heading towards Branscombe beach where you can spot MSC Napoli’s huge anchor jutting out where it ran aground in 2007. From the beach you’ll scamper along the scenic coast path with views of the Jurassic Coast cliffs and valleys before descending into Beer, a small, neat and pretty place with plenty of spots to quench your thirst, unsurprisingly. On your return, prepare to take 83 steep steps down to Branscombe Mouth.
Near Barnstaple and Exeter, Eggesford Forest is home to a host of wildlife including kingfishers and otters in the river, birds, mammals and insects in the trees, some of which are the very first planted by the Forestry Commission in 1919. For dogs and their walkers, there are a variety of forest roads and rural tracks to explore. Try a short mile and a quarter circular route for plenty of off-lead action and a stop at an ancient Norman fort. Head towards the stream for a splash and a refreshing drink then wander under a canopy of some of the forest’s most impressive trees, including a veteran Douglas Fir planted around 1840.
Try this idyllic dog walk around Waterhead Creek in charming Kingswear, spotting much wildlife, bobbing boats and glorious views to the River Dart. Choose the 1.7 mile stroll or extend it through Long Wood. Start from the banjo (a local name for the bus turning area!) in Kingswear, cross over the steam railway bridge designed and built by Brunel, then follow the waymarked path beside the creek until you see a path down via wooden steps to Jubilee Park. Grab a bench to sit and admire the view, then follow the path back towards Darthaven Marina.
Dog-friendly places to eat and drink
Bring the dog, kids, the whole crew to this foodie and friendly award-winning pub/restaurant with jaw dropping floor-to-ceiling estuary views. Fresh food, skilfully cooked, is at the heart of the affair with inventive, monthly-changing menus showcasing modern British dishes and good options for children. Stay a few days in a sea-faring room – all are dog-friendly – to enjoy delicious breakfast. If you love the sourdough you can order a loaf to take home. It’s a delight to wander out at low tide onto the rocky shore below for a bit of zooming around action. Dog walkers have the coast path, cyclists the Tarka Trail, surfers Westward Ho! and Saunton.
A friendly village pub nestled on the river Dart welcoming families, locals, visitors and well-behaved dogs. Pitch up for a refreshing selection of real ales, a decent wine list and a pub menu dishing up freshly prepared pizzas (available to take away), delicious sides and a daily changing specials board. Do check ahead for evening meals off season. This is the place to let go of your cares: sit back, soak up the watery views, glorious anytime of the day but particularly special at sunset, then stretch two legs and four on a gentle riverside ramble.
The Castle Inn
This welcoming, award-winning 16th-century inn is a treat. Warm toes and paws in front of a blazing log fire then tuck into excellent local and seasonal food paired with proper Devon ales and local ciders – dogs are welcome in both the pub and restaurant. Eat indoors or in the big garden with views over the medieval castle next door. A couple of hundred metres from the door is NT Lydford Gorge, perfect for exploring on two legs and four. Serene bedrooms in the main house and the cottage across the lane are all dog-friendly and include a few travel essentials for your dog. Breakfast is a wholesome buffet or full English affair.
Dog-friendly days out
Vibrant Totnes has a free-spirited soul and is home to a plethora of independent cafés, emporia, a cinema, a thriving weekly market and a 900-year-old Norman castle. A motte-and-bailey stronghold built during the Norman Conquest, almost certainly by one of William the Conqueror’s commanders, it squats on the hill above town and gazes down over the glittering River Dart. Dogs on leads are welcome and the panoramic views across Dartmoor make the steep climb worth it.
In a landscape carved out 12,000 years ago by the last Ice Age, the Becky Falls waterfall can be found in a stunning boulder strewn valley in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. Plunging 70ft between huge granite boulders and down into the Bovey valley, the main falls are a spectacular sight, especially after a downpour, with a cluster of smaller falls dotted along the length of the brook. Dogs on leads are welcome, you get three walking trails to choose from, a friendly café serving lunches and cream teas, plus a shaded picnic spot if you want to DIY.
Step back in time on a heritage steam train ride as you and your dog gently pootle beside the river Dart through glorious Devon countryside. First opened in 1872, passenger trains ran until 1958 and freight until 1962. Today you can visit the museum, children’s play area, gardens, riverside walks or enjoy a picnic before hopping aboard in Buckfastleigh with the option to stop at quaint Staverton before continuing to Totnes Riverside. Rolling through ancient woodland and fertile fields, it’s an utterly peaceful way to soak up the scenic landscape.
Ferries are a fantastic way to explore Devon from a different perspective and the Brixham to Torquay route on the Western Lady ferry service welcomes dogs for a small fee. The 30-minute crossing leaves from New Pier in Brixham, overlooked by a jumble of teetering pastel-hued houses, and docks in the centre of lively Torquay. Promenade down the palm-lined esplanade, enjoy an ice cream – Scoopy Doo’s is dog-friendly – then take a trip on the 1926 funicular Babbacombe Cliff Railway (dogs ride for free) from nearby Oddicombe Beach.
Dog-friendly beaches
Salcombe North Sands Beach
In the gentle South Hams National Landscape, North Sands is an easy 15-minute stroll from Salcombe or you can park easily behind the beach. It’s a delightful stretch of sand beneath a lush green hillside overlooking the glorious Kingsbridge Estuary. At low tide, four-legged types can enjoy racing along the beach and splashing about in the clear, shallow waters, then stop for a cup of tea at the beachside dog-friendly café. Afterwards, meander back to Salcombe for lunch at a dog-friendly café or restaurant — we like the Crab Shed.
Hele Bay, near Ilfracombe
Glorious Hele Bay on the outskirts of Ilfracombe is like something out of a dream: a small shingle beach at high tide with some sand at low, framed by a narrow bay and towering wooded cliffs. There are zero dog restrictions, so your pal can scamper to their hearts content any time of the year. It’s a bit off the beaten track, with few visitors, so you can rockpool, dip and enjoy the peace.
Beesands, Kingsbridge
This mile-long shingle beach backed by rippling fields and a freshwater lake – Widdecombe Ley – welcomes dogs all year and is a firm local favourite. Nestled in a traditional fishing village, boats land the catch of the day on the green and if you can get your hands on a fresh crab sandwich, it’ll be one of the best you’ve ever tasted. Bring a picnic and set up camp at one of the tables dotting the green or pop into the pub for a drink and some crisps. Laid back loveliness.
Dog-friendly places to stay in Devon
Families, couples, walkers, dogs – all are welcome on this 750-acre family estate hugged by glorious Devon countryside. This place was made for lovers of the great outdoors, with space for muddy boots and well-behaved dogs. Inside your mellow stone gardener’s cottage, you get big, bright bedrooms and vast views, dogs get beds, blankets, bowls and treats plus a list of dog-friendly local pubs. With a private, fenced back garden and myriad walks from the door including off-lead action in the estate wood, your dog can burn off lots of energy before a long snooze in front of the log-burner. It only takes half an hour and you’re in Exeter with shops, supermarkets, plenty of places to eat and culture to explore.
Tea and scones will be waiting for you and a hamper for your dog including Devon-made dog food, handmade liver treats, towels and blankets. Find also, recommendations for walks and a guide to Dartmoor, dog-friendly pubs and beaches. Wake to long, leafy views, a pool for lazy summer days, ponds and a big colourful garden with a summerhouse. Liz and Mark have restored their house with care, uncovering beams and lovely bits of old wood and filling it with original art and books. The inviting Garden Suite opens directly to the garden. They are keen on sourcing the best local produce and their host of hens lay your breakfast eggs – do mind your dog around the chickens, alpacas and neighbouring sheep. Dartmoor and the south coast are at your feet.
The Old Piggery, Kerswell Farm
Forget the demands of modern life at this dog-friendly rural retreat with its lovely views, walks from the door and cream tea to welcome you. Peace and quiet reign at your 19th-century barn set among 20 acres of conservation land, including lakes, woods and meadows, where nothing but birdsong disturbs you. You’ll feel right at home here, warmly welcomed by owners Elaine and Adrian – who have won a gold Green Tourism award for the barn. They live in the nearby farmhouse and are on hand should you need them. Dogs get treats and towels, a big field for free-ranging and an outdoor dog shower for muddy days. The Tarka trail and Bude’s wonderful surfing beaches are close by for the adventurous; return to sit out in the garden and gaze up at the stars.
We hope this guide gives you a little bit of tail-wagging inspiration for travelling with your dog to Devon on earth. We’ve included a taster of some of our dog-friendly places to stay but you can browse our website for even more special places to stay that dogs and their humans will love all across the county.
Written by
Carmen McCormack
Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.
Sign up to our newsletter
We’d love you to join our community! Receive a bi-weekly dose of
dog-friendly travel inspiration and be the first to hear about brand new spaces.
