For dogs (and their humans) who love nothing more than the sea breeze in their ears, sand in their paws and sun on their fur, dog-friendly Falmouth could be the perfect holiday destination. This historic town on the River Fal not only is a perfect base for exploring Cornwall’s beautiful beaches, but it has a wide range of walkies and cultural attractions too – not to mention a selection of mouthwatering seafood available to try in the local restaurants.
To help you plan your next getaway, we’ve put together a guide to dog-friendly Falmouth, encompassing all the best things to do in Falmouth with dogs. Whether you want to take your dog to beaches in Falmouth so they can dig in the sand and doggy paddle in the sea, or you’re looking for dog-friendly places in Falmouth to go, eat and explore, we’ve got the insider’s guide to pet-friendly Falmouth.
And if you need a dog-friendly cottage in Falmouth where both human and hound can rest weary heads and legs after a day of adventures, simply click the button below to find your perfect place to stay.
What have we got to get tails wagging?
Dog-friendly beaches in Falmouth
Sunny Cove Beach
Best dog-friendly beach: If you’re looking for dog-friendly beaches in Falmouth, this is the best. Also known as Arthur’s Beach, this tiny cove is found between Swanpool and Maenporth beaches, and it’s the only place in the town where you can walk your dog all year round, without any restrictions. Its sheltered location has also made it popular with nudists, so you may feel a little overdressed!
Why your dog will love it: Sandy walkies and salty paddles all year round? Yes, please!
Loe Beach
Best for salty sea dogs: Slightly inland from Falmouth is Loe Beach, another year-round, dog-friendly beach that is sure to set tails wagging! Within the beautiful Roseland Heritage Coast, you and your hound can explore the sand and shingle beach here, where you can also paddle in the crystal-clear water or sniff out secret coves on kayak or paddleboard.
Why your dog will love it: There are so many briny scents to sniff out here, his nose will be twitching!
Helford Passage Beach
Best for longer walkies: Around 5 miles south of Falmouth, Helford Passage Beach is a lovely, small beach on the north side of the Helford estuary, accessible at low tide. As well as being a great place for your dog to dig in the sand and shingle shore, the beach is close to the South West Coast Path for the prospect of even longer walkies.
Why your dog will love it: Combining riverside walks with a trip to the dog-friendly pub nearby will be your pup’s idea of heaven.
Dog-friendly walks in Falmouth
Trelissick
Best scenic walk: Trelissick is a beautiful estate slightly north of Falmouth, on the Roseland Peninsula, and the best part is – it welcomes dogs to explore its variety of gardens, woodland, parkland and estuary. There’s a great 1-mile walk through the parkland, along a creek and to an 18th-century quay; let your dog take the lead while you spot the abundance of wildlife in the area.
Why your dog will love it: The variety of terrain and landscapes will give his brain, as well as his paws, a workout.
Trebah Garden
Best for nature lovers: One of the best dog walks near Falmouth, you and your pup can enjoy exotic walkies through 26 acres of sub-tropical gardens and along a private beach at this dog-friendly Cornwall attraction. Your dog can sniff out intriguing flora and fauna and follow 4 miles of footpaths in Trebah Garden, Cornwall’s very own slice of paradise, before you all enjoy some refreshments in the kitchen.
Why your dog will love it: With his own doggy table in the kitchen, plenty of water bowls and even complimentary poop bags, your dog will love having the red carpet rolled out for him.
Flushing and Mylor
Best for adventurous hounds: Get the ferry from Falmouth across to Flushing to begin this walk – an adventure in itself! From there, you can follow the path around the headland to Mylor, enjoying the salty scents and watery views as you go. Pop into Café Mylor at the yacht harbour, where your dog will receive a warm welcome, before the trip back.
Why your dog will love it: He can try out his sea legs – or should we say, paws – on the boat trip over!
Dog-friendly things to do in Falmouth
River Fal boat cruise
Best for pup pirates: Being situated on the banks of the River Fal, Falmouth offers lots of scope for watery exploration with your hound. If you’re more comfortable as a passenger than a captain, take a trip aboard a river tour with Enterprise Boats, where you can enjoy a scenic cruise that takes in some of the prettiest sights along the river – better yet, four-legged passengers are welcome aboard too!
Why your dog will love it: With the wind in his fur and the riverside smells in his nostrils, he’ll never have known adventure like it!
Pendennis Castle
Best for historic hounds: Stood proudly atop the headland, Pendennis Castle was built by Henry VIII to protect England from seafaring invaders. The imposing building is now owned by English Heritage, and dogs on leads are welcome to explore the buildings and grounds, as well as the jaw-dropping views out to sea. It’s a great one for kids too, with lots of interactive exhibits for them to get involved with.
Why your dog will love it: He can feel like the king of the castle, as well as enjoy some treats from the café.
Cornish Seal Sanctuary
Best for dogs wanting to make friends: Just outside Falmouth in Gweek is the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where you and your dog can come face to face with the pups of the sea: seals! While four-legged visitors are not allowed in the play area, café or seal hospital, they can explore everywhere else on a lead. As well as meeting their watery counterparts, dogs can also sniff out sea lions, penguins and otters.
Why your dog will love it: How often does he get to meet creatures from the sea?
Dog-friendly places to eat in Falmouth
Stable Pizza
Best for grabbing a slice of the action: Found on Falmouth’s historic harbourfront, The Stable serves up tasty sourdough pizzas and a wide range of ciders for a crowd-pleasing feast. The pizza bases are handmade each morning and topped with delectable ingredients like West Country beef and pork, and Somerset mozzarella. Dogs are welcome inside the ground floor of the restaurant.
Why your dog will love it: Not many dogs would say no to the opportunity of a little morsel of cheese slipped to them as they lie waiting patiently underneath the table!
The Boathouse
Best for sea views: One of the oldest watering holes in the town, The Boathouse has incredible views over the harbour and river, and prides itself on being one of the most dog-friendly pubs in Falmouth. Menu highlights include smoked haddock fishcakes, steak burgers and the famous Sunday roast, but it’s also worth visiting for a pint of local ale while you soak up those views.
Why your dog will love it: They’ll be made as welcome as the two-legged guests.
Café Mylor
Best for after a long walk: This waterside café we mentioned earlier is one of the best dog-friendly cafes in and around Falmouth, with the philosophy that “dogs make life lush”. Your four-legged friend will be welcomed at Café Mylor with a dog biscuit and a bit of fuss, while you tuck into a full Cornish breakfast, fish and chips or a homemade cake and pot of local Tregothnan tea.
Why your dog will love it: The combination of a long waterside walk followed by a dog treat and a scratch behind the ears will certainly set tails wagging!
Stay with us in dog-friendly Falmouth
If you’ve been inspired to visit Cornwall with your dog – and why wouldn’t you?! – then take a look at our Canine guide to Cornwall for the insider’s scoop on the best places to visit with your four-legged explorer. If it’s Falmouth that’s stolen your heart, take a look at our full collection of dog-friendly cottages in the town by clicking the button below, and start planning your next adventure by the sea.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.