Dog friendly days out in Devon

Devon is a wonderful destination for a dog friendly holiday. So forget summer in the city, whether you’re a couple with your hearts set on a romantic weekend or planning a coastal escape with the family (dogs included of course!) Devon is awash with dog friendly beaches, pubs, cafes and shops ready to welcome you with open arms. So if you’re excited to explore the South West Coast Path dotted with soft sandy dog friendly beaches, the winding country lanes and wooded valleys which line the river banks. Or perhaps the iconic granite tors of Dartmoor National Park, we can’t think of a more beautiful summer destination than dog friendly Devon! 

If you’re looking for a dog friendly holiday home it’s worth checking out which beaches are dog friendly all year round, some have restrictions in place from the beginning of May to the end of September but there are some fabulous coves and bays which are easily accessible with your canine companion.  Browse our collection of beautiful dog friendly holiday homes in Devon, all personally inspected and chosen to ensure the same high standards of luxury and comfort without compromise. 

Sandy paws at South Milton Sands

South Milton Sands has to be one of our favourite dog friendly beaches in Devon! The location is stunning and accessed through the village itself which is located about a mile from the sands (park in the National Trust car park alongside the beach). Alternatively drive through Thurlestone with its pretty thatched cottages (park by the golf course or drive on just a few hundred yards to the car park on the right overlooking the bay). Kids will love the board walk along the narrow wooden bridge which stretches across the freshwater stream as it flows from the wetlands of the nature reserve down into the sea.

The beach itself is a vast stretch of coarse sand, gently lapped by gin clear waters, perfect for paddling, picnics and relaxing days.  South Milton Sands is a dog friendly beach all year round and our top spot for wild swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. Select one of our Finest dog friendly holiday homes this summer and sip sundowners on the sands with stunning views out to Thurlestone Rock. (Please note that The Beach House cafe which sits just above the sands is temporarily closed after a fire earlier this year.)

Tire furry feet in Torquay  

Planning a dog friendly holiday on the English Riviera? Walk along the coast path to Anstey’s Cove, a shingle beach with stunning views across to Lyme Bay and the Dorset coast.  Anstey’s Cove is peaceful and dog friendly all year round, there’s also a beach cafe for snacks. Alternatively head to the Cary Arms in Babbacombe, a dog friendly boutique style inn with a great menu for alfresco dining with sea views.

One of the top spots to visit while in Torquay is the Cockington Country Park, this vast dog friendly estate is made up of open parkland, manicured gardens, woodland and rural countryside. The estate has five walking routes to choose from. Take a stroll around the lakes, explore Manscombe Woods or simply roam around the whole estate.  There’s even a Sculpture Trail of contemporary figures dotted around the grounds of Cockington Court from 20th July – 2nd November 2025. Whichever walk you choose, be sure to round off the day at the The Seven Dials Café for the famous Devon cream tea! 

Sniff out history at The Dartington Estate

Dartington Estate, near Totnes is home to some 800 acres of woodlands alive with wildlife and meandering rivers. Follow the buggy and dog friendly Deer Park trails and learn about the wildlife, the beautiful landscape and the inhabitants who used to call the woodlands home.  There are a number of accessible walks which are perfect for buggies and dogs: 

• The first meanders through ancient woodlands to the remnants of a medieval viewing platform which takes about 30 minutes to complete and it’s just one mile. 

• The second is a longer two and a quarter mile route which takes about 90 minutes and dips down to follow the majestic River Dart as it flows from the moor to the sea. 

• Totnes to Dartington is a lovely walk which follows the Totnes to Dartington ‘access for all paths’ which link Totnes with The Cider Press Centre in Dartington. This two mile route follows the River Dart to Queen’s Marsh and Bidwell Brook on the Dartington Hall estate. 

• Walk around the Dartington Estate, this is easily accessible from many of our dog friendly holiday cottages so why not make a day of it and explore the ancient pathways, riverbanks and woodlands on the 8 miles route or take the shorter (but equally beautiful) 4.5 mile walk through woods and down to the River Dart. Due to the nature of the estate, the habitat and wildlife, dogs should be kept on a lead. (For routes and notes on dog walking on the Dartington Estate please go to their website.) 

Enjoy a pre-dinner amble in Dartmouth 

A lovely dog walk along the coastal road to Dartmouth Castle is just the ticket on a balmy summer evening. Starting at Bayards Cove head up the steps onto Southtown and turn left, follow the path to Warfleet Road and on to Gallants Bower. The footpath takes you through the woods before dipping down to Castle Road where you take a left and follow the road to Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the River Dart. Retrace your steps back to the embankment in Dartmouth and head to the Crafty Mussel, the dog friendly pop up cider and mussel bar for a riverside refuel.   

Make a splash at Hope Cove

This charming, gentle gem of a village is made up of two halves, Inner Hope and Outer Hope and there are two soft sandy beaches but Harbour Beach is dog friendly all year round. So if you’re looking for dog friendly Devon, Hope Cove delivers on all levels – miles of coastal walks on the doorstep, dog friendly pubs and stylish dog friendly holiday homes. Don’t miss the summer sunset sessions at The Cove Café Bar, no booking necessary and they even supply blankets for your dogs! 

Paws for thought at Newton Ferrers & Noss Mayo

Choose one of our dog friendly holiday cottages and explore the wooded valleys and nearby beaches of Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo. ‘Newton and Noss’ are beautiful twin villages in a sylvan setting which straddle the calm waters of the River Yealm. A haven for watersports, paddleboarding and crabbing from the jetty and a popular mooring spot for visiting yachts dropping anchor to take shelter for the night.

There’s a lovely circular walk around the Yealm estuary which connects the two villages via the tidal Voss, exploring wooded footpaths along the River Yealm and on to Warren Point, dropping down to Cellar Beach and Stoke Beach. Continue walking and pick up the coast path for a clifftop walk with awesome views before heading back to Newton or Noss for lunch in one of the dog friendly pubs on the riverside. 

Get tails wagging on the Salcombe Ferry

Salcombe must be the ultimate dog friendly town… park your car at North Sands for a (fairly) level stroll into town with wonderful views over the water to the beaches of East Portlemouth. The route along Cliff Road takes around 15-20 minutes and takes you past the Yacht Club on your left and on into the town. Stop off at the Salcombe Coffee Company or the Wardroom for a cappuccino with a view before meandering through the streets. Many of the independent shops have water bowls outside the shops and doggie treats handed out while you’re browsing.  

Hop on the ‘life line’ which runs between Salcombe and East Portlemouth, this dog friendly ferry operates all year round which just takes around 5 minutes (saving a very long road trip via Kingsbridge through narrow Devon lanes!). The ferry runs daily from the Ferry pub steps during the summer months from 8.30am – 6.30pm. Disembark in East Portlemouth and make your way up the beach for a coffee at the Old Stable just above ferry steps. Head off along the coast path with the water on your right, to Sunny Cove, a favourite rock pooling spot with fabulous views out to sea. Pick up the 3.9 miles (6.3 km) walk to Gara Rock, the path is uneven and rocky in places and passes through the ruins of Fort Charles, which was under siege during the English Civil War. Stop off for lunch at the dog friendly Gara Rock Hotel before retracing your steps back to East Portlemouth in time for the last ferry of the day. 

Wag by the waves at Bigbury, Burgh Island & Bantham

The undulating coastline around Bigbury Bay is part of the South Devon National Landscape (previously AONB). Both Bigbury and Bantham beaches are sandy, lifeguarded and great for families and dogs! The area to the left of Bigbury beach, as you walk towards the mouth of the River Avon is dog friendly all year round and there is no dog ban on River Beach adjacent to the estuary on the Bantham side of the river. 

From Bigbury on Sea, you can walk across the causeway at low tide to Burgh Island  which sits in the middle of the bay. (A favourite haunt of Agatha Christie who frequented the Beach House on the Island, it’s here that she wrote ‘And Then There Were None’ and ‘Evil Under the Sun’.) Follow the footpath to the top of the island and pause at the derelict summer house for uninterrupted sea views. (Keep your dog on a lead, there are some sheer drops at the back of the island.) Stop off for lunch and a cider at the dog friendly and historic Pilchard Inn, once a popular watering hole for smugglers and fishermen. A regular sea tractor runs between the Burgh Island and Bigbury on Sea so if the tide is rising you won’t be cut off! 

The Beach Barista is parked up on the sands by the causeway on Bigbury beach for snacks and a coffee or, dine alfresco at the dog friendly Venus Cafe (on the cliff top by the car park) for perfect summer dishes including homemade kalamata olive tapenade, whipped feta and Greek salads as well as bacon rolls. Bantham has a couple of great dog friendly foodie hotspots, the Gastrobus is parked up in the carpark and if you stroll into the village, The Sloop is a great dog friendly pub with an extensive menu.  

Both Bantham and Bigbury beaches are unique along the south Devon coast, they’re west facing so large waves crash to the shore when conditions are right. You can catch a wave or two with lessons, board and wetsuit hire from Discovery Surf School on both Bigbury and Bantham beaches. They also offer SUP tuition and hire. Choose your dog friendly cottage in Bantham

Get tails on the trail on the South West Coast Path 

This 630 mile (1,014 km) path is epic and takes in some of the most stunning scenery as it passes through south Devon. Picture postcard Kingswear, historic Dartmouth, Slapton Sands (integral in the training troops for the D Day Landings during the World War II), Salcombe, Hope Cove, South Milton, the Avon and Yealm Estuaries, Mothecombe and on to Plymouth (to name but a few!). This iconic dog friendly hike dips down to beautiful secluded bays and hidden coves dotted with dog friendly pubs and beachside cafes. The much acclaimed adaptation of Raynor Winn’s moving memoir, The Salt Path follows the entire route of the South West Coast Path, check out our blog to read about a few of our favourite sections of the path. Don’t forget to pack sturdy walking boots and some sun cream! Further details about the South West Coast Path here. 

Where paws feel at home

Here at Finest Stays we know what makes a dog friendly holiday home perfect for both you and your pooch.  So whether you’re looking to escape the rat race in a large country house for a get together with the family. Or perhaps a cosy coastal bolthole for two with your four legged friend, rest assured that our dog friendly holiday homes don’t compromise on luxury or comfort. Our luxury holiday homes are in the most perfect locations, some have enclosed gardens and fabulous walks on the doorstep, some have the beach within reach for that early morning stroll on the sands. They all have those little extras to make your dog feel at home. 

Come and join us in Devon this summer and you’ll discover soft sandy beaches perfect for paws, amazing walks with jaw dropping views, welcoming cafes, shops and restaurants and friendly likeminded dog owners wherever you go! Devon is a dog lover’s dream with a landscape of rolling hills, amazing coastal walks and beautiful beaches. It really is a dogs’ paradise so why would you leave them behind.

Choose from our handpicked collection of dog friendly homes in Devon and start planning your summer holiday with your best friend. Simply look out for the ‘dog’ icon on the property listing. Need help or advice choosing your perfect holiday home? Just get in touch, tell us your preferred location and requirements and we’ll do the rest.