Dog Friendly Carbis Bay
Carbis Bay is a peaceful holiday destination and so perhaps ideally suited to a dog-friendly holiday if you fancy long wooded and hilltop romps or tranquil morning beach walks. Easily reached by road or rail, Carbis Bay is a great place to use as a base to explore the rest of West Cornwall.
Dog-friendly beaches
Carbis Bay beach is a beautiful, sheltered beach between Porthminster Point and Hawkes View Point with soft, golden sand and a shallow sandy shelf between the beach and the sea so perfect for wetting paws and dipping feet in the cool sea.Carbis Bay beach is privately owned beach and has achieved a Blue Flag beach status. It boasts a wonderful beach cafe, a choice of watersports and public loos. The beach welcomes dogs for most of the year during the day but there are some exceptions. Between May 15th to September 30th dogs are only allowed on the beach before 10am or after 6pm. There are dog poo bins available as well as outdoor showers if you wish to give them a rinse before heading back to your holiday cottage. Quite often there is a dog bowl with water at the Carbis Bay beach cafe and if it needs refreshing, it is done with a smile.
A short walk along the South West coastal path from Carbis Bay is Porthkidney beach which is absolutely fabulous for dogs! It allows dogs all year round and is over 4km long and 1km wide when the tide is out. Even when the tide is in, there is a wonderful expanse of soft white sand that is accessed via the coast path through the Towans (sand dunes). There are dog poo bins near St Uny Church where you can also park and walk to the beach through West Cornwall Golf Club 18-hole course. There are also dog poo bins and ample parking on Dynamite Quay (paid parking which can be done via an App or paid with coins) accessed from Lelant.
The sea is safe for dogs to swim in but take care when the tide is going out next to the estuary and also check for rip tides. If you need to know what a rip tide looks like, check out our safety in the sea article here.
There are some freshwater springs on Porthkidney beach which is really helpful if your dog is thirsty and you don’t have a portable water bottle and bowl. The springs are at either end of the beach; one near the cliffs at Hawkes View Point and the other is below a beach house near the steps up to the footpath through the golf course.
A protected cove with soft golden sand and awarded Blue Flag status so the sea is clear and clean.
Ocean Water Sports base their activities on Carbis Bay beach and so there is a choice of kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and even foiling!
There is a huge choice of what to eat and drink at the beach thanks to Carbis Bay Hotel offering a beach bar, cafe, restaurants and cocktail menus! Don’t worry, you can still buy a bucket and spade with your ice cream from the shop on the beach too.
There are public loos and a shower directly off the beach and it is dog-friendly with some seasonal restrictions.
RNLI lifeguards ensure your safety between July to September.
In summary, Carbis Bay Beach offers:
- Sandy beach
- Public loos
- Cafes and restaurants on the beach
- Lifeguarded between July to September
- Seasonal dog restrictions
4km of unadulterated bliss! This beach stretches as far as the eye can see (which is St Ives to the west and Godrevy to the east).
Even at high tide, there is still ample beach to have lots of fun on. This has to be the best dog-friendly beach all year round in west Cornwall.
There is limited free parking at St Uny Church in Lelant and access to the beach is following a footpath that cuts through the West Cornwall Golf course. You can also park on lanes nearby or pay via Just Park or with coins at Dynamite Quay (the tide needs to be out/ half out to access the beach from this car park).
RNLI lifeguards ensure your safety between July to September – click here to see more information.
There are no public loos at Porthkidney Beach or cafes for refreshments but you may find ice cream, pancake or coffee vendors near St Uny Church on various days throughout the year.
In summary, Porthkidney Beach offers:
- Sandy beach
- No Public loos
- No Cafes and restaurants
- Lifeguarded between July to September
- Dog-friendly all year round
Great dog walks
There are some fabulous dog walks around Carbis Bay that range from a 15 minute stroll to over a couple of hours hike and here are a few of our favourites that your dog may love too. Don't forget to download the iWalkCornwall App; guided Carbis Bay walks at your fingertips for as little as £3.
Knill’s Monument and Steeple Woods
There is a beautiful path that meanders around the hillside where Knill’s Monument sits upon. The path starts from the top of Steeple Lane (there are a few places to park on the lane if you don’t fancy walking too far) and is just a 7 minute walk from The Cornish Arms in Carbis Bay. Enter the Steeple Woodland Reserve and follow the path around the hillside taking in the breath-taking views of the vast ocean beyond until you reach the iconic Knill’s Monument which can be spotted from the A30 on a clear day!
There is a dog poo pin along the path and, if you cross the road into Steeple Woods, the wooded area is a safe playground for playful pups with a freshwater stream running through; a pawfect place for refreshments!
A little word of warning, there is an old mine shaft in the nature reserve (near the entrance) so if your dog is the type to chase rabbits or squirrels without thinking about where it’s placing its paws, it’s probably best if they are kept on a lead at the start of the walk. If your dog is happy mooching on the path then it’s safe as the mine shaft is fenced.
This walk is short stroll and will take no longer than 20 minutes walking once on the nature reserve path. It can be made longer if crossing over into Steeple Woods for a mooch.
Longer walks from Knill’s Monument
If your four-legged friend has extra energy to burn or you fancy a longer walk then the Knill’s Monument can be extended by a little or a lot! It can all be done from your holiday home in Carbis Bay too so no need to get the car off the drive.
Head to Knill’s Monument and a footpath leads off the hill away from Carbis Bay. The path passes through fragrant gorse bushes and ends up on Laity Lane. Turn left and walk along the lane until you reach a turning on the left to Vorvas Vean. Follow this path through a small collection of cottages and then downhill until you reach a couple of large new build homes on your right. Take a left onto a footpath (poo bin here!) that leads you back onto the nature reserve heading towards Steeple Woods. This walk would take around 40 minutes and your dog would need to be on the lead while walking the lane.
To make the walk even longer, rather than turning to Vorvas Vean, carry on along Laity Lane and take a left towards Withen and follow the footpath signs past some houses and a small farm yard (there will be some chickens behind a fence but best to keep your dog on the lead!). The path takes you along a couple of fields and joins a stoney path via a stone stile. Turn left and follow the path through a new build development and along a gravel path until you reach a t-junction and turn left and then right onto the footpath that leads back into the nature reserve.
There are even more footpaths that offer wonderful walks with your dog and we recommend looking at the OS Map Land’s End, Penzance and St Ives and follow the walks that will take you from Carbis Bay to Rosewall Hill or Trencrom Hill where the views are sensational and the walks around 2 to 3 hours long. If you feel extra energetic, why not follow where pilgrims have previously walked following the St Micheal’s Way route that goes through Carbis Bay to St Michael’s Mount in Marazion. The total distance from the start of the walk in Lelant is 12.5km but the route runs through Carbis Bay and can be picked up very easily.
Old Boswednack | sleeps 4
Check out our beautiful dog-friendly holiday cottages
Dog-friendly self-catering accommodationDine out with your dog
There is a great choice of places to eat with your dog in Carbis Bay. Italian, vegan, traditional British or exquisite seafood on the beach, mouthwateringly good!Some of them are easily within walking distance of your holiday cottage in Carbis Bay but others may mean jumping in the car for a very short drive. Most of the places have outdoor dining if you prefer to be in the fresh air and a garden to have a good sniff around!
This perfect little restaurant, The Bean Inn, is worth a visit for anyone interested in experiencing the best of plant-based cuisine!
Located within a B&B, The Bean Inn offers an intimate dining experience with only a handful of tables nestled among displays of locally produced artwork. The Bean Inn menu is exclusively vegetarian and vegan, you will not find meat here! But do not fear, their fantastic flavours and creative dishes will not disappoint. The Bean Inn also offers a range of lovely cocktails as well as other alcoholic/non-alcoholic choices! Booking is essential!
- Dog-Friendly – garden area only
- Takeaway option
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-street parking nearby
Visit their website or call them on 01736 791706
This family-run Spanish eatery, La Casita Restaurant offers a warm, fun atmosphere and is great for anyone visiting Carbis Bay looking for something a little different.
The restaurant is decorated beautifully with ambient lighting and a rustic Spanish feel, plus you can also enjoy your visit from the outdoor terrace underneath the fairy lights. Using produce sourced locally as well as from Spain, La Casita’s menu features classic Spanish dishes and tapas options, alongside boutique fine wines and a mixed drinks menu.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website or call them on 01736 799399
Another addition to the Carbis Bay Estate, this glamorous beachside restaurant offers fantastic beach views to admire over a glass of wine.
Hosted by executive chef Andrew Houghton, Walter’s on the beach offers a mix of internationally inspired dishes created with top-quality ingredients. Additionally to the luxury menu, this is the perfect spot for indulging in one of their specialist cocktails. They recommend their Pornstar Martini which includes a ‘Flavour Blaster’ bubble that surrounds the cocktail and gives a cloud of flavour!
- Dog-friendly – serving only drinks outside (summertime only)
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating (summertime only)
- Parking – On-site
Visit the website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 795311
Located within the Una Resort and Spa complex, Una Kitchen offers award-winning dining in relaxed warm surroundings.
With a Mediterranean-inspired menu, Una Kitchen offers a seasonal menu ranging from wood-fired pizzas to fresh fish dishes, as well as a fantastic Sunday Roast. Una Kitchen is an ideal location for a light lunch after enjoying their spa facilities, or pre-dinner drinks at their bar where you can enjoy a local beer or wine followed by a fantastic meal.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website or call them on 01736 257000
Part of the Carbis Bay Estate, The Beach Club Restaurant is located right off the sands of Carbis Bay Beach!
The restaurant has a sleek yet nautical feel, true to the landscape, with white wood beams and surrounding floor-to-ceiling glass walls as if you were still out on the beach. With the option of an outside sun terrace also, enjoy these spectacular beach views over their Mediterranean-style menu, full of fresh fish, hand-picked crab and locally sourced options. You are guaranteed a holiday feel here, even if you’re a local!
- Dog-friendly – allowed indoors during lunch service out of season and, during the summertime, outdoors only in the evenings
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website by clicking on the name above or call them on 01736 792811
Located in Lelant, on the way through to Carbis Bay and St Ives, The Badger Inn has a long history as both a pub and a hotel.
Known to have hosted Virginia Woolf on multiple occasions, The Badger Inn is a great spot for a cosy pub lunch or a drink with the locals, still sporting its rustic stone interiors and a roaring fireplace. Offering a Sunday carvery as well as a British hearty pub grub menu, The Badger also has plenty of outside seating in their beer garden, perfect for warm summer evenings under the outdoor festival lights.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Outside seating
- Parking
Visit their website or call them on 01736 752181
Aiming for simple dining using high-quality ingredients, The Old Forge offers a warm and relaxed dining experience with some great flavours.
With a charming rustic interior featuring exposed brick, dark wooden beams and plenty of ambience, The Old Forge is a lovely spot for dinner with friends and family where you can experience some great local food as well as a shop from their deli! Full of locally sourced produce as well as some of their own homemade starter sauces.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Outside seating – covered with heaters
- Parking – a few spaces on-site
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 753696
Another Lelant restaurant full of history, The Watermill Restaurant & Pub has functioned not only as a grain mill and water pump for the local area but also as a riding school!
Located within a natural garden, their beer garden is an idyllic spot to enjoy lunch and a cold drink in the summer months, or move indoors and enjoy the traditional charm of this Cornish pub. Serving pub classics that you would expect to see, along with a Sunday lunch, these can be enjoyed with one of their many on tap local ales.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Local produce
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website or call them on 01736 757912
Birdies Bistro has panoramic views of the Lelant Estuary from both inside the cafe and from its outdoor seating area, making this an ideal spot for avid bird watchers!
The light and airy interiors have a modern vintage feel with a nod to the seaside, with large glass windows to maximise views of the surrounding area. This family-run business is the dream of a couple with a history in high-profile kitchens, now producing English dishes with a twist using fresh seasonal produce. Birdies also have a licensed bar, so why not enjoy their famous bubble and squeak rendition with a glass of wine whilst taking in the dreamy views.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website by clicking on their name above or call them on 01736 759307
Located just off of Lelant Estuary, The Old Quay House offers a traditional cosy Cornish pub setting as well as an exterior waterside garden area and children’s play park, benefiting from the wonderful scenic views of the estuary.
Offering traditional pub classics as well as a Sunday carvery, The Old Quay House has a large collection of ales, beers, gins and wines, including some Cornish options.
- Dog-friendly
- Children’s menu
- Vegetarian options
- Vegan options
- Local produce
- Sea views
- Outside seating
- Parking – On-site
Visit their website or call them on 01736 753445
Vets
We hope you will never need to refer to this section but, as a matter of caution, here are a couple of veterinary surgeries in Carbis Bay and St Ives should you need them.A local veterinary surgery in St Ives, visit their website or call them on 01736 798333
A veterinary surgery in Carbis Bay, visit their website or call them on 01736 796088 (St Ives) or 01736 755555 (Hayle)
You have reached the end of 'Dog-Friendly' in our guide to Carbis Bay
Read our Dog-Friendly St Ives guide for more great ideas and tips to holidays in Carbis Bay and St Ives with your dog.
Dog-Friendly St Ives