Dog Friendly Attractions in Cornwall.

Our dog-friendly holiday homes are incredibly popular, and we often get asked where it is best to go out for the day with a pooch in tow. So, we have got our thinking caps on and put together a list of dog-friendly attractions in Cornwall so that you can enjoy a day out with your furry friend.

The good news is that there are lots of places to visit in Cornwall with dogs, so long as they are well-behaved and are kept on a lead!

Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange, Penzance.

These two art venues showcase the very best of national and international contemporary art, as well as work by some of the best artists currently working in the region. They are free to enter, and dogs are welcome as long as they are well-behaved and on a lead.

Geevor Tin Mine, Penzance.

Made famous by the Poldark TV series, Cornish Tin Mines are a must-see. Geevor is a fabulous dog-friendly Cornwall attraction as there are no restrictions for dogs as long as they are kept on a lead – with the exception of the underground mine, where they will need to remain above ground.

PK Porthcurno, Penzance.

PK Porthcurno is a unique museum which tells the story of how a once uninhabited valley in Cornwall became the heart of worldwide communication, how it remains so today and what might happen tomorrow. Dogs are permitted in the museum and inside Cafe PK. The only place that dogs are unable to visit is the World War Two bunker,  due to the sensitive nature of the equipment on display.

The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno.

One of the most astonishing outdoor theatres in the UK, The Minack Theatre in Porthcurno, is very close to Land’s End. Watching a production gives a spectacular backdrop of the ocean rolling across jagged rocks. Dogs are welcome for a daytime visit, where they can explore the sub-tropical gardens that are planted all the way down to the ocean edge. However, dogs are not permitted during the performances.

Cornwall Gold, Redruth.

Cornwall Gold is a free indoor attraction where you pay for the activities that you actually want to do. There is a collection of jewellery shops, a ‘build your own bear’ workshop, a pottery studio, and a tin mine exhibition. You can even try your hand at panning for gold! There is a restaurant which allows dogs where you can enjoy a varied menu including coffee, cakes and Sunday lunch.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek rescues, rehabilitates and releases seals from around the Cornish coast. Unusually for a wildlife attraction, the sanctuary allows dogs on leads – except for in the Seal Hospital, Discovery Cove Play Area and inside the café.

Lappa Valley, Newquay.

Lappa Valley is famous for its steam railway, which runs from Benny Halt to East Wheal Rose. Dogs can ride on the train for £1  and can even climb aboard the canoe boats! There are also plenty of wonderful nature walks for you and your pooch to explore!

Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm, Truro.

Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm is another great dog-friendly place to visit in Cornwall that is perfect for all the family, despite the focus being on alcohol! Enjoy lovely outdoor areas, including the orchards where well-behaved dogs on leads are welcomed – but be aware of the farm animals and free-roaming peacocks.

St. Mawes Castle, Truro.

St. Mawes Castle is a 16th-century seaside fortress built by King Henry VIII in 1540. One of the best-preserved examples in Britain, St Mawes is the place to go if you love history and want to educate your dog about the Tudor period. St. Mawes Castle is a fabulous dog-friendly tourist attraction in Cornwall that is waiting to be discovered!

Pendennis Castle, Falmouth.

Pendennis Castle, is another of Henry VIII’s castles, perfect for dog owners who are not afraid to walk some steep hills. It is located along Falmouth Docks, and the views are spectacular. All dogs on a lead are welcome, including inside the buildings and around the grounds, and there are some beautiful dog walks nearby for you and your pup to explore!

Trebah Gardens, Falmouth.

Trebah is a sub-tropical paradise with a stunning coastal backdrop and over four miles of footpaths that wind through exotic planting. Dogs are welcome on the garden terrace and in the picnic area, and there are designated doggie tables in Trebah Kitchen so dog lovers can sit together. Water bowls are available outside the Visitor Centre, and they offer complimentary poop bags to dog owners on arrival. Unfortunately, dogs are not able to attend event performances at Trebah.

National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow.

Another unique Cornwall attraction that is dog-friendly is the National Lobster Hatchery – a marine conservation, research and education charity. At their visitor centre, you can see lobster babies, pregnant lobsters, giant lobsters and other fabulous sea creatures. You can also learn about their work with the local fishing community. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome!

Pencarrow House and Gardens, Bodmin.

Pencarrow House included a beautiful Grade 2 listed garden that is open to the public and is bound to give any green-fingered visitor some inspiration. All in all, there are 50 acres for dogs to explore off-lead, except for in the area outside the house where chickens and peacocks roam. Dogs are not allowed inside the house or cafe unless they are assistance dogs.

Lanhydrock, Bodmin.

This Jacobean mansion is surrounded by beautiful formal gardens and an expansive estate. They have lots of dog-friendly trails for you to explore, and you can stop off for a refreshing snack or drink at the Park Café or The Stables tea-rooms, where waggy tails are welcome. Cattle and sheep are regularly in the Lanhydrock parkland at different times throughout the year so temporary electric fences will be in place when the cattle are present, to offer visitors a cattle-free path down towards the house and gardens. Dogs need to remain on leads when close to the fences and cattle.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell.

Heligan remains one of the most loved and romantic gardens in the UK, appreciated as much for its beauty and mystery as for its ground breaking restoration project. With over 200 acres of pathways and routes to explore, The Lost Gardens of Heligan are one of the finest dog-friendly gardens in Cornwall. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times due to livestock, poultry and wildlife around the site. After your walk, pop to the Heligan Kitchen or The Steward’s House for a drink and a bite to eat – dogs welcome!

Eden Project, St Austell.

The Eden Project is a beautiful botanical garden famously housed inside large glass domes. It’s a great place to visit with your family and your dog! There are often special events and exhibitions, wonderful options for food and plenty of indoor and outdoor space. Dogs are not allowed in the domes or exhibition areas (unless they are assistance dogs), but they are welcome in all picnic areas, nature trails, and in the gardens.

Pinetum Gardens, St Austell.

In the heart of St Austell, discover Pinetum Gardens, a place of tranquillity, peace and remarkable garden scenery. This family-owned garden offers an intimate experience with a personal touch, rarely found in our busy world. Lovingly created over the past four decades, this 30-acre garden is home to one of the largest plant collections in the county. Set within stunning parkland, ten individually themed garden rooms host an array of plants. A garden for all seasons, it is a botanical delight for gardeners; a wonderful retreat for dog walkers and a place for families to explore and have fun with nature. Well-behaved dogs and owners are welcome.

Tintagel Castle, Tintagel.

In the heart of St Austell, discover Pinetum Gardens, a place of tranquillity, peace and remarkable garden scenery. This family-owned garden offers an intimate experience with a personal touch, rarely found in our busy world. Lovingly created over the past four decades, this 30-acre garden is home to one of the largest plant collections in the county. Set within stunning parkland, ten individually themed garden rooms host an array of plants. A garden for all seasons, it is a botanical delight for gardeners; a wonderful retreat for dog walkers and a place for families to explore and have fun with nature. Well-behaved dogs and owners are welcome.

Hidden Valley Discovery Park, Launceston.

Hidden Valley Discovery Park is a fabulous kid and dog-friendly activity in Cornwall. It is a discovery park for all ages offering a puzzle trail, maze and a miniature railway. Dogs on leads are allowed (retractable leads are not permitted).

Launceston Castle, Launceston.

Fortress, home, courthouse, prison, and hospital, the towering Launceston Castle has a fascinating history. An exhibition and  display traces 1,000 years of history, with a number of archaeological finds from site excavations. Dogs are welcome on leads.

Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages.

With so many dog-friendly things to do in Cornwall, it is the perfect destination for a getaway with your four-legged friend.

At Cornish Escapes, we offer a fantastic range of dog-friendly places to stay in Cornwall, all ideally located close to many of these amazing attractions. Dog-friendly cottages in St Ives and Carbis Bay, in particular, offer an excellent base for exploring and enjoying St Ives attractions – as well as those further afield.