Travelling with your best pal? The South West 660 has plenty of dog-friendly pit-stops, gorgeous beaches and trails to explore. Here are a few top places to have a sniff and stretch those legs…
Sit and stay in Plymouth (Route 5)
Urban hounds who need their regular puppucino can get their fix in Britain’s Ocean City before a waterside or woods walk. That’s the great thing about Plymouth: it’s got all the benefits of city life, plus the coast and countryside are just a stick’s throw away. A stroll along the famous Hoe is a must. The views out to sea are incredible. Down on Plymouth’s historic Barbican, you can catch the distinctive yellow ferry across to Mount Batten for an interesting beach walk. You won’t be able to miss the 30ft Mount Batten artillery tower, built in 1652 as part of the area’s coastal defences.
Take your pup exploring on Dartmoor (pic credit: Simon Reed)
Scramble up a tor on Dartmoor
Outside the city centre, there’s a choice of nature-filled routes in Plymbridge Woods, including a gentle circular that runs beside the river Plym. Dartmoor National Park isn’t far away. Park and stride around Burrator Reservoir for a decent dose of granite tors, streams and open moor – all of Dartmoor’s best bits.
Where to stay: Enjoy some five-star glamour at Boringdon Hall Hotel. The team here will treat your best friend like royalty. Blankets, dog beds and treats are on offer on arrival. There’s even a dog menu available. Your pet can dine with you in the Grenville room or the Mayflower Brasserie.
Fun in Falmouth (Route 7)
Off-season is a great time to visit Falmouth with the dog in tow. You’ll have the run of the beaches – Gyllyngvase, Swanpool and Maenporth – which are strictly off-limits in the summer months. When you’re done splashing about, take a wander up to Pendennis Castle, Henry VIII’s coastal fortress. Dogs on leads are welcome at the English Heritage-run site. Other nearby attractions to explore include the magical Trebah Garden (complete with private beach) and the National Trust’s Trelissick estate. Lots of woodland, winding paths and river shoreline make this a doggy paradise.
Where to stay: The Falmouth Hotel has a selection of dog-friendly rooms, for a small charge. Pets can also join owners in the newly renovated 1865 Lounge.
Dog beds can be provided for certain rooms at Budock Vean Hotel and Spa, in Mawnan Smith, plus there’s a woodland exercise area for off-lead walks.
Have a ball (throw) in St Ives (Route 8)
Make the most of the popular town’s world-class beaches before the crowds arrive and the dog restrictions come in (May to September). Porthminster, Porthmeor and Carbis Bay beaches are the stuff of dreams: soft golden sand, turquoise seas and easy access to coffee and cakes. The gentle two-mile stroll between St Ives and Carbis Bay along the coast is worth doing for the views. And if you don’t fancy the walk back, you and the dog can hop on the train.
Where to stay: Locations don’t get much better than Pedn Olva, which sits on the rocks above Porthminster beach and St Ives Harbour. There are some specially selected dog-friendly rooms (for a small charge). Furry guests are welcomed with a hamper, which includes a tennis ball, treats and even a can of pup-friendly beer.
Paws in Penzance (Route 8)
The ruff’ n ready coastline of this most westerly of towns is ideal for blowing away the cobwebs. Choose from a selection of routes that take in the clifftops and moorland of Land’s End, part of the West Penwith National Landscape. The three-mile stretch between here and Sennen Cove is a good for wildlife watching. Look out for guillemots and kittiwakes. For a more genteel stroll, park in Penzance rail and bus station car park and head along the seafront towards Marazion. The route takes in Long Rock beach, ideal for a ball chuck and views of the famous St Michael’s Mount. Marazion is a creative little town with a thriving arts scene. Dogs are welcome to join you for a browse in the Summerhouse Gallery before you retrace your steps to Penzance, or else bus it back.
Where to stay: The Old Coastguard in Mousehole doesn’t charge for pets. Dogs can stay in the rooms, providing they don’t sleep on the beds. There’s also a designated K9 station, well equipped with bedtime biscuits, old towels, sheets and water bowls.
Discover the dunes in Perranporth (Route 9)
Michelle (and Peanut) from Muddy Paws Cornwall (pic credit: Michelle Dickinson)
Perranporth is three miles of ‘proper Cornish’ beach, much-loved by families, surfers and dog walkers. Michelle Dickinson, owner of Muddy Paws Cornwall, says it’s definitely one of her favourite places. ‘You can walk dogs on the dunes all year round,’ she says. ‘And if you walk down to the coast from there, you can access part of the beach that’s open to dogs all year.’
Perranporth has a very user-friendly set-up with a car park right next to the sand and toilets, cafes etc within easy reach. Got kids in tow? The rockpools at low tide are especially good. And keep an eye out for clues to Cornwall’s past. Relics of the area’s mining industry can be seen at Droskyn Point on the western side of Perranporth. The area was also used by smugglers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Where to stay: The Esplanade Hotel in Newquay welcomes well-behaved pets. They have a choice of dog-friendly rooms, many with outside access for those all-important comfort breaks. Dog beds and bowls are available by request.
Take on the Taw and Torridge Estuary (Route 11)
Lots of pretty places to explore here, as well as big expanses of shoreline to run alongside with the wind in your ears. You’ll be in good company at Instow, a fab little village right on the water. Dog owners from far and wide come to walk the scenic section of the Traka Trail that runs alongside the village. North Devon local Tracy Freame is a volunteer with the Cinnamon Trust, a charity which supports elderly and terminally ill people to look after their pets. Tracy regularly walks collie-cross Prince for his owner and the pair love going to Instow. ‘There’s a lovely four-mile walk there you can do, with lots of bird life to spot along the way,’ says Tracy. ‘The beach is a great place for the dogs to run – and there’s free parking, too!’
Cinnamon Trust volunteer Tracy Freame and Prince (pic credit:Tracy Freame)
Just over the water is Appledore, another charming village with narrow streets, pastel-coloured houses and generally cheerful vibe. A ferry service operates between Appledore and Instow from April to October.
Where to stay: Hire a classic VW Campervan from Freebird Campers. The Bideford-based firm has options for two small or one medium-sized dog to come on board and enjoy the ride. From March 28th onwards, you can pitch up at Tarka Trail Campsite at Yelland. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
