Dog Friendly Places to Visit in Devon
For many of us, our dogs are part of our family and often travel with us when we go away from home. But not all locations, businesses or places are dog-friendly which can lead to awkward situations with nowhere to leave your dog. Planning ahead can solve this problem and to help with this, we have compiled a list of places to visit in Devon with dogs.
Walks
There are a number of walks around Devon where dogs can run free. Top of the list is the South West Coast Path which runs for a massive 630 miles but can be sampled in much smaller, more manageable sections. The path stretches from Exmoor right down to the tip of Cornwall and can be broken into 10-20 mile chunks for a great day activity.
The two big moorland areas, Dartmoor and Exmoor, both welcome dogs though you may want to keep them in check around some of the resident wildlife such as the Dartmoor Ponies to avoid problems.
Baggy Point is an easy access walk that is great for the kids and also welcomes dogs along. There are two paths, one suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs while the other includes a short climb. At the top, the spot offers views across Hartland and Bideford Bay with plenty of seabirds nesting on the cliffs to spot. It is a good spot to see the birds migrating in autumn while merlins or peregrine falcons circle to catch the unwary. Watch out for an occasion hen harrier in the area too.
Activities
Visiting the beach is one of the most popular parts of visiting Devon and there are any number of stunning locations to visit. There are also a number of beach places to visit in Devon with dogs where they can enjoy a dip and a splash alongside their humans.
Beaches have their own regulations with some, including Instow, Beesands and Shelley, allowing dogs total freedom when they visit. Others have areas for the dogs to go where they can be off the lead – signs at the entrance to the beach will give details.
Dogs are always welcome on Saunton Beach and they even have regular events such as the Paws on the Beach event where they work to raise money for the Dogs Helping Kids charity. There is a section where they need to be on the lead when you first arrive but after this, they have a whole 3.5 miles worth of beach to enjoy. There are even waste bins and bags provided for dog needs.
Attractions such as the South Devon Railway, the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat and the Seaton Tramway all welcome dogs on board. Geocaching is a huge trend that is a modern take on a treasure hunt and many of these activities allow dogs to join in – their noses can come in handy!
Places to Visit
Babbacombe Model Village is a very popular attraction to visit while in Devon and is great if you are holidaying with your dog as they are welcome to join in. The site covers four acres and contains hundreds of miniatures including castles, vehicles, people and much more making it fascinating for all ages.
The Milky Way Adventure Park welcomes dogs with their owners, although they aren’t allowed on the rides – no roller coaster rides unfortunately! They are allowed inside though so parents can relax with the dog while the kids enjoy the indoor play areas and other features.
Many National Trust sites around the county are open for dogs to visit and some even have a stash of dog biscuits for furry visitors. Killerton House and Gardens is an example of an 18th century house that has one of the best costume collections in the area. Dogs are welcome throughout the gardens.
Some attractions, such as Pennywell Farm, The Big Sheep and the Miniature Pony Centre, do limit dog access somewhat to avoid upsetting their animal residents. But they do provide kennel areas and open spaces for the dogs to play in while their owners are touring the farm.
Morwellham Quay welcomes dogs, provided they are on a short leash and they can even stop off in the Ship Inn for a pint if their owners will buy them one. They can join the copper mine ride but are restricted from entering The Chocolate Experience area.
Places to Stay
Devon has a wide range of places to stay and there are a good number of these that offer dog friendly rooms or cottages. Holiday cottages can be ideal due to the self-contained nature of them but this doesn’t excluded hotels. One example is the Ilfracombe Carlton is Dog Friendly see our Rooms Information for Dog info. They allow dogs into their rooms as long as they are supervised by their owners.
