Six Dog Friendly Beaches in Devon

Summer is approaching and you’re not the only one who is literally dying to get onto the beach. Your dog can’t wait to play fetch on the sand and paddle furiously in the foreshore. Devon has many fabulous beaches upon which dogs are welcome on all year round, ranging from popular surfing beaches in North Devon to the quieter coves littering the coast to the South. Here are some of our favourites:

Saunton Sands

Saunton Sands beach in North Devon is huge and completely dog friendly even in the summer, which means your pooch gets to join in on all the holiday seaside fun. There is well over three miles of sand and dunes to frolic amongst, and the sea has safe shallows ideal for a paddle.

Westward Ho!

Another huge beach in North Devon is Westward Ho! Dogs are welcome all year round on the North end of the beach, which is actually the best end, especially at low tide. Then there are loads of fabulous walks in and around the beach to enjoy.

Putsborough Sands

Another North Devon dog friendly beach is Putsborough Sands. This is a gorgeous broad surfer beach that reserves half its sandy shore for your beloved hound. It’s a great family beach too thanks to its facilities including pristine toilets, showers, and plenty of parking.

Babbacombe Beach

Babbacombe Beach is a gem amongst countless South Devon resorts because of the natural beauty that surrounds it. It nestles into the stunning Babbacombe Downs and has an impressive promenade overlooking a spectacular sparkling bay. You and your trusty hound will love the rock pools on this charming cove. It is covered in pale shingle, so the water is crystalline, making it a popular location for diving. Dogs are welcome all year round.

Ness Cove Beach

Ness Cove Beach is a beautiful, historic beach that lies at the bottom of cliffs on the Ness Headland near Teignmouth.  It can be accessed via an old smugglers tunnel, which cuts through the Jurassic cliffs down to a reddish mix of sand and shingle. This is a very dog friendly beach with its own dog exercise area, so your precious hound will feel welcome any time of the year.

Salcombe North Sands Beach

North Sands Beach lies on the stunning Kingsbridge Estuary in Salcombe overlooking East Portlemouth and is a great beach for dog lovers as it has no restrictions and there is lots of space. It even offers a dog-friendly beach café, which serves great food. The Beach is protected by headlands on either side and your hound will appreciate the fabulous scenic walks on the South West Coast Path nearby.

With so many dog friendly beaches to choose from you'll need somewhere to stay that is equally as happy to welcome your four legged friends. On Beachlets we list a fabulous collection of dog friendly seaside cottages in Devon to choose from, some that enjoy sea views, some with hot tubs and many that enjoy direct beach access.