Basset Adventures in Cornwall; A Pawfect holiday with Daisy & Sherman
When it comes to planning a holiday with our hound family members, Cornwall is always towards the top of our list – and for good reason. With its sweeping sandy beaches, scenic coastal paths, charming villages and plenty of welcoming dog-friendly pubs, I challenge you to find somewhere more accommodating for our pups.
Recently, we packed our bags (and a lot of treats) and took our two Hounds, Daisy and Sherman on a tail-wagging trip to Cornwall.
Here's why it was the perfect getaway for floppy-eared explorers like them.
Cornish Beaches – Heaven for Hounds
Cornwall has to have some of the most stunning beaches in the UK, many of which welcome dogs all year round. Daisy and Sherman were in their element snuffling through the sand dunes at Holywell Bay and paddling through the shallows at Perranporth where dogs are allowed all year with only minor restrictions in July and August.
Their absolute favourite though was Mawgan Porth. Where I would say there were probably more pooches than humans on the beach! All enjoying the sand and sea in unison with their human companions on a lovely sunny day.
Quaint Villages and Attractions
The little fishing villages are not just dog-friendly they actively encourage dogs. All the shops in Looe and Polperro encourage you to bring your dogs inside and most have tins of treats behind the counter. Sherman even wondered into a small gin distillery in Polperro and the lady inside said "don't worry all the dogs come in by themselves, they can smell the treats I have on the till" and with that she rewarded him with a sausage!
There's also a fantastic pet shop near the harbour in Polperro that has staged mock-ups of a doggie bar and a doggie McDonald's drive thru. The owner encourages you to take the dogs' photos and post them on social media tagging them. As you can see, Sherman was quite at home as a Pub Landlord! I did buy some natural treats in the shop as it felt wrong to just take photographs without buying anything!
Again, in Polperro, we took a little boat trip from the harbour where dogs go free! Just a half an hour around the coast along to Talland Bay and back. Daisy is a seasoned salty sea dog, but it was Sherman's first time on a boat. He loved it and had no trouble adapting to the rough conditions that were just outside the harbour, getting on and off the boat however was a touch tricky and required his dad's strength to lift him and Daisy out of the boat when we got back to the harbour.
The pub at the top of the village near the car park had just as many four-legged patrons as two and Sherman also took advantage of their Dog Bar!
Even the amusement arcade in Looe had a sign on the door saying, "dogs welcome".
Tintagel again actively encourages dogs not only if you're brave enough to face the hike up to the castle and back but in the village all the local eateries and shops have no objections to our four-legged friends being inside.
Boscastle and Port Isaac were again extremely dog-friendly, and both the hounds participated in a doggie ice-cream from the local parlour as a reward for walking down to the village.
We didn't go on this trip but there are a number of dog-friendly days out in case you're all beached out. The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Pendennis Castle, The Seal Sanctuary to name but a few. We also visited the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon on our way home too!
I do think that in recent years, businesses understand that they will lose out on revenue if they are not dog-friendly. Most people with a dog or two will prefer to go away on holiday with their canine family members rather than leave them at home.
Why Cornwall is a Canine's Dream
Cornwall doesn't just tolerate dogs – it truly celebrates them. From miles of dog-welcoming coastline, to pup-loving locals, it is a destination where dogs are not only allowed but adored.
There are plenty of dog-friendly places to stay too whether it's a campsite, caravan, cottage or camper van, you'll be spoilt for choice.
Daisy and Sherman may not be the fastest adventurers, but Cornwall offered the perfect pace, plenty of places to flop down for a rest and an endless supply of new sights, smells and treats!
If you're planning your next break, Cornwall definitely gets two tail wags from Daisy and Sherman!
