Cornwall

Newquay in Cornwall offers dog-friendly beaches year-round, with the best time to visit being January to March when beach restrictions are lifted and quieter beaches mean dogs can play without the stress of busy crowds

In an emerging trend, increasing numbers of dog owners are opting for pet-friendly breaks, ensuring their cherished canine companions can share in the holiday fun.

Coastal getaways remain a favourite among British holidaymakers and their dogs, with figures from dog-friendly holiday specialists Canine Cottages showing 80% of dog owners brought their pets along on holiday in 2025.

The statistics also revealed that 62% of their 2024 bookings consisted of seaside retreats.

Whilst the sunny summer months might appear to be the perfect opportunity for a pet-friendly coastal adventure, this is also when holiday prices peak. Millions of Brits look to capitalise on the fine weather and warm temperatures during this period.

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Famous for its rugged coastline, golden beaches, picture-perfect villages and rich maritime heritage, Cornwall is one of the most-visited corner of the UK. Sykes Cottages has a large number of holiday homes to choose from, with prices from £36 per night.

However, the off-peak season or “secret season” could prove the most suitable and budget-friendly time to travel with your four-legged friends, according to dog-travel specialists, as quieter destinations and relaxed restrictions for dogs are crucial elements in enhancing holidays for both pets and their humans.

Embarking on a seaside break with your dog during the off-peak months – November to April – guarantees quieter locations and lifted restrictions, particularly on beaches, which consequently provides greater freedom for dogs and their owners to fully embrace and enjoy their coastal escape.

Canine Cottages‘ Digital PR Manager Sarah Pring shares: “For pet owners, the best time to take a seaside break is actually at the start of the year, around January to March, once beach restrictions have been lifted.

“The quieter beaches mean dogs can play without the stress of a busy environment, which can be distressing for reactive and anxious pets. The benefits extend to pet owners, with seaside properties being cheaper to rent in the winter months.”

Perfect destination for your next pooch-friendly getaway

A coastal retreat in England is being championed as the ultimate dog-friendly haven, particularly during quieter seasons.

The North Cornwall seaside town of Newquay consistently ranks amongst Britain’s most beautiful locations and is often dubbed the ‘nation’s favourite seaside holiday’, reports Cornwall Live.

Newquay offers a wealth of family entertainment, with multiple beaches in this lively coastal resort accommodating four-legged guests.

The shores are noticeably more peaceful at this time of year, ideal for lengthy walks, unrestricted play, and a well-deserved break without worrying about your beloved pets disappearing into throngs of people.

Outside the peak summer season, restrictions on dogs at popular beaches like Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay – half a mile and two miles from Newquay town centre respectively – are relaxed, before returning to the usual 10am to 6pm ban typically in place from May to September when tourists flock to the area.

During these busier months, dogs must be kept on leads.

Throughout the year, dog-friendly beaches in Newquay include Crantock Beach, Little Fistral, Harbour Beach, Towan Beach, Lusty Glaze, and Whipsiderry Beach.

Pet owners can take a leisurely walk along the River Gannel while their four-legged companions paddle in the shallow waters of the tidal estuary.

The town offers plenty of scenic walks, as well as dog-welcoming pubs, bars and eateries, so your furry family members can join you for meals rather than being left at home.

Notable pet-friendly venues include the Fistral Boardmasters Beach Bar and The Fistral Stable, both conveniently located directly on Fistral Beach.

Cornwall has the longest coastline in the UK, surrounded by sea on three sides, and is rich in Arthurian legend and Celtic folklore, making it a perfect destination for history buffs and lovers of ancient mythology.

Sarah explains: “Arthurian legend is one of the fascinating parts of British folklore, and with so many of the locations in the tales being outdoors, there’s no shortage of dog-friendly walks that allow dog owners to immerse themselves in the legends.”

This picturesque coastal town sits in the Roseland Peninsula and is a favourite location of King Charles and Queen Camila – and was even enjoyed by the late Queen Elizabeth II

Sitting on the south coast of Cornwall within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a gorgeous, tucked away town with one of the mildest climates in Britain and temperatures comparable to Mediterranean resorts.

Set within the Roseland Peninsula district of Cornwall, which itself is an unspoilt landscape of cliffs, creeks, woods and beaches, this beautiful beach town is renowned as a premier sailing spot with a pretty harbour and countless independent shops.

St Mawes boasts a unique ‘subtropical’ climate meaning it can offer warmer temperatures, even in the winter, than the rest of the UK. Unsurprisingly, this makes it a very popular holiday location – even with the Royal Family – and its relaxed coastal atmosphere and quaint, narrow streets and stunning sea views encourage those visiting to stay even longer.

A favourite holiday haunt of King Charles, Queen Camilla and even the late Queen Elizabeth II, the area’s maritime climate one-of-a-kind in the UK.

Influenced by the Gulf Stream with the Atlantic acting as a thermal buffer, St Mawes regularly experiences warm, sunny summers and mild, wet winters with little to no frost or snow. Visitors can enjoy water sports, scenic walks, all-year round boat trips from Falmouth, high-quality dining and St Mawes Castle – a well-preserved coastal fortress built by Henry VIII.

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Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night

The infamous King built the Castle to guard the important anchorage of Carrick Roads – the estuary of the River Fal. The distinctive clover-leaf shaped castle provides breath-taking views of the sea and passing ships from its battlements and has a number of carved inscritions praising Henry VII and his son Edward VI.

Away from history, St Mawes’ charming town centre has a number of quaint galleries, local shops and a variety of waterfront pubs and restaurants.

The aesthetics of the area are outstanding – from thatched roofs, white-washed cottages to Marine Parade which offers lovely independent shops and Waterside Gallery which houses galleries and stylish boutiques filled with timeless coastal fashion.

St Mawes has several lovely beaches for visitors to choose from including Summers Beach and Tavern Beach ideal for swimming and rock-pooling and Harbour Beach which, although only accessible at ow-tide, is dog friendly all year round with calm water sheltered by the estuary.

For walkers, the coastal path to St Just also in the Roseland peninsula is unforgettable or, in summer, tourists can use the ferry to the small, tidal inlet of Place Creek to follow the scenic trail to St Anthony’s Lighthouse.

One reviewer of St Mawes said: “We walked up to the castle and back in the beautiful and picturesque village of St Mawes. We definitely want to revisit this beautiful and classy village.”

Another said: “St Mawes is beautiful in all weathers and is well worth a visit any time of the year.”

Want to check it out for yourself? You can find plenty of beautiful stays in St Mawes with the likes of Sykes Holiday Cottages and Cottages.com.

IF you want a holiday rental with a difference – check out these five rail-inspired stays around the country.

From converted Pullman carriages to upgraded former stations – these cosy stays are perfect for train enthusiasts.

The Old Station

In West Sussex is a B&B called The Old Station which has Pullman carriages and the opportunity to dine on a disused platform.

The Old Station is on what was formerly Petworth Railway Station and guests can choose whether to stay in the house or one of the renovated carriages.

Inside the Station House, guests can stay in the Lower Room with an ensuite and large walk in shower and super king size bed.

Up the spiral staircase is the largest bedroom with a super king size bed and an ensuite with room for three guests.

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Outside are traditional Pullman carriages, and six Standard Classic Pullman Rooms – each is fitted with a double bed with a table and chairs for dining and an ensuite.

The B&B serves up hot breakfast and continental in the Waiting Room, or outside on the platform by the exotic garden in good weather.

With Host Unusual, guests can book from £130 per night.

High Cross Camping Coach and Living Van

Tucked away in the Dorset countryside is this charming Victorian railway carriage called the Camping Coach.

The carriage has been completely transformed with modern touches but has original leather window straps and luggage racks overhead.

The main living area is heated by a wood burner and is fitted out with a small dining table and plush sofa.

It also has a compact kitchen, bathroom and snug bedroom that can sleep up to two people.

Outside is a private garden and the Edwardian Living Van which also sleeps two.

With Host Unusual, up to four guests can stay for £90 per night – which is £22.50 per person.

The Signal Box

This Signal Box that once perched at Wymondham Station is now a rural haven in the Norfolk countryside.

The rail retreat is found in Melton Constable and inside it has a kitchen and cosy living on the upper floor – it’s surrounded by windows and incredible views.

Downstairs is the double bedroom with an en-suite shower room.

During the summertime, step outside to enjoy quiet by the pond or even fire up the barbecue.

One holidaygoer left a review and said: “The Signal Box was a wonderfully quirky place to stay, we loved every part of it.

“It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop & the views were amazing, everything you could wish for to have a quiet relaxing holiday.”

The Signal Box sleeps two with a seven-night stay starting from £538.

The Carriage at Creagan

This holiday home was once a working train carriage that transported milk along the GWR Line.

Now, it’s tucked between Oban and Fort William at Creagan, an Edwardian station that closed in 1966.

Inside the carriage is a cosy bedroom with wooden panelling, as well as an open kitchen and living space with a squishy sofa, Smart TV, and a warming wood-burning stove.

Outside on the patio is a table and chairs, large gas fire pit and even an outdoor path.

Nearby there’s plenty of activities to do from walking, cycling, watersports and wildlife-watching.

You can book a stay at the Carriage at Creagan from £200 per night.

Harvey of Hayle

Just a short stop from St Ives is this converted vintage railway coach called Harvey of Hayle.

It’s been described as a ‘time capsule’ with vintage décor and objects from the 1950s like lampshades, luggage racks and signs.

Harvey of Hayle has even appeared on Great British Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo.

Next door is a signal box playhouse – for the kids to exert as much energy as they like, and a wooden deck for watching sunsets.

For the trainspotters in the group, there’s even a viewing platform so you can see more locomotives on the Cornish main line.

St Ives is just one stop away on the train, meanwhile Hayle Town and its beautiful beach is a short walk from the carriage.

The carriage can sleep up to six guests and costs up to £693 (based on a seven-night off-peak stay).

For more on station stays here’s one that is one of Tripadvisor’s best has Pullman carriages and breakfast delivered to your bed.

Plus, five abandoned train stations that are now beautiful hotels with bedroom carriages and huge grand lobbies.

The charming village is a haven for peace and tranquillity, with its idyllic surroundings and rich history, but what makes it so distinctive is its unique building designs

Nestled peacefully at the mouth of the River Dun, this delightful village brims with charm and tales aplenty, encircled by stunning natural beauty.

Cushendun boasts both a scenic harbour and a serene shoreline, courtesy of its prime position along the Northern Irish coast whilst being embraced by undulating agricultural hills. It creates the perfect retreat from life’s chaos, allowing visitors to lose themselves in nature’s splendour.

Indeed, one of its natural caverns proved so captivating it served as a filming venue for the HBO hit series, Game of Thrones. These crimson caves took shape over 400 million years ago but gained fame during series two of the show when they provided the setting for the notorious shadow assassin’s emergence.

After exploring the cave, one visitor noted in their review: “The area around the caves is absolutely beautiful. I found the caves to be fascinating. The walls were made up of giant round rocks and solid dirt. Make sure you wear shoes to walk to the caves.”

Throughout the village, guests will notice the idyllic cottages that lend it such serenity. Ronald John McNeill crafted the surrounding area in 1912, commissioned by Ronald John McNeill, Baron Cushendun, aiming to replicate a Cornish settlement.

Constructed in 18th century fashion, a neo-Georgian dwelling joined the collection and Cushendun evolved to appear as though it had been transplanted directly from Cornwall’s coastline.

Combined with its tranquil coastal setting, this enabled the town to achieve Conservation Area status in 1980. Today, the area remains largely under the stewardship of the National Trust, which has protected it since 1954.

The village’s distinctive Cornish character was crafted as a tribute to the Baron’s wife, who hailed from Penzance, Cornwall.

This devotion persisted beyond her death, when Ellis commissioned a terrace of whitewashed cottages specifically in her honour – now known as Maud’s Cottages.

One recent visitor declared it their new “favourite spot”. They posted on TripAdvisor: “I would live there in a heartbeat. It’s a special place in every way. The beach is beautiful and safe. The little houses are cute, and the village is filled with flowers and hanging baskets. We’ll be back.”

Another added: “Cushendun is probably the nicest small town/village on the coastal drive. It is set in a conservation area managed by the National Trust at the mouth of the Glendun river and attracts many visitors annually. Anyone travelling the Antrim Coast road northwards should make a point of reaching here for a break to enjoy the tranquillity.”

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Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night

JESY Nelson has described the terrifying moment her mum raised the alarm about her twins’ SMA struggle.

The pop star secretly moved to Cornwall after giving birth to the two little girls following a high-risk pregnancy.

She says her mum Janice noticed Ocean and Story’s lack of leg movement on a trip to visit them.

Speaking on Jamie Laing’s podcast Great Company with Jesy Nelson, the former Little Mix star said:  “Me and Zion decided we wanted to move to Cornwall because our babies had been through all this trauma, and we just wanted them to grow up in a peaceful setting and just be around the sea and live like a kid.

“I honestly was not even taking notice of their legs because they’re my first set of children, so I don’t know how they should be moving their legs, or what they should and shouldn’t be doing anyway.

“Because we had just moved six hours away, my mum wasn’t with me every day.

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“I think she noticed how much it had deteriorated, and she said, ‘Jesy, they don’t move their legs very much. Have you noticed that?’

“She kept comparing them to my nephew, but I said George was a full time baby and because the twins were premature you can’t compare them.

“She said, ‘I know Jesy, but something’s not right’.

“My mum is such a such a worrier. She worries about everything – a bit like me, she thinks the worst in every situation.

“And so I just thought that was her over-worrying then a week went by, and I remember changing their nappy and just thinking ‘oh, god, they actually don’t move their legs at all’.

“For some reason they just stopped.”

Fearing her mum was right, Jesy booked to see a paediatrician straight away.

After being told the babies needed blood tests and a brain scan, Jesy left the doctors in tears.

She was later told the identical twins have Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 — the most severe form of a rare disease affecting muscle strength and movement.

Jesy is now working tirelessly to raise awareness of SMA and campaigning for the condition to be added to the NHS newborn heel-prick test, which currently screens for ten other conditions.

She spoke to The Sun about the diagnosis and her new new six-part docuseries on Prime Video, which follows her journey into motherhood as she reflects back on her time in Little Mix.

It’s the first time she’s opened up about quitting the band in 2020.

Read our full interview with Jesy about hope of reconciling with her former Little Mix friends and mending her relationship with Simon Cowell here.

• Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix will be aired on Prime Video from February 13.
• Listen to Great Company with Jesy Nelson whereever you get your podcasts.

Gwithian Beach forms part of three miles of beach called the Towans, which is Cornish for dunes, and is perfect for all the family and even the dog

A gorgeous spacious beach often overlooked by tourists has received a huge boost after a UK travel content creator visited it and described it as ‘the most underrated beach in the UK’.

Gwithian Beach – also known as Gwithian Towans – is near Hayle, just north of St Ives in Cornwall, and is a beautiful, quiet area that forms part of three miles of beach called the Towans, which is Cornish for ‘dunes’.

Filled with rock pools, dramatic cliffs and miles of sand stretching out to Hayle, this is a great spot for families interested in exploring marine life and untamed wilderness. The beach also has two cafes, toilets and a large car park and is great for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, kite-buggying and rock pooling at low tide.

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Travel content creator Hannah – who posts on social media under the handle, hannahsukwanders – described it as ‘one of her favourite beaches in Cornwall’.

In her review of it, she said: “It’s a beautiful golden sandy beach with stunning cliffs to back it. The beach was dotted with natural sea pools and it’s also a great surfing spot thanks to its Atlantic swells.”

It also has a lifeguard on duty during the summer season and is dog-friendly all year round, except from 10am – 6pm in July and August.

Hannah added: “There are miles of incredible sand dunes ad at low tide you can access other beaches too. If you’re lucky to might spot grey seals and the beach is a great habitat for seabirds too.

“Watching Godrevy Lighthouse turn into a silhouette with the sunset behind is definitely a view to behold.”

Hundreds of Instagram users flooded Hannah’s comments section after her post telling her to keep quiet about her find because it’s such a special place.

One commenter said: “Sshhh don’t tell anyone about this beach, it’s the best sandy beach in the world IMHO.”

Another wrote: “So lucky to say this is just down the road from me. Special memories made since I was little, growing up here and now with my own children. It’s a special place for sure.”