If you love Cornwall and you travel with a dog, you have probably heard the same question every summer. “Can my dog go on this beach, right now?”
Good news. The rules are clear, and they look set to stay in place for 2026. So you can plan ahead, pack the car, and still enjoy the coast without getting caught out by a midday ban.
Cornwall Council uses a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) that covers 46 beaches and coastal areas with seasonal restrictions. On most restricted beaches, dogs are banned in the daytime during peak season. On Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches, the restriction runs for longer. And in three protected wildlife areas, dogs are not allowed at any time.
That sounds strict at first. But in real life, it mostly means this. You get brilliant dog walks early and late, and you switch beaches or stick to the coast path during the busiest hours.
Cornwall dog beach rules for 2026, explained fast
Here is the simple version you can screenshot in your head.
Most restricted beaches
- Dogs are not allowed from 1 July to 31 August
- Dogs are not allowed between 10:00 and 18:00
Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches
- Dogs are not allowed from 15 May to 30 September
- Dogs are not allowed between 10:00 and 18:00
Protected wildlife areas with a year-round ban
- Carnsew Pool
- Copperhouse Pool
- Hayle Estuary
Dogs are not allowed here at any time.
Lead-only rule
- Summerleaze Beach (Bude): dogs must be on a lead between 10:00 and 18:00 from 21 May to 30 September
So yes, some popular beaches have daytime bans in summer. But no, you are not locked out of Cornwall’s coastline with a dog. Not even close.
Why the daytime ban keeps returning every summer
Cornwall gets busy. And beach crowds spike hard in school holidays.
So the council keeps the restriction window focused on the middle of the day. It covers 10:00 to 18:00, then it leaves mornings and evenings open on many beaches.
At the same time, Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches run a longer season. That longer date range is tied to award requirements, not just local preference.
If you have ever watched a packed beach at 2 pm in August, it makes sense. Space gets tight, tempers get short, and nobody wins.
What happens if you ignore the dog beach ban
Cornwall enforces these restrictions. So if you take a dog onto a restricted beach zone during banned hours, you can get a Fixed Penalty Notice.
The council’s consultation information refers to a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice for breaching the PSPO.
So don’t “risk it and see.” If the signs say no dogs, take it seriously. Then swap to a dog-friendly beach, or just come back later.
Cornwall dog friendly beaches (great choices for relaxed walks)
This part matters most for dog owners. You want a list. You want names. You want options that feel simple.
Below are beaches that do not appear on Cornwall Council’s PSPO restriction list (last updated 21 October 2025). That means the council does not list them as restricted under the PSPO. Still check local signs when you arrive, since privately managed beaches can set their own rules.
Dog friendly beaches that are usually open all day
- Fistral Beach (Newquay)
- Watergate Bay (near Newquay)
- Perranporth Beach
- Holywell Bay
- Crantock Beach
- Harlyn Bay (near Padstow)
- Constantine Bay
- Booby’s Bay
- Whitsand Bay
- Sandymouth Bay (near Bude)
- Lantic Bay
- Lansallos Beach
- Bedruthan Steps
These spots work well if you want a calm day that does not revolve around the clock. So you can arrive late morning and stay put.
Beaches with summer dog bans in the daytime, but still great early and late
These beaches sit on the PSPO list. So dogs are not allowed 10:00 to 18:00 during the restricted dates.
- Polzeath Beach (15 May to 30 September)
- Porthmeor Beach (St Ives) (15 May to 30 September)
- Porthminster Beach (St Ives) (15 May to 30 September)
- Carbis Bay (15 May to 30 September)
- Porthtowan Beach (15 May to 30 September)
- Sennen Beach (15 May to 30 September)
- Trevone Beach (Padstow) (15 May to 30 September)
- Widemouth Beach (Bude) (15 May to 30 September)
- Crooklets Beach (Bude) (15 May to 30 September)
- Porthcurno Beach (1 July to 31 August)
- Porthgwidden Beach (St Ives) (1 July to 31 August)
- St Ives Harbour Beach (1 July to 31 August)
These are still fantastic choices. You just need the right timing. Go before 10:00, or show up after 18:00, and it feels like a different beach.
A simple day plan that works in summer
If you want an easy routine, try this.
Early beach walk (07:00 to 09:30)
Start with a restricted beach if you love it. The sand is cooler, the air feels cleaner, and your dog gets space.
Midday switch (10:00 to 18:00)
Then move to a dog-friendly beach that stays open all day. Or take the coast path. Or grab lunch and a slow stroll in town.
Evening beach time (18:30 to sunset)
Go back to the “restricted” beach. It opens up again, and the crowds thin fast.
This plan sounds basic, but it saves you hassle. And it keeps the holiday mood intact.
A quick summer safety note for dogs on the coast
Cornwall heat can surprise people, especially on sunny, windless days. Then sand gets hot, and pavements get even hotter.
So pack water, pick cooler walk times, and keep an eye on your dog’s breathing. If you want a practical checklist you can use every summer, read this dog heatstroke prevention checklist for safe beach walks.
Small habits matter. Shade breaks matter too. And if your dog feels “off,” stop the walk and cool them down right away.
The real takeaway for 2026 holidays
These rules are not new, and they are not random. They follow a pattern, and that pattern is easy to work with.
So pick one or two beaches with no council-listed restrictions. Then pick one “famous” beach you visit early or late. After that, the trip feels simple again.
And yes, you can still have that classic Cornwall beach day with a dog. You just plan the middle of the day differently.
