Dog friendly beaches in Porthleven with a scenic walk

At the height of the holiday season, Porthleven is a thriving tourist destination that the French Riviera could only dream to match, with the narrow streets bustling with award-winning al-fresco restaurants and visitors soaking up the sunshine. As the seasons change, the photo opportunities created by the aggressive winter swell whipping up enormous waves against the infamous clock tower are sure to impress. The perfect destination year-round, it doesn’t get much better than Porthleven.

Things to do in Porthleven with dogs

Looking for things to do and places to stay in Porthleven that are dog friendly? Here are our favourite spots near Porthleven where you can bring the pup.

The Harbour Inn is a traditional pub nestled amongst an array of independent shops selling one-of-a-kind handcrafted goods, while perfectly positioned to look out over the bobbing boats of the inner harbour. Get the very best out of your stay by booking one of our dog-friendly rooms and bring your four-legged friend on a ‘paw-some’ adventure around this particularly scenic part of Cornwall. To start you off on the right foot, here are our top dog friendly beaches in Porthleven, and those within a paw’s reach.

Loe Bar

Just west of Porthleven is the Loe Bar, a scenic 30-minute walk along the coast path. The Loe, a freshwater lake that sits adjacent to the sea, was originally the mouth of the River Cobar, but during a geographic phenomenon around the 13th century, the river was cut off by a naturally occurring spit, known as the Bar, forming the flint and shingle beach it is today.

The Loe Bar doesn’t have any facilities and it isn’t recommended for swimming for pups or people due to the extremely strong offshore currents. Because of this, the beach remains relatively unfrequented and is very much still in touch with the more wild and woolly side of Cornwall, providing the perfect backdrop for those seeking adventure off the beaten track, as long as you and your furry-friend don’t mind the ‘ruff’ terrain!

Start your day off the right way, before your adventure together enjoy a delicious breakfast together at the Harbour Inn. With gorgeous harbour views, it’s the perfect setting to have you raring to go on your walkies.

TOP TIP: Porthleven Beach, just over the harbour wall, is the dog-friendly beach at the very start of this walk and ideal if your playful pup needs a quick run around during your stay. The eastern side allows dogs year-round, while there is a short seasonal ban in place on the west side (the harbour wall to blue buoy) between July and the end of August in the daytime. 

Poldhu Cove

If you’re looking for more of a leg-stretcher, Poldhu Cove is a respectable 1 hour 45-minute walk from Porthleven towards the Lizard Heritage Coast. Catch your breath with a pit stop at the gorgeous Gunwalloe and take in the awe-inspiring sights of this diverse coastline before setting off for the final jaunt to Poldhu.

Flanked by grass-laden cliffs on either side, you are met with picturesque reed banks scattered throughout the shallow sand dunes. This perfectly tucked away cove is an ideal family beach where your pooch can really raise the ‘woof’ with no dog ban in place for ten months of the year.

Poldhu Beach Café is open 363 days of the year serving coffee, cake and breakfast baps, but the star of the show is their truly indulgent hot chocolates. Think of all of your childhood favourite sweet treats, in the form of a warm beverage - the perfect fuel for the walk back to Porthleven.

DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES NEAR PORTHLEVEN

Porthleven is in the heart of South Cornwall, just a short distance from popular Cornish towns like Penzance and St Ives. If you're visiting the area, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to dog-friendly beaches and walks. Here are some of our favourite dog-friendly beaches and walking paths near Porthleven.

Marazion & St Michael’s Mount

Starting 8 miles west of Porthleven, we have arguably one of the most dazzling views in Cornwall. Just a 20-minute car journey away is Marazion Beach, with sprawling sands lasting for miles, this wonderful stretch of the coast offers stunning panoramic views across Mounts’ Bay. It’s the best seat in the house to get your insta-worthy shot of St. Michaels Mount, a tidal island accessible by cobbled causeway at low tide, while your pup pursues their favourite frisbee.

While there’s a seasonal dog ban in place from July 1^st to August 31^st between the hours of 10am and 6pm, if you’re visiting during this period, simply take a light stroll down the South West Coast Patch towards Penzance. And, from Long Rock Beach onwards, the beach is dog friendly year-round - and the views are ‘paw-sitively’ spectacular.

Praa Sands

Staying west of Porthleven, we have the dreamy Praa Sands just 10 minutes away. There is an age-old argument surrounding its pronunciation, but whether you say ‘prah’ or ‘pray’ these beautiful sands are adored by all who visit. There is ample parking and quick access to the South West Coast Path in both directions, with refreshment options along the shore even out of season.

As you make your way through the rolling sand dunes that delicately protect the south-west facing beach from strong winds, it soon becomes clear why this spectacular part of the coast is such a hit with locals and tourists alike. Its tropical white sands, reminiscent of an idyllic Caribbean island, are actually seashells that have been ground down by the pressure of the waves over millions of years.

A South Coast hotspot for keen surfers, you will often see wetsuit-clad enthusiasts bobbing in the distance year-round. At high tide, the shallow waters provide a great space for fearless pups to really ‘have a ball’ as they paddle and splash the day away. A seasonal dog ban applies here, but you can still make the most of the sunrises and sunsets all year round.

DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES IN PORTHLEVEN

Explore the array of Porthleven beaches where you can bring the dog, and the surrounding area, sure to have your tail wagging! With so much for playful pups to enjoy, plan your stay at the Harbour Inn – the perfect hotel with a sea view in Cornwall, it's ideal for making the very most of this beautiful slice of Cornwall.