We’ve put our heads together in the office and come up with our favourite all year* round dog friendly beaches in Cornwall, to help when holidaying in the south west.

- Constantine Bay on the north coast. A firm favourite with Vicky who say’s that the sandy beach is wide and flat and the tide goes out a long way, so there’s plenty of room for your dog to enjoy. For a bit of exploration, when the tide goes out there are plenty of nooks and crannies for some rocking pooling . With parking and  toilets all to hand, you can while away a day here without realising.

-Gwenver. Just less then mile from Sennen Cove right down the west of Cornwall, this secluded suntrap is a well-kept secret (until today!). With only a few parking spaces but no other facilities you stand a good chance of having the beach to yourselves, particularly in winter. But mostly you’ll find surfers and walkers wanting to share this pictureseque spot that feels like you’re at the end of the world.

-Talland Bay. There are a few smaller beaches and then main beach at Talland Bay is a wonderful place to spend a day. Either walk the coastal path from either Looe or Polperro if you want to exercise your dog and yourselves whilst enjoying the breathtaking scenery or park up and take a stroll through the village. Walking on the beach is a little restricted at high tide but when it begins to go out there are plenty of rock pools to be be explored. A great beach cafe and shop will make sure all humans are fed and watered after running around after their pet friends!

*Information subject to change. We recommend checking details before heading down to the beach with your dog in tow.

So, in no particular order, here are just some of our ideas for how to spend your bank holiday in Cornwall……feel free to add any of your own too.

5- Beaches. Best enjoyed when the sun comes out but obviously with the unpredictable British weather, the many beaches we have to choose from in Cornwall can all offer a multitude of ways to be enjoyed on even the wettest bank holiday in Cornwall; Kite surfing on the long sandy beach west coast beach at Marazion, or a simply gaze out of your cosy self catering holiday cottage at the beach outside. Little Quoit, sleeping 2, has spectacular views over Rocky Valley and Bossiney Cove, midway between Tintagel and Boscastle that can be soaked up from the relaxing conservatory.

4- Walks. Not just any old walk, why not try a Treasure Trail that means that everyone can enjoy a exploring new places, whilst venturing a little further perhaps than whet the local shops or pub has to offer! Or perhaps set a route and discover the spectacular paths running along Cornwall’s incredible coastline? A stay at Highertown Barn in Camelford would be the ideal base for a large group or family to spend a week discovering the wilds of Bodmin Moor.

3- Eat and drink. These two go hand in hand as Cornwall has some of the finest local ingredients that could make up a most memorable feast. Whether you decide that it’s one of Cornwall’s famous restaurants such as Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen or a picnic made up of local pasties and cream teas, washed down with some fine ale or scrumpy, you have the freedom to sample it all by staying in a self catering holiday cottage in Cornwall.

2- Golf. If you’re in the habit of spoiling a good walk (in Mark Twain’s opinion), with around 30 courses to choose from then Cornwall is just the place. A stay at the 3 smile property, the Old Chapel House, with 2 free memberships to Bowood Park Golf Club makes this four bedroom property just outside of Tintagel a must!

1- The Eden Project. Rain or shine, young or old; Eden is a place that should be visited at least once. With seasonal changes and interactive displays, Eden will entertain all ages and you can return day after day to enjoy it all.

And there you have it. A tough list to compile so let us know what you would’ve included or what you’ll be up to during your bank holiday weekend in Cornwall.

Although Cornwall is synonymous with British beach breaks, there is far more to it than that. Explore the many villages and parishes inland and stroll the moorland for a complete contrast to the numerous beaches and rugged coastline. Take a walk and admire the coast from high up along some of the 258 miles of coastal paths around Cornwall, take in the majestic rock formations created over centuries of erosion from the snarling sea and watch the tentative wildlife, daring to peek out of their nests and burrows now that the hoards of trampling feet have disappeared.

Autumn is also a pet-friendly time of year with many of the beaches and attractions, such as The Lost Gardens of Heligan now allowing pets, as are many of our pet-friendly cottages throughout the county. Stay at our new property Dozmary Pool Barn, Bolventor on Bodmin Moor and enjoy its high quality accommodation and central location for the ultimate Cornish self-catering holiday.

 Don’t delay, book now to find your perfect piece of Cornwall in autumn.

Initially I wasn’t convinced. As with many things, I need to see the proof before I’m convinced and the prospect of wading around in the chilly waters, skidding on the slimy seaweed or coming up against some scary sea monsters (brave girl that I am!!) didn’t exactly have me rolling my trouser legs up in anticipation.

That was until a recent beach side stay with an enthusiastic friend who, when seeing that the British summer weather had prevailed again, was adamant that we were not going to ignore the other wonders that the beach had to offer. With great reluctance and concern for my rather expensive flip-flops, I tentatively dipped my toe into my first adult rock pooling experience.

Dotted along the shore and amongst the rocks, I noted that rock pooling was clearly something that spanned all age ranges; from single strollers to competitive youngsters trying to beat their sibling rivals to marking off all the species on their rock pool identification sheets, all embracing this free past time and that’s when I realised I was, in fact, enjoying myself.

Yes, I did get a bit squeamish when the seaweed wrapped around my ankle and yes, I nearly cried as my beloved flip-flip floated off my foot and was last seen heading towards France but I was enchanted when we came across an azure blue pool, with a soft sandy floor and little hidey-holes with a wealth of marine life just waiting for closer examination. I was intrigued by the variety of sea life and wondered at the beauty of pink-blobs (sea anemones, my friend informed me) and marvelled as a tiny, baby starfish attached itself to my little finger. All around me I could hear the shrieks of excited children and see the smiles of adults as they waded over to huddle around their beach aquariums to answer their inquisitive broods.

Amongst Cornwall’s array of beautiful beaches, you are sure to find your own rock pooling paradise; from secluded coves to vibrant resorts, team this with a stay in a fantastic self-catering cottage near to the beach to make this the perfect location for a year round holiday.

And so, with broken sunshine warming my back and salty air in my nostrils, I limped back up the beach knowing that I had lost a flip-flop but I had gained, perhaps not a rare ocean find but a new appreciation for the simple pleasures that the beach can bring.