Welcome to the charming seaside town of Looe, where the sun, sea, and sand combine to create the paw-fect staycation destination for you and your four-legged companions. There are plenty of tail-wagging things to do in Looe with dogs.
Dog Friendly Things to do in Looe
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Dog Friendly Places in Looe
Looe is one of the best places to visit in Cornwall with dogs. It is a small seaside town in South East Cornwall. It is split into two, East Looe and West Looe, with the river Looe running through the centre. The beauty spot has a rich history, fun attractions, activities, beaches and places to eat.
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You may recognise Looe as it is where the BBC’s Beyond Paradise is filmed. Shipton Abbot is a fictional town on the Devon coast. However, it is actually Looe in Cornwall. The series follows DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) and fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) in the years following their will-they-won’t-they romance in Death in Paradise.
Dog Friendly Beaches near Looe
Right in front of the old town is East Looe Beach. It has a gently sloping sandy beach, making it popular with families. You’ll see paddleboarders and wild swimmers in the colder months. However, there is an all-year ban on dogs. So, if you want a walk on the beach, you’ll have to visit some of the others nearby:
Talland Bay
Talland Bay is a quiet beach between Looe and Polperro. It’s dog-friendly all year round. It’s an Area of Outstanding Beauty and a Heritage Coast. When the tide is out, you can see a boiler from a French steam trawler, Marguerite, which ran into the rocks in 1922. You’ll also be able to explore the rock pools and spot sea creatures, from hermit crabs to suckerfish.
Millendreath Beach
Millendreath Beach, also known as Black Rock Beach, lies at the end of a wooded valley in a sheltered cove with soft sands and rock pools to explore during low tide. The beach is owned by Millendreath Beach Resort, which has accommodation with hot tubs, a bar, a café and a restaurant.
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Dog Walks in Looe
South West Coast Path
Even if you want to complete only some of it, you must see this South West Coast Path section. It’s one of the most popular dog friendly things to do in Cornwall. The route takes you past beaches, rockpools, remnants of shipwrecks and cosy fishing villages. It’s been praised as one of the best walks in the world.
BookBeat – Soundtrack Your Dog Walks
If you love turning a simple dog walk into a mini adventure, BookBeat is the perfect companion. This audiobook app gives you access to over a million stories – from gripping thrillers to feel-good novels – all ready to stream straight to your phone.
Even better, there’s a 30-day free trial, so you can give it a proper go with no pressure. And if BookBeat isn’t the right fit for you? No problem at all – you can cancel your subscription whenever you like, making it a totally stress-free way to soundtrack your dog walks.
Kilminorth Woods and the Giant’s Hedge
For a woodland escape that feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, head to Kilminorth Woods. The enchanting forest allows you and your dog to explore nature. The well-marked trails wind through ancient trees towards the highlight of Giant’s Hedge – a colossal, centuries-old earthwork.
Looe Mystery Treasure Trail
Great for all the family, including your dog, the Looe Treasure Trail will make you a detective for a few hours. It starts at Ferry Steps, and as you explore Looe, you’ll crack clues as you go along. There’s even a text message service if you get stuck. £9.99 for a print-at-home PDF.
Unusual Things to do in Looe with Dogs
Crabbing
Something I used to do as a child on holiday with my parents was crabbing. You can do this alongside the quayside on East Looe or near Ferry Steps in West Looe. Some nearby shops sell supplies, or bring your own bait, weight, bucket and a little patience. Watching them scuttle back into the water when you let them go is fun.
Things to do in Looe with Dogs in the Rain
If you’re looking for things to do in Looe in the rain, shelter from the sun or heat, Looe has some great things to do inside:
Old Guildhall Museum and Gaol
Like most Cornish seaside villages, Looe is known for smuggling. The Old Guildhall Museum, sometimes known as the Looe Museum, is open from March to October. The building retains many Medieval features, ancient cells and the raised magistrate’s bench. Exhibits include smuggling, stories from the court, WWI and WWII, canals, the Looe Railway and artefacts from the sea. All for only £2 per adult, and children are free. Dogs are not charged, but they must be kept on a lead.
Looe Heritage Centre
Located in The Old Sardine Factory in West Looe, the Looe Harbour Heritage Centre tells the maritime story of Looe. Within the building is Adventure Fit, a climbing wall on the ground floor, a coffee shop and a Michelin Guide restaurant. The Centre is open from Easter to September, and you can visit for £2.50 per adult or £1 for 5-16-year-olds. Dogs are free but must be kept on a lead.
Dog Friendly Restaurants in Looe
Looe has everything if you’re craving traditional pub fare, fresh seafood, or a cosy tearoom experience. As one of the best dog friendly places to visit in Cornwall, Looe offers diverse culinary experiences, catering to your taste buds and providing a warm welcome to your canine companions.
Some of our favourite dog friendly places to eat in Looe include The Coddy Shack, whose fish is sourced directly from the boats coming into Looe Harbour, The Ye Olde Salutation Inn on Fore Street, which serves delicious freshly made local food and large portions, and Fleur Cafe for traditional hot and cold snacks, breakfasts and cakes. The Old Boat House is the perfect spot for lunch, with luxury coffee, cakes, paninis, sandwiches and ice cream.
Dog Friendly Pubs Looe
I love pub crawling through Looe. Highlights along the route are Fisherman’s Arms, a 600-year-old Cornish pub with a fantastic beer garden for the summer and welcoming open fire for colder months, or The Golden Guinea, an old fisherman’s cottage that dates back 400 years and still has many original features.
Other popular dog-friendly pubs include The Ship Inn, which serves popular dishes at lunch and during the evenings alongside live music, and The Black Swan, which clearly marks the menu as gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan. Over in West Looe, The Jolly Sailor Inn is a family-run pub and one of the oldest in the UK, established in 1516. It is renowned for being a smuggler’s haven back in the day.
Most pubs have water bowls and treats behind the bar for your dog.
Perfect Place to Stay
You can stay in cottages, converted farmhouses, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes, holiday parks and campsites in Looe. Many establishments go the extra mile by providing amenities like dog beds, bowls, and even homemade treats upon arrival. Looe’s dog-friendly accommodations ensure your canine companion feels just as pampered as you do.
Things to do in Polperro with Dogs
With narrow streets, pretty cottages that cling to the hillside, and a harbour, Polperro village is undeniably attractive. You can’t drive into it; the roads are too narrow, meaning you explore on foot. Polperro is a 10-minute drive from Looe. There is a car park, with short and long stay options. Or, you can get the bus, with routes from Looe, St Cleer, Liskeard, Widegate, Pelynt and Plymouth.
It is known for its history of smuggling, including tobacco, brandy and gin. The working harbour still has pride of place in the village today, and you can even purchase fresh fish caught there. Plenty of attractions will satisfy solo travellers, couples, and families today. So, what is there to do in Polperro with your dog?
Dog Friendly Things to do in Polperro
Things to do near Looe
There are so many places near Looe to visit and explore. More information is coming soon.
Dog Friendly Looe
There you have it – a guide to Looe that’s as wag-worthy as a pup’s enthusiasm for a game of fetch! Whether your four-legged friend is a seasoned traveller or a first-time explorer, Polperro guarantees an unforgettable experience for both of you.
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