Dog-friendly beaches in Bude 2023

Beautiful beaches in north Cornwall are plentiful, and dog friendly beaches in Bude also aren’t hard to come by. Although as with a trip to any beach in Cornwall, it’s worth doing your research first.

Unfortunately for dog owners, during the summer months many beaches, including Bude, have restrictions. Although the good news is that you’ll find that many of these dog restrictions are seasonal, usually just covering the peak season, and often only during the day. Bude’s three main beaches Crooklets, Summerleaze and Widemouth Bay all operate a seasonal dog ban, but travel a little outside of Bude and there are many wonderful beaches which allow dogs all year round.

Many dog-friendly beaches in Bude can be reached via South West Coast Path. Dogs are permitted along the whole 640 miles of coast path but it’s a dog walker’s duty to ensure they’re always kept in sight; away from cliff edges, and on use a lead around sheep, cows and horses.

Here at Cornish Secrets we also have plenty of dog-friendly accommodation in Bude, click here to see our properties where dogs are just as welcome as their owners.

Northcott Mouth, North Cornwall ©National Trust Images Rhodri Davies

Northcott Mouth

Bude’s closest dog friendly beach is Northcott Mouth, which is just over a mile from Crooklets Beach. A National Trust owned beach as it’s that little further out from the town centre and a little quieter than its neighbours it can feel like a secret cove.

Four legged friends are allowed on the beach all year round making it a popular choice for dog owners, but equally there’s a seasonal lifeguard service too giving it family appeal. A rather breath-taking spot, there’s towering dramatic cliffs either side, the dramatic Bude Foundation, made up of rocks formed over 300 million years ago.

Black Rock

Less than three miles from Bude, Widemouth Bay has two main beaches; Widemouth Bay and Black Rock, a west-facing beach at the rockier (hence the name), southern end of Widemouth Bay. Black Rock is generally the quieter of the two and allows dogs all year round. The beach has clean, clear sands alongside some dramatic rock formations. It’s a good spot for rock-pooling too, the perfect place for your pooch to cool off.

There’s plenty of parking (pay and display), or you may choose to walk the coast path from Bude? Facilities also include toilets and a very dog-friendly beach café, open for a hearty breakfasts or tasty lunches.

Sandymouth

Less than three miles from Bude via the South West Coast Path, Sandymouth is a dog-friendly beach all year round which is owned by the National Trust. Unlike many dog-friendly beaches, it’s also lifeguarded during the peak season making it a popular choice for families with dogs, as well as surfers and rock-poolers. The landscape is beautifully rugged, with one of North Cornwall’s most impressive backdrops of sheer cliffs dating back millions of years.

At low tide you’re able to walk to Bude’s Crooklets Beach (two miles), but bear in mind during the summer Crooklets has dog restrictions in place.

©National Trust Images Sue Brackenbury

Duckpool

National Trust owned, Duckpool is a wild, rugged, dog-friendly beach near Bude, nestled within the cliffs at the mouth of the historic Coombe valley.

This breath-taking beach is surrounded by ancient woodlands and grasslands, and a river flows down the valley to the sea, effectively dividing the beach in half – and a place dogs love to paddle in. A classic narrow Cornish beach, it’s dominated by a 100-metre cliff known as Steeple Point. It provides spectacular views if you take the coastal path, but remember to keep dogs on a lead as plenty of livestock roam free.

Millook Haven

For another dog-friendly beach near Bude, head south to Millook. A pebbly beach, it’s about 2 miles from Black Rock at Widemouth Bay, and is accessible via the coast path, beware it’s steep in places and it’s recommended to keep dogs on a lead.

Parking is a real issue here, so if you and your pup have the energy we’d recommend parking in Widemouth and walking. Once you arrive at Millook you’ll notice the large pebbles and coarse shingle, at low tide you may notice a few patches of sand but pebbles certainly dominate.