Jemima Kirkwood
13 January 2021
The amazing beaches in Devon are one of the main reasons why thousands travel here year on year to come and spend their holidays. There is nothing more relaxing than a beach break and the South West shores of the UK can promise white sand beaches mixed with fresh sea air and balmy temperatures.
When planning a break with the dog, it is important to factor in where you plan to stay near the beach and, in our opinion, self-catering accommodation in Devon is the way to go. You can organise a cottage for your family which is totally yours, and the no-curfew arrangement means you can take each day as it comes and enjoy it to the full. The dog will be fully relaxed too if it feels settled in a cottage, in turn making your break even better!
We have looked out for some of our favourite dog-friendly cottages in Devon which are set by the beach. These offer a great place to let them loose in the morning, setting you and the dog up for a fun day ahead. This will no doubt inspire you to pack up the family and plan your next adventure. Check these beauties out…
Woolacombe | Sleeps 2 | 🐕 1 dog welcome
If you are looking for a cosy apartment with amazing sea views, check out Morte View, a cool spot with a private balcony overlooking Barricane Bay. Sleeping two, this would be ideal for a couple looking for a romantic retreat and a base for their daily explorations.
The balcony is the main selling point and makes for a lovely space to sit and soak up the morning sun whilst you all have a lazy breakfast, before a morning stroll along the beach. Or settle down with a glass of wine and game of Scrabble at the end of the day whilst the dog takes a snooze at your feet. It is small and compact but has everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
Dogs will love:
- Woolacombe Beach is close by with 3 miles of sandy beach to play on. Croyde Beach and Saunton Sands are also within easy reach giving you lots of options.
- Just round the corner is The Red Barn which is a friendly pub that welcomes the dog.
- There is a communal garden where the dog can stretch the legs, have a run about or nap whilst you cook up a storm on the BBQ.
Keep in mind that there are dog restrictions in that they are not allowed between the rocks at the north end of the beach and the stream between April and September. This is just a small section, and there is still plenty of beach for them to play on.
If you want to find out more about this area, check out our local's guide to Woolacombe. You can also browse all of our dog-friendly cottages in Woolacombe.
Westward Ho! | Sleeps 6 | 🐕 1 dog welcome
This is a ground-floor apartment which is located in the popular North Devon resort of Westward Ho! It boasts the amazing position of being set right on the seaside, views of which can be enjoyed from the stylish balcony that dons the front of the apartment. This makes for a lovely spot to sit and soak up this beautiful part of North Devon, spot wildlife and people watch as much as you want.
There is an open-plan living space which is stylish and homely, and this layout lends itself well to keeping an eye on the dog. We have no doubt it will spend a lot of time lazing by the double doors, soaking up the sun! There are three lovely bedrooms, one of which has bunk beds making it really family friendly.
Dogs will love:
- Westward Ho! beach is right on the doorstep meaning endless walks are possible for your furry friend.
- Victoria Park is just round the corner where you will find lots of colourful gardens to play in and an outdoor pool. Whilst this isn’t for dogs, they will enjoy watching the kids splash about.
- Nearby is the South West Coast Path which will be the perfect scenic adventure and a great way to burn off some energy!
Keep in mind that dogs are allowed on the whole beach between October and April, but there are restrictions in the summer months. These will all be mapped out on signs, so keep an eye out for tourist signs.
Read all about North Devon’s much loved holiday resort in our guide to Westward Ho!, or explore all of our dog-friendly cottages in Westward Ho!.
Plymouth | Sleeps 8 | 🐕🐕 2 dogs welcome
This is a former coastguard cottage that has been converted into a lovely large holiday home which overlooks the sea from an elevated position. Close to the sheltered bay of Bovisand, you can enjoy a garden setting when staying here, knowing a beach is a short stroll away. There is a nice patio area and terraced garden in which you can relax with the lovely views whilst the kids and dogs play to their heart's content.
The cottage itself is stylish and fully equipped with everything you are going to need, including a games room with TV and video games and a modern kitchen for the nights you want to eat in. The living room opens out onto the garden meaning you can keep an eye on everyone easily. With lots of inland walking routes and coastal paths to explore, there is lots of opportunity for adventure in the surrounding area. If you are all keen walkers, make sure you check out our guide to Devon’s most scenic walks.
Dogs will love:
- The enclosed garden with patio area for playing and snoozing in the sun.
- A daily short walk to Bovisand Beach every morning to start the day. Dogs are allowed all year round here.
- The wood burner for cosy nights in after fun-filled days out.
Read all about Plymouth in our helpful local's guide to Plymouth, or find even more places to stay among our dog-friendly cottages in Plymouth.
Mortehoe | Sleeps 10 | 🐕 1 dog welcome
This is a gorgeous three-storey house with amazing views out over Morte Point and the big blue ocean. Just 1.5 miles from the famous Woolacombe beach this is a great base for those who love beach days and water sports. It is also located on the Southwest Coastal Path making it the perfect spot for dog walks and coastal adventures.
Sleeping ten people, this is the perfect holiday home for those groups or families looking for a seaside retreat in Devon. It is contemporary and stylish with lots of sociable spaces for everyone to enjoy together. The location of the cottage is great for those who like to dine out, but for the nights when you want to stay in, the kitchen is fully equipped with everything you are going to need. There is so much to be done in the area in covering everything from walking the Tarka Trail to cycling along the coast.
Dogs will love:
- Large and spacious living areas for socialising with the humans.
- Electric fire for cosy nights in after days out exploring.
- Private garden for play time and decking area off the kitchen with beautiful sea views.
Combe Martin | Sleeps 6 | 🐕🐕 2 dogs welcome
If you are looking for a more secluded beach, then this little hidden gem should be on your radar. Combe Martin is a coastal village and Gulls Way, this charming cottage sleeping six, is a lovely base from which to enjoy your Devon holiday. Inside the cottage is a beautiful space to enjoy time in, with muted colours and high-quality furnishings. There is a lovely big window in the living room where you can sit and enjoy the view.
Outside there is a lovely, decked area with table and chairs which is the perfect spot to soak up the sun and admire the flowers in the garden. From here, you can see the small beach, which is a stone's throw away from the cottage itself. This space is great for the dog as is it enclosed by a glass barrier. This Devon cottage is a lovely base for your next coastal adventure with the dog.
Dogs will love:
- The cottage is all on one level meaning the humans don’t have to leave them downstairs at night-time.
- The outdoor decking area with garden and wildlife to watch.
- The harbour town of Illfracombe is a short distance away, perfect for a nice potter, beach time and dog-friendly pub options.
Want to learn more about this area? Check out our guide to Combe Martin.
Make the most of your Devon stay and research everything dog-friendly
If you are looking to visit Devon, we are the experts when it comes to dog-friendly holidays! We have done our research to make this part of the process as easy as possible for you, and have found everything from all of the dog-friendly beaches in Devon to the best of Devon's dog-friendly pubs, all packed into our dog-friendly guide to Devon.
Come and stay in a dog-friendly cottage by the beach
We hope we have inspired you to take your whole family to Devon and encouraged you to take the dog too. So many of our owners love dogs, welcoming them with open arms to their homes. This is just a sample of the cottages there are to rent in Devon near beaches and we welcome you to come and spend a bit more time browsing to find the perfect one for you.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.