Dog Friendly Dartmouth
Dartmouth prides itself on being a welcoming place to visit, and dogs are no exception. There are plenty of dog-friendly places to stay, eat, and shop in Dartmouth. If you do choose to bring your dog, we hope this guide is a helpful resource as you plan your visit.
Continue reading to discover the best places to eat in Dartmouth, or use our handy quick links to navigate to the most relevant section:
- Travelling With Your Dog
- Discover Dartmouth With Your Dog
- Dog Friendly Beaches Near Dartmouth
- Staying Safe On Holiday
Dartmouth also offers a variety of options which can suit lots of different doggy needs. Not every dog will enjoy the beach, so fortunately the beautiful River Dart has some lovely riverside and woodland walks. If your dog is full of energy then the hills that surround Dartmouth will give you plenty of opportunity to tire them out. And if your four-legged friend is less than enthusiastic about rainy walks, then Dartmouth has some lovely pub fire-places for them to curl up in front of.
Travelling With Your Dog
The chance to share your holiday with your dog is a great reason to plan a stay in Dartmouth. It’s important to put as much thought into planning your dog’s experience as you do your own. After all, you want them to enjoy the break as much as you do! Taking the time to consider their needs and options in advance will help ensure a stress-free and enjoyable trip for everyone.
Pets can find a change in routine and environment, and the actual journey can be quite stressful, so you’ll need to think through what’s best for them. Dartmouth has a number of accommodation providers who have dog-friendly policies:
- Bayards Cove Inn
- Coast & Country Cottages
- Dart Marina Hotel
- Dartmouth Hotel, Golf & Spa
- Dart Valley Cottages
- Dittisham Hideaways
- Holiday Cottages UK
- Marsden Cottages
- Royal Castle Hotel
Be sure to let your accommodation provider know in advance that you are bringing your dog, and find out what facilities they offer such as dog beds, water/food bowls, and doggy toilet breaks close by. Be sure to read the property house rules carefully before booking as these will differ from place to place.
Also, be aware that some dogs will find the change in environment unsettling, so you may want to bring their own bed, bowls, and blankets with them. Consistency can help them feel more secure, and the RSPCA recommends bringing something from home that smells familiar. In addition, maintaining the semblance of routine can be helpful with food, exercise, bed, and toilet breaks around the same time each day.
Discover Dartmouth With Your Dog
The walking opportunities around Dartmouth are a big draw for dog owners. The South West Coast Path follows the stunning coast on either side of the harbour, and the Dart Valley Trail is another highly recommended route along the beautiful Dart River. There are also a series of heritage walks within Dartmouth, that allow you to explore the history of this beautiful town as your dog gets a chance to stretch their legs. In addition the Jubilee Walk is a lovely circular route taking in some amazing views of the harbour and the Britannia Royal Navel College from the hills above town.
There are also plenty of cafes, pubs, and restaurants that welcome dogs – a water bowl on the pavement outside or dog treats on the bar are a giveaway! Many of our shops are also dog-friendly, so there is nothing stopping a bit of retail therapy among the wonderful range of shops available including a chance to treat your gorgeous pooch.
And if your dog needs a glow-up after walking muddy footpaths, there is a dog wash and a pet parlour available in town. Dartmouth really can cater for all your doggy needs.
Dog-friendly beaches near Dartmouth
Just a 20-minute dog walk from Dartmouth town center are two beautiful dog-friendly beaches near Dartmouth Castle. Castle Cove and Sugary Cove are small but perfectly formed secluded beaches that welcome pooches all year round.
The nearby three-mile stretch of Slapton Sands is bordered by the sea and the freshwater ley making for a perfect day out with your dog throughout the year – the popular Salcombe Ice Cream Beach Hut even sells doggy ice creams.
Blackpool Sands is another stunning spot to consider, but as it is a Blue Flag Beach and popular with families, dogs are only allowed on the beach in the off-season.
Staying Safe On Holiday
Visiting any new location with your pooch requires a degree of caution, as you and your pet will be unfamiliar with your surroundings. Dartmouth is a rural location, so pavements aren’t always available, and keeping your pet on a lead is important. If you do find yourself walking along the road, don’t forget the key rules:
Walk on the side that means you are facing oncoming traffic except when you go around a corner when you should place yourself on the outside of the corner so that traffic can see you
Footpaths will often pass through farm fields, and even the best behaved dogs can get excited around livestock. So always keep your dog on a lead when you are crossing farm fields. Please also be aware that the local farmers move their stock around quite regularly, so just because there was no livestock on today’s walk doesn’t mean there won’t be another time you take the same route.
It is also really important to keep you and your pet on the footpaths if you are walking through a field of crops. It might look fun to see your dog doing zoomies amongst the wheat, but this will be causing damage to the crops that farmers rely on for their income.
Finally, if you are dog walking by water and your dog gets into trouble, the RNLI advice is that you do not follow your dog into the water. You risk your own safety, and in most instances, your pet will sort themselves out. Better to call for the right help than get into trouble yourself.
With all that said, Dartmouth is a very dog-friendly town, so come along and have a lovely and relaxed time with your four-legged friend in this beautiful part of Devon.
Explore all that Dartmouth has to offer and plan your next trip with the help of our website guides:
Food & Drink | What’s On | Explore the Past | Plan Your Visit
Looking for more information during your stay in Dartmouth, Devon?
Our friendly and knowledgeable local volunteers are available to help at the Dartmouth Visitor Centre.