Our top 6 dog-friendly beaches near Dittisham Hideaway
We are extremely lucky to have some amazing dog friendly beaches within a short drive from us, with many being dog friendly all year, and the others for half of the year (the Autumn/Winter months). Here are a few of our favourites (tried and tested by the four-legged members of our own team, Rupert and Roly!)
Blackpool Sands is one of the closest beaches to us here at Dittisham Hideaway and is just 15-minutes drive along a picturesque route, skimming Dartmouth and wrapping round the coastline. This stony beach is very popular for water sports and wild swimming and also offers a beach sauna that can be booked for specific time slots. There is a great café/restaurant and take-away right on the beach which offers a delicious fish and chips, and a beach shop for any forgotten essentials. Additional facilities include clean and well-maintained toilets and showers. Dogs are allowed on the beach from October through to April.
Elberry Cove
You’ll need to venture across the River Dart to find Elberry Cove as it’s nestled on the Southwest Coast Path between Brixham and Paignton. It’s a 35-minute drive that includes a river crossing on the ferry. It’s a small shingle beach that is dog friendly all year and your four-legged friend will enjoy the walk down to it too as you can only reach it by foot along the coastal path from Broadsands. It’s a designated beach for water skiing, but is also safe to swim in. At one end of the Cove lies the remains of Lord Churston’s bathhouse, a romantic 18th century ruin. Elberry Cove was also one of the late Agatha Christie’s favourite bathing spots, with her Greenway holiday home not too far away.
North Sands
Dogs are welcome on North Sands beach all year. North Sands beach is located to the south of the pretty town of Salcombe and is a 35-minute drive from us here at Dittisham Hideaway. The small bay is also great for families, and the calm waters make it a good spot for children, as well as dogs. The beach is completely submerged at high tide, but with Salcombe town centre being just a 15-minute walk away, it’s a perfect excuse for a walk around the pretty waterside town and selection of independent shops. We highly recommend a visit to ‘The Winking Prawn’ while you’re there that is located just off the beach and offers a fabulous array of food and drink, including a BBQ during the summer evenings.
Slapton Sands/Torcross
Slapton Sands is a bit further along the coast from Blackpool Sands and is a 3-mile stretch of pebble beach which runs from Start Bay at one end, through Torcross, Slapton Sands and ends in Strete. It has plenty of space for your four-legged friend to run around on this year-round dog-friendly beach. It’s also great for sea fishing and swimming as the water is gentle and calm, and there are a lovely little selection of pubs and cafes located in Torcross to enjoy a coffee and cake or fish and chips. If you have time while you’re there, Slapton Sands nature reserve, which is located just inland from the beach, has a great walk around it too.
South Milton Sands
South Milton Sands is a 35-minute drive from us here at Dittisham Hideaway and is a wonderful long sandy beach that is dog-friendly all year round. It is a popular spot on a windy day if you’re into windsurfing and kite surfing, but equally suitable on a calmer day if you like kayaking or paddleboarding. The iconic Thurlestone Rock sits just off the shore. There is a good-sized pay and display National Trust car park located over the road from the beach and the renowned Beach House (currently a temporary structure as the original structure was recently unfortunately destroyed in a fire) serving great, fresh local food and drinks.
Sunny Cove
Sunny Cove is a real hidden gem of a soft sandy beach and although it is a little harder to reach (with a bit of a walk from Mill Bay through the woodland and around a beautiful coastal path), it’s our favourite so this one’s our little secret! Dogs are permitted on this beach all year and they will also love the walk to get there and back. At low tide you can also walk around on the beach back to the Salcombe ferry/car park. It’s a beautiful 50-minute scenic drink from Dittisham Hideaway, either direct to Mill Bay National Trust car park, or you can drive to Salcombe and catch the ferry across. It’s a little bit further from us, but we think it’s well worth the trip!
