Devon packs two coastlines, two national parks and some of the most welcoming dog-friendly villages in England into one county. Whether it’s rockpooling on the south coast, surf beaches in the north or striding across Dartmoor, dogs are properly spoilt here – and unlike Cornwall, you can often find a quiet corner even in August.
Dog-friendly beaches in Devon
Devon splits its beaches between year-round dog beaches, zoned beaches and summer bans (typically May to September), so it pays to know before you go:
- Saunton Sands – three and a half miles of North Devon sand with huge dog-friendly stretches and dunes to explore behind
- Ness Cove, Shaldon – reached through an old smugglers’ tunnel, and dog-friendly all year
- Exmouth – two miles of sand with a zoned system, so there’s dog-friendly beach even in peak season
- Woolacombe – a surf classic with designated dog zones year-round
Check signage on arrival – zones and dates shift. Our UK dog-friendly beaches guide covers how the seasonal rules work.
Where to base yourself
South Hams (Salcombe, Kingsbridge, Hope Cove): sheltered coves, estuary walks and the prettiest stretch of the south coast. Busy in summer but glorious off-season.
North Devon (Croyde, Woolacombe, Instow): the surf coast – big beaches, big dunes, and the flat Tarka Trail for easy days.
Dartmoor edge (Tavistock, Chagford, Ashburton): moorland walking from the door and honest market-town pubs; the coast is still only 40 minutes away.
Dartmouth and the River Dart: boats, woods and water – the dog-friendly ferries and river trips are a great rest-day option.
Where to stay: dog-friendly cottages in Devon
Devon does cottage holidays properly – thatched longhouses, converted barns and fishermen’s cottages by the harbour. Our usual rules apply: genuinely enclosed garden, walks from the door, and check the stairs situation for older dogs. On Dartmoor, look for a wood burner and a flagstone floor – wet dog and moorland go together.
[Cottage picks with affiliate links to go here – one South Hams coastal, one North Devon surf-beach, one Dartmoor moorland, one budget option.]
Walks and days out
Haytor and Hound Tor: the classic Dartmoor introduction – short climbs, huge views, and space to roam. Keep dogs on leads around livestock and during ground-nesting season (March to July).
Salcombe to Hope Cove: a superb half-day stretch of the South West Coast Path with a dog-friendly pub finish.
The Tarka Trail: flat, traffic-free and over 30 miles long – perfect for older dogs, rainy days or a café-to-café amble.
Teign Gorge, Castle Drogo: a woodland-and-river circuit that works in any weather, with swimming spots in the Teign.
Practical tips
- Summer bans on restricted beaches typically run May to September – longer than Cornwall’s, so check dates not just signs
- Dartmoor firing ranges: parts of the northern moor close for military training – check firing times before a big walk
- Lambing season (roughly February to May) means leads on around any farmland – and Dartmoor is essentially one big farm
- Adders like the moor’s sunny banks and the coastal heath – keep dogs close in warm weather