Dog Friendly English Riviera

One of the great joys of the English Riviera is its stunning and unspoilt coastline.  Along a 22-mile stretch, there are more than 20 beaches and secluded coves to explore with your four-legged friends. Going away for your holidays can often mean leaving one of the most important members of the family behind, but the English Riviera always extends a warm welcome to all our visitors and that means pooches, too.  That is why you’ll find plenty of dog friendly information here.

Dogs have always played an important part of life in the Westcountry. Many of our canine friends still play a vital role in the economy of the region, particularly in the farming, policing and leisure fields. That is why we tend to be much more accommodating towards guests who don’t want to leave their beloved pet behind when they come down to visit us. The result is plenty of pet friendly hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping sites, where your dog will receive just as warm a welcome as you do!

Many resorts ban dogs from beaches completely. Not us. Here on the English Riviera we know that dogs enjoy playing in the sand as much as the kids do, so beaches across the English Riviera are open to dogs from 1st October to 30th April. During the summer months there are plenty of beaches that allow dogs including Babbacombe Beach, Livermead Sands in Torquay, as well as other sandy destinations around the Bay.  (see list below).

The towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, which make up the English Riviera welcomes all responsible dog owners, but you need to know which beaches you can take your pooch to and when.  They must also be kept on a lead on promenades and if your dog is excitable and does not respond to your commands, it should be kept on a lead on the beach as well. Poop Scoop bylaws operate all year round.

As well as having impressive beaches and fantastic coastal walks (The English Riviera forms a key section of the South West Coast Path), we also know that fun and food with your dog is just as important. Some attractions and eateries welcome dogs of all shapes and sizes and with so many outdoor eating areas you and your dog can enjoy your time here on the English Riviera. 

Dogs on Beaches

Permitted (Scoop bylaws operate all year round).  Further information can be found via http://www.torbay.gov.uk/asb-environment-and-nuisance/dogs/dogs-on-the-beach/ 

Anstey’s Cove, Torquay.
Babbacombe Beach, Torquay. 
Beacon Cove, Torquay.
Churston Cove, Brixham.
Elberry Cove, Churston, Brixham.
Fairy Cove, Paignton.
Fishcombe Cove, Brixham.
Goodrington Sands -North Sands, Paignton.
Livermead Sands, Torquay
Maidencombe Beach, Torquay. 
Meadfoot Beach, Torquay (North eastern part).
Oyster Cove, Paignton.
Peaked Tor Cove, Torquay.
Saltern Cove, Paignton.
Shoalstone, Brixham.
St Mary's Bay, Brixham.
 
Not permitted (From 1st May - 30 September)

Breakwater Beach, Brixham.
Broadsands Beach, Paignton.
Corbyn Head, Torquay
Goodrington Sands -South Sands, Paignton (between the cliffs at the southern end and the signs at Middlestone to the north).
Hollicombe Beach, Torquay.
Meadfoot Beach, Torquay (South Western part between notices on the foreshore).
Oddicombe Beach, Babbacombe, Torquay.
Paignton Sands (South Western part, between Paignton Harbour and the signs displayed at the Redcliffe Hotel)
Preston Beach, Paignton.
Shoalstone Pool, Brixham
Torre Abbey Sands, Torquay

Main attractions which accept dogs

Babbacombe Cliff Railway, Babbacombe Downs Road, TQ1 3LF
Dogs must be well behaved an kept on a lead.

Babbacombe Model Village, Hampton Avenue, TQ1 3LA 
Dogs must be on a lead throughout the attraction, not allowed in the café.

Bygones, Fore Street, St Marychurch, TQ1 4PR -
Dogs are welcome on a lead throughout the attraction but with restricted use of the café.

Dartmouth Steam Train & Riverboat Company, Queens Park Station, Torbay Road, TQ4 6AF
Dogs accepted on a lead and not allowed on the seats. There is a £2 charge per dog.

Golden Hind, The Quay, TQ5 8AW 
Dogs on leads welcome

Dog Friendly Pubs, Cafes and Restaurants

TORQUAY

Angel’s Tearooms (outside terrace only), 49 Babbacombe Downs Road, TQ1 3LP

Aqua Lounge Riviera Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, TQ2 5LZ

Babbacombe Inn, 59 Babbacombe Downs Road, TQ1 3LP

Below Decks, Beacon Quay, TQ1 2BG

Bistro Pierre, (ground floor only), Unit 1, Abbey Crescent, Abbey Sands, TQ2 5FB 

The Buccaneer Inn, 41-43 Babbacombe Downs Road, TQ1 3LN

Burridges, (small dogs allowed inside), 8 Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BB 

Café One Hundred, 100 Union Street, TQ2 5PY

Cary Arms, Beach Road, Babbacombe, TQ1 3LX

Clocktower, 23 Torwood Street, TQ1 1ED

Coffee #1, 25 Fleet Street, TQ1 1DB

Devon Arms, 8 Park Lane, TQ1 2AU 

Drum Inn (bar area and outside), Cockington, TQ2 6XA

Driftwood Cafe, 55 Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, TQ1 4PU

Hole in the Wall, 6 Park Lane, TQ1 2AU

Kents Pub, IIsham Road, Wellswood, TQ1 2JG 

Labrows Bistro Bar, 131 Reddenhill Road, TQ1 3NT

Lighthouse Café and Bar, 23 Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BD

Lulu’s, 13-14 Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BB

Meadfoot Beach Café, Meadfoot Sea Road, TQ1 2LQ

Meat 59, 59 Abbey Road, TQ2 5NQ

Mr Cook, Walnut Road, TQ2 5JY

On the Rocks Torquay (dogs are permitted inside lunchtime and outside evenings), Abbey Crescent, TQ2 5HB

Saltwater Fish Restaurant and Takeaway, 2 Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BB

Silver Goose Cafe, 9 Fore Street, St Marychurch, TQ1 4PU - 01803 325254

Singing Kettle Tea Rooms, Belgrave Road, TQ2 5HP

Seven Dials Cafe, Cockington Court, TQ2 6XA 

Shiraz Continental Café Bar, 2 Vaughan Parade, TQ2 5EG

Thyme Out, 37-38 Fleet Street, TQ2 5DJ

Twenty1, (ground floor only), 21 Victoria Parade, TQ1 2BB

Visto Lounge, Abbey Crescent, Torbay Road, TQ2 5HD

The Waddling Duck Bistro (one dog only with a table reservation), 35 Illsham Road, TQ1 2JG

Wellies of Wellswood 21 Ilsham Road, TQ1 2JG

PAIGNTON

The Boathouse, Marine Drive, TQ5 2NJ 

Broadsands Bistro, Broadsands Beach, TQ4 6HL

Cantina, Youngs Park Road, TQ4 6BU

Cafe No 10, 10a Torquay Road, TQ3 3AB

Caffe Tutto, 57 Torbay Road, TQ4 6AJ

Church House Inn, Village Road, Marldon, TQ3 1SL

Cupcake Cafe, 14 Torbay Road, TQ4 6AF

The Factory, 42-44 Torbay Road, TQ4 6AL

Grand Central, 51 Torbay Road, TQ4 6AJ

Henry’s Bar, 53 Torbay Road, TQ4 6AJ

Holmans Courtyard Café (conservatory and courtyard only), 9 The Gerstons, Torquay Road, TQ3 3AD

KC’s Karen’s Café (outside terrace and garden only), 41 Hyde Road, TQ4 5BP

The London Fryer, 6 Seaway Road, TQ3 2NY

Maisons Coffee Shop, 52 Victoria Street, TQ4 5DS

Shoreline, Eastern Esplanade, TQ4 6ED

South Sands Cafe, Cliff Park Road, TQ4 6NB

TJ’s  (terrace only), 44 Cliff Road, TQ4 6DL

BRIXHAM

Bay Coffee Company, 12 The Quay, TQ5 8AW

The Blue Anchor, 83 Fore Street, TQ5 8AH

Breakwater Bistro The Breakwater, Berry Head Road, TQ5 9AF

Bullers Arms, 4 The Strand, TQ5 9HZ

Churston Manor Restaurant and Bar, Church Road, TQ5 0JE

Crafty Cwtch, 66 Middle Street, TQ5 8ER

The Curious Kitchen, 14-16 Middle Street, TQ5 8ER

Dilly Dally Tea Room, 1 King Street, TQ5 6AJ

Flour Flower, 40 Middle Street, TQ5 8ER

Guardhouse Café Berry Head Nature Reserve, TQ5 9AW

Churston Manor, Church Road, Churston Ferrers, TQ5 OJE

The Old Market House (ground floor only), The Quay, TQ5 8AW

On the Rocks, Unit 3, King Street, TQ5 9TF

Liberty Tea Parlour, 11 The Quay, TQ5 8AW

Nick's Fish Bar 3 The Strand, TQ5 8EH

Rockfish Brixham Fish Quay, TQ5 8AJ 

Tides, 25 The Quay, TQ5 8AW

The West Country Deli, (small dogs allowed inside), 45 Fore Street, TQ5 8AA