How to enjoy Boscastle with your dog, from the best walks to pubs, beaches and the rules to know.
Boscastle is a great place for a holiday with your dog. There are miles of coast path, a wooded river valley and plenty of pubs that welcome four-legged guests. Our campsite at Lower Pennycrocker Farm, about two miles away, welcomes up to two dogs per pitch at £2 each per night, and many of our guests come back year after year with their dogs. This guide shares our tips for exploring Boscastle with a dog.
For camping with dogs more generally, read our camping with dogs in Cornwall guide and our dog-friendly camping page.
Best walks for dogs
The Valency valley
The wooded path beside the River Valency is shady and sheltered, which makes it ideal on hot days. There are streams for paddling along the way. Keep dogs on a lead where the path crosses fields with livestock. See our Valency Valley walk.
Willapark headland
A short, steep walk from the harbour to the white lookout tower. The views are superb, but the cliffs are high and unfenced, so keep your dog on a lead near the edge.
The coast path
The South West Coast Path runs north and south from Boscastle. Both directions are dramatic, with steep climbs and descents. Take plenty of water for your dog in warm weather, as there are few streams on the clifftops.
Cliff safety
Every year, dogs are injured or killed falling from Cornish cliffs, often while chasing birds or rabbits. Please:
- Keep dogs on a lead on clifftop paths.
- Be extra careful in wind and mist.
- Never follow a dog over a cliff edge. Call the coastguard on 999 instead.
Livestock
Much of the land around Boscastle is farmed, with sheep, cattle and horses in the fields. Keep dogs on a lead in fields with livestock. If cattle become aggressive, let your dog off the lead and walk calmly away. Close gates behind you.
Beaches for dogs
Boscastle harbour is not a sandy beach, but there are dog-friendly beaches within a short drive. Some popular beaches have seasonal dog restrictions in summer, usually from around Easter to the end of September, so check the signs. Our beaches near Boscastle post and beaches page list options.
Pubs and cafés
Many pubs in Boscastle welcome well-behaved dogs in the bar area. Policies change, so ask before you go in. Our Boscastle pubs guide covers the village inns.
Places dogs can't go
- The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic: assistance dogs only.
- Some shops and cafés: look for signs or ask.
- Some beaches in summer: check seasonal restrictions.
If one of you wants to visit the museum, the other can take the dog for a walk round the harbour or up to Willapark.
Hot weather
- Never leave a dog in a car, even with windows open.
- Walk early in the morning or in the evening.
- Carry water and a bowl.
- Choose shady routes like the Valency valley.
At the campsite
Dogs are welcome at Lower Pennycrocker Farm, up to two per pitch at £2 per dog per night. Please keep dogs on a lead on site and clean up after them. We don't have a designated exercise area on site, but the coast path is about half a mile away and there are lanes and footpaths nearby. We are a working farm, so keep dogs under close control around animals.
Ticks, adders and other hazards
Ticks live in long grass and bracken, so check your dog (and yourself) after every walk. Adders are occasionally seen on warm, sunny banks along the coast in spring and summer. They are shy, but if your dog is bitten, keep it calm and get to a vet quickly. Sea water and seaweed can upset dogs' stomachs, so bring fresh water to the beach.
Useful kit for dog owners
- A long lead for open paths and a short lead for busy areas.
- Poo bags, plenty of them.
- A towel for muddy, sandy or wet dogs.
- A collapsible water bowl.
- A tick remover. Ticks are common in long grass and bracken.
- A dog bed or blanket for the tent, van or caravan.
A dog-friendly day in Boscastle
Here is a simple plan for a relaxed day with your dog that avoids the busiest times in the village.
- Early walk up the Valency valley.
- Coffee at a dog-friendly café.
- Harbour wander and a short climb to Willapark.
- Lunch at a dog-friendly pub.
- Afternoon on a dog-friendly beach nearby.
- Back to the campsite for a quiet evening.
Further afield with your dog
For dog-friendly days beyond the village, from Bodmin Moor to the Camel Trail, see dog-friendly things to do in north Cornwall.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boscastle dog friendly?
Yes. Walks, many pubs and some cafés welcome dogs. The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic only admits assistance dogs.
Are dogs allowed at Lower Pennycrocker Farm?
Yes, up to two dogs per pitch at £2 per dog per night. Dogs must be on a lead on site.
Are there dog-friendly beaches near Boscastle?
Yes, within a short drive. Check signs for seasonal restrictions on popular beaches.
What should I do if my dog goes over a cliff?
Call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Do not try to climb down yourself.
Before a beach day, check the summer rules in our guide to dog-friendly beaches in north Cornwall.
Stay near Boscastle
Lower Pennycrocker Farm is a quiet, family-run campsite at St Juliot, about two miles from Boscastle (PL35 0BY). We welcome tents, touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans from 1 April to 31 October. Adults are £10 a night, children aged 5 and over £5, electric hook-up £7 and dogs £2 each (maximum two). Showers are free and you park beside your pitch. Check availability and book direct, or see pitches and prices.
