Happy Family walking with 2 dogs in St Austell, Cornwall

Dog Friendly Attractions Near St Austell

Dog Friendly Attractions near St Austell.

Family friendly places where where dogs are genuinely welcomed and not only tolerated near St austell, Cornwall

Dogs are an intrinsic part of the family, it’s important that one’s dog is happy and content, ensuring the rest of the family can have a good time together.

There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to keep the dog happy in a less than ideal environment.

Below is a list of the top 10 attractions in and around St Austell where Dogs are very much welcomed.

Attraction Dog Policies and Family appeak Costs Ratings

1. Wheal Martyn Clay Works

The Gold Standard. Dogs are allowed everywhere, including the museum, nature trails, and even inside the cafe. Kids love the interactive discovery centre.

Family ~£42. Ticket valid for 12 months. Great woodland walks, Unlimited returns

Trip Advisor: 4.5

Google: 4.5

2. Par Sands Beach

The “Any Time” Beach. Unlike nearby Porthpean or Pentewan, this huge sandy beach is dog-friendly 365 days a year. Shallow water is great for toddlers.

Free. Parking is cheaper than private beaches (~£4/day). Backed by dunes.2

Trip Advisor: 4.5

Google: 4.6

3. Lost Gardens of Heligan

Garden Explorers. Dogs are welcome in the acres of gardens year-round (on leads). A much better value proposition for dog owners than Eden (where dogs can’t enter the main biomes).

Family ~£58 (varies). “Pay what you can” in Jan/Feb. Farm animals & rope bridge for kids. Locals Passes available.

Trip Advisor: 4.3

Google: 4.7

4. Cornwall FootballGolf

Active Fun. Dogs can walk the 18-hole course with you on a lead while the family plays. A rare  highly rated “activity” that welcomes dogs on leads

Adult £12.99 / Child £9.99. Takes ~2 hours. Bar/Food onsite.

Trip Advisor : 5.0

Google: 4.9

5. Clay Trails

Free Adventures. Miles of off-road, traffic-free gravel paths perfect for cycling or walking with dogs. Stunning “moonscape” views of the clay tips. Walk, run, Ride bikes.

Free. Access points at Wheal Martyn or St Austell. Bring bikes or walk.

Trip Advisor: 4.5

6. Pinetum Gardens

The Quiet Alternative. 30 acres of themed gardens where dogs are welcome throughout. Often quieter than Heligan, making it less stressful for nervous dogs.

Adult £16 / Child £8. The cafe is dog-friendly (often with treats available).

Trip Advisor: 4.2

Google: 4.2

7. Mevagissey Aquarium

Harbour Walk. A small, free aquarium on the harbour edge that welcomes well-behaved dogs. Combine it with a walk around the fishing village.

Free (Donations). Open late May–Oct. Great for a quick 30-min visit.

Trip Advisor: 4.5

8. Charlestown Harbour

History Stroll. While dogs are banned from the pebble beach, the harbour walls and village are very dog-friendly. Most pubs (e.g., Harbour Moon) welcome them.

Free to walk. Dogs only allowed on the beach during the winter months

Trip Advisor: 4.3

Google: 4.6

9. Porthluney Cove (Caerhays)

Castle Backdrop. Another excellent year-round dog-friendly beach in front of Caerhays Castle. Great for picnics and splashing in the stream.

Paid Parking. Cafe is dog-friendly. Gardens are seasonal, but beach is open all year.

Trip Advisor : 4.5

10. Eden Project

Outdoor Only. Note: Dogs are NOT allowed in the Biomes. Suitable only if you are happy to stick to the outdoor gardens (which are extensive).

Standard Entry. Expensive if you miss the Biomes, but the outdoor paths are extensive.9

Trip Advisor: 3.9

Google: 4.4

  • Wheal Martyn Clay Works

    The Gold Standard. Dogs are allowed everywhere, including the museum, nature trails, and even inside the cafe. Kids love the interactive discovery centre.

  • Duration: 2 Hours

  • Cost : Family ~£42. Ticket valid for 12 months. Great woodland walks. Free reentry all year.

  • Dogs: Allowed

  • Food: Yes – food, drinks & Ice creams

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5 / Google: 4.5
  • Par Sands Beach

    The “Any Time” Beach. Unlike nearby Porthpean or Pentewan, this huge sandy beach is dog-friendly 365 days a year. Shallow water is great for toddlers.

  • Food & Drink : 2 pubs a short walk away

  • Parking. Parking is cheaper than private beaches (~£4/day). Backed by dunes.2

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5 / Google: 4.6
  • Lost Gardens of Heligan

  • Garden Explorers. Dogs are welcome in the acres of gardens year-round (on leads). A much better value proposition for dog owners than Eden (where dogs can’t enter the main biomes).

  • Food & Drink : Cafe serving drinks and food.

  • Family ~£58 (varies). “Pay what you can” in Jan/Feb. Farm animals & rope bridge for kids. Locals passes available, early entry on Thursdays specifically for dog owners /walkers

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews :  Trip Advisor: 4.3 / Google: 4.7
  • Cornwall FootballGolf

    Active Fun. Dogs can walk the 18-hole course with you on a lead while the family plays. A rare family friendly “activity” centre that welcomes dogs on leads.

  • Food & Drink : The 19th Hole – Licensed bar selling hot food, drinks and ice creams

  • Parking: Free onsite parking.

  • Cost :  Adult £12.99 / Child £9.99. Takes ~2 hours.
  • Reviews : Trip Advisor : 5.0 / Google: 4.9
  • Clay Trails

    Free Adventures. Miles of off-road, traffic-free gravel paths perfect for cycling or walking with dogs. Stunning “moonscape” views of the clay tips.

  • Cost : Free. Access points at Wheal Martyn or St Austell. Bring bikes or walk.
  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5
  • Clay Trails

    The Quiet Alternative. 30 acres of themed gardens where dogs are welcome throughout. Often quieter than Heligan, making it less stressful for nervous dogs.

  • CostAdult £16 / Child £8. The cafe is dog-friendly (often with treats available)
  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.2 / Google: 4.2
  • Mevagissey Aquarium

    Harbour Walk. A small, free aquarium on the harbour edge that welcomes well-behaved dogs. Combine it with a walk around the fishing village. Fresh Fish, and lots of food options available.

  • Cost :Free (Donations). Open late May–Oct. Great for a quick 30-min visit.
  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5
  • Charlestown Harbour

    UNESCO world heritage site, The Georgian harbour built by Charles Rashleigh – History Stroll. While dogs are banned from the pebble beach during the summer, the harbour walls and village are very dog-friendly. Most pubs (e.g., Harbour Side, Rashleigh Arms, The Pier House) welcome them.

  • Cost : Free.
  • Parking: Paid.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 4.5

Porthluney Cove (Caerhays)

Castle Backdrop. Another excellent year-round dog-friendly beach in front of Caerhays Castle. Great for picnics and splashing in the stream.

  • Cost :Free. Cafe is dog-friendly. Gardens are seasonal, but beach is open all year.
  • Parking: Paid.

  • Reviews:  Trip advisor 4.5
  • Eden Project

    Outdoor Only. Note: Dogs are NOT allowed in the Biomes. Suitable only if you are happy to stick to the outdoor gardens (which are extensive).

  • Cost : Standard Entry. Expensive if you miss the Biomes, but the outdoor paths are extensive.Locals Passes available.

  • Parking: Free.

  • Reviews : Trip Advisor: 3.9 / Google: 4.4
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