Dog Friendly Places in Torquay

By The Hosting Company | Your local hosts on the English Riviera

Torquay is one of the best places in England to holiday with a dog. Between the miles of coastline, the ancient woodland, the dog-welcoming pubs with sea views and the sheer number of beaches where your four-legged companion can run free, the English Riviera consistently punches above its weight as a destination for dog owners. We know this because we spend a lot of time here, and because our guests tell us so, repeatedly.

This is our honest local guide to the very best dog friendly places in Torquay, covering beaches, walks, pubs, cafes, restaurants and a few practical tips to make your visit as smooth as possible. As ever, if you would like us to point you in the right direction before or during your stay, just ask.

Dog Friendly Beaches in Torquay

The beach rules in Torbay are straightforward once you know them. Certain beaches operate a seasonal restriction from 1st May to 30th September, when dogs are not permitted. Others welcome dogs all year round. Here is what you need to know.

Year-Round Dog Friendly Beaches

Anstey’s Cove is one of the most beautiful spots on the entire coast path and dogs are welcome here all year. Tucked between dramatic limestone cliffs with strikingly clear water, it is a wonderfully peaceful spot. Dogs can explore the rocks, paddle in the sea and sniff around the cove to their hearts’ content. The walk down from the road is steep but short, and the reward is considerable.

Meadfoot Beach allows dogs on the north-eastern section of the beach all year round. It is one of the loveliest beaches in Torquay, quieter than the main town beach and with excellent rockpools along the edges. Check the notices on the foreshore for the precise seasonal boundaries, and in summer be aware that the south-western section is restricted.

Maidencombe Beach is a small, almost secret crescent of sand north of Torquay, reached via a steep wooded path. Dogs are welcome all year. It is rarely crowded, the sand is beautiful and the wooded hillsides surrounding it make it feel wonderfully remote. The Thatched Tavern in the village above the beach is dog friendly and an excellent stop on the way back.

Peaked Tor Cove and Livermead Sands are both dog friendly all year round. Livermead in particular is a lovely stretch, quieter than the main town beach and just a short walk along the seafront from the town centre.

Watcombe Beach is a particularly special option: a near-perfect crescent of sand enclosed by steep wooded red-rock cliffs, giving it the feel of a natural amphitheatre. Dogs welcome all year, and rarely crowded.

Seasonal Dog Friendly Beaches (October to April)

During the off-season months, many of the main town beaches also open up to dogs, including Torre Abbey Sands and Oddicombe Beach at Babbacombe. If you are visiting outside the summer peak, these are superb options and the beaches take on a completely different, quieter character that both dogs and owners tend to love.

For full details of all beach rules across Torbay, the English Riviera dog friendly beach guide is the authoritative reference.

Dog Friendly Walks in Torquay

Torquay has an extraordinary range of walks for dogs, from gentle waterside strolls to dramatic clifftop routes. Here are the ones we recommend most.

Cockington Country Park

Cockington is probably the most popular dog walking destination in Torquay, and it is easy to see why. Over 460 acres of meadows, ornamental lakes, ancient woodland and formal gardens surround the picture-postcard thatched village of Cockington, all free to explore and almost entirely off the beaten tourist track. Dogs are welcome throughout the park, though leads are required in certain areas where livestock graze. The circular route around the lakes and in front of the manor house is the classic walk and takes about an hour at a relaxed pace. The tearoom in Cockington village is dog friendly. A genuinely magical place at any time of year.

South West Coast Path: Babbacombe to Hope’s Nose

This section of the coast path is among the finest in Devon and a superb route for dogs. Starting from Babbacombe Downs, the path drops into the sheltered cove at Anstey’s Cove before climbing through the Bishop’s Walk through ancient woodland and along the limestone cliffs to Hope’s Nose. The views across Torbay on a clear day are magnificent, and the woodland sections give dogs plenty of opportunity to explore. The full circuit from Babbacombe takes around two hours and is moderately challenging in places. Keep dogs on leads on the cliff sections.

Watcombe to Maidencombe via the Coast Path

This is a beautiful 3.3-mile walk through woodland and along the South West Coast Path, passing the dramatic red-rock cliffs that are a hallmark of north Torquay’s coastline. You pass through ancient trees, get glimpses of the sea through the foliage and arrive at the village of Maidencombe, where the Thatched Tavern awaits with its dog friendly bar and garden. Start from Watcombe Beach car park and walk south, or vice versa. Either way, the views and the woodland are superb.

Ilsham Valley and Hope’s Nose

A less well-known but outstanding walk that starts from the Ilsham Road area and takes you through beautiful mature woodland overlooking Lyme Bay before reaching the dramatic headland at Hope’s Nose. The woodland here is full of wildlife, with foxes, badgers and occasional deer, and on a clear day you can spot dolphins from the clifftop. Turn right at the headland for the best views across Torbay to Berry Head and Brixham. About a mile and a half of walking in each direction, with wonderful variety throughout.

Occombe Farm and Occombe Valley Woods

Occombe Farm on the edge of Torquay is a working farm where dogs are welcome in the designated outdoor seating area of the café and on a lead throughout the farm. The real gem for dog walkers, though, is Occombe Valley Woods directly across the road, a dedicated Local Nature Reserve and ancient woodland with a stream running through the middle that dogs absolutely love. The mature trees provide wonderful shade in summer and the gentle slopes make it accessible for most dogs and owners. A lovely short walk of around 45 minutes.

Babbacombe Downs and Cliff Walk

The clifftop promenade at Babbacombe Downs is a wonderful, accessible walk with extraordinary views over Lyme Bay. Dogs are welcome on the downs and the adjacent coast path, which you can follow in either direction for spectacular scenery. From here you can also walk down the cliff railway path through the woods to Oddicombe Beach, though in summer dogs are restricted from the beach itself. The views from the downs back towards Torquay and across the bay are among the best in the area.

Dog Friendly Pubs in Torquay

The Thatched Tavern, Maidencombe

This is our top recommendation for dog friendly pub dining in the Torquay area. A genuine 17th-century thatched pub at the bottom of a steep hill in the village of Maidencombe, close to the sea. It has been beautifully refurbished while retaining all its character, with sea views from the garden, open fires inside and a proper menu of Devon food. Dogs are welcome in the bar area and in the garden. It sits at the end of the Watcombe to Maidencombe coast path walk, making it the perfect reward for a good afternoon’s exercise.

The Cary Arms, Babbacombe

Arguably the most dramatically located pub on the English Riviera, the Cary Arms sits right on the water’s edge at Babbacombe Beach and has a well-deserved reputation for excellent food and a genuine welcome for dogs. It is an award-winning inn and restaurant that serves seasonal dishes with real care, and your dog will be made to feel entirely at home. A special place for a celebratory meal or simply a pint after a walk down the cliff path.

The Hole in the Wall, Torquay

Torquay’s oldest pub, tucked into the heart of the town, is a proper local with low beams, real character and a warm welcome for well-behaved dogs. Good ales, a reliable pub menu and the kind of atmosphere that is increasingly hard to find.

The Devon Arms, Torquay

A charming historic tavern with roots dating back centuries and a reliable reputation for welcoming dogs, good homemade pub food and a friendly atmosphere. Well-regarded by locals and visitors alike.

Dog Friendly Cafes and Restaurants

Visto Lounge, Torquay

Located just across the road from Torre Abbey Beach, Visto Lounge has a terrace where dogs are welcome and the all-day menu is good. In the cooler months your dog can also access the beach directly opposite. A convenient and comfortable stop in the heart of the town.

The Guardhouse Cafe, Berry Head, Brixham

Technically just over the Brixham side, but well worth including. This award-winning café is set inside a Napoleonic-era fortress at Berry Head Nature Reserve, with some of the most extraordinary views on the English Riviera. Dogs are welcome, the food is excellent and the walk around Berry Head’s clifftop afterwards is magnificent.

Weavers Cottage Tea Shoppe, Cockington

A classic 18th-century cottage tearoom in the heart of Cockington village, serving proper Devon cream teas and homemade cakes in a tranquil walled courtyard garden. Dogs are welcome and it is a lovely place to stop mid-walk through the country park.

On the Rocks, Torquay

On the Rocks welcomes dogs inside at lunchtime and outside during the evenings, making it a flexible option for dog owners wanting to eat well close to the town centre.

Practical Tips for Dog Owners in Torquay

Poop scoop bylaws operate all year round on all Torquay beaches, including those where dogs are permitted. Always bag and bin.

Leads on promenades are required. Dogs must be kept on leads along the seafront promenades throughout Torbay.

Livestock areas. Cockington Country Park, Maidencombe and Berry Head all have grazing cattle at various times of year. Keep dogs on leads and under close control in these areas, and check signs on site.

Water. Carry water for your dog, particularly on the coast path walks in summer. There are taps at several points along the seafront but the more rural sections can be dry.

Cliff edges. The coast path around Hope’s Nose and Berry Head has some exposed cliff sections. Keep dogs on leads here for their safety.

Seasonal beach rules. The full list of which beaches allow dogs and when is maintained by Torbay Council and the English Riviera tourism team. The English Riviera dog friendly guide is updated annually and is the most reliable reference.

Useful Links

English Riviera Dog Friendly Guide — comprehensive overview of beaches, walks and dog friendly places across Torbay
Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust — dog friendly countryside sites including Cockington and Occombe Farm
South West Coast Path — route maps and information for the coast path around Torquay
AllTrails Torquay — downloadable walking route maps and trail reviews
Torbay Council Dog on Beach Rules — official seasonal beach access information
The Thatched Tavern, Maidencombe — our top dog friendly pub recommendation
The Cary Arms, Babbacombe — dog friendly inn and restaurant on the water

A Note from Us

If you are staying in one of our properties and travelling with a dog, we are here to help. We can point you to the best walks directly from your door, recommend the quietest beaches for the time of year and suggest dog friendly places to eat nearby. Just let us know what you need before you arrive and we will make sure everything is ready for you and your four-legged companion.

Browse our dog friendly properties at thehostingcompany.uk or get in touch at hello@thehostingcompany.uk.