Visiting Pentire with your dog

Little dog sat with tongue out looking excited to try the tub of Scoop's Ice Cream for Dogs being held by a girl at Dunster Castle, Somerset — Dog walking along the coast in Cornwall | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Dogs are welcome at Pentire, where you can walk with your dog along the natural rugged headland. Enjoy the far-reaching views overlooking Polzeath and the mostly undeveloped headland, which can feel like a real escape for visitors. Pentire is the perfect place to explore with your dog, and you can help us keep it a safe, healthy and enjoyable place for other walkers, wildlife and livestock.

Our pawprint rating system

We’ve been working on making it easier for you to find out how dog-friendly your visit will be before you and your four-legged-friend arrive. To help with this, we've created a new pawprint rating system and given all the places in our care a rating. You can find this information in the National Trust members’ handbook.

Pentire is a two pawprint rated place.

These places have water bowls, dog bins and dog-friendly walks. You’ll be able to take your dog into some areas, but not everywhere. If there’s a food and beverage outlet, you can have a cup of tea with them, probably outside. Read on to discover exactly where you can take your dog.

Where can my dog go?

There are plenty of cliff-top footpaths to explore with your dog. Polzeath beach and Pentireglaze Haven also welcome dogs outside of the main season.

Take care near cliffs

If you're venturing along the coastal paths, please watch out for sheer cliff edges and grazing livestock. Dogs should be kept under close control at all times.

Two dogs on their leads stood on top a rock next to their owners — Exploring coastal paths | © National Trust Images / Chris Lacey

Keeping control of your dog

Our definition of close or effective control is:

Being able to recall your dogs in any situation at the first call
Being able to clearly see your dog at all times (not just knowing they have gone into the undergrowth or over the crest of the hill). In practice, this means keeping them on a footpath if the surrounding vegetation is too dense for your dog to be visible
Not allowing them to approach other visitors without their consent
Having a lead with you to use if you encounter livestock or wildlife, or if you are asked to use one

Where can’t my dog go?

There are local council restrictions in place at Polzeath beach and Pentireglaze Haven from 15 May to 30 September, 10am–6pm.

Watch out for local notices. There may be restrictions across farmland at sensitive times of year, during the lambing season or between March and the end of July when ground-nesting birds are on eggs or raising their young.

The Canine Code

We’ve worked with our partner Forthglade to come up with this Canine Code, which helps to make sure everyone can enjoy their day:

Keep them close: using a short lead helps to keep your dog from disturbing ground-nesting birds and farm animals. It's essential to use a short lead around sheep. But if cattle approach you, it's best to let your dog off the lead, and call them back when it's safe to do so.
Pick up the poo: please always clear up after your dog. If you can't find a bin nearby, take the poo bags home with you.
Watch the signs: keep an eye on local signs and notices wherever you're walking. They'll tell you if a beach has a dog ban, for instance, or if a path has been diverted, or if you're in an area where dogs can run off-lead.
Stay on the ball: remember that not everyone loves dogs, and some people fear them. So make sure your dog doesn't run up to other people, especially children.

Facilities for my dog

You'll find a dog poo bin at the courtyard, next to the main car park at Pentireglaze. Bowls of water are available at the Pentyr Café when staff are present.