🐾 Dog-Friendly Lundy Bay and Epphaven Cove at a Glance
📍 Location: Polzeath, North Cornwall
🦮 Dog-Friendly: Yes, dog-friendly, although leads may be needed
🚶 Walk Length: Coastal walk, short or as long as you want
🌿 Terrain: Small sandy coves with rocks and cliffs
🅿️ Parking: Nearby National Trust car park
🚻 Facilities: None, nearest at the Pentireglaze National Trust car park
📅 Best For: Quiet exploring, coastal walks, peaceful dog adventures
About
If Polzeath is the lively, social side of this coastline, Lundy Bay and Epphaven Cove are its quieter, more reflective neighbours.
Tucked along the coast, these two secluded coves feel worlds apart from the busy beaches. You won’t find crowds or lines of surfboards here. Instead, it’s all imposing cliffs, sand, rock pools and the pleasure of stumbling on a hidden retreat.
At low tide, the coves merge, offering you more room to roam. At high tide, they shrink into secluded rocky pockets of coastline.
It’s the sort of place where you naturally slow your pace and let your dog lead the way.
Dog Access and Rules
One of the lovely things about this stretch is how dog-friendly it is, especially compared to nearby Polzeath.
That said, access paths are steep and uneven, so keep dogs under control near cliff edges and on the descent to the coves.
You will need to have a lead at hand, not just because of the cliffs, but also in case you encounter livestock. Also watch for wildlife and nesting birds, especially in spring and summer.
Because these cost paths and coves are quieter, they’re often ideal if your dog prefers a good walk and space away from crowds.
Things To See & Do
When the tide drops, Lundy Bay and Epphaven Cove start to link together. It turns into a little adventure, hopping between sandy patches and rocky areas.
There’s plenty here to keep curious noses busy. Seaweed, shells, and hidden corners, it’s a sensory playground for dogs who love to explore.
At high tide, you don’t get much sand, just the rocky elements of the coves.
The South West Coast Path runs above the coves, offering beautiful views and a slightly easier walking option if the beach access feels too steep. One nice walk is westwards to and around the Pentire headland.
It’s a slower destination: fewer visitors, more room, and that satisfying sense of finding somewhere overlooked.
Access and Facilities
This is a come-prepared visit, as there are no facilities once you leave your car.
You have a small Lundy Bay National Trust car park, but this has no facilities. Another option, though it’s a longer walk, is to park at the Pentireglaze National Trust car park, which also has toilets and a cafe.
Access to Lundy Bay is slightly easier, while Epphaven Cove is a lot steeper. In either case, it is a scramble, not the easiest for very young, older, or less mobile dogs.
Leave a Review.