We have had a number of guests who have stayed with us recently and have brought along their beautiful dogs. They’ve also been asking us are there any dog friendly beaches near you? Can you recommend any?

Well, yes we can!  We are situated between two quiet fishing villages Kingsand and Cawsand on the peaceful Rame Peninsula.  The area is popular with dog owners because of its many beautiful walks and stunning scenery.  The locals are very welcoming to dogs – many of the pubs and restaurants provide water bowls and most of the beaches are dog friendly.  We have compiled a list of our closest dog friendly beaches.

Kingsand Beach – A Dog friendly beach all year round

Turn left out of the front door of Blue Monkey and walk to the end of the street to find Kingsand Beach. Kingsand and its neighbouring beach at Cawsand are sheltered, east-facing beaches, making them great locations for walks throughout the year.

Top Tip: Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.  Top of the list of Dog Friendly Beaches!

Cawsand Bay – A Dog friendly beach with Great Views

Dogs are allowed off their leads on the beach from 30 September through to Easter Sunday. Lovely views of Plymouth Sound.

Top Tip: The beach is made of sand and shingle so may not be as kind to your dog’s feet as sand.

Whitsand Bay – A Dog friendly beach that is great for surfers too

Whitsand Bay is just around the Rame Peninsula, about ten minutes’ drive from Blue Monkey.  It’s popular with surfers and families and it is a very dog friendly beach.  You can walk along the beach for miles and dogs are allowed all year round.  Good for surfing, walking or running with beautiful scenery and plenty of space.  Access is steep and there are not many facilities apart from a small café at the top of the cliffs so bring your own supplies.

Top Tip: Access from the car park near Tregantle Fort.

Wilcove – A dog friendly beach close to a pub

Close to Whitsand Bay and the National Trust property at St Anthony, up a creek at the foot of the River Tamar, you will find Wilcove Beach.  Wilcove is a very dog friendly beach as dogs are allowed here all year round.

Top Tip:  Look out for the beautiful varied birdlife and relax at the Wilcove Inn.

Freathy Beach

A dog friendly beach ten minutes’ drive from Blue Monkey. Part of Whitsand Bay, this long beach has a wide expanse at low tide, making it the perfect place to stretch all of your legs whilst admiring the stunning views along the coast towards Polhawn Fort.

Sharrow Beach

Ten minutes’ drive from Blue Monkey and part of Whitsand Bay.  This small, sandy, dog friendly beach with rocky outcrops is a great place to play in the surf together.

Top Tip: More beach to wander along at low tide.

Tregantle Beach

Whitsand Bay, 11 minutes’ drive from Blue Monkey.  On the cliffs above you will find Tregantle Fort.  Tregantle is a dog friendly beach that welcomes dogs all year round.

Top Tip: Visit at low tide as this beach can get cut off.

Seaton Beach

25 minutes’ drive from Blue Monkey, located at the foot of the wooded Hessenford valley near Looe.  Sheltered by the high cliffs to the east, the water is safe for swimmers of all ages and dogs are welcome, as long as they are cleaned up after.

Top Tip: Family friendly with places to eat, parking and toilets

ABOUT BLUEMONKEY CORNWALL

We are a 5 star luxury holiday home in Cornwall situated between two quiet fishing villages Kingsand and Cawsand. We offer dog-friendly accommodation all year round.  If you’d like to stay with us you can check out our availability or contact the House Manager, Annabel Herbert on 07813 070 269.

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Penlee Point

Penlee Point is one of the most beautiful walks in the country. It lies on the South West Coast Path, and the views all around the headland are incredible. If you’re staying at Blue Monkey Cornwall, you’re just minutes away from this stunning coastal walk.

What Is Penlee Point?

Penn Legh is Cornish for stone-slab headland and the point is a coastal headland southeast of the village of Rame in Southeast Cornwall, UK. The point lies at the entrance to Plymouth Sound, with its imposing lighthouse commanding views across the water.

Penlee Point is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.

Penlee Point Walk: Distance, Time & Difficulty

Key Stats:

• Distance: 6-9.7 km (4-6 miles) depending on route
• Time: 1.5 to 3.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Elevation gain: 150-235 meters
• Route type: Circular walk on the South West Coast Path

The walk is easily achievable for families and casual walkers, though some sections involve steady climbing. The terrain is mostly on established paths, with a few steep areas. There are no major obstacles, though the path can be muddy in places, particularly near woodland sections.

How to get to Penlee Point from Blue Monkey

If you’re staying at Blue Monkey in Cawsand, getting to Penlee Point is straightforward: turn right out of Blue Monkey and keep walking – the road will take you all the way to Penlee Point. It’s a scenic walk through the village, taking approximately 20-30 minutes on foot before you reach the coastal path.

Alternatively, there’s a Penlee Point car park if you prefer to drive (PL101LN).

What To See At Penlee Point

Queen Adelaide’s Grotto

Above the point and little below the stunning Coastal Path is Queen Adelaide’s Grotto, built in 1827/1828 to commemorate the visit of King William IV and Queen Adelaide to Mount Edgcumbe.  Penlee Battery is the former site of a fort, and is now a nature reserve.

Penlee Battery Nature Reserve

A gun battery was constructed on Penlee Point in the late 1880s and used throughout both World Wars. It was initially armed with two 6-inch guns and a massive 13.5-inch gun, which weighed 67 tons and took eighty horses two weeks to haul it up a specially constructed flight of steps. On its first firing, the recoil from the gun split its concrete bed. The battery was decommissioned in the 1950s, and the buildings associated with it were demolished, but there are still enough remains to appreciate the scale of the defences. Wait around until low tide to see a private, hidden beach revealed.  This is also where nature lovers can see the Green Darner Dragonfly, first seen in Britain here.

Rame Head

Penlee Point is part of a small Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty known as the “Rame Head Heritage Coast” that also includes Cawsand Bay and the Mount Edgcumbe Country Park. 

Penlee Point Walk Tips

What To Bring

• Good walking boots (the path can be muddy)
• Waterproof jacket (weather changes quickly on the coast)
• Plenty of water and snacks
• Sun cream and hat (exposed headland with no shade)
• Camera for the views

Best Time To Visit

Spring (April-May): Wildflowers in bloom, milder weather, fewer crowds

Summer (June-August): Warmest weather, longest daylight, best for swimming at hidden beach, but busiest with visitors

Autumn (September-October): Blackberries, butterflies, and beautiful golden light; generally quieter than summer

Winter (November-March): Dramatic coastal views, fewer visitors, but shorter daylight and potentially muddy paths

Important: Stock Up Before You Go

Make sure you stock up with plenty to eat before you go. There are no facilities at Penlee Point itself, so pack a picnic lunch and snacks. You can grab supplies in Cawsand village beforehand.

Where To Eat In Cawsand

Try some of the great places to eat in Cawsand before or after your walk:

• The Bay Bar and Restaurant – Located on Cawsand Beach with sea views
• The Old Bakery – Traditional village spot

You can check what’s open here.

Where to stay: Blue Monkey Cornwall

Penlee Point is one of the most accessible coastal walks from Blue Monkey Cornwall, our luxury 5-bed self-catering holiday cottage in Cawsand. You can literally turn right out of the cottage and walk straight to Penlee Point – no car needed.

Blue Monkey is perfectly positioned as your base for exploring the Rame Peninsula, with easy access to:

• Penlee Point and Rame Head walks
• Mount Edgcumbe Country Park
• Three sandy beaches (Cawsand, Kingsand, The Cleave)
• Whitsand Bay (just a short drive)
• Village restaurants and shops

Book Your Penlee Point Adventure

Ready to explore one of Cornwall’s most beautiful walks? Blue Monkey Cornwall is your perfect base.

Contact us to book:

Call: 07845 468 487
Email: enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

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Blue Monkey Cornwall Interiors

Spring

According to the meteorological calendar, Spring will always start on 1st March, ending on 31st May, which means that winter is nearly over and here at Blue Monkey we can’t wait to take a huge lungfull of fresh spring seaside air. Sound appealing? Here are some very good reasons to take a Spring Break at Blue Monkey in Cornwall:

Kingsand, Cawsand and Whitsand Bay Beaches

Beaches

We have many visiting dogs who like to take their annual Spring Break at Blue Monkey Cornwall. That’s because they are allowed off their leads during this time on the local beaches. Both Kingsand and Cawsand beaches are 5 minutes’ walk from the house and Whitsand Bay is 10 minutes’ drive around the headland. We have two kayaks and 2 paddle boards free for our guests to use so bring your wetsuit although our warm micro climate ensures that the sea is never too cold.

Coastal Path: Kingsand to Mount Edgcumbe

Walks

There are many beautiful walks around Blue Monkey but my favourite is the coastal path to Mount Edgcumbe. Not a walk for the faint hearted as it’s nearly 5.7 miles long but you don’t have to go all the way to Mount Edgcumbe to enjoy the wonderful views and scenery. If you manage to make it all the way, you will be rewarded with a cup of tea in the formal gardens or a dink in the Edgcumbe Arms. A great way to start your Spring Break at Blue Monkey Cornwall.

Local Restaurants

Local Pubs and Restaurants

The View is famous for… it’s view!! The Halfway House is just at the end of the street so a convenient place to book in for dinner on your arrival night and the Devenport Inn is the spot to enjoy people and boat watching. The Bay is a new restaurant on Cawsand Beach and you can check out the menu here – ideal for keeping an eye on your children playing on the beach.

Water Sports

We have two free kayaks and paddle boards for our guests to use, stored in the garden at Blue Monkey, SAVING YOU a local hire price of up to £1,000 for the week. Please remember to send us your pics to add to our gallery of intrepid Spring Break marine heroes!

Book Securely Online Here

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Easter Fun!

The Rame Peninsula is the perfect place to spend an Easter Break in Cornwall.  There are beaches, coastal walks with breath-taking views and lots of family entertainments planned.  Here are three of our favourites right on Blue Monkey’s doorstep:

Easter at Eden

From the 6^th to 25^th of April the Eden Project is running a very special Easter event.  There are indoor and outdoor games and activities for families to try (phew no need to worry about the rain!).  Have fun herding farmyard animals into their pens, win some golden eggs and learn about growing crops with the Eden farmers.

Top Tip: Free with Eden Admission

Plymouth Easter Egg Hunt

Plymouth is full of exciting things to see and do and there’s always something happening to entertain all ages.  If you are planning an Easter break in Cornwall, your children will be delighted to hear that they can join the free chocolate mini egg hunt in Plymouth City Centre.  Follow a map to find the giant eggs and claim your eggs!

Top Tip: The best way to get to Plymouth is to take the ferry from Cawsand Beach to Barbican Landing Stage and spot dolphins on the way.

Mount Edgcumbe House

Five minutes from Blue Monkey is the ancestral home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe.  Full of history, art and three 16^th century tapestries, the house is well worth a visit and opens for the season from 1^st April to the end of September, Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 4.30pm.

If you don’t want to visit the house, the country park is free of charge and open every day from 8am to 8pm. This is a fun day out for the family, with Adventure Segway, Golf, cycles, archery and many more things to do and explore.

Top Tip: Dogs on leads are welcome.  Family Ticket price: £12.50

April Offer

6th to 13th April is still available and we are offering 15% off listed Price
Please enter code APR at checkout on our secure online payment page here.

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Here at Blue Monkey…

…we’re excited to see that the sun is beginning to shine and the daffodils are already carpeting the forests!  So if you’re feeling the need for a fortifying breath of sea air, why not take a March mini break in Cornwall?  Life is beginning again down here as castles dust off their cobwebs, pigs are racing and even the birds are up to something…

The Devon Bird of Prey Centre

Just over an hour’s drive from Blue Monkey you can book in for an experience day and learn to fly a falcon!  You can try a 1-hour taster session, book a day with a falconer and learn how to fly the birds yourself, or you can just spectate.

Berry Pomeroy Castle

Just over the border in Devon, this castle was built in the 1560s and was intended to be a huge and wonderful place – Devon’s answer to Longleat.  But the project was never completed, and it is now a famously haunted romantic old ruin.  Definitely worth adding to your mini break in Cornwall schedule!

Pig Racing at Pennywell Farm

Pennywell Farm has opened up its gates for the Spring, and as horse racing doesn’t start until Easter, the pigs have decided to take the limelight with their own special Races.  This is a day out for families and the farm runs activities, free rides and different displays every half hour.  The farm is a very healthy way to entertain your children on a mini break in Cornwall.

Staring out to Sea

They say the best things in life are free… and maybe the best thing to do on a mini break in Cornwall is just to sit and enjoy the wonderful views of the Rame Peninsula.

Availability

Please check out our availability page here or email us at enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

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Autumn

…is an exciting time of year in Cornwall.  The windy weather creates opportunities for all kinds of exhilarating fun!  The crowds are gone, the sea is still warm, the summer is Indian and we have some great Autumn surf break offers to add a little spice to your life.

Whitsand Bay

Ten Minutes from Blue Monkey are the beautiful sands of Whistand Bay.  This is a great place to learn to surf with lessons from Adventure Bay surf schoolwho offer private lessons, group lessons, beginners, improvers, family, kids parties and 3 session courses.  You can also have your efforts captured on video to broadcast to the world and help you improve your technique.  An Autumn surf break is about the sea and if the board is not for you, Adventure Bay will take you coasteering in a kayak around the coves and beaches of the Rame Peninsula.  Once you’ve learned where to go, you can take advantage of Blue Monkey’s free kayaks and explore to your heart’s content.

Top Tip: Check the surfer’s Bible, Magic Seaweed, for surfing conditions.  Search for Whitsand Bay.

Cawsand Beach

Five minute’s walk from Blue Monkey is Cawsand Beach – an ideal place to start your own coasteering adventure in our free kayaks.  If you’re not ready to strike out on your own, then Cawsand Kayak and SUP Hire will take you around the beautiful sheltered local waters.  Lately we’ve been hearing that Paddle Boards are all the rage and Cawsand Beach is the perfect spot to get your balance as the bay is sheltered by the peninsula and the surf won’t knock you over.  You can hire a paddle board from SUP Rental.
 
Top Tip: This area is ideal for an Autumn surf break as you can hire everything you need including wet suits for just £3 from Cawsand Beach.  Email Annabel to organise for you at enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com.

Kitesurfing

Pasty Adventures Kitesurf Coaching Holidays

1h 28m from Blue Monkey you’ll find Gwithian Beach where you can spend a breath-taking day with the Pasty Adventures Kitesurf School.  Run by a former British champion, you will be in good hands here with all the latest equipment which Pasty replace every 6 months.  A mixture of surfing, flying and sailing, Kitesurfing will make you so excited and happy that you won’t even realise you’re doing a honing and toning full body workout – a good reason to feel great about taking an Autumn surf break!

Top tip: You can also kite surf at Whitsand Bay, only 10 minutes from Blue Monkey.

Watch Kite Surfing at Gwithian bay here.

Available Dates and Offers

8th November 2018 to 19th December 2018: 25% off online listed prices.  Please email Annabel for this special offer on enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com

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Summer’s over – hooray!  That means it’s time to take an Autumn break in Cornwall.  No crowds, lower prices, and still plenty to do and see.  Dogs are delighted – they’re allowed off lead from the 1^st October on the beaches around Blue Monkey, so you can all go for a bracing coastal walk, followed by supper in one of the many fabulous dog friendly pubs or restaurants.  As Halloween and Bonfire night approach the events calendar hots up with a fortnight of magical activities at The Eden Project.  Here are three recommendations for an unmissable Autumn Break in Cornwall:

POLPERRO

A day trip to Polperro, 30 minutes down the coast from Blue Monkey, is a must for the creative soul.  Situated in an area of ‘outstanding natural beauty’, the unspoilt harbour, is brimming with artists and you can admire their work in the many local galleries and browse through quirky independent shops.  Polperro is famous for its seafood restaurants serving fresh fish caught by the local fishermen.

This is the perfect place for a romantic walk as the coast either side of the harbour will blow both your mind and the cobwebs away.   If you’re feeling energetic, take the 5-mile path from Polperro to Looe – the spectacular views along this coast will be a highlight of your Autumn break in Cornwall.

THE LOOE VALLEY LINE

Talking of Looe… if you’re feeling less like walking but you’d still like to admire the views then catching a train along the Looe Valley Line may suit you better.  See the final stretch here.

If you’re taking an Autumn break in Cornwall then this is not to be missed.  Along the route from Liskeard to Looe you will travel through woodland valleys opening up to the estuary where the river meets the sea.  At low tide you’ll see all sorts of beautiful birds wading through the water: Herons, Oystercatchers and Curlews.

Top Tips: The train runs regularly throughout the day, dogs are welcome and a ticket costs just £4.60.

THE EDEN PROJECT

The Eden Project at St Austell is Cornwall’s most famous landmark, built to study the environment and conservation to find new ways to provide a cleaner and greener future for the world.  The bubble shaped biomes are the world’s largest greenhouses, each housing a miniature ecosystem that supports the appropriate climate for the wildlife living within it.  Younger children will be excited to explore a steamy rainforest biome with a tree top walkway winding through a jungle canopy.  Over the half term fortnight there will also be strange Halloween creatures wandering the biomes, pumpkin displays, and ice skating at the Little Monsters Halloween Ball.

Older children will enjoy England’s longest zip wire, a giant gravity swing, a 12m bungee drop and a 25m free-fall jump into an airbag (over 18s only).  Do something you’ll never forget on your Autumn break in Cornwall!

Top Tips: Dogs are allowed on the site but not inside the Biomes.

AUTUMN AVAILABILITY

We still have a few gaps to fill over the coming weeks:

29th September to 4th October
8th to 11th October

14th to 20th October
27th October to 1st November

Please email Annabel for a quote: enquiries@bluemonkeycornwall.com
Or book securely online here

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“KAYAKING is one of the biggest rushes you can have on the water, letting you play in lakes, river rapids, waterfalls and even the sea. It’s also a great way to get up close to nature and check out the world around you from a brand new point of view, paddling silently through remote areas that most people will never get to visit.

Kayaking in Cornwall should be on every adventurer’s bucket list. It’s one of the UK’s most beautiful counties, known for its craggy rugged coastline, crystal clear blue water and plenty of awesome wildlife to see. Dolphins and seals are commonly spotted all over Cornwall.

If you are a beginner kayaker, there are plenty of spots to visit. From the calm, placid waters of the south to the windswept north coast, you won’t struggle to find some of the best places to go kayaking in the UK.”

(Kayak blogger Mpora)

Cawsand Beach

Two minutes walk from Blue Monkey is Cawsand beach where Mat will give Kayak lessons to absolute beginners and you can also book him to guide you around the coast.

Top Tip: Kayaking will exhaust your children – ensuring parents of a good night’s rest!!!

Portwrinkle

For the more adventurous, this Cornish Angler likes to fish from his Kayak! He recommends Portwrinkle, a former fishing village and harbour at the centre of Whitsand Bay. You can kayak close in or explore the reefs further out. Launch your kayak from within the tiny harbour, or Hoodny Cove to the west of it or Finnygook Beach to the East when there is low swell. Beware the strong tides that can flow across Whitsand Bay on Spring Tides.

Top Tip: Many species of fish can be caught from your kayak including Makerel, Plaice and Bass when in season.

Millbrook

The River Tamar marks the border between Devon and Cornwall with green rolling hills on either side. Start your paddle at Cotehele Quay, part of a National Trust property and head up past the Cotehele estate, Danesfield House and underneath the famous Calstock viaduct. You’ll pass Okel Tor Quay and Gawton Quay which were once key parts of the copper mining industry. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, kingfishers and peregrine falcons.

Top Tip: Blue Monkey has 2 Kayaks for our guests to use, free of charge. We provide life jackets and ask that you take full responsibility for your party’s safety whilst using the kayaks.

Thanks to Mpora where you will find many other articles on Kayaking in Cornwall.

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We’ve compiled just three of the best pram friendly walks in Cornwall, that are near to us at Blue Monkey Cornwall:

1. MOUNT EDGCUMBE HOUSE AND GARDENS

The waterside perimeter of the estate provides an uplifting  pram friendly walk, with spectacular views across Plymouth Sound and a host of eighteenth century follies, fountains, seats and shelters for you and your pram to rest along the path.  The route travels through the parkland and woodland of the historic family seat of the Earls of Edgcumbe, who built the house at the heart of the estate in the mid-sixteenth century.

The house, gardens, tea-room, restaurant and shop are open to the public during the summer season but the South West Coast Path, passing through the estate, is open throughout the year.  A pram friendly walk for all seasons!

Top Tip: An especially inspiring walk in early spring, when the National Camellia Collection is in full bloom, and in autumn, when the leaves in the woodland start to turn.

2. PLYMOUTH WATERFRONT WALKWAY

A gentle walk, mainly on pavement, this pram friendly walk is a breeze!  Walk around the Hoe, the Barbican and Mount Batten breakwater and enjoy the seaside views.  This unique section of the South West Coast Path is an entertaining and enlightening journey with plenty to learn along the route about the city’s history and heritage.

Top Tip: you will find toilets and a car park at Admiral’s Hard (postcode for sat navs PL1 3RJ) and refreshments dotted along the path.

3. PLYMBRIDGE WOODS

This pram friendly walk is also a must for cyclists as it follows the route of an old Great Western Railway track.  Leave Plymouth behind, push your way through glorious oak woods and emerge into peaceful open countryside.  Breathe!!  This exciting and pram friendly trail leads you past dramatic industrial remains, over towering quarry faces, and across breathtaking viaducts. 

Top Tip: Take your bird book!  In season these woods are famous for spotting nesting wild peregrines.

Are you looking for accommodation in Cornwall that caters for babies and young children? At Blue Monkey we have everything you will need to make your trip stress free! Find out more about our baby friendly holiday cottage in Cornwall.

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