Dog Days AwayGOOD DAYS. TOGETHER.A THOUGHTFUL SELECTION · 3 LOCAL GUIDES
Devon's selected guides offer a city-and-river break in Exeter, Dartmouth's harbour with coastal walks on either side of the Dart, or Torquay's harbour and carefully chosen beaches. Exeter's riverside paths share space with cyclists; Dartmouth's coast routes are uneven and hilly; Torquay has separate dog zones at Meadfoot and year-round access at Babbacombe. Check the actual base and beach signs before setting out. This is a selected starting point, not a directory of every Devon destination.
PLACES TO MAKE YOUR OWN
Each guide brings together researched stays, dog-friendly outings and practical details for that place.
Photo: Forester2009 · CC BY-SA 3.0
Devon · England
Dartmouth suits a dog break with harbour time and one carefully chosen coastal outing. Stay on Lower Street at Bayards Cove Inn or in nearby Stoke Fleming at Stoke Lodge, then choose Little Dartmouth on the town side of the river or a separate trip towards Man Sands. These are countryside walks with uneven ground, not extensions of a flat waterfront promenade.
Explore the Dartmouth guidePhoto: Colin Smith · CC BY-SA 2.0
Devon · England
Exeter is a city break with room for a slower river day. Start around the Quayside, then choose a manageable section of Riverside Valley Park when your dog wants more space. The two hotels make different offers: City Gate has designated dog rooms above its pub, while Rougemont by Sunday needs direct confirmation of its dog-size terms. Match the room policy to your dog before choosing the station or city-centre location that suits your journey.
Explore the Exeter guidePhoto: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0
Devon · England
Torquay offers a harbour break with beach choices that depend on exactly which patch of shore you use. Babbacombe permits dogs year-round, while Meadfoot divides into different dog-access zones. Both hotels here need a planned dog stay: Imperial uses designated garden-level rooms, and Headland has specific dining and supervision rules. Choose one beach outing and leave time to enjoy the town.
Explore the Torquay guideFIND YOUR KIND OF DAY
Choose a city riverside, a harbour town with a separate coastal walk, or a Riviera stay planned around specific beaches.
Choose Exeter for a short Quayside stroll and a separate Riverside Valley Park outing. Shared paths, water and muddy informal routes call for a flexible plan; confirm Rougemont's dog-size terms directly if that is your preferred base.
Choose Dartmouth for harbour time and either the town-side Little Dartmouth coast or a separate journey to Man Sands on the Kingswear side. Both are countryside routes with uneven ground, and tides and the return journey need planning.
Choose Torquay for the harbour and a planned beach outing: Babbacombe allows dogs year-round, while only the north-eastern section of Meadfoot is dog-accessible in summer. Check signs and the route down to the shore.
