Padstow suits a harbour-and-estuary break where the day can be as short as your dog needs. Choose a coastal path towards Hawkers Cove or a surfaced stretch of the Camel Trail, keeping the return journey in mind. The two hotels offer different meal arrangements: a bar welcome at The Old Ship, and a more restricted Boat Room or terrace option at Harbour Hotel Padstow.
Policies researched 27 September 2026 · Check directly before booking
Dog access can depend on the room or accommodation you choose. Confirm the exact dog arrangements before you pay.
The Old Ship is on Mill Square by the harbour and confirms dogs in its bar. Harbour Hotel is on Station Road and needs a specific dog room arranged with reservations. Its Boat Room is unavailable to dogs during private events, so ask about meal plans for your dates before committing.
Mill Square · Padstow
The Old Ship Hotel
A Mill Square inn with rooms and private guest parking behind the hotel. The operator notes that access can be tight, so check the arrival instructions before driving into the centre.
The dog details
Overnight dogs are welcome and cannot be left unattended in rooms. The FAQ permits dogs in the bar. Current dog fees, number limits and eligible rooms need direct confirmation; restaurant and breakfast access are not assumed.
Book directly with the property Arrange the dog room and confirm the total charge directly before paying.
A Station Road hotel with designated dog rooms. It offers a different setting from a harbour-front inn, but dog-permitted meal space needs advance attention.
The dog details
£20 per dog per night, with the room confirmed through reservations. Dogs on leads may use the terrace and Boat Room, subject to availability; private events can close the Boat Room to dogs. The main restaurant, bar and lounge exclude pet dogs.
Book directly with the property Arrange the dog room and confirm the total charge directly before paying.
Visit Cornwall recommends reaching Hawkers Cove on foot from Padstow along the Coast Path. Choose a manageable out-and-back and check the tide before considering beach time.
Keep dogs controlled, use short leads around livestock and stay clear of cliff edges. Beach signs and seasonal restrictions apply separately from path access.
Start from Padstow and walk only as far as suits the day. The full Padstow-Wadebridge section is 5.5 miles/8.8 km one way, so walking the whole section and back is a substantial outing.
This is a shared trail for walkers, cyclists and other users. Keep your dog close, avoid a long lead across the path and follow current signs. No unrestricted off-lead permission is implied.
After arrival, take a short harbour stroll and settle the dinner arrangement. Keep clear of busy working edges and allow your dog time to adjust to crowds. At Harbour Hotel, check whether the Boat Room is available for your stay; a weather-dependent terrace should not be the only plan.
Day two · coast or Camel Trail
Choose one main outing. Take the Coast Path towards Hawkers Cove for coastal scenery, or choose a short surfaced Camel Trail section when that better suits your dog. Set the return point before tiring them out. The full route to Wadebridge is optional, and a beach visit depends on conditions and current restrictions.
A suggested plan, not a booked itinerary. Adapt it to your dog, the weather and current access.
THE DETAILS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Good to know before you go
Leave room for the return
The Camel Trail distance to Wadebridge is one way. A shorter out-and-back avoids turning a relaxed break into an unexpectedly long walk.
Check nearby beach rules
St George’s Well excludes dogs 1 July-31 August, 10am-6pm; Trevone uses 15 May-30 September at the same hours. Read current beach signs before going onto the sand.
Your Padstow questions
Which Padstow beaches have seasonal dog restrictions?
Cornwall Council currently lists St George’s Well as restricted from 1 July to 31 August, 10am-6pm, and Trevone from 15 May to 30 September, 10am-6pm. These are named beach rules, not a blanket restriction for every Padstow cove. Follow the linked maps and the signs at your exact access point; privately owned beaches can have separate rules.
Yes. Padstow Harbour welcomes dogs on its passenger ferry to Rock. Buy a single ticket for each direction on board using a contactless card. Timetables and landing points vary with the season and tide, and a winter lunchtime break applies. Check the current departure point and last return before crossing; the operator does not publish a separate dog fare on this page.
Is Stepper Point a shorter alternative to the longer coast walk from Padstow?
The South West Coast Path publishes a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) route from Hawkers Cove car park to Stepper Point, returning via the ridge. The car park is seasonal; starting from Padstow adds about two miles to reach it, plus the journey back. The route crosses farmland and asks for dogs on leads around grazing sheep and nesting birds, particularly in spring and early summer. There are unfenced cliffs near Butter Hole, so keep your dog close.
The hotel lists specific dog rooms, which must be arranged with reservations. Dogs on leads may join you on the terrace or in the Boat Room, subject to availability; private events can close the Boat Room to dogs. Pet dogs are excluded from the main restaurant, bar and lounge. The current fee is £20 per dog per night. Ask which meal space is available for your dates before relying on a dinner booking.
Which postcode should I use for parking at The Old Ship Hotel?
Use PL28 8BD for the parking area behind The Old Ship, following the hotel’s own approach directions rather than navigating to its front door. The route uses the Padstow ring road, Tregirls Lane, Fentonluna Lane and St Saviours Lane. Check those instructions before entering the narrow town-centre streets so you can get your dog and luggage to the right entrance.
Do I need to walk all the way to Wadebridge on the Camel Trail?
No. The Padstow-Wadebridge section is 5.5 miles (8.8 km) one way, so walking there and back is a substantial outing. Choose a shorter out-and-back and turn around when it suits your dog. The surfaced, largely level trail is shared with cyclists and other users, so keep your dog close when passing.
Researched from accommodation operators, property listings and visitor information linked above on 27 September 2026. Prices and policies can change; a stated dog fee is not a room quote or a promise of availability. We have not personally inspected these places. Our day plans are editorial suggestions.
The dog details