Best Dog-Friendly Beaches and Walks Near Start Point in South Devon

If you’re looking for dog-friendly beaches in South Devon, especially around Start Point, Beesands and Hallsands, this stretch of coastline is hard to beat.

It’s doggy heaven, with the South West Coast Path on your doorstep and walks straight from your front door, no need to get the car out.

It’s also one of those places where you can properly switch off, quiet lanes, open countryside and sea views in every direction.

Staying at Lamacraft Farm Cottages and Lamacraft House puts you right in the middle of it, with year-round dog-friendly beaches, coastal walks and great places to stop for food and sea views all within easy reach.

Which beaches near Start Point are dog-friendly?

One of the best things about this area is how many beaches welcome dogs all year round which, as anyone who’s arrived somewhere beautiful only to find dogs aren’t allowed will know, makes all the difference.

Close to Lamacraft, you’ll find:

• Beesands Beach (walk or short drive)
• Hallsands Beach (walk or short drive)
• Mattiscombe Sands (2 minute drive to Start Point car park, then walk)
• Lannacombe Beach (walk)
• East Portlemouth beaches (a short drive away)

All offer something slightly different, but all are perfect for dogs who love a run, a swim or just a good sniff along the shoreline.

Beesands Beach: a favourite for dogs, walkers and sea air

Beesands is one of those places people come back to again and again.

A long, shingle beach that’s dog-friendly all year, it’s ideal for a relaxed walk with the dog, whatever the season. There’s plenty of space, easy access and that lovely mix of sea air and village life.

You’ve also got two great spots to eat right on the beach:

• The Cricket Inn for a proper pub meal
• Britannia @ the Beach for fresh seafood, takeaway or a quick bite

It’s the kind of place where a “quick walk” easily turns into lunch and an afternoon by the sea.

Hallsands Beach and the South Devon coast path

Just along the coast, Hallsands has a quieter, more tucked-away feel.

The beach itself is dramatic and open, with views stretching along the coastline, and it links beautifully into the South West Coast Path, making it ideal if you want to combine a beach walk with something a bit longer.

It’s a great choice if you’re looking for somewhere slightly less busy, where both you and your dog can enjoy a bit of space. It’s also a lovely spot for a sea swim.

Mattiscombe and Lannacombe for wilder coastal walks

If your dog loves a proper run and you enjoy a bit of adventure, Mattiscombe and Lannacombe are well worth exploring.

These beaches feel more remote, with rugged scenery and fewer people, even in the height of summer. They’re perfect for longer walks, exploring the coastline, and letting dogs roam (responsibly) with a bit more freedom.

You can link these into circular walks from Lamacraft or nearby parking spots, making them ideal for a half-day outing.

East Portlemouth beaches for a sandy beach dog-friendly days out

For a change of scene, head over to East Portlemouth, just a 15-minute drive from Lamacraft.

Here you’ll find golden sandy beaches, all dog-friendly year-round, and perfect for families as well as dogs who prefer sand to shingle.

Park at the National Trust car park at Mill Bay or Port Waterhouse, then follow the coast path or simply settle in for the day.

You can also:

• Catch the foot ferry to Salcombe
• Grab a coffee, ice cream or lunch from The Old Stable (they also have a sauna!)
• Sit back and watch the boats come and go

It’s an easy, lovely day out that feels a little different from the wilder Start Point coastline.

Where can you walk your dog near Lamacraft Farm Cottages?

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Lamacraft is that you can walk straight from the door. With extensive gardens and woodland within the grounds to explore and then a path through Bickerton to get to Hallsands beach and the South West Coast Path, offering some of the best walking in South Devon, with routes that suit everything from a gentle stroll to a full day out.

Popular options include:

• Walks towards Start Point Lighthouse
• Coastal routes linking Beesands, Hallsands and beyond
• Inland footpaths through fields and quiet lanes

It’s the kind of place where you can leave the car behind and just head out with the dog, knowing there’s always a good view (and usually a good pub) waiting somewhere along the way.

Why this area is ideal for a dog-friendly holiday in South Devon

The Start Point peninsula has a slightly quieter, more unspoilt feel than some of the better-known Devon hotspots — and that’s part of its charm.

For dog owners, it works beautifully because:

• Beaches are dog-friendly year-round
• There’s a mix of shingle and sandy options
• Walks are right on your doorstep
• It’s easy to avoid crowds, even in summer
• Dogs are welcome in local pubs and cafés

It’s a place to slow down, switch off and spend proper time outdoors exactly what most people are looking for when they head to the coast with their dog.

Dog-friendly places to stay near Start Point

If you’re looking for dog-friendly holiday cottages in South Devon, Lamacraft Farm Cottages - Wisteria Cottage, Jasmine Cottage and Rose Cottage and Lamacraft House are perfectly placed.

Set just inland from the coast, they offer:

• Easy access to beaches and coastal walks
• Space to relax after a day outdoors
• A range of properties suitable for couples, families and groups
• The option to book multiple cottages together for larger stays
• Plenty of space to walk near the properties
• Direct access to the South West Coast Path and South Hams Way
• EV charging and superfast broadband
• Easy parking at the properties, so you can come and go without the stress of coastal parking

It’s an ideal base for a holiday where the break is as much a holiday for your dog as it is for you.

Good to know

• Most local beaches are dog-friendly all year round
• Parking is available at Beesands and East Portlemouth (Mill Bay)
• The Salcombe ferry is dog-friendly
• The Cricket Inn and The Old Stable are both great stops on a dog walk.

Looking for a dog-friendly holiday in South Devon?

Lamacraft Farm Cottages and Lamacraft House bookable through Devon Coastal Cottages offer the perfect base for exploring this beautiful stretch of coastline, with beaches, walks and sea views right on your doorstep.