North Devon is the perfect place for dog lovers, as it offers plenty of dog-friendly attractions, beaches, walks, and accommodation options. Whether you want to explore the stunning coastline, visit historic villages, or enjoy some family fun, there is something for everyone and their furry friends in North Devon. We will share some of the best things to do in North Devon with your four-legged friend, based on our own experience and research.
Dog-Friendly Attractions in North Devon
One of the great things about North Devon is that many of the attractions welcome dogs, either for free or for a small fee. Here are some of the best dog-friendly attractions that we recommend visiting.
Hartland Abbey and Gardens
The abbey is open to the public from March to October, and visitors (and their furry friends) can wander through the house and admire the paintings, furniture, porcelain, and other memorabilia collected by the family over the years. The abbey also boasts a remarkable collection of costumes from various films and TV shows that were filmed on the estate, such as Sense and Sensibility, The Shell Seekers, The Night Manager, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and Game of Thrones.
But the abbey is not the only attraction here. The gardens and grounds are equally stunning and diverse, offering something for everyone. From the house, you can follow the woodland walks to the four secret walled gardens, where you can find vegetables, fruits, flowers, and rare plants. You can also explore the Baronet’s Bog Garden, the Victorian Fernery, and the Camellia Garden, all designed with the help of the famous garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, who was a frequent guest at the abbey.
The gardens are full of colour and fragrance throughout the whole year but especially in the summer months, from the spring bulbs, camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas, to the summer hydrangeas and eucryphias, to the autumn foliage and berries. You can also spot a variety of wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, bees, and deer, as you stroll along the miles of footpaths.
Clovelly
Clovelly is not your typical village: it is privately owned and has been preserved for centuries, retaining its historic and authentic character. I will share with you some of the reasons why you should visit Clovelly, and what you can expect from this unique place. As the village is privately owned, it charges a small entrance fee, but dogs enter for free.
One of the most distinctive features of Clovelly is its steep and narrow cobbled street, which descends from the top of the cliff to the harbour. The street is so steep that no cars are allowed, and the only way to transport goods is by donkey or sledge. The street is lined with whitewashed cottages, some of which date back to the 16th century, and are decorated with flowers and colourful doors. As you walk down the street, you will feel like you have stepped back in time, and you will enjoy the stunning views of the sea and the coast.
At the bottom of the street, you will find the harbour, which is the heart of Clovelly. The harbour is still a working fishing port, and you can see the boats and the fishermen bringing in their catch of the day. You can also visit the Clovelly Lifeboat Station, which has a history of saving lives at sea since 1870. The harbour is also a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery, as well as to sample some of the local seafood at the Harbour Restaurant or the Red Lion Hotel.
Another attraction of Clovelly is its beautiful gardens, which offer a contrast to the rugged coastline. You can visit the Clovelly Court Gardens, which are located next to the Clovelly Court, the ancestral home of the owners of the village. The gardens are open to the public and feature a variety of plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables, grown organically and sustainably. You can also visit the Clovelly Dykes, which are ancient earthworks that surround the village and provide a habitat for wildlife and wildflowers.
The Milky Way Adventure Park
This is a fun-filled attraction for both children and adults, where you can enjoy rollercoasters, rides, live shows, and crafting sessions. Dogs are welcome on leads, but they are not allowed in the bird of prey centre, play areas, live shows, or on the rides. The Milky Way Adventure Park has a variety of rides and attractions that cater to different ages and preferences. You can ride the Cosmic Typhoon roller coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 40mph and has a 360-degree loop. You can also try Ziggy’s Blast Quest, where you pilot a Cyber Scooter and shoot lasers at space rocks. If you are feeling adventurous, you can slide down the Gravity Rider, a 30ft tall donut slide that will make you scream. For the younger ones, there is the Cosmic Caterpillar, a mini coaster that goes through a tunnel of stars. There is also the Ninja Stars play area, where you can test your skills and agility on various obstacles and challenges.
The Milky Way Adventure Park also offers some amazing shows and exhibits that will entertain and educate you. You can watch a stunning Bird of Prey display, where you can see falcons, hawks, owls and eagles fly and perform tricks. You can also visit the Sci-Fi exhibit, where you can see memorabilia from Star Wars, Doctor Who, Star Trek and more. You can also enjoy Merlin’s Family Shows, where you can see magic, comedy and illusions.
The Milky Way Adventure Park has plenty of other activities that you can enjoy, such as mini golf, maze, pottery painting, fantasy farm and bouncing balloon room. You can visit the Little Stars play centre, which is designed for babies to pre-schoolers and has soft play, sensory play and role play areas. You can also try the North Devon WakePark, which is located next to the park and has an inflatable Aquapark, paddleboards and more. The Milky Way Adventure Park is one of the best theme parks in the area which means that it is high on the list of family attractions.
Broomhill Sculpture Gardens
This is a unique attraction where you can see over 200 sculptures across 15 acres of land. The sculptures are made by local and international artists, and they range from abstract to realistic. Dogs are welcome throughout the hotel, art gallery, and sculpture gardens.
Broomhill Sculpture Gardens features two main areas: the permanent collection and the National Sculpture Prize area. The permanent collection showcases the works of established and emerging artists from around the world, such as David Begbie, Giles Penny, Ronald Westerhuis, and many more. The sculptures range from abstract to figurative, from metal to wood, from small to large, and from playful to provocative. You can explore the sculptures at your own pace, following the winding paths and discovering new surprises at every turn.
The National Sculpture Prize area is where you can see the latest creations of the finalists of the annual competition, which aims to promote and support new talent in the field of sculpture. The competition is open to UK-based artists who are within 10 years of their first exhibition. The public can vote for their favourite sculpture, and the winner is announced at the end of the season. The sculptures in this area are changed every year, so you can always expect something fresh and exciting.
Okehampton Castle
This is a medieval castle that was once the largest in Devon, but now lies in ruins. You can still explore the remains of the castle, listen to the audio tour, and picnic by the river. Dogs are welcome on leads, but they must be kept under control.
Okehampton Castle is a fascinating place to explore, as it reveals the different phases of its history and architecture. You can climb up the motte and see the remains of the keep, which was once the strongest and tallest part of the castle. You can also walk around the bailey and see the ruins of the buildings that were added by the de Courtenays, such as the great hall, the chapel, the kitchen, and the lodgings. You can admire the Gothic windows, the fireplaces, the vaulted ceilings, and the carved stone details that show the wealth and taste of the medieval lords.
The castle is also a great place to enjoy the natural beauty of Devon, as it is surrounded by woods, meadows, and streams. You can picnic in the riverside area, where there are tables and benches, or in the grassy areas of the bailey. You can also follow the woodland walks that lead you to the deer park, where you can see the traces of the medieval hunting landscape, such as banks, ditches, and ponds. You can also spot various birds and wildlife, such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, kingfishers, otters, and deer.
Dog-Friendly Beaches in North Devon
North Devon has some of the best sandy beaches in the UK, and many of them are dog-friendly all year round or have designated areas for dogs. Here are some great dog-friendly beaches that we love:
- Saunton Sands: This is a long and sandy beach that stretches for over three miles. It is ideal for surfing, swimming, and walking, and it has a stunning backdrop of sand dunes. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, but they must be kept on leads in some areas.
- Putsborough Sands: This is a beautiful beach that is part of the Woolacombe Bay. It has golden sand, clear water, and rocky pools. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, but they are restricted to one end of the beach from April to October.
- Hele Bay: This is a small and secluded beach that is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the scenery. It has pebbles, sand, and rocks, and it is surrounded by cliffs and woodland. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, and there is a dog-friendly pub nearby.
- Westward Ho!: This is a popular and lively beach that has a blue flag status. It has sand, pebbles, and rock pools, and it is great for surfing, kite surfing, and kayaking. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, but they are banned from some areas from May to September.
Dog-Friendly Accommodation in North Devon
North Devon has a wide range of accommodation options that cater to your canine companion, from campsites and holiday parks to cottages and hotels. Here are some of the dog-friendly accommodation options that we suggest checking out:
- Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park: This is a dog-friendly holiday park that has four sites to choose from, each with different facilities and activities for the whole family. You can stay in caravans, lodges, chalets, or camping pods, and enjoy the indoor and outdoor pools, the spa, the cinema, and the entertainment. Dogs are welcome in some of the accommodation units, and they have access to a dog exercise area and a dog wash station.
- The Old Rectory Hotel: This is a luxury hotel that is set in a Georgian country house near Exmoor. You can stay in elegant and comfortable rooms, dine in the award-winning restaurant, and relax in the heated outdoor pool and the hot tub. Dogs are welcome in some of the rooms, and they receive a dog bed, a bowl, and a treat on arrival. They can also join you in the lounge and the bar, and explore the 3.5 acres of woodland gardens.
- Marsdens Devon Cottages: This is a local company that offers over 400 dog-friendly cottages across North Devon. You can choose from cosy and romantic cottages, spacious and modern cottages, or cottages with sea views and hot tubs. Dogs are welcome in all of the cottages, and some of them even have enclosed gardens, dog crates, and dog showers.
North Devon is the perfect spot to visit with your furry friend, as it has so much to offer in terms of scenery, culture, and adventure. You can find plenty of dog-friendly attractions, beaches, and accommodation options in the local area that will make your holiday memorable and enjoyable. We hope that this has given you some ideas and inspiration for your next trip to dog-friendly Devon.
If you’re looking for other places to stay in Devon then consider exploring options on Booking.com.
If you’re looking for more travel inspiration in the UK, be sure to check out The Best Dolphin Boat Trips in Cornwall!