Welcome to the Cornwall Tourism Magazine - Article on Dog Holidays in Cornwall - Written by Helen Steel.

 

 

 

 

 

Doggie Holidays in Cornwall.

 

For many of us, our dogs are a lifelong friend and an integral part of our families, but what happens when you want to go on holiday with you dogs ( or dogs )?....You can easily find a cottage or other purpose built holiday rental property that will accept pets, but what if you wanted to stay at a hotel?.....Well we have sent out our intrepid reporter Helen Steel, who also works for ITV, to find out and she found a few hotels where your dogs, and you of course, are very welcome. This is her story.

 

Dog holidays -Introduction by Helen Steel.

 

After buying our first house, my partner Ed and I made it a home by getting our rescue pup Meg. We don't like leaving her in kennels so where feasible, we like to take her with us on holiday. As keen walkers, what would be the point in leaving her behind? But after many confused "er, no, we don't take dogs" from hotel receptionists, some apologetic rejections and a couple of experiences where we were packed into the one and only canine-proof room, I made it my mission to find hotels where our furry friends are treated not as pests, but pets - even family members.

 

And where better to start then Cornwall, where coved beaches are framed by stunning cliff-top walks and rolling countryside - providing an alternative to those dreary trips around the local park. Not only did we find you don't have to put up with shabby rooms and confined areas, but there are four star hotels where spas and fine dining restaurants sit comfortably next to "doggy lounges", and indeed hotels where the motto is "bring your owner if you want"! Here we bring you five hotels which pride themselves on their hound hospitality.

 

 

The Dalswinton House - St Mawgan~in~Pydar.

 

Dalswinton House in St Mawgan, north of Newquay, could very easily be renamed Dog's-Hilton House! It really is special and if you truly want a holiday for your dog, rather than a holiday where dogs are simply tolerated, this is the place for you. For me, there are a few things you want from a "doggy holiday": easy access for emergency toilet breaks, walks from the door and to get the feeling the proprietors aren't just putting up with the patter of paws, rather welcoming them with open arms. The Dalswinton has walks to a dog-friendly beach, straight from the door, and also has its own dog meadow entirely dedicated to those bladder breaks and letting off steam. But it is the owners, Sal and Stuart, who make it the hound's heaven that it is.

 

If you don't bring your dog to the nightly gathering they co-ordinate in the conservatory, you needn't bother going! The after-dinner treats were a highlight for their four-legged guests - consisting not of mint chocolates and coffee, but gravy bones and chew sticks. Also, we hadn't realised just what a great way of making friends Meg was - a few oos and aahs, and "what breed is she" ( no not a pedigree, by the way ) and in an hour we had got the under-used board games out while sampling the wines on offer. I can't forget our third host. Benny has been a resident for a good few years and loves nothing better than to amble to your car on arrival, lead you to the meadow to show his fellow dogs where they can stretch their legs then take you to the front door. Of course, not quite everything could revolve around our furry friend - namely food, and Stuart, with his experience as a chef in the South African Air Force, doesn't only co-ordinate the nightly dog treats, he also puts on a truly fine breakfast and three course meal too.

 

Prices: 5 March to 24 October inclusive: B&B £48.00 pppn, three course dinner £22.00 - Special offer 25 March to 29 April inclusive: 3 nights for 2 - Dogs free - And anyone quoting this feature gets a bottle of wine with dinner.

 

Name: Dalswinton House - St Mawgan~in~Pydar, Cornwall, TR8 4EZ.  - Tele: +44 ( 0 )1637 860385 -  Website: www.dalswinton.com

 

 

The Talland Bay Hotel - Porthallow.

 

If the sun is shining, this is the closest thing you'll get to taking your pet abroad. A beautiful historic building - it was first mentioned in the Domesday Book - set in two acres of sub-tropical gardens overlooking the bay between Polperro and Looe. In fact we were surprised dogs were allowed anywhere near it, but they are. Inside, the 20-bedroomed building has gorgeous quirky antique furniture and is littered with pictures of resident pets. And our room certainly wasn't a second-rate one in which a few hairs and grubby paws wouldn't matter, it was a big, chic, pastel-coloured room with one of the largest bathrooms I have ever seen. And just to remind us Meg was definitely allowed in, there was a little welcome pack and a doggy blanket waiting for her.

 

As for walks, the best walk we did all holiday was straight from the door. Three and a half miles of glorious views - and sunshine (not a given unfortunately) across the Cornish Riviera to the fishing port of Looe. We were so impressed that we walked back too, but you could get a boat to Polperro and walk a shorter distance back to Talland Bay. Of course, taking your dog somewhere where it looks as though it's far too "boutique" to accept them is 99 per cent a good thing. The one tiny drawback, if you can even call it one, was that some of the other guests seemed somewhat surprised to see them there too. But it was nothing other than a double take, which is hard to draw offence from. But the owners definitely did not hide the fact that they are very pet-friendly and in fact, the Talland Bay Hotel was the only one of the venues we visited that had a dining area, the Brasserie, where you could eat along with your dog.

 

Prices: B&B from £125.00 per room, third night half price. Fourth night free - Winter offer: B&B third night free.

 

Name: Talland Bay Hotel - Porthallow, Cornwall PL13 2JB  - Tele: +44 ( 0 )1503 272667  -  Website: www.tallandbayhotel.co.uk

 

 

The Polurrian Bay Hotel - Mullion.

 

The Polurrian Bay hotel bills itself as a "luxury family" hotel - and pets are included under this label too. Refurbished in 2012 and with a stunning new Vista lounge opened in June, the interior matches up to its amazing surroundings on Mounts Bay near Mullion. One of two spa hotels we stayed in during the trip, it's another hotel which doesn't compromise on quality just because you're travelling with children or pets. While there's not quite as much freedom for Rover to roam as there is at the Dalswinton or Fowey Hall, there is a special dog lounge full of games so Meg didn't have to be relegated to the bedroom in the evening.

 

Only 15 minutes away is the spectacular Lizard Peninsula, where we did a great walk encompassing the most Southerly point of the British mainland, most Southerly cafe, lighthouse and we even spotted the most Southerly cows. Everything becomes a bit more exciting when they have a label like that.  After all that exercise we felt it was ok to leave Meg in the room for a little while, and take advantage of the spa. In a separate outhouse, but just yards from the door, it offered a well-equipped gym - which we however did not use -  and a good-sized, clean pool. The rooms were spacious with a homely feel - made more so by the doggy blankets and bowls - and even though we were at the side of the hotel there were still great views of the gardens with a glimpse of the sea. This is another great hotel for its food. If you book for the right time, you can watch the sun set, and imagine the fishing boat actually catching the locally-sourced fish on your plate. 

 

Prices: Please contact the hotel directly for information and pricing and special offers.

 

Name: Polurrian Bay Hotel - Polurrian Rd, Mullion, Cornwall TR12 7EN  - Tele: +44 ( 0 )1326 240421 Website: www.polurrianhotel.com

 

 

 

The Mullion Cove Hotel - Mullion Cove, The Lizard.

 

If it's a warm welcome for you and your pet that you are after, look no further than the Mullion Cove hotel. What was most noticeable about the hotel was how helpful, polite and friendly the staff were. Upon arriving two hours early, just to drop the car off, we were told they could have our room ready in 15 minutes and we were also offered a pot of tea and more importantly Meg was offered cuddles and treats. There are some restrictions with where our four-legged friends can go, but this is more than made up for with their special "doggy lounge" with views of the sea. While waiting we were even asked if we would like doors shut so Meg could roam around. 

 

One morning there was a little too much excitement going on for a 10 month old puppy just to wait calmly in the room as we went to breakfast and we mentioned to the staff Meg might whine a little, and the next thing we knew our table was being lifted from the fine dining area to the lounge where dogs were permitted so she wouldn't be lonely. We didn't ask them to do this, they just did it. On the subject of rooms, our "garden suite" was more of a self-catering holiday home. Two good-sized bedrooms, a huge hallway with desks for working ( if you really want to ) and a living room with french doors overlooking cliff tops, well-manicured gardens and the swimming pool. And the best bit was definitely being able to let Meg out from these doors straight into the gardens without having to trudge down some stairs at 7am. A walk from the door took us along the cliff top to the must-see Trenance Chocolate Factory in Mullion and on the way back, when you glimpse the solitary hotel majestically appear on the cliffs, you get the full sense of its grandeur. Finally, with food served in a restaurant awarded a Rosette for food excellence by the AA, and a wonderful view of the Atlantic - you can't really go wrong. 

 

Prices: Please contact the hotel directly for pricing information.

 

Name: Mullion Cove Hotel - Mullion  Helston, Cornwall TR12 7EP  - Tele: +44 ( 0 )1326 240328   -  Website: www.mullion-cove.co.uk

 

 

The Fowey Hall Hotel - Fowey.

 

This majestic building was reportedly the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. And how fitting that a place which housed animals with anthropomorphic qualities should now treat your pets like humans. Upon seeing the late Victorian library and lounge I tentatively asked if we should keep Meg in our room while inside. But the hotel was surprisingly one of the most relaxed with their policy - the staff looked aghast at the idea and said there were no restrictions accept the fine dining area. In fact, they have just acquired their own puppy, who will be free to roam when house-trained...and will even be available for walkies hire!

 

The second floor room, or rather suite, we were given was one of the grandest I've seen - a huge high-ceilinged living room, bathroom and bedroom named after one of the staff who ran the house when it was built in 1899. Again, blankets and dog bowls left rather incongruously on the rich red carpet next to expensive- looking antique furniture assured us that Meg was most definitely welcome. Even travelling without children it was interesting to note how child-friendly the hotel was too. The resident OFSTED approved "nannies" are on hand to provide complimentary two hour childcare sessions every day, and I was told they often offered much longer if needed. And at 10am, anyone who wants to help the nannies feed and collect eggs from the hotel hens were more than welcome. 

 

Other noteworthy features include a giant trampoline in the gardens - and yes I did use it - and a lovely spa with a huge pool and an outdoor hot tub with absolutely stunning views. And if you happen to be in Fowey town on a Tuesday night, make sure you visit the Ship Inn. You'll get a great welcome, the resident dog will share her treats with your dog, and if you're under 50 the landlord will feel sorry for you and give you all the quiz answers.

 

Prices: Please contact the hotel directly for pricing information.

 

Name: Fowey Hall Hotel- Hanson Drive, Fowey, Cornwall , PL23 1ET  - Tele: +44 ( 0 )1726 833866   -  Website: www.foweyhallhotel.co.uk

 

Conclusion.

 

The hotels above are just a sample of some of the hotels you can bring your dogs to in Cornwall, but as you can see, they all make you and your pets very welcome and whilst there may be some very obvious restrictions in some of them, you wont be treated as a third class citizen in any of them. The only thing you have to watch out for in Cornwall are the local rules on taking your dogs onto the beach. Many popular beaches have a ban on taking dogs on to them during the main holiday season and some now have an all year round ban, however, there are many beaches that have no bans on them at all, so to avoid any issues ( and possible fines ), it is wise to always check first before you take you dog onto them. And obviously, it goes without saying that you should keep your dog on a lead and under full control if you are walking near any farm animals and also the local wild life and also make sure you take plenty of water with you as it gets very hot in Cornwall and we have all seen dogs gasping for a drink, so just make sure your's isn't one of them. We offer some stunning adventures for you and your dog down here in Cornwall, so please tae care and enjoy our beautiful county. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

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