The seaside town of Downderry boasts a long shingle beach, with plenty of rock pools, stunning coastal views, and a fantastic seafood restaurant right on its doorstep.
Set along South East Cornwall’s coast the small seaside village of Downderry has a long seaside stretch of light shingle. The dog-friendly beach is easily accessible and is only a short walk from many of our holiday cottages in Downderry. There are rock pools a-plenty at low tide for children to scamper around and discover the local sea-life.
Downderry itself is a small village and is home to the popular Blue Plate Restaurant which offers a wide selection of locally sourced food including plenty of seafood. There are also some small shops and a pub for your convenience.
Seaton beach is just a few minutes’ drive away and the South West Coast Path runs right through the village. Further afield, the picturesque fishing towns of Looe and Polperro are only a short drive away with many interesting shops and restaurants, while the historic city of Plymouth is only 18 miles away in nearby Devon.
A holiday cottage in the village of Downderry offers a beautiful seaside escape with the benefit of having a fantastic restaurant right on your doorstep.
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Not perhaps what you might expect to find in Cornwall, The Monkey Sanctuary is a delightful opportunity to learn about its 36 inhabitants, all of whom have distinct characters and personalities. An active rescue centre dealing with individuals that have often not had a very happy start to life, the priority is always their wellbeing, but it’s also an opportunity for guests to meet them and learn about the organization, explore the gardens and cultivated meadows, shop or relax in the café. There’s also a play area for children, with views of the Cornish coast. The sanctuary is closed on Fridays, but otherwise open from March to September (dates vary from year to year, so keep an eye on the website). Prices start at £8.50 per adult and £5 for children, which entitles you to entry for a whole year.
(1)
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Great place they do a lot of good work for the monkeys! It’s just sad to hear some of the stories of how they were kept!
June 2018
While most golf courses claim a degree of outdoor beauty, Looe Golf Course really takes the biscuit, with panoramic views of the peaks of Dartmoor and the Tamar estuary to the east, Looe Island and the channel to the south, and the Cornish moors to the west and north. The club welcomes visitors and has a fully licensed bar and catering facilities as well as free parking, practice putting green and practice net, and a well-equipped Pro Shop all available.
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Enjoy 18 holes discounted to £20 per person with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card
Owned by the East Loose Town Trust, the Looe Museum is managed by a small community of volunteers, and gives a delightful insight into the history and character of the area. It’s an opportunity to develop your knowledge of the town and locality whether you’re a first time visitor or frequent tourist. They frequently house new exhibitions and take part in local events, acting as a supportive part of the community. In 2016 they celebrated the 150th anniversary of the lifeboats in Looe for example, by loaning some of its objects to the RNLI for a dedicated exhibition. Admission is £2 for adults, £1 for children, and £4.50 for families.
(3)
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The kids loved this compact museum especially the lady in the prison! We kept our tickets as you can return for free and they did, twice!! ????????
August 2017
Amazingly well-stocked, charming little museum, with efforts clearly made to interest both young and old. You can return as much as you like (for several months) on one ticket ... and to absorb all the information available, you may need to.
May 2018
Small museum but full of interesting artefacts. Well worth the £2 entry fee!
June 2018
Quality local food on the Cornish coast, lovingly prepared and simply presented. With a restaurant, bar, sun terrace, deli and café, The Blue Plate restaurant caters for every culinary mood.
Blue Plate Restaurant, Main Road, Downderry, Torpoint PL11 3LD (T: 01503 250308)
(1)
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Had a lovely lunchtime meal here . Would recommend.
May 2018
Located in the heart of Downderry minutes from the beach this great little cafe offers healthy, freshly made food all cooked on site and including a range of vegan and gluten free options. Drop in for organic coffee, something from the extensive tea menu or a freshly made juice or smoothie along with delicious home made cakes and snacks. Daily specials and takeaway available.
Summink Different Broadyard, Downderry PL11 3LX (T: 01503 250311)
Traditional Cornish village inn perched on a cliff top, with stunning views of Downderry beach and the ocean beyond.
Local cask ales and excellent locally sourced food with an extensive menu, serving breakfasts, light snacks, cream teas, à la carte meals and carveries in the bar, restaurant, conservatory, or outside decked area. There's also an enclosed lawned garden and children's play area to keep the little people happy.
Inn on the Shore, Downderry, Torpoint, Cornwall PL11 3JY (T: 01503 250027)
(1)
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Not been before.
January 2018
Modern Bar & Café on the beautiful, rugged South Cornish coastline, with spectacular views across the bay. Serving quality food with a focus on value for money, and a great atmosphere.
Waves Bar, Bridge Rd, Seaton, Torpoint PL11 3JD (T: 01503 250065)
(1)
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Excellent bar/restaurant,downstairs dog friendly,upstairs glass fronted with great views across season beach ,a changing menu weekly but all we have tried is 1st class ,also friendly owners ,a must visit
July 2017
Cosy family-friendly inn offering a warm welcome, in a superb position overlooking Seaton beach. Great drink, home cooked food, fresh local produce, children's menu and an excellent value carvery.
Smugglers Inn, Seaton Park, Seaton, Torpoint PL11 3JD (T: 01503 250923)
A spacious, grey sand beach that’s popular with families, Seaton Beach enjoys views across the green, surrounding countryside and walks in Seaton Valley nearby. At low tide the beach stretches all the way from Seaton Beach to Downderry Beach. There are facilities close by and there is are two car parks as well as road parking, but it does get busy quickly in the summer. The beach is great for surfing, but do be wary of undercurrents. There’s also a café and beach shop close by as well. Dogs are welcome at the beach all year round.
(3)
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Visited Seaton Beach several times during our stay fantastic dog friendly beach with the advantage of having the river as well my dog enjoyed swimming in the sea and the river thoroughly recommend this beach.
June 2017
Great beach easily accessible and dog friendly
September 2017
Great beach dog friendly and no mess everyone respected the fact they could take dogs there
September 2017
Millendreath Beach is a south facing beach at the foot of a wooded valley, in a sheltered cove with soft sand and lots of rock pools to explore at low tide. It’s connected to other nearby beaches by the South West Coast Path. Dogs aren’t allowed on this beach at any time of the year, and there is a reasonably sized car park a few minutes walk away. The beach is popular with families on holiday in Cornwall, and most of the surrounding area is occupied by a holiday park, so there are lot of facilities open to the public.
A small and pleasant grey sand beach with rocks exposed at low tide, Plaidy Beach is simply a nice place to visit and take in the scenery. There aren’t any facilities, and there’s no parking nearby so it’s one to reach on foot. There’s a slipway to the beach, but you will have to access it by walking along the coast path, parking at Millendreath or Looe and it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s quite steep from both directions. Millendreath is closer and the walk should take around 20 minutes. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round, so it’s a charming place to take them for a walk while you’re in the area.
(1)
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Great to walk to at low tide on the beach or at high tide via the footpath. Great dog friendly beach.
August 2018
Half a mile west of Looe, stretching along the coast, Hannafore Beach is a sandy, shingle bay with a rocky reef and views of St George’s Island. At low tide it’s brimming with rock pools, making it fun and games for the whole family to enjoy, and it’s a wonderful sun trap in summer months thanks to its south east facing position. Because of its location over the river, the beach never really becomes too busy, but equally there aren’t any facilities nearby. It’s popular with dog walkers as it’s amongst the few dog-friendly beaches in the area, and having explored you can extend your excursion to a stroll along the promenade or a potter around the coast path to the wonderfully scenic Talland Bay. There is roadside parking along the sea front above the beach, but it can be difficult to find a space. Alternatively, there is a large car park in West Looe, around 10 minutes away on foot.
(5)
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One of the many dog friendly beaches we visited lovely coastal walks to Talland Bay the nature reserve island is very interesting great refreshments available and not forgetting the free parking available all day which is very useful.
June 2017
Great beach. Good view of looe island. Loads of shells to collect. Lots of dog walkers tho!
August 2017
An interesting beach, but beware the incoming tide !
April 2018
Really nice beach and walk
June 2018
Lovely for the dogs!
August 2018
In East Looe, the beach sits directly in front of the old town, sheltered by the Banjo Pier and overlooked from the east by the hillside of Mount Ararat. A good family beach that has something for everyone, at low tide the sandy location is safe for swimming although it’s recommended you steer clear of the river mouth beyond the pier. The beach backs on to a seafront walkway which runs its length all the way to Second Beach to the east, where it tends to be less busy and it’s good for snorkeling. As it’s in the centre of the town there are lots of facilities and cafes nearby, but in the summer it’s a very popular spot and parking can be tricky, with traffic prohibited during these months, so be prepared for a bit of a walk.
(5)
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Lovely beach and even when it was busy didn't feel overcrowded
August 2017
Really good! Good sand and sea. Activities for the kids too. Difficult to get to cos no parking nearby.
August 2017
Looe beach and seafront is cleaned every day (in season?) and looks good. A joy to sit and watch the sea and people passing by.
April 2018
Lovely sandy beach. No dogs allowed but there is a small cove at the far end which allows dogs to enjoy their holiday too with a dip in The English Channel.
May 2018
You cannot fail to love Looe beach, early morning, during the day or for and evening stroll. A super clean beach.
May 2018
