Short answer: From 1 October the summer dog bans around St Ives end and every council-restricted beach reopens to dogs all day, until the restrictions return in May or July. Here's which beaches that affects, and the ones that never closed.
St Ives' three famous beaches all carry summer bans, which is why dog owners know the little ones. From 1 October Porthmeor, Porthminster and Porthgwidden reopen, and the town becomes one of the best dog days out in the county.
Cornwall Council's seasonal order covers 46 beaches. On most of them dogs are banned between 10am and 6pm from 1 July to 31 August; on the Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches the ban runs longer, 15 May to 30 September. Outside those dates and times there are no council restrictions at all. Hundreds of other Cornish beaches are never restricted. A few privately owned beaches set their own rules, and signs at the beach entrance are always the final word — the official list is on Cornwall Council's dogs-on-beaches page.
The autumn beach is shared with surfers, swimmers, families and seabirds, and the summer rules only come back if it goes badly. Pick up every time, keep dogs away from anyone who hasn't invited them, and put leads on near seals or roosting birds — grey seals haul out on quieter beaches through autumn and winter, and a dog on a seal beach ends badly for both. St Ives' gulls are professionals — a dog with a sandwich is entertainment for everyone.
Get in by train (the park and ride) and walk out along the coast path to Porthkidney — our Hayle to St Ives guide covers it. The county-wide picture is in our guide to Cornwall's beaches reopening to dogs.
Rules, hours and programmes are the owners' to change — check the signs on the day or the official page before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
See the full St Ives guide, filtered by who's with you.
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