Short answer: Dogs are not allowed on East Looe Beach at any time of year, but the rest of Looe suits them. Hannafore beach allows dogs all year, dogs are welcome on the Looe Valley train, and The Lookout, Lammana, Paws for Coffee and Tasty Corner welcome them too. The Jolly Sailor, Grog and Ale House and others do as well.
Dog-friendly Looe has one rule you need to know before you unclip the lead: the main town beach, East Looe Beach, does not allow dogs at any time of year. Everything else about Looe works well for a dog. Hannafore beach allows dogs all year, several cafes on the quay welcome them, and the pubs are used to them. Here is how to plan a day around that one rule.
Not on East Looe Beach, the sandy beach in front of the old town. Visit Looe's beach page says "no dogs allowed on beach at any time of year other than assistance dogs". This is a local rule rather than one of the beach bans in Cornwall Council's dogs-on-beaches table, which does not list Looe's beaches at all.
Hannafore Beach, on the West Looe side, allows dogs all year according to Visit Looe. It is a rocky, rock-pool beach, and at high tide the sea can reach the sea wall and cover the small shingle bays. A local holiday-company beach guide says dogs are also welcome all year on Plaidy, Seaton and Talland Bay. Those rules do not appear in the council's table, so look for signs when you arrive. For a fuller beach comparison, see our Looe beaches guide.
Cross the bridge to West Looe and follow the water out towards Hannafore. The route from Looe station is about a mile each way, according to Great Scenic Railways. Be aware that it is not flat all the way: the waterside path ends in steps up to the road and then a steep, curving hill before you drop down to the seafront. Once you are at Hannafore the seafront is easier going, with benches on the grassy bank, toilets near the Coastguard Station (including disabled toilets) and free roadside parking behind the beach, all according to Visit Looe. If you have a buggy or an older dog, the flat access guide covers what is level, and driving to Hannafore and parking behind the beach saves the hill.
The South West Coast Path continues from Hannafore to Polperro, about five to five and a half miles in total, with steep descents and climbs on the way. It is a proper half day. Talland Bay Beach Cafe is the main refreshment stop on the way, and Talland is on the list of year-round dog beaches above, though check signs in summer. The full route is in our Looe to Polperro walk.
The Banjo Pier is at the river mouth (4.8 from 25 Google reviews). Cornwall Council's flood defence pages say wave over-wash damages the pier and has forced safety closures, so do not take dogs or children out in rough weather.
Reviewers mention dogs being welcome at all of these. Always ask about seating at busy times.
Out on Marine Drive, Hannafore Kiosk sells dog treats, according to a reviewer, and the Beach Kiosk stocks doggy treats too. Visit Looe says Hannafore Kiosk serves refreshments all year, which makes it a good winter stop with a dog. The Beach Kiosk is 4.5 from 103 Google reviews and Hannafore Kiosk is 4.7 from 712. If your dog likes sea views, Sea Kitchen on Marine Drive is listed as dog friendly by Cornish Horizons, and a diner on Google sat outside with their dog during the Looe carnival. It is a restaurant, so book ahead.
Visit Looe says dogs are welcome at the Jolly Sailor, and CAMRA lists Ye Old Grog and Ale House as dog friendly. Reviewers report dogs at ease in Ye Olde Salutation (dogs by feet, low beams) and the Globe Inn opposite the station. Pubs vary their rules at mealtimes, so ask at the bar. We compare the pubs in best pubs in Looe.
East Looe Beach, as above. Restaurants vary: a reviewer of Smugglers Cott on a Sunday lunch visit said dogs are not allowed in the restaurant, so phone before booking a table with a dog. Yamas on the Quay, a Greek restaurant, welcomes dogs on its outside decking according to Cornish Horizons, but again check when booking.
Yes. Visit Cornwall says dogs are welcome on the train on the Looe Valley Line, which runs between Liskeard and Looe. On the GWR timetable running from 7 September to 12 December 2026, Sunday trains stop after 8 November, so check the day before you plan a car-free dog walk. Our Liskeard to Looe branch line guide has the details.
Millpool in West Looe is the biggest car park, with 964 spaces, open 24 hours. In winter (1 November to 31 March) it is free from 4pm to 9am, and daytime costs run from £1.30 for up to an hour to £7 for 24 hours. In summer (1 April to 31 October) the daytime prices run from £2.50 for an hour to £11.50 for 24 hours. The pay station takes cards and phones, and the council says several car parks go cashless from 1 August 2026. Millpool is on the West Looe side, so you can reach Hannafore without crossing the river, and there is free roadside parking behind Hannafore beach itself. Overflow and summer rules are in the Looe parking guide.
Park at Millpool (nothing to pay before 9am), take the Hannafore route with a takeaway from the Beach Kiosk or Hannafore Kiosk, return along the water for a coffee at Lammana or Paws for Coffee, then a pub lunch. Start with breakfast in Looe if you want a sit-down start. The Looe town guide has more, and if you are heading west afterwards, Polperro is the next village along the coast.
No. Visit Looe says dogs are not allowed on the beach at any time of year, except assistance dogs.
Visit Looe says Hannafore allows dogs all year. A local holiday-company guide says Plaidy, Seaton and Talland Bay do too. Look for signs on the day, because the council's table does not list these beaches.
Yes. Reviewers say The Lookout, Lammana, Paws for Coffee, Tasty Corner Cafe, the Pier Cafe and Dotty's all welcome dogs, and Hannafore Kiosk and the Beach Kiosk sell dog treats.
Yes. Visit Cornwall says dogs are welcome on the train. Sunday trains stop after 8 November 2026 on the current timetable.
Visit Looe says dogs are welcome at the Jolly Sailor, CAMRA lists Ye Old Grog and Ale House as dog friendly, and reviewers report dogs at the Salutation and the Globe Inn. Ask at the bar.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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