1 / 24Sandbars Instow
Instow, Devon
A four bedroom house in the estuary village of Instow sleeping eight, with an enclosed garden, a hot outdoor shower for washing dogs down, and three dogs welcome.
Sandbars is a four bedroom house in Instow, set on the estuary in one of North Devon's prettiest villages, and it sleeps eight and takes three dogs. What makes it a dog friendly house rather than a house that tolerates dogs is out the back, where the enclosed garden has its own outside hot shower.
That shower is the thing. Three dogs off an estuary beach is a serious quantity of sand, and rinsing it off in hot water before anybody goes inside is the difference between a clean house and a fortnight of grit underfoot. The garden around it is enclosed and takes the sun, with a dining table under an electric awning, a brick BBQ stand and a hot tub under a pergola. The Tarka Trail runs straight past the property, car free, so the first walk with the dogs starts on the doorstep.
Four in the afternoon and the house is full of estuary. Somebody is running the outside shower and losing an argument with the second dog, the awning is out over the table, the hot tub is heating, and a pool cue is being used to make a point in the snug. Nobody has moved the car since they arrived.
Instow's golden sand is an easy walk from the house, with a passenger ferry over to Appledore in the summer months. The Tarka Trail carries on into the coast and countryside of North Devon for as far as anybody wants to take it, at an old dog's pace or a young one's. The surf beaches at Croyde, Woolacombe and Saunton Sands are all within reach too, each one a long run across the sands for the dogs.
We research every description carefully and believe it to be accurate, but details can change. Please confirm anything important, especially dog rules, with the booking agent or property owner before you book.
Book your stay
from £1,432 for 7 nights
Sandbars Instow takes 3 dogs and is booked through holidaycottages.co.uk.
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukPrices are a guide only, checked 27 August 2026, and change with dates and availability. We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
At a Glance
- Dogs Welcome
- 3 dogs
- Enclosed Garden
- Yes
- Outside, you will find an sunny and enclosed garden to the rear of the property, where guests will find a sociable dining table and chairs
- Sleeps
- 8 guests
- Rooms
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Price
- from £1,432 / 7 nights
- Grading
- 5 star
- Arrival
- in from 16:00, out by 10:00
- Facilities
- Ev charging, Games, Hot tub, Parking, Wifi
Sandbars Instow from £1,432 for 7 nights
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukFrequently Asked Questions
Is Sandbars Instow dog friendly?
Yes, Sandbars welcomes up to three dogs, which is a notably generous allowance for a house sleeping eight. The enclosed garden at the back gives dogs a safe outdoor space, and the car-free Tarka Trail runs past the village for easy, traffic-free walks straight from the door.
Are dogs allowed at Sandbars Instow year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs at Sandbars itself. It's worth checking directly with the property when you book, particularly if you're planning around beach access, as some local beaches have seasonal rules that vary across the year.
What should I know before visiting Sandbars Instow with my dog?
The house takes up to three dogs, and the sunny enclosed garden means they have somewhere secure to be while the group eats outside. Instow village is walkable from the front door, so you won't need to leave dogs alone while running everyday errands. For bigger days out, Saunton Sands and Braunton Burrows are both around four to five miles away, and the flat, car-free Tarka Trail is practically on the doorstep.
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Sandbars Instow from £1,432 for 7 nights
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukWhat’s Nearby?
Walk1.9 mi awayTarka Trail: Fremington Quay to Instow
Devon
A flat estuary trail along the Taw Estuary with big sky views across the water, excellent for dogs and straightforward year round.
Beach3.7 mi awayWestward Ho! Beach
Devon
The north end stays open to dogs year round and backs onto Northam Burrows, giving reliable access even when the main beach is restricted in summer.
Beach4.1 mi awaySaunton Sands
Devon
Over three miles of open sand with no seasonal ban, backed by a UNESCO-listed dune system that makes it one of Devon's most reliable dog friendly beaches.
Walk4.4 mi awaySaunton Sands and Braunton Burrows Walk
Devon
A dog friendly North Devon loop combining the three mile sweep of Saunton Sands with the wild dunes of Braunton Burrows, a UNESCO biosphere reserve where dogs can usually run free.
Beach5.1 mi awayCroyde Beach
Devon
One of the UK's most celebrated surf beaches, Croyde is stunning but off-limits to dogs entirely from May to September -- an autumn and winter destination only for dog owners.
Beach5.7 mi awayPutsborough Sands
Devon
The quieter southern end of the Woolacombe beach system, Putsborough has partial year-round dog access with restrictions on the left section from Easter to November -- a solid year-round choice if you head to the right.