1 / 24Sandbars Instow
Instow, Devon
An eight sleeper in Instow with a sunny enclosed garden, three dogs welcome, a hot tub, and the car free Tarka Trail running past the end of the village.
Instow sits on the estuary where the Taw and the Torridge meet, with a long sandy beach, a row of places to eat and a passenger ferry across to Appledore in summer. Sandbars is a four bedroom house in the middle of it, with a hot tub, games facilities and a sunny enclosed garden at the back. Eight people and three dogs.
The Tarka Trail is the reason to be here with a dog. It runs past the village at just under two miles, flat and entirely car free, so bikes, children and dogs all use it without anyone watching for traffic. Saunton Sands, four miles off, carries a nine on our map; the Braunton Burrows walk at four and a half carries the same; Westward Ho is three and seven tenths. The estuary beach itself is a walk from the door rather than a drive.
The sunny enclosed garden has a dining table out in it, which with eight people and three dogs means nobody is underfoot while supper happens. At this price it is a house for a large family week, and eight people to three dogs is a ratio very few houses of this size will take. Instow being walkable is the other half of it: nobody has to stay behind with the dogs while somebody else goes for milk.
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.