Polperro and Talland Bay Circular
Cornwall
Polperro is one of the best preserved fishing villages in Cornwall, a tangle of cottages around a tight harbour, and the coast between it and Talland Bay was notorious for smuggling, a history now told in the village's heritage museum. With no stiles and no livestock, this 3.9km circular walk is a straightforward lead walk for a dog, starting at Talland Bay and following the South West Coast Path west past the secluded Lekerok Cove, sandy at low tide, and the measured mile markers on the cliffs, with views ahead over Polperro harbour. It drops into the village beside Chapel Pool, a tidal swimming pool in the rocks, and the harbour, then climbs back out over the hill above the village and returns past Talland Church to the bay. It is graded moderate to strenuous, with steep steps and climbs out of both coves and an estimated 180 metres of ascent.
This is a dog friendly walk with no stiles and no livestock on the route, which makes it simpler than most Cornish coast walks for dog owners. It is not really an off-lead walk, though: the coast path runs close to unfenced cliffs, and Polperro's narrow streets and harbour are busy with people and, at times, vehicles, so a lead is sensible for most of the loop. There is little shade on the cliffs. Polperro has a good choice of pubs, including the Blue Peter Inn, the Three Pilchards and the Ship Inn, plus cafes.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.9 km (2.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Pubs in Polperro (Blue Peter Inn, Three Pilchards, Ship Inn, Old Millhouse Inn) and cafes. Dog policies not confirmed.
- Parking
- Talland Bay car park above the beach, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Polperro and Talland Bay Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Christopher Cottage - Lanteglos
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £483 / 7 nights
Little Crugwallins - Sunny Skies
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £463 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in CornwallFrequently Asked Questions
Is Polperro and Talland Bay Circular dog friendly?
This 3.9km circular walk earns a 7/10 for dog friendliness, and the main reason is straightforward: there are no stiles and no livestock on the route, which is relatively rare on Cornish coast paths. It starts at Talland Bay, follows the South West Coast Path into Polperro, and returns over the hill via Talland Church, with several pubs in the village — including the Blue Peter Inn, the Three Pilchards and the Ship Inn — that may welcome dogs, though their individual dog policies aren't confirmed.
Can dogs be off lead at Polperro and Talland Bay Circular?
This isn't really an off-lead walk, despite the absence of stiles and livestock. The coast path runs close to unfenced cliffs for much of the route, and Polperro's narrow harbour streets can be busy with people and vehicles, so a lead is the sensible choice for most of the loop.
What should I know before visiting Polperro and Talland Bay Circular with my dog?
The walk is graded moderate to strenuous, with around 180 metres of ascent and steep steps climbing out of both coves, so it's worth making sure your dog is up for that kind of terrain. There's little shade on the cliff sections, which is worth bearing in mind on warm days. Parking is at Talland Bay car park above the beach on a pay and display basis.
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