Dog-Friendly Beaches in Torbay: Where to Take Your Dog Year-Round

Torbay has 22 miles of coastline, three towns and an only slightly confusing patchwork of dog rules to go with it. The headline is straightforward enough: between 1 May and 30 September the busier beaches are off-limits to dogs, and the quieter ones aren’t. The detail matters, though, because nobody wants to drag a hopeful spaniel down 60 steps only to read a sign at the bottom. Here’s a practical, up-to-date guide to dog-friendly beaches in Torbay, sorted by what’s open year-round, what’s open in summer, and what to do when you’re walking the coast in between.

The Year-Round Dogs-Allowed Beaches

These are the beaches where dogs are welcome 365 days a year, usually on a lead from May to September on the promenade and off-lead on the sand. Always pick up; Torbay Council enforces this and the fines are not trivial.

Maidencombe Beach (Torquay). Small red-sand cove at the north end of Torbay. Reached by a steep stepped path from the Thatched Tavern car park (TQ1 4TG). Quiet, scenic and dogs are allowed all year.
Watcombe Beach (Torquay). Just south of Maidencombe. Again, steep steps down. Red sand and pebbles, often empty even in August.
Anstey’s Cove (Torquay). Shingle beach between Torquay and Babbacombe. Dogs allowed year-round on a lead in the busy months.
Hollicombe Beach (Paignton/Torquay border). Pebble beach with a park behind. Year-round access. The locals’ dog walk of choice.
Saltern Cove (Paignton). Small Geopark cove south of Goodrington. Tricky access via the coast path, but a proper hidden corner with year-round dog access.
Fishcombe Cove (Brixham). Pretty shingle beach with woodland behind, dogs welcome year-round.
Churston Cove (Brixham). Even quieter than Fishcombe, just round the headland.
St Mary’s Bay (Brixham). Long shingle bay below Sharkham Point. Year-round dog access, steep steps down.
Mansands (Brixham). Remote shingle bay reached only via the South West Coast Path. The most off-the-beaten-track dog walk in Torbay.

Summer-Restricted Beaches

These are off-limits to dogs between 1 May and 30 September inclusive. From 1 October to 30 April they’re fair game. Outside the restricted months, expect them to be wonderful and quiet.

Torre Abbey Sands (Torquay). Main Torquay seafront beach.
Meadfoot Beach (Torquay). Western end restricted in summer; the eastern end is dog-friendly year-round.
Babbacombe Beach (Torquay). Pebble bay below the Downs.
Oddicombe Beach (Torquay). Red sand reached by the cliff railway.
Preston Sands (Paignton). Long sandy beach at the north of Paignton’s seafront.
Paignton Sands (Paignton). The main beach in front of the pier.
Goodrington South Sands (Paignton). Note that Goodrington North is dog-friendly year-round; the line is the harbour.
Broadsands (Paignton). Restricted on the beach, but a fenced on-lead dog exercise green sits behind it.
Shoalstone Beach (Brixham). Includes the seawater swimming pool area.
Breakwater Beach (Brixham). Family beach by the harbour breakwater.

Promenades, Cycle Paths and Off-Beach Walks

Even in summer, dogs are allowed on most Torbay promenades if they’re kept on a lead. That means you can walk the seafront cycle path from Torquay harbour all the way to Goodrington (about five miles each way) with your dog and the kids any time of year. Stop for coffee at the kiosks along the way; most have water bowls out.

Off the beaches, the South West Coast Path is dog-friendly throughout Torbay, and Cockington Country Park (450 acres, mostly off-lead away from the gardens and lakes), Berry Head Nature Reserve (on lead, due to grazing ponies) and Occombe Farm Nature Reserve are all proper dog walks.

Where to Eat with a Dog

Many Torbay cafes and pubs are dog-friendly, and the ones to know on the coast include the Meadfoot Beach Cafe, Three Degrees West at Oddicombe, the Cary Arms at Babbacombe Beach (in the bar and on the terrace), the Berry Head Cafe at the nature reserve, and Rockfish in Brixham (downstairs). Inland, Occombe Farm cafe is reliably dog-welcoming.

The Rules in Plain English

The headline rules across Torbay Council beaches: pick up after your dog (PSPO, fines up to £100), keep dogs on a lead on all promenades, and stick to the summer restricted/year-round designation for each beach. Beach wardens patrol the popular spots in summer and they will fine you. Off-season, the same wardens are mostly absent and the rules relax in practice as well as on paper.

One quirk: the Goodrington line. North end year-round, south end restricted in summer. The dividing point is the harbour entrance, signed on the promenade.

Best Months for a Dog-Friendly Beach Holiday in Torbay

October to April you have the run of the coast: every beach is dog-friendly, the cafes are quieter, and the parking is half the summer price (or free, in some places). May and September are the awkward shoulder months when the restrictions are in force but the weather can be lovely. Plan around the year-round beaches and you’ll barely notice.

For a dog-friendly long weekend, stay near Maidencombe or Brixham and you’ll have multiple year-round beaches within walking distance. Pair this with our guide to the South West Coast Path through Torbay for a proper coastal break with the dog in tow.