♥ The bay-wide guide for dogs & their people

Torbay is
better together.

Wondering where to take your dog in Torbay? Find welcoming beaches, walks, places to eat and days out across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham—with the practical details dog owners need.

Checked with local places & official sources

An orange-and-white dog beside Torquay Harbour

Choose a town or useful detailExplore all of Torbay or narrow the guide to one town.

214 places match

Pick a plan

What shall we do today?

Six quick ways into the guide—choose the kind of day you have in mind.

A dog relaxing inside a dog-friendly pub

Indoor and sheltered stopsRainy-day ideas

Beaches, coves and coast pathsWalk by the sea

Cafés, pubs and restaurantsFind food nearby

A dog beside a heritage train in Paignton

Days out across the BayDog-friendly attractions

A dog-friendly place to stay in South Devon

Hotels, cottages and campsitesPlaces to stay

A local dog-care professional with a dog

Local help for dog ownersShops and services

Useful this autumn

Cooler walks, cosy stops and a towel in the car.

Start with ideas that still work when the weather changes.

01Rainy-day guide→02Year-round beaches→03Walking essentials→

Explore the Bay

Three towns. Three different days out.

Start with the town you are visiting, then browse its places, walks and practical local information.

THE HARBOUR TOWN

Torquay

Harbour walks, Babbacombe views and welcoming places around the town.

91 places in the guide Explore →

THE BEACH TOWN

Paignton

Beaches, Goodrington, coast paths and relaxed family days out.

71 places in the guide Explore →

THE FISHING TOWN

Brixham

Coves, colourful harbour streets and big walks around Berry Head.

51 places in the guide Explore →

Illustrative image of a dog walker spending calm one-to-one time with a dog

Local spotlight

Featured from the directory

Patient Paws by Sam

A local service specialising in solo walks for reactive, anxious, nervous and elderly dogs, with pet pop-in visits and daytime pet sitting also available.

View the listing →Put a local place forward ＋

Spotlights are editorial and free—being featured does not affect a place’s directory position.

Useful guides

Good advice, kept practical.

Plan a visit, solve an immediate problem or make everyday dog life a little easier.

URGENT

Lost your dog in Torbay?

Immediate contacts, microchip steps, DogLost and when to call the police.

Read guide →

START

Where can I take my dog in Torbay?

Beaches, cafés, pubs, attractions and walks across the Bay.

Read guide →

BEST WALKS

Best dog walks in Torbay

Coastal, woodland, harbour and country-park routes compared.

Read guide →

VISIT

Visiting Torbay with your dog

Torquay, Paignton and Brixham in one practical guide.

Read guide →

BEACHES

Dog-friendly beaches in Torbay

Year-round beaches, seasonal restrictions and permitted zones.

Read guide →

FOOD

Dog-friendly cafés and pubs

Checked places to eat and drink across the three towns.

Read guide →

WET WEATHER

Rainy days with your dog

Indoor access, sheltered stops and flexible ideas when the weather turns.

Read guide →

SUMMER

Summer with your dog

Cooler walks, year-round beaches, heat safety and seasonal restrictions.

Read guide →

Browse by need

What are you looking for?

+ Save before you need it

Need help?

Emergency, council and lost-dog information together in one clear place.

Out-of-hours service

Urgent veterinary help

Call your usual vet first. Medivet Torquay currently directs overnight emergencies to MiNightVet South Devon in Totnes.

01803 866073Call now →Current arrangements ↗

Torbay Council

Dog warden

Report a lost, stray or found dog. If a found dog is unwilling to be handled, note its location and description rather than pursuing it.

01803 208025Call the council →Report online & current guidance ↗

Community noticeboard

Lost local dogs

Check the live DogLost record and contact Torbay Council promptly. Keep a current photograph and microchip details ready.

Torbay lost and stray dog guidanceOpen guidance →Open DogLost ↗

Rescue & rehomingAnimals in Distress ↗

● Plan your walk

Find the right Torbay walk.

Compare harbour, beach, clifftop, woodland and country-park routes, including parking, facilities, path conditions, dog guidance and planning notes for blind and partially sighted visitors.

Compare six Torbay walks →

● Compare local routes

Six useful Torbay walks.

Choose between harbours, beaches, woodland and exposed coast paths. Each card includes a simple, expandable section about surfaces, navigation hazards and arrival points.

Torquay · harbour and coast

Torquay Harbour to Meadfoot

↔DistanceFlexible coastal out-and-back

△TerrainEasy to moderate · some slopes

PParkingHarbourside and Meadfoot parking available

WCToiletsPublic facilities around the harbour and beach

◒BuggyPromenade sections are the simplest option

Dog guidanceCheck seasonal beach zones and keep dogs close around roads and wildlife.

!Coastal weather and busy summer promenades can change conditions quickly.

Blind and partially sighted planning notes

Simplest sectionUse the broad, hard-surfaced harbour and seafront promenade as an out-and-back. At Meadfoot, stay on the upper promenade if steps or a steep beach approach are unsuitable.

Navigation and hazardsExpect busy shared pedestrian areas, café furniture, kerbs and road crossings around the harbour. The route becomes hillier towards Meadfoot. Torbay Council records 18 steps from the promenade to the beach and steep steps from one car park.

Arrival and facilitiesHarbour and Meadfoot parking are available. Meadfoot has all-year toilets including accessible facilities; road-to-promenade access is by a slope. Check the current slipway status before relying on step-free beach access.

Torbay Council Meadfoot access information

Check current information ↗

Babbacombe · Torquay

Babbacombe Downs and coast

↔DistanceFlexible clifftop walk

△TerrainEasy on the Downs · steep beach approaches

PParkingOn-street and public parking nearby

WCToiletsFacilities available around Babbacombe Downs

◒BuggyThe level Downs are the most suitable section

Dog guidanceDogs are welcome on Babbacombe Beach year round; follow signs elsewhere.

!Cliff paths and steps can be steep and exposed.

Blind and partially sighted planning notes

Simplest sectionKeep to the flat, tarmacked section across Babbacombe Downs and return the same way. Treat Walls Hill and the descent towards Oddicombe or Babbacombe beaches as separate, much steeper routes.

Navigation and hazardsThe Downs are beside a road and close to the clifftop; expect parked cars, outdoor seating and busy visitor periods. The full coast route includes steep ground, uneven stone or grass paths and steps.

Arrival and facilitiesStart near St Marychurch car park, TQ1 3LA. The official route notes two disabled parking spaces, an accessible toilet and a nearby bus stop. Its detailed access guide includes surfaces, gradients, parking and toilet information.

South West Coast Path access information

Check current information ↗

Cockington · Torquay

Cockington Country Park

↔DistanceSeveral flexible park and woodland routes

△TerrainEasy to moderate

PParkingVisitor car parks · charges may apply

WCToiletsFacilities around the village and court

◒BuggyMain paths are the simplest option

Dog guidanceUse a lead around wildlife, livestock, gardens and busy visitor areas.

!Natural paths can become muddy after rain.

Blind and partially sighted planning notes

Simplest sectionUse the signed water-meadows boardwalk from Cockington Lane and the main route around Cockington Court. Avoid branching onto woodland tracks if you need a firm, more predictable surface.

Navigation and hazardsVillage lanes can carry vehicles. Natural woodland paths may be muddy, rooted or uneven, and the park includes water, wildlife and livestock areas. Dogs should be on leads around the Court, café, gardens and busy visitor areas.

Arrival and facilitiesThe official boardwalk route is signposted from the seafront and described as wheelchair and pushchair friendly. Bus 62 serves Cockington; the Craft Centre car park gives the closest access to the Court. Check toilet hours before travelling.

Cockington Court directions and access

Check current information ↗

Goodrington · Paignton

Goodrington and Roundham Head

↔DistanceFlexible beach, park and headland loop

△TerrainEasy to moderate · steps and slopes on the headland

PParkingYoungs Park and seafront parking nearby

WCToiletsSeasonal and year-round facilities nearby

◒BuggyPromenade and park sections are most suitable

Dog guidanceNorth Sands is dog friendly year round; restrictions apply on South Sands.

!Check beach signs carefully where the permitted zone changes.

Blind and partially sighted planning notes

Simplest sectionUse the audited 0.9-mile Roundham Head top-path route from North Quay, Paignton Harbour. It follows surfaced paths and pavements; stay on the top path to avoid the optional beach section and steps.

Navigation and hazardsThere are road sections near the harbour, slopes around the headland and cliff edges beyond the path. The descent towards Goodrington includes steps; do not take it if you are following the step-free top route.

Arrival and facilitiesStart at North Quay, Paignton Harbour, TQ4 6DH. The linked South West Coast Path access guide has route photographs plus gradient, surface, parking and toilet information. Facilities around Goodrington vary seasonally.

Detailed Roundham Head access guide

Check current information ↗

Broadsands · Paignton

Broadsands to Elberry Cove

↔DistanceShort coast-path walk

△TerrainModerate · natural coastal paths

PParkingBroadsands car park

WCToiletsFacilities at Broadsands; opening varies

◒BuggyNot suitable for most standard buggies

Dog guidanceElberry Cove is dog friendly year round; Broadsands has seasonal restrictions.

!Paths can be muddy, uneven and exposed in poor weather.

Blind and partially sighted planning notes

Simplest sectionFor a more predictable outing, remain around Broadsands' surfaced seafront area rather than attempting the coast path to Elberry Cove. The full link is a natural coastal route and is not an easy-access walk.

Navigation and hazardsExpect uneven ground, slopes, mud after rain, vegetation narrowing the path and exposed coastal edges. Elberry Cove has no road access. This is the least predictable of these six routes for a first visit without prior route knowledge.

Arrival and facilitiesUse Broadsands car park and check toilet opening times before setting out. If attempting the coast path, use detailed navigation and consider going with someone who already knows the route.

South West Coast Path route information

Check current information ↗

Brixham · coast and nature reserve

Berry Head and Sharkham Point

↔DistanceFlexible headland routes

△TerrainModerate · exposed coastal terrain

PParkingBerry Head visitor parking

WCToiletsFacilities and café at Berry Head

◒BuggySome surfaced areas; coast paths are uneven

Dog guidanceKeep dogs on leads at Berry Head because of wildlife, grazing animals and cliff edges.

!There are unguarded cliff edges and rapidly changing coastal weather.

Blind and partially sighted planning notes

Simplest sectionChoose the separate audited 1.6-mile Wildlife & Forts of Berry Head plateau loop, starting at Berry Head Visitor Centre, rather than the full route to Sharkham Point. Most of the plateau loop is level and surfaced.

Navigation and hazardsBerry Head has unguarded cliff edges, exposed weather, grazing animals and wildlife-sensitive areas. The longer Sharkham circuit includes steps, stiles, ascents and descents; it should not be confused with the easier plateau loop.

Arrival and facilitiesVisitor parking, toilets and a café are at Berry Head. The linked South West Coast Path access guide includes route photographs, gradients and surfaces. Ask the visitor centre about current conditions before setting out.

Detailed Berry Head access guide

Check current information ↗

About the access notes: These are planning information, not a professional sight-loss access audit or a guarantee that a route is suitable. Conditions, obstructions and facilities can change. Check current information before travelling and consider a companion for an unfamiliar route.

Practical extras

Useful while you’re out.

Open this box for public toilets, parking help, drinking-water taps and other handy local information.

Open guide

Public toiletsTown maps, official facilities and Changing Places

● Toilets