Dog friendly holiday in Devon
3-day break in Torquay, Devon with our dog
We had a fun-filled short break in Devon, visiting dog-friendly attractions, beaches and restaurants, making sure our little Daisy enjoyed it as much as we did. We’ll share our experience and photos with you on this article.The day before
Daisy’s been to the groomers the day before we went away. She’s got her paw pads trimmed, nails cut, teeth cleaned, plus she had a ‘sanitary trim’ so it would be easier to clean and dry her up while we’re away.
What we packed for Daisy
After packing a suitcase bigger than ours for Daisy, we were ready to hit the road the next morning.
We packed her a long line, a retractable lead, a spare set of collar with ID tag, harness and short lead, towels and drying robe, training pads and stain and odour remover spray in case she got confused about where to go to the toilet while staying in a new place, biodegradable poop bags and dog wet wipes, shampoo and conditioner, brush, tick remover, her natural flea and tick repellent spray, a dog first aid kit, food and water bowls, supplements we add to her food for her allergies, a stainless steel water bottle to keep her water cool that she can drink from the top, treats, chews, toys, a blanket and bed, a cool mat, cooling bandana and cooling vest, her travel backpack that she comfortably fit in to carry her if she got tired, a foldable pop up beach tent in case it got really hot, beach towels, some clothes and hair bows because she’s the most stylish pup ever and a raincoat because we live in England!
As she’s raw fed, we packed her trays of frozen food in a cooler box with plenty of ice packs to last us the 4 hour drive until we could transfer them into the freezer in our dog-friendly accommodation. We took more than we need, just in case.
We made room in her suitcase for a couple of human-size blankets, bed sheets and pillowcases too, if she decided to sleep in the bed with us like she does at home (which she did!) and a lint roller so we could leave the place clean of dog hair.
Although it’s easily accessible on our email via our mobile phones, we took a printed copy of her pet insurance details and her vaccination booklet with our vet’s contact details and her microchip number. We also noted the nearest emergency vet’s details.
After preparing the car for a safe and comfortable journey with a car booster bed secured to the back seat, dog car harness and dog seat belt, we were ready!
Day 1: The car journey to Torquay, playing on Oddicombe Beach and dinner at Visto Lounge
We hit the road just after rush hour on a Wednesday morning for our 4 hour drive from our home in Hampshire to our dog-friendly holiday accommodation in Torquay, Devon.
Daisy is not a morning dog at all! She was mildly annoyed to cut her beauty sleep short so early, especially after she already had a walk and did a wee and poo. She fell back asleep as soon as she got in her booster bed in the car.
Breakfast at Starbucks
After driving for 2 hours, about mid way, we stopped at a service station with Starbucks.
Daisy stretched her legs and we had a late breakfast, Daisy had a cinnamon sprinkled puppuccino and all was well with the world again. Holiday calories don’t count and every dog is allowed a treat at the dog-friendly Starbucks – yummo!
After a short walk so Daisy could have a pee, we drove off on the second leg of our journey.
Arriving in Torquay and checking in our dog-friendly apartment
Another 2-hour scenic drive through beautiful green settings, we arrived in Toquay and headed to our accommodation.
We chose to stay at the dog-friendly Sunningdale Apartments on Babbacombe seafront. Our criteria were a freezer to store Daisy’s raw food, a garden for quick toilet breaks, private parking on site and easy access to the beach. This one ticked all the boxes.
We’ve been assigned an apartment with its own access from the garden. Daisy loved her new garden and claimed the bed immediately – good thing we packed our own bedding!
Our 1-bedroom apartment had a bedroom, sitting / dining room with TV and fireplace, a bathroom and a well-equipped kitchen with a fridge / freezer, oven and hob, microwave, kettle, cutlery and crockery.
They also offered laundry facilities on site for the guests and free WiFi, which we didn’t use. Our mobile coverage was faster and a large data allowance helps!
We found the location and although a bit dated, the facilities very good. However the bed was too bouncy, soft and uncomfortable for our liking. In our mid 40s, we are creatures of comfort and wherever we stay, we’d like to have a bed at least as comfortable as ours at home and this just didn’t hit the mark for us. Having said that, it wasn’t too bad a stay overall for the price we paid.
Babbacombe Cliff Railway
Our apartment faced the cliff and just below lied Babbacombe Beach and Oddicombe Beach. You can either take the Babbacombe Cliff Railway down to the beaches or walk down Oddicombe Beach Hill – both are quite scenic. We chose to test the cable car first, which is dog-friendly.
Babbacombe Cliff Railway was built in 1926 and there are two parallel tracks running, one goes up and the other one goes down.
An adult return ticket is £2.90 (single £2.10) and dogs go free.
Oddicombe Beach
Dogs aren’t allowed on Oddicombe Beach between May and November but there are cafes and shops on the waterfront, where you can go with your dog on the lead.
We found that this was more of a guideline than a strict rule as there were many dogs on the beach when we went in June. As long as they are well behaved and kept on a lead, you don’t get kicked out.
Babbacombe Beach
The next beach just on the other side of the cable car, Babbacombe Beach is open all year round for dogs.
We found the pebbles and rocks of Babbacombe Beach uncomfortable to walk on for us and Daisy so we went to Oddicombe Beach instead.
Babbacombe Cliff Railway and Oddicombe Beach. Image courtesy of Babbacombe Cliff Railway.
Fun at the beach
Daisy had so much fun on Oddicombe Beach! She had a swim, played with the waves, played with other dogs, played with the Three Degrees West cafe owner’s dogs and settled to dry in her robe while enjoying a doggy ice cream – yum! Then we took the cable car back to our apartment for a bath and nap before we got ready to go out for dinner.
Visto Lounge – a dog-friendly restaurant
We chose the Visto Lounge on Torbay Road for dinner. It was very dog-friendly indeed, Daisy sat on the bench with us, chewing her treat while we enjoyed fantastic cocktails, delicious vegan burgers and calorific luscious desserts.
We can highly recommend the Visto Lounge in Torquay with its lively atmosphere, eccentric decor and friendly staff.
After dinner, we had a walk on the seafront and then it was time to hit the sack as we were all knackered after our first day.
Day 2: Breakfast at Below Decks, Dart Valley Steam Train & Ferry Tour between Paignton and Dartmouth and dinner at Cary’s Arms
Daisy’s been a very good girl in the apartment. She’s gone out in the garden for a pee and a poo and slept through the night.
Day 2 was mummy’s birthday and in typical fashion it rained pretty much all day til dinner time! Good thing we packed Daisy’s raincoat, she would have got soaked otherwise.
Breakfast at dog-friendly Below Decks restaurant
After Daisy’s breakfast, she played in the garden with another resident dog. Then we drove to the harbourside to have breakfast at the dog-friendly Below Decks restaurant & bar on Beacon Quay, just next to the Living Coasts, the amazing coastal zoo, home to penguins and many other birds which we visited a few years back.
It’s a charming place with a nautical decor, friendly staff and they served good coffee and a lovely vegetarian full English breakfast.
After breakfast, we drove and parked in Paignton, the next town in the English Riviera, just south of Torquay and walked to the steam train station to go on a scenic journey to Dartmouth and back.
Dartmouth Steam Railway – a dog-friendly journey
We went for the Steam Train & Cruise tour taking the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then the ferry to Dartmouth to wander the lovely cobblestone streets and treat ourselves to a sumptuous cream tea.
The railway is very dog friendly indeed. Daisy got her own ticket and a little bone shaped treat which she loved.
On top of the return journey on the steam train, our ticket included the ferry to Dartmouth and back and cost us just under £20 per person, plus £2 for Daisy’s ticket.
Shame it rained most day but it was still a lovely day out regardless!
Dartmouth Steam Railway map courtesy of the railway.
The map above shows our train and ferry journey on the tour we chose.
On the dog-friendly Dart Valley Railway steam train
We absolutely loved the train ride – especially Daisy. She watched out the window and when the train went really slow at certain places, daddy strapped her safely to himself and let her watch out of the window for a little while.
Staff and other passengers showered Daisy with love and cuddles and the little lady enjoyed all the attention!
We’ve admired lovely beach views and greenery until we arrived at Kingswear, which was the last stop.
Kingswear – Dartmouth ferry
Just outside the Kingswear train station, we queued for the passenger ferry across to Dartmouth.
It was a short journey so we stood outside and Daisy absolutely loved all the sounds and smells, watching her surroundings on daddy’s shoulder.
Dog-friendly cream tea at The Singing Kettle Tea Shoppe in Dartmouth
After walking around Dartmouth’s lovely cobblestone streets for a while, we’ve taken shelter from the rain in the very dog-friendly Singing Kettle Tea Shoppe where we treated ourselves to an amazing Devon cream tea. Cream first!
Daisy showed little interest in the food and chose to snooze instead! So much excitement for our little one.
Return journey on the choo choo train
We walked back to Dartmouth harbour for the ferry back to Kingswear, then on to our return steam train to Paignton.
Daisy watched the birds and the boats on the harbour while we waited for the next ferry.
Our return journey was just as fun, taking in the same lovely views until we got back to Paignton and drove back to our apartment to get ready for mummy’s birthday dinner.
Dinner at Cary’s Arms Hotel & Spa
Located right on Babbacombe Beach, the 5-star luxury boutique hotel Cary’s Arms Hotel & Spa has probably the most amazing views over the English Riviera. It’s very dog-friendly, even more so outside on the terrace where we chose to sit even though it was cold and rain only just started to dry. To be honest it was a bit more formal with no dogs on chairs inside so this suited us better anyway.
We were determined to make the best of time in Devon despite the rain so we’ve snuggled up in our coats and the blankets provided and enjoyed an amazing dinner and fish bowls of gin, followed by mummy’s birthday cake.
They cooked a chicken without any oil or sauce for Daisy (good old days when she could have chicken, and she loves chicken so much) and she devoured her bowl of food while we ate ours.
After dinner, we were all super tired and headed back to our apartment for an early night.
Day 3: Cliffside walk, breakfast at Odicombe Beach, playing on Babbacombe Beach, fish & chips at Paignton and returning home
Woke up early on day 3 to a much brighter day – rain the day before was mummy’s birthday luck!
After feeding Daisy her breakfast, we went for a walk on the cliffside, opposite our apartment, enjoying amazing views down at the beach.
Then we walked down the Oddicombe Beach Hill this time, for the humans’ breakfast at the very dog-friendly Three Degrees West cafe where they serve a lovely vegetarian breakfast.
Babbacombe Beach
After breakfast, we walked from Oddicombe Beach to Babbacombe Beach, just on the other side of the Babbacombe Cliff Railway. It’s actually a quick walk but we took our time because we found the path quite wet and slippery with mossy rocks.
On Babbacombe Beach, which is the all year round dog-friendly beach of the two beaches next to each other, Daisy had a good sniff and a quick dip while we watched the resident otter swim and play out in the sea – we’re so lucky to have caught that sight, it was truly amazing. Sadly we couldn’t get any decent photos as it was quite far out.
Fish and chips at Paignton
We walked back to take the cliff cable car back up the hill and gave Daisy a quick wash at our apartment. She had a snooze before heading out to Paignton. We were by the sea on the English Riviera – we had to have fish and chips – well, daddy and Daisy did, mummy is vegetarian. At the dog-friendly Cantina Kitchen and Bar, we found amazing fresh fish and chips with a vegan option (yay! it was made of aubergines, yummy!) for mummy and dog treats for Daisy. Then we watched the swans, had a play with other dogs in the park just behind the colourful beach huts and walked on the beautiful sea front.
Going home
And just like that, our 3 fun-filled days in Devon were over.
We tried not to squeeze too much into our break so we could also get some rest and kept it very dog-friendly.
Devon overall is a very dog-friendly place anyway and if you’re looking for a staycation with your dogs by the seaside, the English Riviera could be your choice too!
Hope you enjoyed reading about our little getaway. We tried to fill this article with photos – hope we could do it justice.
If you have any questions, please get in touch, we’d love to talk to you about any part of our holiday in further detail.
Thanks for reading and happy travels! xxx
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