Dog-friendly Bantham

The only pub in Bantham, a few minutes from the estuary end of the beach where dogs are allowed all year. Children and dogs are welcome throughout the inn, and there are five en-suite rooms plus a family suite if you want to be on the doorstep for an early tide.

A gentle 3.2 miles of about an hour and three quarters over the dunes and low cliffs to Thurlestone Sand and the Thurlestone rock, returning through the village and by field paths, with only 130 metres of climbing and firm going throughout. Start at the paid Bantham Beach car park, which is run by the Bantham Estate and closes its gates in the evening, and note that the lane in from Buckland is narrow and busy with surfers all summer. The dog position is unusual here and worth getting right: the South Hams council order names only Bigbury, Mouthwell Sands at Hope Cove and Salcombe South Sands, so Bantham's own summer dog rules are set by the estate that owns the beach, while Thurlestone Sand a mile along the walk is dog-friendly with a stream to drink from.