Polzeath Beach

Four and a bit miles round the Pentire headland, a little over two hours with 150 metres of climbing, on short grass with two Iron Age promontory forts and the best view of the Camel estuary in it. Start either from Polzeath beach or from the National Trust car park at Pentireglaze, which has toilets and a cafe and is much the quieter of the two; Polzeath fills solid on a hot day. There are no stiles at all, so it suits a big dog, but the Trust grazes sheep and cattle over the headland and asks for leads, the path around Rumps Point is rocky and close to an unfenced edge, and Polzeath itself is restricted for four and a half months of the year.

Beach-shack bar and kitchen at the top of the Polzeath slipway, geared to wet wetsuits and sandy feet. Dogs are allowed in the bar at all times, which matters here because the beach itself shuts to them between 10am and 6pm from 15 May to 30 September. Good place to wait out the middle of a summer day.

Perched above Polzeath's surf beach with a wide terrace and sweeping views back over Pentire. Dogs are permitted in most areas including the bar, the garden and the dog-friendly rooms, but not the main restaurant; the stay comes with a tennis ball, Forthglade treats and poo bags. Worth knowing the beach below is closed to dogs 10am to 6pm from 15 May to 30 September.