A dog-friendly, Last-Minute Christmas holiday in Cornwall
by Cathrene Rowell
After a year of hard work and few breaks, Poppy (my 10-month old Puppy) and I decided to have a week away between Christmas and new year. Unlike the Marloes holiday last June, we decided to do this just a few days before departure.
St Mawes, Cornwall
I wanted to go to Falmouth in Cornwall, as my God-son Jacob and his mother were home (they live in Germany) for Christmas. As it was for a week, we decided to have a self-catering holiday, and started searching online for Dog-friendly Self-Catering holidays which welcomed dogs – and at the last minute! (Please see links below)
The last minute booking enabled us to get a price 40% cheaper than if we had booked months earlier.
So, on the 26th of December, Poppy and I drove from Cheshire down to Penryn near Falmouth, to stay in a beautiful cottage on top of a hill, surrounded by countryside, but only 5 minutes drive away from Falmouth town centre, shops etc. And 5 minutes to a farm shop with homemade ice-cream, pies, cakes as well as fruit and veg.
With a roaring log fire, we spent the evenings reading. During the day time we kept ourselves busy locally.
St Mawes
After parking in St Mawes, we walked back up the hill and explored the castle which is amongst the best-preserved of Henry VIII’s coastal artillery fortresses, and very elaborately decorated.
Poppy enjoying a swim
Then we walked back down and had a walk on the beach, so that Poppy could get her manic I-want-to-be-a-greyhound-run out of the way before returning to the cottage. However, she obviously had other ideas, as after making a bee-line for the ocean, and despite it being the end of December, Poppy decided to go swimming for the first time! In the cold, cold sea! This resulted in a hasty retreat back to the log fire at the cottage.
The Lizard
One day, Poppy and I drove to the Lizard. We drove as near to the tip of the Lizard as possible, where we found a small car park. Then, we walked along the stunning coastline for 2 hours, and despite the grey weather, were amazed by the stunning beauty of the place.
The Lizard, Cornwall
We had a wonderful lunch in a small café / restaurant right at the top of the cliff at Lizard Point – the last cafe in Great Britain! Not only was it warm and welcoming with lots of food, but dogs were permitted to join their owners and were provided with complimentary water. A fantastic end to a beautiful mornings walk.
Roche Rock
Roche Rock, a volcanic upthrust of granite, dating back millions of years, looks down upon the village of Roche. On top of this impressive rock is perched the remains of a fifteenth-century chapel. There are many myths and legends to the this geological wonder most of which are connected to the chapel built on the Rock and dedicated to St. Michael in 1409.
Roche Rock, Cornwall
Despite Roche Rock being something of a tourist attraction for people from all over the world, I did not meet a soul when I visited it – I suspect that had it been more advantageously situated in Cornwall, that there would have been a turnstile, a teashop and a 20p entrance charge.
It is well worth a visit but be warned that you will need plenty of breath if you decide to climb to the top via the iron ladders placed there. Since I had Poppy with me and we were alone, I did not bother!
As it is, it is a pleasant dog-walk, a place of geological interest, with the bonus of a ruined chapel on top – for free!
Trelissick Garden, near Truro
Poppy spent a lovely late afternoon walking in the grounds of Trelissick Garden, near Truro. There are numerous walks and rambles around the gardens.
Trelissick Garden and grounds belongs to the National Trust. Parking was free, as were the walks surrounding the gardens themselves (Dogs are permitted on leads in the park and on woodland walks only; and not allowed in the garden). http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-trelissickgarden/w-trelissickgarden-facilities.htm
Trelissick, Cornwall
Dog-Friendly Self-catering cottages/holidays:
- Pet Friendly Hotels: http://www.petfriendlyhotels.com/
- Cornish Light: http://www.cornishlight.co.uk/cornwall-cottage.htm
- Dogs invited: http://www.dogsinvited.co.uk/cornwall.htm
- Holiday cottages: http://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/cornwall
- Explore Cornwall: http://www.explorecornwall.com/
- South West holiday cottages: http://www.southwestholidaycottages.com/selfcate.htm
- Pet Friendly Rentals: http://www.petfriendlyrentals.co.uk/search/Cornwall/1/
- Cottage Guide: http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/cornwall/
- Country cottages online http://www.countrycottagesonline.com/Pet-friendly_Country_Cottages.htm
- The Self Catering Guide: http://www.theselfcateringguide.co.uk/Category/Pets_allowed/
- Country Ways: http://www.country-ways.net/dogs.html
- Last Minute Cottages http://www.lastminute-cottages.co.uk/dog-pet-friendly-cottages.htm
- Self Catering Holidays: http://www.selfcateringhols.com/feature-8
- Dog friendly Britain: http://www.dogfriendlybritain.co.uk
- The woof guide: http://www.thewoofguide.com
- Dog People: http://www.dogpeople.co.uk/
- Dog Invited: http://www.dogsinvited.co.uk/
- K9 Directory: http://www.k9directory.co.uk/
- Paws for a walk: http://www.pawsforawalk.co.uk/
- Maps for Pets: http://www.maps4pets.com/accommodation.asp
- Pets are Welcome: http://www.petsarewelcome.co.uk/Scripts/default.asp
- Pet Friendly Rentals: http://www.petfriendlyrentals.co.uk/
Dog-Friendly Websites (Accomodation, beaches, parks etc.):
- Dog Friendly: http://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/
