What can Fido, or Filly or Fred expect when they hit Torquay or Torbay. What new smells, doggy encounters and new experiences can they expect? Below we discuss some of the best dog walks in Torquay, including some great dog friendly beaches.
Torquay is part of Torbay and in South West Devon. Torquay is the most northerly of the three towns but all interlinked. The other two towns heading south are Paignton, then Brixham.
Dog walks around Torquay, therefore, can encompass three towns and a few more north of Torquay, namely Babbacombe and then on to Maidencombe and Shaldon. Babbacombe and St. Marychurch is just in the Torquay district so we can start here and work south.
These 5 places for dog walking and canine fun are mostly coastal based but cover beach, woods, parks and peninsulas.
Babbacombe & Oddicombe Beach
Babbacombe is famous for its funicular railway which heads from the downs to Oddicombe beach. This is a 2-minute journey, but we would recommend the steep access road that wind through the woods. It"s fairly secluded and a great dog friendly beach in Torquay.
Once at Oddicombe beach, which is large and sand/shingle, you can let your dog play in the winter months, but in the summer you will need to head right and go to the smaller Babbacombe beach but next to the Cary Arms and the small café which does great bacon sandwiches.
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Oddicombe - a dog friendly beach in Torquay[/caption]Next head up past the Cary Arms and follow the coastal footpath up into the woods (don’t go more than 50 yards up the main road before you head left).
Walls Hill
This path will take you to the top of the headland calls Walls Hill a well-known ancient archaeological site. These rolling downs lead to the headland overlooking Lyme Bay. Follow the coast around and you will come into a woodland path leading down to Anstey’s cove. This is a steep walk down and has a café but limited dog opportunities. Instead continue along the coastal path (“Bishops Walk”), which leads to Ilsham road.
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Shelby waiting for her owner to catch up: Dog walks in Torquay[/caption]This walk is about a mile and a half and is through woods overlooking Lyme Bay. This is great for dogs to run through the woods. There are plenty of fox and badger trails and sometimes deer too. On a good day you can see dolphins to the left and plenty of wildlife to the right!
Hopes Nose & Thatcher Park/Green
Once you hit Ilsham road, cross over and go up the hill around the corner and follow the path alongside and above the road to Hopes Nose. This is found at the end of the path and across the road and over a stile. Hope Nose is a favourite fisherman’s spot, but the best dog walking, view and experience are found by heading right once you hit the level after a bout 150 yards downhill. It’s a climb up and down but well worth it. You are then looking across Torbay to Berry Head and Brixham.
Moving on from Hopes Nose and coming back up the hill, turn left after the stile and follow down the road to a green on the left overlooking Thatcher Rock. This green, park and garden lead down to Thatcher point. The coastal paths winds alongside the park and back onto the main road.
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Winnie & Maple (Rescue dogs from Thailand): Dog walks in Torquay[/caption]From here you will need to follow the road for about ½ mile down to Meadfoot beach. The north end has lots more rocks, but a good stretch of beach and the south end more beach and a combination of sand and shingle. Depending on the state of the tide you can let your dog roam both beaches in the winter but only the North beach in the spring and summer.
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Meadfoot a dog friendly beach in Torquay[/caption]If you"re interested in staying in Torquay, please see our dog friendly cottages in Torquay page here.
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