Dog Friendly Bigbury on Sea: Where to Eat Indoors

Short answer: Bigbury Beach has two sections where dogs are allowed. Dogs can cross to Burgh Island, and the Pilchard Inn on the island takes them. Venus Cafe, the Cove at Hope Cove and the WaterFront at Challaborough all welcome dogs too.

The beach has dog sections

Bigbury Beach is wide, flat and sandy with RNLI lifeguards — and two sections where dogs are allowed. Read the signage on arrival to find them; they are the reason Bigbury works as a summer beach with a dog, when many Devon beaches do not.

Crossing to Burgh Island

At low tide you walk across the sand. When the tide covers the sandbar, the sea tractor carries you over for around £2, under-tens free — and dogs can come. Check the tide first: the two flows meet and cut the causeway faster than people expect.

Eating indoors with a dog

• The Pilchard Inn — a 14th-century pub on the island itself, with a garden watching the sea tractor.
• Venus Cafe — in the lower car park, sea views and plenty of seating.
• The Cove at Hope Cove — fifteen minutes away, two floors with sea views.
• The WaterFront at Challaborough — beach-front, next to the holiday park.

Bring cash

The main car park pays by app and the signal is poor. The lower car park has a cash machine and sits next to Venus Cafe.

Nearby

Bolberry Down, west of Salcombe, has wide clifftop paths and is excellent with a dog. Kingsbridge's pubs, twenty minutes inland, are dog friendly across the board.