Dog Friendly Combe Martin: Where to Eat and Walk

Short answer: Combe Martin's bay is small, sheltered and dog friendly, and at low tide it is one of the best rock-pooling beaches in north Devon. All three pubs take dogs, and so does the Harbour Cafe by the beach.

A sheltered bay

Tucked between high cliffs, Combe Martin's bay is usable in weather that makes Woolacombe and Croyde unpleasant. At low tide it becomes one of the best rock-pooling beaches on this coast — which for a dog that likes water is a good hour.

Beach dog rules in Devon change with the season — most restrictions run 1 May to 30 September and lift for the winter. The sign at the entrance is the authority, and neighbouring beaches can differ.

Where to walk

The climb

Little Hangman is a steep forty-five minute climb from the village to a summit with views across the Bristol Channel to Wales. Clear winter air gives the best visibility of the year. It is exposed at the top and the cliff edges are unfenced.

Along the coast

• The coast path east towards Ilfracombe, starting from the village.
• Wild Pear Beach, half a mile north — a secluded cove reached along the coast path. Note it is a naturist beach.
• The two-mile village street itself, which runs down the valley to the sea.

Where to eat with a dog

• The Harbour Cafe by the beach — the highest-rated café on this coast, cooked breakfasts around £9.
• The Focsle Inn — the beachfront pub, with tables on the harbour wall.
• The Pack o' Cards Inn — a 17th-century building designed around a deck of cards, with 52 windows.
• The Castle Inn at the top of the village — a proper local with a beer garden.

Nearby

Ilfracombe is ten minutes west, where parking is cheaper than the surrounding villages all year. Exmoor Zoo is a short drive inland and admits guide dogs only.