Short but sweet

Not a long enough walk in my opinion but it is interesting for humans. However, a little bit boring for my dog. Dogs must be kept on a lead. The walk is tarmacked making it suitable for wheelchairs. Plenty of bins. The walk signed 'Dock' gives dogs access to flowing drinking water.

Toilet at the visitors centre. There is both a café and kiosk with plenty of outside seating. At least two free car parks - follow brown signs to Heritage Walk. Interesting historical industrial public information boards. Plenty of sign posts so you cannot get lost.

There is a farming museum, mini farm, and children's play are but these are not accessible with dogs.

Excellent beach for all the family

Tide was out - I mean really out! There are warning signs that the car park floods at hide tide so its worth checking out before you go.

There is raised walk for wheelchairs to the left of the car park but no wheelchair access to the beach itself.

Plenty of sand for everyone. Lots of dogs and kids. My dog decided that seagulls wanted to be chased and found himself in some thick black 'sludge'. Not quite quick sand but not nice either. Other than that, this is an excellent dog and children beach.

Lola & Suggs Cafe (CH8 9RD) has outside tables where dogs are welcome. They even provide dog water and biscuits for well behaved dogs. No customer WC, so don't ask.

Excellent ramble for all the family

2021 Car Parking £3 for two hours, £5 all day. Visitors centre, large kiddies play area with plenty of exciting equipment (no dogs allowed in the play area). Lots of seats and picnic benches scattered aboout. Café. Public toilets. Plenty of dog waste bins and litter bins.

Four well signposted walks of differing distance;

1. Churnet Tail 1km (0.5 mile)

2. Fosters Trail 2.75km (2 miles)

3. Crabapple Trail 4.5km (2.75 miles)

4. Reservoir Trail 7.5km (4.5 miles)

Dogs should be kept on a lead at all times. I believe this is to protect both young children as well as local wild life (lots of nesting birds). Unfortunately, we saw lots of dog owners ignoring this rule.

Fosters and Crabapple walks have streams dogs can access to paddle in / drink from. Crabapple walk also has access areas to the reservoir (no human paddling or swimming allowed).

Fosters walk is delightful as it meanders through woodland. Crabapple edges its way around traditional English wild flower pastures. A history lesson in what has been lost through intense farming. Unfortunately the Reservoir walk ventures onto the road which makes it a little more stressful with a dog.

Remember to keep left when walking all trails, and to keep to the 2 metre rule during pandemic, and you'll have an excellent day.

Excellent running space

Lots of distractions for dogs but excellent space to run. Rock pools, running water onto the sand, seagulls, surfers and children - it's a very exciting place for dogs.

An excellent location if also travelling with children.

Flat and Easy Walking

Heading North, leave M5 at junction 25. A358 Taunton/Yeovil, A38 Drinkwater road, onto A361. This is an acceptable diversion from M5.

Maunsel Lock Tearooms with its limited parking is on the opposite side of the lane to Bridgewater and Taunton Canal public car park. There are two picnic benches with a litter bin in this car park, and a dog waste bin at the entrance. Excellent canal scenery. Plenty of wild life.

Secure path which means dogs can go off-lead.

Value for money beach parking

Easy parking plus value for money. 30 minutes free (but you still need to put your details in the machine). £1 for one hour, £2 for two hours if staying for breakfast. The café has a lovely eating platform overlooking the beach and sea, weather permitting. A fresh water stream runs into the sea near to the café and toilet block. It is best to go at low tide for maximum running area.

Toilets are primitive but perfectly serviceable.

Three short walks are sign posted from the right corner of the open ground to the front of the café when standing with you back to the sea. These are as follows;

1. Coast Path East Portholland, one and a quarter mile. This affords excellent sea views although the path is both narrow and extremely steep in places.

2. Tregavarras, half a mile

3. Coast Path Hemmick, one and three-quarter miles.

Excellent open space

Plenty of sand to run off energy. Rolling sand dunes to explore. Public toilets and ice cream shop on the car park nearest to Par Pond. Worth a visit for dog exercise and human sun bathing.

Don't forget to take water for dogs because I didn't see a tap.

Gorran Haven Bay off the beaten track

OS Grid Ref SX 0131 4155

Unspoiled coastal village predominately made up of fishermen's cottages. Sheltered from the West winds by Dodman Point, it is some of the safest swimming waters in Cornwall. An ideal family destination. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year. However, from Easter to end September they must be kept on a lead.

Interesting Stroll plus shops

Interesting tourist village with plenty of small shops to interest. Quite a few pubs offering outside drinks and dinning with dog’s welcome signs.

Don’t miss Roly’s Fudge shop. Experience real fudge made with cream and not that American fondant rubbish.

There is a footpath leading upwards out of the harbour on the left but be prepared for a climb. However, the views make the effort worth it. This path is both narrow and steep.

Excellent ramble for all the family

The footpaths / cycle routes are well signed. For the longer and more exciting walk, park at the car park near the industrial units.

The terrain is rough with some muddy bits even during dry weather, however, it is worth the trek.

Prior to the wooden walk looping back onto the river bank, there is a children's play consisting of rope swing and climbing frame.

Easy Stroll and Pee Stop

Wide, open space for a scenic stroll. Minions is a lovely, friendly pit stop. Both sheep as well as cows roam this moor so please take care.

Worth the excursion

The museum is at the left hand arm of the harbour. The more direct rout is up the right hand incline outside 'She Sells Seashell' shop. The coastal path sign has been replaced with a 'Annual Permit Holders Only' sign. You cannot miss the ramp, it passes under one of those typically Cornish overhanding buildings.

The ramp turns into steps with plenty of bench stops and scenic observation posts before emerging onto a grassy knoll. Walk straight ahead even though there is no footpath pointing in this direction. Children's play equipment is on the left, plus a litter bin. When the grass ends, the coastal path resumes and is marked by a dog waste only bin. Not far along the narrow path is a Kedhlow Treth sign on the right, with soil steps heading steeply downwards. These turn into the metal steps given in the original directions.

Make note of the tide times please because this shingle cove disappears at high tide.

Worth a visit. Spectacular but it is a test of endurance on the return journey.