Explore from the George
Plympton, Plymouth and Dartmoor on our doorstep, with dog walks for every legs-and-lead combination. Come home, dry off and warm up by the fire.
Plympton and Plymouth.
Journey times are rough, by car from the pub.
Saltram
National Trust parkland and woodland around a Georgian mansion remodelled by Robert Adam. Just down the road from us. Work is under way around the house and parkland, so some areas may be closed: check the National Trust website on the day of your visit.
A few minutes by carDrive →Walk →Plympton Castle
The remains of a Norman castle in Plympton St Maurice, part of the old town that grew up around the priory and the Ridgeway.
Close to the pubDrive →Walk →Plym Valley Trail
A traffic-free walking and cycling route along the Plym valley, with woods and river on the way up towards Dartmoor.
Walk or cycleDrive →Walk →The Hoe and Smeaton's Tower
Big views over Plymouth Sound from the Hoe, with the 72-foot Smeaton's Tower, moved stone by stone from the Eddystone reef. Smeaton's Tower is closed to visitors for autumn and winter and reopens in spring 2027.
About 20 minutes by carDrive →Walk →The Barbican and Mayflower Steps
Cobbled streets, harbourside pubs and the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims are believed to have set sail in 1620. Plymouth Gin has distilled here since 1793.
About 20 minutes by carDrive →Walk →National Marine Aquarium
The UK's largest aquarium, with more than 70 sharks from over ten species. A good wet-weather day out.
About 20 minutes by carDrive →Walk →Royal William Yard
A grand 1825–1831 naval victualling yard on the waterfront, now shops, restaurants and events.
About 25 minutes by carDrive →Walk →Dartmoor.
The edge of the moor is a short drive from Plympton. The high moor and the east take longer, so make a day of it.
Cadover Bridge and the Dewerstone
Riverside lakes and paddling pools by the River Plym, then the ancient Dewerstone woods and crags above. Postcode PL7 5EH.
Closest moor to usDrive →Walk →Burrator Reservoir
A reservoir ringed by tors, woods and moorland on the edge of the National Park, with plenty of paths to walk or cycle.
Easy for a short visitDrive →Walk →Wistman's Wood
A 170-hectare National Nature Reserve of low, twisted oaks draped in moss and lichen among granite boulders, near Two Bridges.
Short walk, uneven groundDrive →Walk →Bellever Forest and Postbridge
Forest walks beside the East Dart River, a loop up Bellever Tor, hut circles, ponies and deer. Postbridge is the village nearby.
Half a day outDrive →Walk →Before you set off. Dartmoor weather changes fast, so take layers and good boots. Ponies, cattle and sheep roam free: give them space and don't feed them.
Dog walks.
A few of our favourites, from a gentle stroll to a proper scramble.
Saltram circular
About 2.5 miles, around an hour. Parkland and woods on easy paths, no stiles and no livestock reported. Dogs are allowed anywhere in the parkland (not the house). Some areas may be closed during works, so check the National Trust website before you go.
ModerateWhere to park: Saltram car park, sat nav PL7 1UH. £3 for non-members, free for National Trust members. Open dawn to dusk, one-way system.
Car park directions →Plymbridge Woods
Many trails through woods with the River Plym running through, so dogs can have a splash. A good choice for a long walk.
Easy to moderateWhere to park: Plymbridge car park, Plymbridge Road, Plympton, PL7 4SR. Free. Woods open dawn to dusk.
Car park directions →Cadover Bridge and Dewerstone Rock
About 4 miles, around 2.5 hours. Steep, rocky and uneven in the woods, with drops near the crags. Cattle, ponies and sheep graze freely, and dogs must be on a lead from 1 March to 31 July. Adders from March to October.
ChallengingWhere to park: Cadover Bridge car park, sat nav PL7 5EH. Free, no overnight parking. Busy on fine days, so go early.
Car park directions →Burrator Reservoir
Tors, moorland and a nature reserve on the edge of the National Park. Dogs are welcome. Keep them on a lead, especially at weekends when it's busier.
Easy to moderateWhere to park: Free parking all round the lake. If it's your first visit, start at the dam, where the lake walk begins. There's also a small car park by the Arboretum trail.
Car park directions →Central Park
Open grass and tree-lined paths, within reach of most of the city, with the Meadow Café. Some lead-only zones, so check the map.
EasyWhere to park: Check the signs near the park for parking, charges and time limits.
Car park directions →Wembury Beach
Rock pools and caves, and a coast path on to Heybrook Bay. Dogs are allowed on the beach from 1 October to 30 April only, but the other Wembury walks stay open to them all year.
Easy to moderateWhere to park: Wembury Beach car park, sat nav PL9 0HP. £3 for 2 hours or £6 for the day (February to October), free for National Trust members.
Car park directions →Jennycliff
Grassy picnic spots with views across Plymouth Sound. Dogs welcome all year, and a steep path down to the beach.
EasyWhere to park: Free parking nearby, at Jennycliff.
Car park directions →The Hoe and the Barbican
Space to run on the Hoe, then the waterfront walkway round to Devil's Point. Part of the South West Coast Path.
EasyWhere to park: Parking around the Hoe and Barbican varies, so check the signs for charges and time limits.
Car park directions →Dog rules. Signs and lead zones change, so check on the day. Keep dogs on the lead near livestock and ground-nesting birds, and take your waste home from the moor. Adders are about from March to October, and rivers can run fast after rain.
Dog-friendly stops.
Places that welcome four-legged guests. Policies can change, so it's worth a quick call first.
The George
Dogs are welcome in our bar and the beer garden. Muddy paws after Saltram or Cadover are fine.
Right hereThe Fisherman's Arms
Reported to have its own dog menu, with doggy ice cream and a "full dog's dinner".
Check before you goThe Flower Café
A courtyard where dogs are welcome, with homemade cakes, sandwiches and cream teas.
Check before you goThe Old Pump House
Free water bowls for dogs, with breakfast, light lunches and homemade cakes.
Check before you goPrime Café Bar
Well-behaved dogs welcome, serving brunch and coffee.
Check before you goThe Ship Inn
Waterside pub on the Yealm Estuary with steps down to the water, named in lists of Devon's dog-friendly pubs.
Check before you goThe Rugglestone Inn
A walkers' pub with a wood burner and picnic tables by a moorland stream, listed as pet-friendly.
Check before you goKnow a good dog-friendly spot we've missed? Tell George and it goes on the list.