Paws on the Beach Returns to Watergate Bay on 11th April

Dogs Take Over Watergate Bay: Huge Charity Day Returns This April

A popular dog-friendly event is set to return to Cornwall next month, bringing a packed day of activities to Watergate Bay while raising funds for a local animal charity.

Paws on the Beach Returns for 2026

Paws on the Beach will take place on Saturday 11th April from 11am to 3pm at Watergate Bay, in partnership with RSPCA Cornwall. The free event is open to all and is expected to draw dog owners and families from across the county.

Dogs are welcome on Watergate Bay all year round, but this event is designed as a dedicated day out just for them, with a wide range of activities planned.

What to Expect on the Day

The event, supported by RSPCA Cornwall Branch and Watergate Bay Hotel, will feature a variety of canine-focused attractions. These include a dog show with prizes and rosettes for all first-place winners, have-a-go agility sessions, and access to behaviour and training advice.

Visitors will also be able to get guidance from a clinical canine massage therapist.

Families are also catered for, with children’s agility sessions, arts and crafts, face painting, and traditional raffle and tombola stalls. All donations raised on the day will go towards RSPCA Cornwall, which runs a self-funded rehabilitation and rehoming centre in St Columb.

Food, Drink and Beachside Dining

Food and drink will be available throughout the event on the beach. The Beach Hut will also be open all day, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dogs are welcome alongside their owners, with water bowls provided.

Celebrating 30 Years of Animal Care

Poppy Pudner, RSPCA Cornwall’s Events and Activities Lead, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be collaborating with Watergate Bay Hotel again this year and bringing Paws on the Beach back to Watergate Bay for the third-year running. Our partnership with the team there has created a truly special event for dog lovers and families alike. The past two years have been a huge success, with hundreds of happy faces and plenty of wagging tails, so we’re excited to welcome everyone back in 2026 – a particularly special year as we celebrate 30 years of caring for animals at our centre in St Columb. Visitors can look forward to some favourite activities returning alongside a few new surprises, making it a fantastic day out for the whole family while supporting rescue animals here in Cornwall.”

This year’s event also marks a milestone for the charity, as it celebrates 30 years of caring for animals at its centre in St Columb.

With a mix of entertainment, advice and fundraising, organisers are expecting another strong turnout for what has become a well-supported event in the Cornish calendar.