A number of beaches in Cornwall will have restrictions in place for dogs from the start of next week.

As the weather begins to improve many of us get ready to head down to the beach to enjoy the sun, sand, and the sea. But those of us with dogs know this means we will need to find alternative places to walk our furry friends.

Cornwall Council has a number of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in place around the coast which set limits on when dogs can go onto beaches. 

Although many restrictions won't be in force until July, beaches with Blue Flag status will have them in place from Monday the 15th of May.

Blue Flags are awarded to beaches that are managed well and have excellent water quality. The idea behind the system is to improve the quality pf England's coastline and promote the best beaches.

In Falmouth, Gylly is the only Blue Flag beach and will have a restriction on dogs from the 15th of May until the 30th of September, the restrictions will be in place from 10:00 am to 18:00 pm each day.

Here is a list of all Blue Flag beaches in Cornwall with these restrictions:

• Carbis Bay Beach, Carbis Bay
• Crackington Haven
• Crooklets Beach, Bude
• Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth
• Polzeath Beach
• Porth Beach
• Porthmeor Beach, St Ives
• Porthminster Beach, St Ives
• Porthtowan Beach
• Sennen Beach
• Trevone Beach, Padstow
• Widemouth Beach, Bude

The penalty for breaching the PSPO could be a maximum of £1,000 although the council can, at its discretion, issue a fixed penalty notice for £100 to anyone who commits the offence. Exemptions are made for those that require assistance from dogs.

Most other beaches covered by the PSPOs operate their restrictions from July 1st to August 31st, again from 10:00 am to 18:00 pm. Those beaches are:

• Cadgwith Cove
• Castle Beach, Falmouth
• Cawsand Beach
• Chapel Porth Beach, St Agnes
• Church Cove, Gunwalloe
• Harveys Towans to Godrevy Point, Hayle
• Housel Bay
• Kennack Sands Beach
• Kynance Cove
• Maenporth Beach, Falmouth
• Mousehole Beach to Skilly Beach
• Wherry Town to Battery Rocks
• Long Rock level crossing to Marazion
• Perranuthnoe
• Poldhu Beach, Mullion
• Polurrian Cove Beach, Mullion
• Porthcurno Beach
• Porthgwarra Beach, St Levan
• Porthgwidden Beach, St Ives
• Porthleven West
• Porthpean Beach, St Austell
• Portmellon Cove, Mevagissey
• Portreath Beach, including the harbour
• Praa Sands
• Readmoney Cove, Fowey
• St George's Well, Padstow
• St Ives Harbour Beach
• Summer's Beach, St Mawes
• Swanpool Beach, Falmouth
• Tattam's Beach, Portscatho
• Tunnel Beach, Falmouth

You can find more information on the council's website which includes a document on the Space Protection Orders and a list of dog-friendly beaches.