Speaking as a dog & owner who always like to know where their next meal is coming from, the pretty village of Shaldon is foodie heaven – each meal is just a few steps from the last, with lovely sandy meandering along the River Teign in between. Best of all, the day begins with a dog-friendly ferry ride…

Just line up on the sand at Teignmouth Back Beach and the ferry boat will transfer you across the estuary to Shaldon for £1.50 each way. Dogs sail for free. As you can see, Bodie was keen to ensure he was first down the gangplank…

After darting and sniffing around the little wooden boats dragged up on the shore, we like to head for breakfast at The Clipper…

Dogs are allowed downstairs (following the rhyming rules!) while upstairs is dog-free, keeping everyone happy. I’m a big fan of the fresh ‘nautical but nice’ decor…

If you’re ravenous you can order the vast platter that is the Captain’s Breakfast but we opted for American-style pancakes with bacon and maple syrup and a latte – pictured here with two dainty little dog biscuits.

From here you can wander along to the picture-perfect village green complete with teams in white playing bowls and this charming redbrick Clock Tower…

Our favourite lunch-stop is the delightfully dog-friendly London Inn. There are plenty of picnic benches outside for sunny days…

Or you can enjoy the tartan carpet cosiness on the inside. The lunch specials menu is of outstanding value and quality – £4.95 for the best eat-in Fish & Chips with minty-mashed peas and posh tomato ketchup.

Back-tracking through the town, you can take a stroll along the beach front…

Dogs are only allowed on Shaldon beach from October-April (other than to get off and on the ferry) but if you ascend the steep hill passing The Ness (which we’ll return to shortly!) you can take the Smuggler’s Tunnel to Ness Cove Beach – vast and shingly with rugged cliffs, and dog-friendly all year round!

If you come by car there’s parking over by Cafe Ode which sells ‘true food’ goodies ranging from mezzo platters to sticky ginger cake. (Only outside seating with dogs.)

And over by the Tourist Information Office there’s a special rock pool for Sea Dogs.

As the sun begins to set you can wend your way back to The Ness House Hotel for cocktails, dinner and glimpses of this view…

The Ness restaurant is also good for Sunday lunch with two portion sizes offered. (Choosing the smaller entirely justifies a thorough exploration of the dessert menu.) The dog-friendly eating areas are The Music Room…

And this fireside lounge with slumpy leather sofas to relax on and plenty of space for Bodie to splay out. Or simply look natty….

IN CONCLUSION: Dog-friendly Shaldon makes for a particularly tasty day out.