Need some help deciding where to go on your next staycation with your dog? Planning a holiday is an incredibly exciting time. It’s the chance to explore somewhere new, relax with loved ones and escape the bustle of busy schedules. This memorable experience shouldn’t be any different if you’re planning a break with furry paws. Now there’s no more waving goodbye to sad puppy dog eyes when you set off on your holidays. Take a look at these top dog-friendly holiday destinations with Canine Cottages’ pawsome stamp of approval.
Cornwall
Hailed as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, Cornwall offers something for the whole family including those with waggy tails. The unforgettable sandy shorelines, charming harbour spots and stunning rural locations create a pawfect holiday experience in any season. There are plenty of reasons this region is an ideal destination for a dog friendly holiday. For one you are never far from one of Cornwall’s paw-friendly beaches as with over 150 to choose from, you’ll be surprised to find that lots of Cornwall’s sandy havens accommodate dogs all year round.
Beaches aren’t the only thing your pooch will love, why not plan a day out during your stay and visit the many attractions and gardens that welcome the whole family? A must see on your visit is The Eden Project. Although this attraction saves your pals getting overheated in the Biomes, they are still welcome to wander the gardens with you. There is ample fresh water and an undercover dining area available to enjoy refreshments together. Another opportunity to tire those energetic legs is a trip to Tanglewood Gardens or The Lost Gardens of Heligan. Each spectacular location offers your holidaying hounds the chance to explore the grounds with plenty of sensory surprises on route.
Dorset
Home to the captivating UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast and spectacular rural landscapes, this region is an adventure playground for those with four legs. One of the best beaches that pooches love exploring is Durdle Paw - oh sorry - Durdle Door. This breathtaking location is a delight to the eyes with the dramatic rock formation and a fantastic beach to run free on and perhaps take a little dip. The region isn’t short of other doggy-friendly beaches too as you have over 25 to choose from on your stay.
If visiting the seaside wasn’t enough to delight your canine, why not wander for miles in the region’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty for a charming rural adventure? Encompassing a mix of rolling hills, striking chalk downlands and heathlands, this area is perfect for running free amongst the flora and getting back to nature in the great outdoors. A summer's day at Becky Falls is a great way to cool off!
The fun never stops on a stay in the county but if you’re looking for a bite to eat or a refreshing bowl of water, you’re certainly in for a treat. Dorset has a variety of dog-friendly cafes and pubs just waiting to welcome your pooch. Why not visit The Angel Inn where no one is left out from enjoying delicious tucker? Your furry pals can devour the pub’s unique Old Sock ice cream and perhaps wash it down with a refreshing Bottom Sniffer beer whilst you indulge in the scrumptious menu from brunch through to dinner.
Cotswolds
This spectacular Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a paradise for pooches that love outdoor pursuits and plenty of w-a-l-k-s. The region is scattered with public rights of way, miles of pathways and visitor attractions to suit the whole family.
For those that love sniffing out the heritage of an area, The Cotswolds offers a pawfect variety of dog-friendly locations to explore. The National Trust estates of Brockhampton, Great Coxwell Barn and Newark Park enable you to discover the beauty of historic houses and unspoilt gardens, just be sure to keep your pals on leads close by.
Another pupular attraction to the region is the variety of dog-friendly events that take place annually. Some examples include The Cotswold Show, BBC Countryfile Live and the Moreton-in Marsh Show, each welcoming furry friends and their families. The area isn’t short of delicious tucker too. Why not try The Seven Tuns in Chedworth or The Plough Inn at Finstock for a dog-friendly welcome?
Pembrokeshire
If you’re looking for long walks and something to tire those energetic pooches, holidaying in Pembrokeshire is an ideal option. With over 186 miles of spectacular coastline and an abundance of quiet rural footpaths through woodlands, hills and riverside, your pup will be spoilt for choice when exploring the area. For pooches that love running free on sandy shorelines and frolicking in the waves, Pembrokeshire’s choice of over 50 beaches certainly gets the paw of approval.
The area is also not short of attractions welcoming the whole family. Discover one of Wales’s finest heritage sites at Pembroke Castle or enjoy an exciting day out at Clerkenhill Adventure Farm and Frisbee Golf. For some fun on the water, it’s pawssible for your pals to join you on a jet boat wildlife trip from the coastal town of St David’s, where you can also visit the Ramsey Island caves. Another attraction which was awarded the Pembrokeshire Tourism Award for Best Dog Friendly Day Out/Attraction is Carew Castle and Tidal Mill. This picturesque location encompasses an impressive ruined stronghold and tidal mill where pooches can discover the history of the location, walk the grounds and perhaps share a tasty picnic with the whole family.
Devon
Devon is famed for not one but two distinct and beautiful coastlines whilst boasting holidays that enjoy the best of the great outdoors. This pawsome destination is ideal for families looking to experience a fantastic holiday with furry friends with an abundance of welcoming locations, places to eat and attractions to explore. We all love seeing our four-legged friends jumping through the waves and running free in open spaces and Devon’s beaches are the perfect spot to do just that, and with over 40 to choose from you’ll be spoilt for choice.
The county actively welcomes dogs so there are plenty of options when planning a day out. Examples include Babbington Model Village near Torquay, The Donkey Sanctuary near Sidmouth and The Milky Way Adventure Park which also allows dogs indoors too. Devon is famed for its food and drink so be sure your pet doesn’t miss out on the experience too. Sample the delights at a range of eateries including The Old Inn in Widecombe in the Moor, Masons Arms in Branscombe or sample a Devon Cream Tea at Bickleigh Mill near Tiverton.
Lake District
What’s not to love about magnificent mountains, stunning lakes and miles upon miles of walking opportunities? With all this and more on your doorstep, holidaying pooches will love this sensory experience with the whole family. If the area’s natural landscapes weren’t enough to explore, the Lake District has plenty of attractions that warmly welcome your furry pals. Take the opportunity to delight the senses with a visit to the exquisite gardens of Muncaster Castle or Brantwood or perhaps take a boat trip on the lakes with a variety of cruises on Lake Windermere or Coniston Waters; all offering a spectacular dog’s eye view of your surroundings.
On your stay be sure to take your furry pals to the market town of Keswick, which was awarded ‘Most Dog-Friendly Town’ three years running by the Kennel Club for its variety of walks, hearty pub meals and welcoming locations including The Coledale Inn, The Bridge Inn and The Watermill Inn to name a few.
Norfolk
You’ll be delighted to know that Norfolk is another pawtacular dog-friendly location in the UK. Although sometimes overlooked compared to its southwest counterparts, this amazing region is full of dog-friendly delights. First up, you’ll notice the wonderful and diverse landscapes the region has to offer. With incredible rural escapes bursting with vast and incredible views to the dense woodland teeming with muddy trails and sniffing spots, you are never short of places to stretch those legs. In contrast, Norfolk offers another sweet spot; boasting over 30 dog-friendly beaches with incredible sweeping sands and glorious sea views, it’s the pawfect destination to soak up the sunshine and play a game of fetch.
The region has lots of welcoming attractions from the parkland walks of Blickling Hall to the woodland wanders at Sandringham House, each delighting doggie senses and providing the family with a great day out. For tasty treats, Norfolk provides a selection of dog-friendly pubs, cafes and restaurants that welcome well-behaved humans. Why not visit The House on the Green in King’s Lynn for a scrumptious menu (for dogs too!) and a huge field at the back for pooches to roam or perhaps despite the name, try the Raggedy Cat Tearooms for complimentary doggie treats.
Yorkshire
It’s no surprise Yorkshire is a popular place for holidaying hounds. With the region encompassing nearly a third of the total area of National Parks in England, this spectacular location is a pooch’s paradise. If you love walks in stunning landscapes dotted with charming villages and market towns, Yorkshire is an ideal spot for you and your canine companion. Wander miles across the Yorkshire Moors and Dales, and let’s not forget the two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to complement your stay.
This captivating area is also known for its history and heritage and many attractions welcoming dogs to explore with grounds with you. Visit Skipton Castle and experience the importance of this 900-year old stronghold or enjoy a day out Mother Shipton’s Cave, which is England’s oldest tourist attraction to learn of the famous prophetess in Tudor Times. The area is brimming with places to soak up the great outdoors. Brimham Rocks near Harrogate boasts pathways throughout moorland and luscious woodland, and why not enjoy a steam train journey through Brontë Country on the dog-friendly Keighley and Worth Valley Railway?
For a scrumptious food stop and some tasty tipple, Helmsley is a great spot for doggie friendly eateries. Sample delights at The Cocoa Tree Café, The Feathers Inn and Helmsley Brewing Company for relaxed and friendly dining.
Peak District
The Peaks pride themselves on being one of the best locations for dogs and their families to enjoy a pawfect holiday. We know pups love to wander for miles and this destination is not short of pathways and trails to tire even the most energetic of legs. Grinlow Woods in Buxton is a top spot to soak up nature and give your pooch a sensory adventure, whilst Pooles Cavern Coffee Shop boasts a relaxing spot to enjoy a cup of joe and a bowl of refreshing water.
For doggies that love joining in human fun, why not head to Crich Tramway Village to explore The National Tramway Museum and take a ride out into the countryside on a vintage tram? You’ll see spectacular scenery and perhaps complete the experience with a stroll around the Woodland Walk and Trail. The Peak District is scattered with dog-friendly cafes, pubs and restaurants, perfect for sharing a bite. Head to Monyash and take the Meander Walk to finish the day enjoying tucker at the Old Smithy Tearooms.
The New Forest
With very few restrictions on where you can take your dog in the New Forest, it’s no surprise it’s one of the top spots for a pawsome family holiday. Pairing this dog-friendly experience with the best of natural beauty, tons of outdoor activities and picturesque locations, the New Forest puts you in the heart of the action on an adventure escape. Walking is possibly one of the most popular activities in the New Forest and with extensive routes and trails that span coast, countryside and woodland, you’re sure to find plenty of beautiful pathways to tire holidaying hounds.
For tasty tucker and tantalising tipples, the region has plenty of paw-friendly pubs to feast at after an exhilarating day in the great outdoors. The Rockingham Arms in West Wallow offers a friendly welcome to all and The Royal Oak in Fritham caters for muddy boots and paws with its fantastic location and delicious food. Don’t forget to stop by the variety of pawpular gardens and attractions too, with many catering for doggies and their families.
There are so many spectacular destinations to share your holiday adventures with the whole family. Before you set off on your holidays, don’t forget to check restrictions, as in peak seasons you’ll have to keep your furry friends close by.
Check out this quick video we put together for a reminder of some of the best dog-friendly destinations in the UK.
And if you don't own a dog of your own but love the idea of a getaway with a pawsome pooch by your side, answer the questions below and we will tell you what dog breed you should borrow for your next holiday!
Don’t you have a dog in your life yet and missing that vital four-legged ingredient on your holidays? Why not sign up to BorrowMyDoggy and see if there are any local pooches in your area looking for a new pal!
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