On a Saturday morning within the Lake District, maybe on the base of a preferred fell or alongside the shores of a placid lake, you may assume you have been at a countryside Crufts. The area’s footpaths are bustling with spaniels, labradors and golden retrievers – and the ever present cockapoo, in fact – all in procession, dragging their homeowners up hills or alongside forested trails, tongues out, tails wagging, noses poised to smell the behind of something they may move.
The Lakes typically sells itself because the dog-friendly capital of the UK – and for good purpose. I problem you to discover a Cumbrian pub that doesn’t have a jar of treats on the bar. But there are loads extra locations for the UK’s growing inhabitants of canine homeowners (29% of UK adults on the PDSA’s last count) to spend their holidays in addition to the Lakes.
Having spent the final three years romping across the UK and Ireland for my latest dog-friendly travel book, with my always-alert Manchester terrier Arty by my facet, I’ve occurred on a few of the most (and least) dog-friendly locations. I really like Northumberland for its huge open seashores, Lincoln for its cavernous canine-friendly cathedral and Shetland for its utter vacancy – although watch out to not disturb the ground-nesting birds in spring and summer season.
We canine homeowners are an intrepid lot, and almost wherever you go you’ll discover wonderful dog-loving campsites, pet-centric cottages and motels that provide as many facilities in your companion as they do for you. Here are 20 of the most effective.
Sunnyside, Robin Hood’s Bay, North Yorkshire
If your canine is the kind that prefers to lounge on plush cushions and sofas quite than tough it in a canine mattress on the ground, Sunnyside goes to fulfill their every day napping necessities. This cottage in charming Robin Hood’s Bay, which has a dog-friendly sandy seashore with no summer season restrictions, is run by the native pet-shop proprietor, and so they’ve considered all the things. There are spare leads, a canine toy field and even canine robes to assist them dry off after a day on the seashore. Your dogs are allowed on the furnishings so long as you’re utilizing the throws offered, and so they can snooze within the bed room with you. The village has a lot of dog-friendly pubs and cafes for consuming out – strive Brambles Bistro. And walks alongside the coast will knacker out even probably the most energetic of dogs. Don’t miss a experience on the North Yorkshire Moors railway from Whitby to Pickering, too.
From £235 for 2 nights, sleeps 4, two small dogs or one massive, baytownholidaycottages.co.uk
Brucefield property, Forestmill, Clackmannanshire
If sleeping amid a 1,000-acre woodland and waking to the sound of jays, woodpeckers and chaffinches is your bag, ebook into Brock. This wood hut is a schenbothy – a Scandi-meets-Scottish tiny home constructed on the Brucefield property simply north of the Forth estuary. For dogs, there are beds and bowls offered and loads of walking routes by means of the property – hold them on a lead across the purple squirrels and free-roaming deer – and people can take pleasure in evenings on the wraparound deck, binoculars in a single hand and a beer within the different, looking for buzzards within the timber.
From £176 an evening (together with £40 canine complement), sleeps two people and one canine, canopyandstars.co.uk
Bracken Hide resort, Portree, Isle of Skye
A brand new opening for Skye in 2023, the Bracken Hide is without doubt one of the few motels on the island to permit dogs into its restaurant and whisky bar. This isn’t the one purpose it’s a cracking dog-friendly keep, although: its 27 cabins are scattered on a hillside overlooking Loch Portree, providing ample outside area for a morning or midnight roam with the canine, and there are plush beds for each folks and their pets. The solely place dogs aren’t allowed is the sauna, which is greatest paired with a dip within the plunge pool whereas the canine is snoozing again in your room.
B&B from £225, brackenhide.co.uk
Argaty Cottage, Doune, Perthshire
This modest little cottage has three bedrooms and an enclosed backyard, nevertheless it’s the situation inside the Argaty Estate that’s most fascinating: in your doorstep you’ll discover purple squirrels bouncing among the many timber, a mesmerising red kite feeding station, the place a frenzy of birds gathers every day to feed on meat put out by the rangers, and proof of elusive beavers down by the water. Join one of many property ATV buggy excursions – the canine can soar within the again – to discover the working farm and wider, wilder property, or ebook the youngsters right into a pond-dipping session to satisfy the creatures that lurk beneath the floor of their thriving waterholes.
From £375 for 3 nights, sleeps six, no canine restrict, argatycottage.com
Skylark cabin, Ilfracombe, Devon
Sitting on the fringes of Exmoor nationwide park, the place dramatic clifftop walks await, Skylark is the kind of place you’ll battle to depart when you’ve settled in. This hillside wooden cabin has views over Combe Martin and a tub on the skin deck, the place you possibly can soak realizing the facility you’re utilizing is coming from the proprietor’s onsite wind turbine. With livestock close by, dogs have to be on leads right here, however off-lead adventures could be had within the safe paddock by the automotive park.
From £127 an evening, sleeps two people and two dogs, pawsandstay.co.uk
McLaughlin’s cabin, Market Drayton, Shropshire
This Shropshire tiny home is a lesson in reclamation and recycling, as a lot of its interiors, from the corrugated iron splashbacks to the classic rug wall hangings, has been reused, repurposed or reinvigorated. Once you’ve drained the canine out on the paths of the close by Dorothy Clive Garden or the Trentham estate, it’s all about sitting – both within the single-person sizzling tub whereas the canine roams within the enclosed backyard, on the veranda’s cosy little love seat with a sundowner or in entrance of the log burner inside with a canine loud night breathing at your ft.
From £125 an evening, sleeps two people, one canine, pawsandstay.co.uk
Vineyard Cottage, East Ruston, Norfolk
With the sting of the Broads on one facet and the huge, flat expanse of the Norfolk coast on the opposite, Vineyard Cottage is in prime place for lengthy walks by the water – and maybe a paddle for prepared dogs. But location isn’t the one factor that earns this home a spot on this listing; if dog-friendly means dogs are allowed, then this place is dog-obsessed. There’s a totally enclosed backyard, throws and towels for dogs, canine crates and beds on request, and a bathe within the backyard for laundry paws after muddy walks. And, in contrast to almost wherever else you’ll ebook in Britain, they’re even allowed to sleep on the mattress with you.
From £698 every week, sleeps 4 people, limitless dogs, eastrustoncottages.co.uk
Pheasant Inn, Tattenhall, Cheshire
More than 300 years outdated and constructed utilizing sandstone from the very hills it’s plonked atop, the Pheasant Inn is a cracking pub with rooms within the Cheshire countryside. Each bed room has its personal design with vibrant printed wallpaper and quirky artworks – resembling squirrels in flat caps drawn on outdated newspaper – whereas the meals is a double AA-rosette affair. The Sunday roasts with their crispy yorkshire puds are particularly rewarding, and there’s even a menu for the canine. The spotlight right here, although, is the view from the beer terrace out the entrance: an infinite expanse of inexperienced opens out beneath the pub so far as the attention can see.
From £148.50 an evening, thepheasantinn.co.uk
Bamburgh Castle Inn, Seahouses, Northumberland
Its huge, sandy seashores, castles that tower over the ocean and proximity to the mountaineering trails of a wild nationwide park make Northumberland a compelling place for anybody on vacation. But for canine homeowners, there’s one massive bonus: these seashores and their dunes are dog-friendly all 12 months spherical, and not using a summer season restriction in sight. From the modest, homely rooms at this Seahouses pub you possibly can wander down on to the seashore at any time of 12 months and let the canine run all the best way to Bamburgh and its purple sandstone fort (which they’re welcome to discover, too).
From £112.50 an evening, £10 per canine an evening, inncollectiongroup.com
Low Mill Guest House, Bainbridge, Yorkshire Dales
Right within the coronary heart of the Wensleydale space lies this 18th-century corn mill the place dogs are given as heat a welcome as their people by homeowners Neil and Jane and their lovely sighthound, Dotty. There are simply three rooms right here, every uniquely adorned with vibrant printed wallpapers and irreverent artworks, and a few have unique mill tools that also works to at the present time. Dogs can’t be a part of you within the breakfast room however they’ll love roaming the gardens the place purple squirrels could be seen snacking on the feeding bins.
From £110 an evening, lowmillguesthouse.co.uk
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Acorn Inn, Evershot, Dorset
Old teaching inns not often get extra atmospheric than this: the Acorn is all oak-panelled nooks, creaking wood beams and flagstone flooring, and it seems to be simply because it did when Thomas Hardy featured it in his Nineteenth-century novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Dinner right here is the spotlight – count on a traditional gastropub menu that’s elevated by distinctive produce and cautious crafting within the kitchen. Dogs will get biscuits from the bar and water on request, and the employees can provide the lowdown on the place to walk. Don’t miss a hike up the hill the place the Cerne Abbas Giant lies 8½ miles away.
From £140, dogs £15, acorn-inn.co.uk
Aurora Shepherd’s Hut, Radcot, Oxfordshire
Stay on this shepherd’s hut within the Oxfordshire countryside and also you’ll be nestled as much as the irresistibly bucolic Cotswolds, the place almost infinite, undulating fields of sheep are punctuated by little amber-tinted cities and villages with thatched cottages and quaint stone bridges. Avoid the close by tourist-heavy hotspots of Burford and Bibury and as a substitute head to the likes of Minster Lovell for walks amid ruins by the River Windrush or into Bampton for a glimpse of that traditional Cotswolds structure (Downton Abbey followers will recognise the church). The shepherd’s hut has a stunning log burner, making this a superb winter break, and it sits inside a totally enclosed paddock so the canine can roam free.
From £299 for 3 nights, sleeps two, one canine (however versatile), staycotswold.com
Luccombe Manor, Isle of Wight
Venturing over to the Isle of Wight could be fairly the journey for a canine – the ferry journey is particularly enjoyable if the climate’s good, however there’s a totally dog-friendly lounge on board the Wightlink vessels if not. Luccombe Manor is the place for posh dogs to remain: blankets and beds are offered within the bedrooms, there’s an out of doors wash station for muddy or sandy paws, and treats are offered on arrival. They even present a canine kitchen the place you possibly can put together their dinner if want be, and so they’re allowed to affix you for breakfast within the restaurant. Luccombe Manor welcomes youngsters too, and you’ll all hang around by the pool whenever you’re not having fun with close by Shanklin seashore.
From £90 an evening, one well-behaved canine £40 per reserving, luccombemanor.co.uk
The Rose, Deal, Kent
The Kent coast is full of pretty seashores, and the shingle stretch at Deal is a lovely unfold with its Nineteen Fifties pier and smattering of fishing boats jauntily sitting on the shoreline. Just a couple of streets behind the shoreline lies the stunning Rose pub. Rooms have daring prints and yellow claw-foot tubs, and dinners within the dog-friendly restaurant have been recommended by the likes of Observer meals critic Jay Rayner.
From £100 an evening, one canine allowed, therosedeal.com
Horseshoe Cottage, Dawlish Warren, Devon
Part of the Cofton Holidays park however providing somewhat extra privateness, Horseshoe Cottage is in prime place for walking and biking within the 25-hectare (65-acre) Dawlish Countryside Park and alongside the year-round dog-friendly seashore at Dawlish Warren. You’ll have an enclosed patio to maintain the canine secure and entry to all of the close by park’s amenities – together with the swimming pools and an off-lead dog-exercise paddock.
From £539 every week, sleeps 4, dogs at £50 every every week or £30 every per brief break (most two), coftonholidays.co.uk
Hayloft, Watergate Bay, Cornwall
The interiors of the Hayloft are excessive finish however pleasingly minimalist, letting the views outdoors do the speaking – this barn conversion is surrounded by a seemingly infinite expanse of lush inexperienced fields. Beyond these, although, lies one in every of Cornwall’s most dog-friendly seashores: the huge Watergate Bay. Just a couple of minutes’ drive or a 30-minute walk right down to the sand, at low tide it’s the right place for a recreation of Frisbee or fetch with the canine. The home has a totally enclosed backyard and a retailer for surfboards or paddleboards.
From £445 for 3 nights, sleeps 4, two dogs at £30 per canine per week (or per keep), luxurycoastal.co.uk
Musselwick House, St Ishmaels, Pembrokeshire
The Pembrokeshire coast is full of huge, sandy seashores the place dogs can run free all 12 months spherical – Marloes Sands is one spectacular stretch close to right here – however this home has its personal quiet seashore proper outdoors the again gate. There’s a totally enclosed backyard and stylish sea views from the lounge and bedrooms, and with a pair of binoculars you possibly can watch the waders on the Gann nature reserve out of your couch.
From £1,015 every week, sleeps eight people and two dogs, £15 per pet per week (or brief break), coastalcottages.co.uk
Hawarden property, Deeside, Flintshire
Just a jump over the Welsh border from good-looking historic Chester and solely a 20-minute walk from the closest prepare station at Hawarden, the Hawarden property has 26 well-spaced tenting and glamping pitches on its meadows amid the woodland. Bring the canine by prepare or drive your personal camper or caravan there to commune with nature, play video games within the clubhouse and eat divine native produce from the in depth onsite farm store. There are cooking lessons and workshops within the Walled Garden, pick-your-own fields and an explorers’ path by means of the property, plus the native dog-friendly pub is a brief walk away. For dogs that favor somewhat extra luxurious, ebook the Beekeeper’s Hut (from £150 an evening, ebook through thegoodlifesociety.co.uk) inside the Walled Garden.
From £44 an evening, hawardenestate.co.uk
Triumphal Arch Lodge, Colebrooke, County Fermanagh
Set inside a 400-hectare working property that when belonged to the Northern Irish premier Basil Brooke, this modest little gatelodge is a captivating little retreat. Its interiors are a throwback to less complicated occasions, with vintage furnishings and never a tv or wifi router in sight. This is a spot for switching off, watching out for the native pine martens and woodpeckers, and getting outdoors with the canine to discover the island-dotted shores of Lough Erne – dogs may even tag alongside on Erne Adventures’ hydrobikes.
From £116 an evening, sleeps 4 people and one canine, irishlandmark.com
Buckland Farm Camping, Wellington, Somerset
Few campsites are as dog-friendly as Buckland Farm, the place for those who ebook forward you possibly can bag one in every of two fenced-in pitches for tents or campervans, providing complete freedom in your canine to roam when you’re having fun with your breakfast. You needn’t fear for those who miss out, although, as there’s nonetheless a fenced-in paddock for off-lead train, and there are even agility lessons on website. Beyond the positioning lie the Blackdown Hills, that are begging to be explored with all 4 paws.
From £22 an evening, £1 per canine, bucklandfarmcamping.com
