Top 7 Dog-Friendly Holiday Destinations in the UK 2022
2022 may be the perfect year to plan your first staycation, and the great news is that by staying in the UK, your four-legged friend is welcome to tag along with you too!
But what is the best UK dog holiday? From the vast Northumberland coastline and countryside to the golden beaches of Cornwall, we’ve pulled together a guide to all our favourite pet-friendly holiday destinations.
Packed with travel tips and things to do when you get there, all you’ll have left to worry about is whether to book a dog-friendly coastal cottage by the sea or an idyllic countryside dog-friendly hotel room!
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Where are the best dog-friendly holidays in the UK?
Where are the best dog friendly holidays in the UK?
The UK is a dog-loving nation, and with staycations becoming more and more popular every year, the good news is that you can take your dog pretty much anywhere!
Just make sure to check ahead for dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, cottages and attractions before travelling to guarantee that you don’t get caught short on arrival.
Here’s our round-up of the most popular UK destinations to travel to with your dog and some dog-friendly things to do when you get there!
1. Northumberland
Northumberland is a popular dog-friendly holiday destination, stretching across the north of England with its beautiful sea views, coastline and long-distance trails stretching towards Cumbria in the west.
Perfect for outdoors lovers, it has eight long-distance trails that pass right through the county that can be broken down into much smaller routes for dogs (and people!) of all ages and abilities.
Full of scenic variety, from walks through the hills to strolls along the coast, there are many places for your dog to explore!
Top dog-friendly attraction:
Alnwick Castle, used as Hogwarts in the famous Harry Potter films, is a popular destination for fans of the franchise.
Although the grounds behind the castle are dog-friendly, dogs aren’t allowed inside the castle or neighbouring Alnwick Gardens.
You may prefer to visit Bamburgh Castle (pictured), which is dog-friendly and provides a breath-taking backdrop to beautiful Bamburgh beach. Stretching across 2.5 kilometres, Bamburgh beach is the perfect picturesque location for a dog-friendly holiday!
2. The Lake District
The Lake District, situated in the North West of England, is a popular destination because of its stunning scenery, expansive lakes and English Heritage sites.
Popular places such as Amble, Keswick and Windermere are incredibly busy during the summer, so if travelling with your dog, you may want to consider visiting some of the area’s quieter destinations or hitting those hotspots outside of the summer season.
The Lake District has many English Heritage sites that accept dogs and lots of dog-friendly pubs, so the whole family can enjoy a rest and a nice meal after a busy day of exploring.
Top dog-friendly attractions:
Aside from all of the amazing walking opportunities, dogs are also allowed to cruise around Lake Windermere and travel on the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway. There are lots of amazing dog-friendly English Heritage sites too!
3. North York Moors
With expansive stretches of nature, from beautiful moorlands to stunning coastlines, it’s no wonder that the North York Moors National Park is a favoured destination for dog-friendly holidays (and has hundreds of dog-friendly cottages to choose from!).
Visit seaside towns by walking the sandy beaches of Scarborough and exploring the ruins of Whitby Abbey (then share your famous Whitby fish and chips with your furry friend). Then stop off at Helmsley Castle to learn more about its 900-year-old history.
Top dog-friendly attractions:
We’ve already mentioned the ruins of Whitby Abbey and Helmsley Castle, but why not visit Robin Hood’s Bay too? A great mix of winding cobbled streets, coastline, fossil-finding and fishing boats make it the perfect destination for the whole family.
4. The Yorkshire Dales
If you love picturesque countryside walks, fell-running, exploring and being outdoors, the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire is the dog-friendly holiday for you!
Seventeen of the walking routes in the Yorkshire Dales are referred to as miles without stiles. They are accessible to all, including those with limited mobility, perfect for a family-friendly day out!
Explore the rural English countryside, take in the fresh air and relax!
Top dog-friendly attractions:
The Wensleydale Railway is dog-friendly, so why not take yours with you for the ride of its life!
Travel through market towns and the rural countryside and spot famous TV locations such as the Finghall Lane station buildings used in the Yorkshire Vet and All Creatures Great and Small!
Or, if you want to explore, why not visit the limestone cliff at Malham Cove or the stunning walks around Aysgarth Falls?
5. The Peak District
The Peak District nestled between Manchester and Sheffield boasts stunning views along its hiking trails and campsites. With more than 100 dog-friendly pubs, it’s the perfect place for a long hike followed by a spot of lunch or a relaxing afternoon with a beer.
Top dog-friendly attractions:
Choose one of the many walking routes of the Peak District National Park. Hike the Monsal Trail for stunning views, then take the family, including the dog, to Chatsworth House and explore the gardens before finishing with a bite to eat and a pint of real ale at the Castle Inn.
6. Cornwall
Visit the South West Coast of the UK to the farthest point and arrive at Cornwall, the perfect destination for your UK dog-friendly beach holiday.
Cornwall boasts a subtropical climate, with temperatures of at least 10 degrees for 7 months of the year, guaranteeing at least some nice weather whilst you visit.
Not only that, but a large proportion of Cornwall’s stunning beaches are dog-friendly, with 51 welcoming dogs all year round and 81 having some seasonal restrictions.
It’s a little known fact that there are only 7 beaches in total in Cornwall which prohibit dogs, making it the perfect dog-friendly holiday destination.
If you are visiting popular places such as St Ives, it’s worth researching which of their beaches have restrictions.
You may want to bear in mind that Cornwall is a very popular tourist destination in summer, so it may be worth visiting outside of the summer months if your dog is nervous.
Top dog-friendly attractions:
Many of Cornwall’s main attractions are dog-friendly, making it easy to have an action-packed holiday with the whole family.
Visit the Eden Project, a global garden of plants from the Mediterranean to South Africa and California. Dogs aren’t allowed indoors but can explore the outdoor sections with you, as long as they’re kept on their lead.
How about a stop off at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary too? Let your dog make friends with all of the seals whilst it wanders around with you!
Then, finish your trip by exploring Land’s End and walking its stunning coastal trails.
7. South Wales and Pembrokeshire
If you’re looking for a reason to visit South Wales, Rhossili Bay is it. Dog-friendly, it’s Wales’ number one beach, part of Swansea’s Gower Peninsula, an area full of natural beauty.
With three miles of coastline to explore, take in the sights and have fun with the whole family.
Top dog-friendly attractions:
As well as exploring Rhossili Bay, you may also like Barafundle Bay with its crisp blue waters and surrounding cliffs.
It’s a half a mile walk to this little beach from the nearest car park, so the dog has plenty of opportunities to get a decent leg stretch. And it’s dog-friendly all year round!
How can I travel safely with my dog?
So you’ve picked your destination and booked a dog-friendly holiday cottage; all that’s left to think about is the travel.
Whether you’re planning on travelling to your destination by car or by rail, you’ll need to pack essentials for your dog to help them with the journey.
Here are our top tips for dog-friendly travel to help make your dog’s holiday a total success:-
- Take your dog’s bedding and blankets for the journey. Your pup will have a comfortable place to sleep and feel relaxed as their bed will carry all of the familiar scents of home.
- If travelling on a train, consider a pet carrier for smaller dogs and be sure to keep larger dogs under control.
- Make sure your pet is microchipped and wearing an ID tag, just in case it wanders off.
- Take dog food with you, especially if it’s a specific brand that could be hard to get hold of. Whilst travelling, feed your dog at the same intervals you would feed it at home.
- Travel with lots of water as dogs can easily get dehydrated, particularly when in a car. Ensure your dog has plenty of water and air, and never leave your dog locked in a car.
- Take a travel water bottle for when you’re out hiking with your dog, and always pack collapsible bowls in case your dog-friendly accommodation doesn’t supply feeding equipment.
- For their health and well-being, make sure their flea, tick and worming treatment is fully up to date and travel with their vaccine records and your pet insurance documents in case of any mishaps or emergencies during your holiday.
- Pack towels and a grooming brush to care for their coat and a cool mat if travelling to a warm destination.
- Pack treats and toys to keep your dog happy and relaxed and to guarantee smooth travel to and from your location!
Shop health and hygiene at MyPet
Shop our health and hygiene range for all of the last-minute essentials that you might need for your travels. From nail clippers to calming sprays, you’ll find products suited to caring for your dog whilst on your travels.
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