Best dog-friendly holidays UK for adventures with your canine pal

You no longer need to leave your best friend behind, dog-friendly travel awaits

Dog walking holiday

by Natalie Corner |
Updated on

Dog walks are an essential part of being a pet owner, and while your four-legged best friend gets just as excited going on the exact same walk every day – you might be ready for a change of scenery. As many of us are on a budget when it comes to going away, we’ve pulled together some cheap dog-friendly holidays in the UK where your bestie can join your adventure.

There are more dog-friendly holiday parks and hotels than ever before following the pandemic, with hotels, cottages, and lodges getting rid of the no-pet rule to allow an influx of furry pals indoors. With over a third of UK households now owning a dog, according to data from Statista, no pet needs to be left behind or go to the kennels.

Best dog-friendly holidays UK at a glance:

Best dog-friendly hotel UK: The Halston Hotel, Carlisle - View on TripAdvisor
Best dog-friendly holiday park in Cornwall: Away Resorts, St Ives Bay - View on Away Resorts
Best dog-friendly holiday with hot tub in Devon: Corner House, Heanton - View on Holiday Cottages
Best dog-friendly cottage UK: High Rigg Shepherd's Retreat, Cumbria - View on Sykes Cottages

From dog-friendly holidays with a hot tub to hotels near countryside, city or coastal locations, there are plenty of options to take that perfect British holiday with your dog and make staycation memories to treasure.

There are some things to factor in when you begin to plan your doggy holidays, like whether a pet bed is included, can your dog dine with you in the hotel, local dog walking routes, and if there is an added pet supplement cost to consider when budgeting. Read on to discover Take A Break Pets’ dog-friendly holiday picks.

Dog-friendly holidays UK

Best dog-friendly hotel UK 

Halston Hotel CarlisleHalston Hotel
Price: £140+ per night

www.tripadvisor.co.uk

The Halston Hotel has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor, and it’s made up of serviced apartments of varying sizes, from studios and townhouses to a penthouse which sleeps from two to four people. There are hotel comforts such as a restaurant, gym and a bar but with the flexibility of self-catering if you choose to stay in. The hotel is located in Carlisle city centre and a five-minute walk from the train station, plus it’s on the doorstep to two UNESCO world heritage sites, The Lake District and Hadrian’s Wall, as well as The Scottish Borders.

Please note: The Halston states ‘welcoming dogs only’ and dog-friendly rooms are available by prior request only, so please call when booking to confirm.

Customer review: "Fabulous overnight stay at the Halston. Four adults and two dogs in a large suite. Warm and friendly staff greeted us, and dogs were welcomed with food, bowls and beds included in the suite. Very well-appointed kitchen, with welcome crumpets, butter, milk and pod coffee machine. Large comfy living room. Central location."

Pros

  • Treats and food on arrival
  • Spacious living area
  • Central location
  • Quick and easy check-in

Cons

  • Wedding venue, so can be noisy
Fee:Yes, £10 per pet per night (max £30 per stay) 
Area;Cafe and bar is dog friendly, restaurant is for humans only 
Extras: Set of dog bowls, comfy bed, poop sacks and treats

Best dog-friendly holiday park in Cornwall

Away Resorts - St Ives BayAway Resorts
Price: £178+ per night

www.awayresorts.co.uk

Staycation in style while taking in breathtaking views at Away Resorts St Ives Bay resort. It offers coastal charm and then some with private access to a three-mile-long golden beach where your pup can practise their doggy paddle and lots of sandy walks. After a long day at the beach, your pup can enjoy a doggy menu in the Sands Bistro where they can chow down on wet or dry dog food, dog-safe ice creams and ice poles, washed down with a pet-friendly wine or beer - delicious!

Customer review: "As a family of four, with two dogs, we had a fabulous stay. Everything we could of wanted was there and we had a caravan with a great position close to the beach and swimming pool.
Entertainment was great in the evenings and the site had all that we needed. The caravan was clean and modern. Would recommend and return."

Pros

  • Private beach access
  • Doggy menu at main bistro
  • Dog welcome packs are available when booking Exclusive accommodation

Cons

  • Dogs cannot be left in accommodation unattended
Fee:£45+
Area:All accommodations suitable for dogs, dogs must be on leads
Extras:Doggy menu, goody bag, welcome pack

Best dog-friendly holiday with hot tub in Devon

Corner House - HeantonHolidayCottages.co.uk

In a prime location that provides a taste of rural life overlooking the North Devon countryside while still being only four miles from the beach, the Corner House is a charming retreat. Surrounded by 17 acres of beautiful garden and woodland, you're able to walk into the local village of Braunton with your four-legged friend in tow, and within an eight-mile radius, there are three beaches to explore too. This super-stylish apartment is beautifully decorated and there's a hot tub overlooking rural Devon. It's packed with features for you and your pooch to enjoy like the Nespresso coffee machine, gas BBQ, Dryrobe use for the duration of your stay and a doggy welcome pack with treats, toys, towels and more inside.

Customer review: "Really lovely accommodation. Very well equipped with everything you could want: tv, WiFi, dishwasher, washer and dryer, fridge. Hot tub was also great. Garden / is hedged and secure enough. We did rearrange the pots slightly to stop our escape artist and he never attempted it after that. Not far from Braunton, you could walk it but quite a steep hill so we always drove. Owners very friendly and welcoming. The doggy basket with towels, shampoo and treats was handy! "

Pros

  • Welcome gift for dogs
  • Countryside and beach locations for walkies
  • Stylishly decorated

Cons

  • There is an Accidental Damage Deposit of £150 when booking at this property
  • Only one dog is allowed at a time
Fee: £20 each dog per full or part week
Area:Four miles from the beach, dogs on leads
Extras:Luxury dog welcome hamper with mud-daddy robe and doggy Dryrobe

Best dog-friendly cottage UK

High RIgg Shepherd's Retreat Sykes CottagesSykes Cottages
Price: £120+ per night

www.sykescottages.co.uk

An open plan one-level Shepherd's Hut in the beautiful surroundings of Cumbria in the Lake District. The luxury hut has everything you need for a break away from the hustle and bustle of a city. On welcome you're greeted with a freshly made Shepherd's Pie and a bottle of bubbly, in the colder months there's a roaring open fire. In the balmy summer evenings sit on the enclosed decking area with a sheltered hot tub to enjoy the views of the lake.

Customer review: "The hut was superb and all we could have asked for. The views were amazing, super comfy bed, great facilities i.e the kitchen and shower bathroom! And the hot tub really made the whole holiday. Would highly recommend. We will definitely be coming again!"

Pros

  • Open fire
  • Sheltered hot tub
  • Welcomed with shepherd's pie and bottle of fizz
  • Enclosed decking perfect for summer evenings
  • Area of Outstanding Beauty - ideal for dog walks

Cons

  • Not suitable for children
  • Need a car to travel
Fee:No extra fee, only one well-behaved dog
Area:AOSB so plenty of locations for walking, need car to reach location
Extras:None stated

Best dog-friendly holiday park in Yorkshire

Parkdean Resorts - Cayton Bay Holiday ParkParkdean Resorts

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Yorkshire coastline, the Parkdean Resorts Cayton Bay Holiday Park has a glorious sandy beach just a short stroll away, and Scarborough and Filey are just a mere few minutes away by car – your pooch will be spoilt for choice when it comes to seaside walkies. When they’re not walking wave side, your pup can be practising their agility skills in the Woof Park, where they can weave in and out of poles, go through tunnels, and so much more. Depending on what accommodation you book, some have dedicated areas where you can pop your dog’s bed in to help them settle into their home away from home.

Customer review: "We had a fantastic time at Cayton, something for everyone. Woof park was a great hit with our dog! My little one loved the Star Land crew and all of the troupers! Fantastic entertainment! We will definitely be back!!"

Pros

  • Choice of beach at your doorstep
  • On-site Woof Park
  • Some accommodations offer specific areas to put your dog's bed

Cons

  • Restrictions on dogs entering common areas
Fee: £49 
Area: Dogs must not enter any of the park's facilities or children's play areas, except for designated dog walking areas, all dogs must be kept on a lead 
Extras: Built-in feeding bowls 

FAQs: Dog-friendly holidays UK 

Where is the most dog-friendly place in the UK?

Carlisle, in the North West, took the top spot as the most dog-friendly place in the UK according to Sainsburys Pet Insurance Dog-Friendly Index using third-party data from TripAdvisor, AllTrails, SpareRoom and YouGov.  
Carlisle has the most dog-friendly hotels of all the cities according to Tripadvisor, meaning it would make a perfect location for a weekend away with your pooch in tow. Plus, with Solway Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), North Pennines AONB and the Lake District National Park on the doorstep, there’s no shortage of beauty spots for walkies. 
Closely following Carlisle on the index is Durham in the North East, Plymouth in the South West, Portsmouth in South East and Edinburgh in Scotland.

What should I know before taking my dog on holiday?

Once you’ve selected your doggy holiday location, it’s a good idea to plan your driving route. Long car journeys can be tricky for some dogs, so make sure to factor in regular stops at places like dog-friendly cafes or pubs along the way for toilet breaks and fresh air.  
It's worth bearing in mind that travel sickness is a common problem for dogs and puppies, you can pick up travel sickness tablets for dogs, as well as other remedies such as anti-anxiety calming spray or pheromone collar. 
According to the Highway Code, dogs and other animals need to be suitably restrained while travelling in the car. So make sure the journey is a comfortable one for your pooch, consider a dog crate which can sit in the boot along with a travel bed, or a dog car harness to make sure they are safe and secure. 
Where can I take my dog on holiday from UK?

Do Parkdean holidays allow dogs?

Many Parkdean holidays allow dogs, with several caravans and lodges being dog-friendly. In fact, some of Parkdean Resorts, including Newquay, Lizard Point, Warmwell, Sandford, Camber Sands, Cayton Bay and Ty Mawr, have Woof Parks, which are enclosed agility courses where your pup can burn off some energy.
When searching for a pet-friendly Parkdean holiday, use the Pet-Friendly filter to narrow down your search to those resorts that accommodate dogs.

Natalie Corner is the Commercial Content Editor across the Specialist Portfolio for Bauer Media specialising in dog care. Her beloved cocker spaniel Dash is a keen tester of all dog treats and food, and will always show off his wagging tail for Take A Break Pets.

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