The summer is upon us and with the stress of the past two years, it’s definitely time for a well-deserved break. But if you’re like me and hate leaving the dog behind, then there’s a good chance you’re going to want to look for a little getaway that’s friendly for your furbabies.

Thankfully, Britain is a dog-loving nation and there are a lot of places across the country that are known for welcoming canine cuties with open arms. If you’re looking for someplace to treat your puppers this year, here are 5 dog-friendly places to visit in the UK.

The Cotswolds 

From restaurants to pubs, hotels to cottages, the Cotswolds has plenty of dog-friendly places to bring your dog. Spreading into Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, there are plenty of places to explore. One hot spot, in particular, that’s ideal for the whole family is the Cotswold Waterpark an area of over 40 square miles and 180 lakes, with a variety of leisure providers and places to stay. There are a number of beautiful public footpaths and bridlepaths to walk the dogs.

There are a number of dog-friendly landmarks too, such as Batsford Arboretum which is home to one of the finest botanical collections in the country, and Cotswold Wildlife Park that’s home to over 260 animals over 160 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens. There’s also a variety of places to dine too, with The Kings Arms being a cosy country inn nestled within the countryside and voted as part of the Best Pub of the Year 2016 by The Good Pub Guide. Number 32 is a relaxed café and bar in Broadway that’s open from 9AM for Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch.

North Devon

Having recently visited ourselves and also back in 2017, Rosie and I can both recommend North Devon as a lovely dog-friendly destination in the UK. With a variety of beaches, attractions, accommodation, and miles of footpaths, North Devon is a real haven for dogs. Beaches such as Saunton Sands, Hele Bay, and Watermouth are all popular beaches for your furry friends to have fun. Up in Ilfracombe, there are boat trips that allow your furbabies to set sail and enjoy the water in another way.

If you’re looking for high-end accommodation, look no further than Longlands Glamping, where up to two dogs per lodge are allowed to stay and amenities such as dog beds, blankets, towels, and bowls are available, and a doggy bin under the lodge along with a hose if you end up with a mucky pup! For a more affordable stay, Watermouth Lodges is definitely a great place. Located central to a number of attractions, there are a number of dog-friendly lodges available to stay in and great little walks around the lodge area too for morning and evening relief.

Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is an amazing place in Wales to take the dogs. You can truly bask in the beauty and culture of the country with your furbaby. There’s plenty to see and do, too, such as visiting Pembroke Castle, taking in thousands of years of history in its confinement, or Heatherton, which even has activities specifically for dogs like an agility course that all the family can participate in. There are beaches to visit like Caldey Island and Broad Haven (which was actually Rosie’s first-ever holiday destination as a pup!) Make sure to visit Manobier, and explore the medieval fortress for a truly historical experience.

There are plenty of pubs for your dogs to get their paws under the table with, too, The Bishops in St David’s, a real cosy country pub with nautical details, or Hope & Anchor in Tenby that’s right by the seaside and a perfect place to replenish after a day of fun at the beach. With so much to do in Pembrokeshire, it’s truly an adventure every day.

BournemouthBournemouth is such a dog-friendly seaside town that’s a great background for making summer memories. There’s plenty of beaches your furry friend is welcome where you can even hire a hut for the day, and costal villages surrounding the area offering an array of cafes, bars and restaurants. Dogs are also welcome on the famous Bournemouth Pier, which has a variety of activities, eateries and entertainment for you to enjoy.

But Bournemouth is more than just seaside fun, with plenty of places to appreciate and admire wildlife, like Moors Valley Country Park & Forest with plenty of routes to explore, or Kingston Lacy, which is home to a stunning Japanese garden and Stable Courtyard to wander through. Two short miles away is  Boscome Arts Trail,  a free walk starting in the shopping precint in Boscombe, continuing down Sea Road and ending up art Boscombe Pier. Along the way you’ll encounter seven distinct art instillations created by Dorsed artist Andy Kirby and takes about 25 minutes with a place to stop for ice cream at the end at Boscombe Pier.

Edinburgh

In 2021, Edinburgh was announced as the most dog-friendly tourist location in the UK by Tails, and it’s no surprise with just how much is on offer for canines! Being more city based, there’s still a lot on offer that your dogs can enjoy. Edinburgh’s oldest visitor attraction, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions has five floors full of hands on interaction illusions that your dog is welcome to visit and even has water available around the attraction. Edinburgh Bus Tours also allow well behaved dogs on board, letting you truly take in the sights of the city.

If you’re looking for places to dine, Mimi’s Bakehouse is a delightful cake shop and bakery which dogs are welcome to sit outside of, with the staff are always eager to meet your pupper. There’s also a bunch of pubs with outdoor seating that welcome dogs at the Grassmarket, Rose Street, Stockbridge and Leith, so there’s plenty of places to take your pick.

Have you been to any of these places in the UK with your dog? Do you have any recommendations for staycations with your furbaby?

Jazz

Jazz is a Disney, tea and pop culture enthusiast with a passion for blogging. Also a proud introvert.