Britain's best dog-friendly breaks

Holiday with every member of the family this year - istock
Holiday with every member of the family this year - istock

With international travel on hold, many Britons are looking closer to home for their holidays this year – and it seems we’re keen to escape with our four-legged friends. Dog-friendly holiday company PetPyjamas reported a 41 per cent month-on-month increase in forward bookings during May, as well as a 30 per cent uplift in overall traffic to the site.

Cornwall topped the searches, while Devon followed close behind. But beyond these beautiful and incredibly popular coastal counties, there are plenty of places across the UK ripe for exploration with man's best friend in tow.

Here are six of some of the most dog-friendly holiday destinations for a 2020 post-lockdown trip – just as a little way of saying thank you to the companions who have remained by our sides throughout.

The Isles of Scilly, Cornwall

While jetting off to the Caribbean feels utterly unthinkable right now, an island break is not all that impossible. Once restrictions are lifted on non-essential travel later this year, it should be possible to fly to the Isles of Scilly, where the beaches are just as pristine and the microclimate promises warmer, sunnier weather than mainland Britain.

The dog can join you in the cabin for the 30-minute flight from Newquay, Exeter or Land’s End, and once there can roam free on many of the islands’ beaches (some have summer restrictions) and enjoy endless walks on the miles of paths that trace a line along the dramatic coastlines. You’ll take boats from island to island and the dog will be welcome in almost all the restaurants and pubs across the archipelago.

Stay

Hell Bay Hotel (hellbay.co.uk) on Bryher, where all the best crab comes from, or in one of neighbouring Tresco’s self-catering cottages (tresco.co.uk/staying). Lunch at Juliet’s Garden on arrival in St Mary’s is essential.

Lincoln

A city break isn’t the most obvious option for a dog-friendly trip, but Lincoln might surprise you. This ancient hilltop city has plenty of pubs and restaurants where dogs are given a warm welcome, and having a pet in tow won’t mean you’re excluded from entering the top attractions, either.

With an everybody’s welcome approach, Lincoln Cathedral (lincolncathedral.com) is the highlight. Book a tour guide to explore the Cathedral’s complex history and intricate architecture, or attend the evensong service to hear the astonishing acoustics in action.

Lincoln Cathedral - istock
Lincoln Cathedral - istock

• The best pet-friendy hotels in the UK

Time your visit with one of Lincoln Castle’s dog-friendly days (lincolncastle.com/content/dog-friendly-days) and you’ll be able to walk along its 11th century walls for fantastic views of the city. Pets are also welcome year-round at the International Bomber Command Centre (internationalbcc.co.uk) – a towering memorial to the more-than 50,000 people who gave their lives to support the RAF’s bombers during the Second World War.

Stay

The White Hart Hotel (whitehart-lincoln.co.uk), or go self-catering just outside the city centre at Quay Side (petspyjamas.com) in Burton Waters, where you’ve got a gorgeous canal nearby for morning walks.

Bamburgh and Seahouses, Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle only started welcoming four-legged visitors last year and it proved to be a hit, with more than 5,000 dogs gracing its grounds in 2019. The entire family is allowed in all nine acres of grounds, the Armstrong and Aviation museum, Tack Room Cafe and the Victorian Stables Bar.

But that’s not the only dog-friendly day out on north Northumberland’s wild coastline. Dogs (and humans) can enjoy boat trips to the nearby Farne Islands, and though they’re not allowed to set foot on land, the crew will usually look after them while you spend an hour ashore with the thriving grey seal colony (go in autumn to see pups). Inland, St Cuthbert’s Way offers some excellent walking trails and gorgeous bucolic scenery.

Stay

Bamburgh View (caninecottages.co.uk) just outside Bamburgh village is a modern home that sleeps six and has a wood burner and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Oakham, Rutland

England’s smallest county packs plenty of punch for both dogs and owners. The town of Oakham is a great base, with dog-friendly brewery and taproom The Grainstore for afternoon pints and hearty meals at the Lord Nelson pub.

From Oakham you can walk to Rutland Water (anglianwaterparks.co.uk) – a huge reservoir with a beach, watersports centre, minigolf, bike hire and lots more. Dogs must be kept on a lead except in the Syke’s Lane area on the opposite side of the lake (a 10-minute drive from Oakham town centre), but for a proper adventure, take them paddle boarding or kayaking in the Whitwell Creek area.

Rutland Water - istock
Rutland Water - istock

• The best dog-friendly b&bs in the UK

Days out can be had at Burghley House and Grimsthorpe Castle (dogs on leads), and you can even get some retail therapy with the pup at Cavells, a department store in Oakham.

Stay

Smock & Dog (caninecottages.co.uk) is a lovely self-catering cottage just 10-minutes’ drive from Oakham town centre.

Edinburgh, Midlothian

If you’re happy to forego the castle, a city break in Edinburgh with the dog has rewards aplenty. Beyond simply strolling around the historic, picturesque Scottish capital – where medieval streets meet grassy Georgian squares – there’s ample opportunity for hiking and culture. Spend an afternoon admiring often quirky exhibitions at Summerhall (summerhall.co.uk), where dogs are also welcome in the Royal Dick bar out the back, and take a morning hike up Arthur’s Seat for views over the city.

Pubs all over the city welcome animals, so you are spoilt for choice at mealtimes. For something a little different, take a boat trip on the Firth of Forth to see the country’s most impressive bridge and spot seabirds flitting about the skies.

Stay

Sailor’s Cottage (petspyjamas.com) in Cramond’s riverfront harbour overlooks the Firth of Forth.

Cairngorms National Park

In the heart of the Scottish highlands, the Cairngorms are an adventure playground for those seeking long hikes, dramatic scenery and wild swimming spots. Wear out the dog on a hike along the many marked trails – a favourite half-day hike is up the hill of Morrone – before taking a bracing swim in one of the park’s lochs.

Cultural days out include the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Braemar Castle, Blair Castle and Gardens and Ruthven Barracks.

Cairngorms - istock
Cairngorms - istock

• The best dog-friendly hotels in Norfolk

Stay

Dell Lodge (petspyjamas.com) in Nethy Bridge has wonderful walks on the doorstep in the ancient Caledonian pine woods of the Abernethy Nature Reserve.