Your dog will love a cottage holiday in Southwold
Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Southwold has plenty to offer dogs and their owners. With the glorious Suffolk coast on one side and stunning countryside on the other, our dog-friendly cottages in Suffolk make an ideal base from which to explore this beautiful part of England.
For a healthy dose of sea air, Southwold Beach is just a stick's throw from many of our dog-friendly cottages in Southwold. The south end of the beach is open to dogs all year round, while the northern part is only open between September and May. You'll find spacious sands with plenty of passing pooches to befriend and some superb sand-dunes for your four-pawed pal to explore. For a longer walk, you can get to Walberswick Beach, via Bailey's Footbridge, which takes you right over the River Blyth. While the beach is mainly shingle, dogs are welcome throughout the year, although they'll need to be on a lead as parts of the area are designated as a wildlife reserve.
Eating out is an important part of any break and dog owners are well catered for in Southwold. For a lunchtime bite visit the Harbour Café in Blackshore. During the winter months the log fire is always burning, and during summer the outdoor area is the perfect place to enjoy a sandwich while your canine companion tucks into complimentary biscuits. Evening meals don't come much better than those served at the Anchor Inn. If you're visiting during the summer, don't miss out on their barbeque night, which takes place each weekend and features fresh, local produce.
Dog-friendly things to do
Whether you want to enjoy some walks along the beach or explore the nearby towns and villages, Southwold is an excellent holiday destination for those with dogs. To help you make the most of your break, we've put together a few of our favourite dog-friendly haunts:
Benacre Beach
While your faithful companion is off snuffling through the sands, you can soak up one of Suffolk's most breathtaking panoramas. With rugged cliffs and views across the North Sea, Benacre Beach is one of Suffolk's best-kept secrets.
Southwold Pier
For some old-school seaside entertainment, there's little to rival Southwold Pier! You'll find excellent shopping, some great, dog-friendly cafés and restaurants, and an offbeat world of sideshows and attractions under the pier. Dogs must be on a lead, but this is a great day out for the whole family.
Oulton Broad
Drive north for just under half an hour and you'll come to Oulton Broad. Aside from the beach, there's the opportunity for pooches with sea-legs to hop aboard a tour boat and cruise up the River Alde or the River Waveney and spot some of the region's resident wildlife.