Part of thefamily

23 dog-friendly locations to take your pooch in the UK in 2023

Icon
Calendar icon
Calendar icon
Icon guests
Icon pets
Hero image

23 dog-friendly locations to take your pooch in the UK in 2024


1. Whitby

Location: North Yorkshire

Best for: Gothic architecture

Dog-friendly place to stay: No 1 Pier Lane

Whitby is a pretty seaside town in North Yorkshire. You can let your pooch run around on the dog-friendly beach on the east side of the River Esk. Then there’s the incredible cliff-top Whitby Abbey to explore, too. Its Gothic ruins are famously linked to Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

2. Windermere

Location: Cumbria

Best for: Fell hiking

Dog-friendly place to stay: Fellside Lodge

You’ll find dog walks aplenty in Windermere. Ramble around the largest natural lake in England or get your walking boots on and tackle one of the many magnificent fells in the Lake District. After you’ve worked up an appetite there are lots of lovely tearooms and dog-friendly pubs to grab a bite to eat.

3. Keswick

Location: Cumbria

Best for: Exploring the Lake District

Dog-friendly place to stay: Helvellyn Retreat

Nestled right in the heart of the Lake District, Keswick is perfectly located for exploring some of Cumbria’s best-known lakes and features – including Derwentwater and Blencathra Fell. It’s an ideal location for those seeking an outdoor adventure.

4. Ambleside

Location: Cumbria

Best for: Scenic walking routes

Dog-friendly place to stay: Lower Sycamore Cottage

This quaint town is one of the most popular in Cumbria for walking holidays, and it’s easy to see why. Ambleside’s favourable location is the start of some of the best-known Lake District walks. There are even routes where your four-legged friends can run around too!

5. Bideford

Location: North Devon

Best for: Vibrant town centre

Dog-friendly place to stay: Diesel’s Den

This seaside town in North Devon is a haven for pets, with coastal paths galore and miles of dog-friendly sands. Bideford’s bustling town centre has plenty to offer too – independent shops, a pretty quay and pubs that welcome pooches.

6. Shrewsbury

Location: Shropshire

Best for: Countryside walking

Dog-friendly place to stay: Corndon Pod

You and your hound will love a break to Shrewsbury, as Shropshire’s stunning countryside provides the perfect backdrop for walkies. Then there’s the town centre to explore, which is steeped in history with shops, restaurants and pubs aplenty.

7. Scarborough

Location: North Yorkshire

Best for: A coastal and countryside break

Dog-friendly place to stay: Swallows Nest

There are plenty of things to do with a dog in Scarborough. North Bay Heritage Railway, Scarborough Castle and South Bay Beach will all welcome your four-legged friends. This scenic part of North Yorkshire also benefits from being right on the doorstep of the North York Moors National Park too.

8. Richmond

Location: North Yorkshire

Best for: Admiring limestone crags

Dog-friendly place to stay: Mayfields Retreat

With the Yorkshire Dales to the west and the North York Moors National Park to the east, Richmond is the perfect base for exploring the limestone landscapes of North Yorkshire. Don’t forget a visit to Richmond Castle though, and take in the town’s impressive Georgian architecture.

9. Brecon

Location: Powys

Best for: Adventures in the Brecon Beacons

Dog-friendly place to stay: Kooky Cottage

Of course, this picturesque market town in Powys is perfectly located for exploring the Brecon Beacons National Park. But Brecon’s town centre has lots to offer too. There’s the heritage centre, Brecon Catherdral and the Brecon Canal Basin.

10. Barnstaple

Location: North Devon

Best for: A look back in time

Dog-friendly place to stay: Killington Lodge

Explore the sandy beaches and sheltered coves of North Devon from your dog-friendly cottage in Barnstaple. For history lovers, the town is full of 17th-century buildings, including almshouses, churches and a medieval bridge that crosses the beautiful River Taw.

11. Looe

Location: Cornwall

Best for: Safe swimming

Dog-friendly place to stay: Tilly’s Cottage

Looe is a pretty fishing harbour situated right on the South West Coast Path. Walk with your pooch to Polperro or Seaton and explore the incredible Cornwall coastline. Hannafore Beach – with its calm waters and rock pools – welcomes dogs all year round.

12. Corwen

Location: Denbighshire

Best for: Dog-friendly pubs

Dog-friendly place to stay: Orchard Pod

With its prime location at the foot of the incredible Berwyn Mountains, this Denbighshire town is a walker’s paradise. Corwen offers plenty of lovely walking routes with rewarding scenery. Top off your afternoon at one of many dog-friendly pubs in the area.

13. York

Location: North Yorkshire

Best for: A history tour

Dog-friendly place to stay: Coach House

Famed for its Gothic landmarks and historic medieval streets, York is jam-packed with sights to see and things to do. Embark on a walking tour of this walled North Yorkshire city, cruise down the River Ouse on a boat and let your pooch have a run around at Hob Moor.

14. Matlock

Location: Derbyshire

Best for: Exploring the Peak District

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Snug

Gaining its popularity as a spa town, you and your pooch will find tons of things to do in Matlock. Not only is it perfectly located for exploring Derbyshire’s Peak District, but there are also other dog-friendly attractions too. Visit the Crich Tramway Museum, take in the views from above on the Heights of Abraham or hop on the Peak Rails Heritage Railway.

15. Liskeard

Location: Cornwall

Best for: Rambling on coastal paths

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Retreat

A characterful town lined with traditional Victorian shopfronts, Liskeard is a market town in Cornwall. Nearby are the quaint fishing port villages of Looe and Polperro. Use Liskeard as a base to explore the scenic Cornish coastline.

16. Buxton

Location: Derbyshire

Best for: A tranquil escape

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Nest

Discover natural wonders, panoramic scenery and thermal spas in Buxton. Wander the streets of Georgian and Victorian architecture, where you’ll find independent shops, cafes and pubs to spend your afternoons. And of course, not forgetting its beautiful backdrop of the Derbyshire countryside.

17. Aberystwyth

Location: Ceredigion

Best for: A city and coastal retreat

Dog-friendly place to stay: Seascape

Aberystwyth is a vibrant town with a dreamy coastal location. Take in the magnificent views of this Ceredigion town from Aberystwyth Castle. Your four-legged friend can dip their paws in the sea at Aberystwyth Beach, before rounding off your day at one of many dog-friendly pubs and cafes.

18. Carlisle

Location: Cumbria

Best for: Going across the border

Dog-friendly place to stay: Honeysuckle Cottage

Just eight miles south of the Scottish border, Carlisle is a cultural hub for shopping and eating with a deep-rooted history. Its northerly location in Cumbria is perfect for exploring Hadrian’s Wall, the Lake District and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – just to name a few.

19. Weymouth

Location: Dorset

Best for: A traditional seaside holiday

Dog-friendly place to stay: Ocean Wave

Weymouth is a popular seaside destination thanks to its golden sands and safe bathing waters. Even though thousands of visitors flock to its beaches every year, the coastal scenery still remains unspoilt. It’s surrounded by other beauty spots in Dorset for endless adventures with your pooch.

20. Hereford

Location: Herefordshire

Best for: Stepping back in time

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Stables

This bustling city is brimming with historic tales. You only have to walk down the street to see its preserved 12th-century architecture, which gives Hereford its quaint character. Spend your trip visiting Herefordshire’s pubs, churches and castles that all have their own stories to tell. Or explore neighbouring counties, Shropshire and Powys.

21. Newquay

Location: Cornwall

Best for: A tropical paradise

Place to stay: Trevelgue

You’d be forgiven for thinking Newquay was a Mediterranean resort, with its subtropical climate and pristine shores. This gorgeous seaside town in Cornwall boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. Some of them are dog-friendly too, so you can enjoy a luxury coastal escape right here on home turf!

22. Norwich

Location: Norfolk

Best for: Visiting a thriving city

Dog-friendly place to stay: The Mooring

Norwich is a cultural hub brimming with an eclectic music scene, cosy pubs and independent restaurants. Thanks to its compact size, you can explore the entire city on foot. For nature lovers, Norfolk’s countryside lies just outside the city too!

23. Tenby

Location: Pembrokeshire

Best for: Exploring the beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast

Dog-friendly place to stay: Berlin House

Pembrokeshire’s magnificent coastal scenery spans towering cliffs, deep blue pools and excellent dog-friendly sandy beaches. Tenby is the ideal base for exploring, with its backdrop of colourful tumbledown cottages and eclectic shops.