Best dog-friendly towns in the UK
Date published: 29 Jan 2025
Browse dog-friendly towns
Date published: 29 Jan 2025
With almost 13 million dogs in the UK, the demand for dogcations has never been higher. But where are the most dog-friendly towns in the UK, you ask? We’ve sniffed up and down the British Isles to uncover the best places to visit with your pooch. From big parks and beaches to dog-friendly cafés and attractions, here are the towns that welcome your pup with open paws.
Keswick, Lake District
This Lake District town has been ranked the most dog-friendly place in the UK by the Kennel Club. We can’t say we’re surprised, either. Not when you’ve got gorgeous walks, like Latrigg and Derwentwater, on your doorstep. Plus, just about everywhere welcomes your pup with free treats and water bowls. There are too many dog-friendly pubs to name – The Dog and Gun and The Kings Arms are two of our faves.
And don’t be surprised to find doggy menus in the cafés, with the likes of ice-cream, biscuits and scrambled egg up for grabs. There’s even a shop dedicated to canine companions. The town’s attractions are dog-friendly, too, like the Derwent Pencil Museum (not as boring as it sounds!) and The Puzzling Place – which is handy for any wet weather days. What’s more, you can hop on one of the Keswick Launch boats for a cruise around the famous lake – dogs travel free!
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Keswick.
Lymington, New Forest
When it comes to dog-friendly coastal towns, Lymington is up there with the crème de la crème. If you’re coming over summer, you’ve got two dog-friendly festivals to look forward to. Both humans and dog noses will be in the air at the Lymington Seafood Festival. Meanwhile, nearby Burley hosts Dogstival, the biggest dog festival in the New Forest.
Walk-wise, you can stroll through 500 acres of mudflats, lagoons and salt marshes on the Lymington to Keyhaven Nature Reserve walk. But you’ve also got the New Forest’s woods and trails within easy reach. Dogs are welcome at plenty of attractions, too – from nearby Hurst Castle and Milford-on-Sea beach to the New Forest Reptile Centre and cruises along the Beaulieu River.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Lymington.
Bakewell, Peak District
Bakewell’s famous for its pudding, but it’s perfect for pups, too. It’s in a close-to-everything setting in the gorgeous Peak District. Chatsworth House is just 10 minutes up the road and its 1,000 acres of parkland is every dog’s dream. The start of the Monsal Trail – an iconic traffic-free walking and cycling route – is eight minutes away.
It’s the same distance to Peak Village – an open-air shopping centre that practically encourages you to bring your four-legged friend along for a browse. Don’t miss Barks & Co for everything from coats and collars to tuggers and treats. Alternatively, stay in Bakewell on Monday for the weekly market and have a mooch with your pooch. If you’re visiting Bakewell in July, make sure to snap up tickets for the Bakewell Country Festival, which hosts a popular dog show.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Bakewell.
Padstow, Cornwall
Pooches will love Padstow. The smell of today’s catch in the air. Beaches that welcome sandy paws all year-round. And plenty of dog-friendly pubs and cafés. There are plenty of places to visit with your dog. Take the National Lobster Hatchery, for example – this pet-friendly attraction will fill you in on the crustaceans and the Cornish fishing industry. Or, you can take your salty sea dog on a boat trip from Padstow Harbour, for a chance to see dolphins, seals and basking sharks.
A short walk along the coastal path will get you to Hawkers Cove and Harbour Cove, both of which have no restrictions for dogs all year-round – paws up to that! Plus, you can hit the scenic five-mile Camel Trail between Padstow and Wadebridge. Psst, if your dog can’t hack the distance, there are even dog trailers up for hire, so you can take in the views on two wheels instead.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Padstow.
Bamburgh, Northumberland
Bamburgh’s huge beach is spot on for ball-chasing pups – there are no restrictions, so it’s dog-friendly in the height of summer too. You can combine your day on the sand with a trip to the castle that’s perched above it. Because, guess what? Bamburgh Castle is dog-friendly too. Well, the grounds are at least – which is more than you can say for some attractions in the UK!
In fact, just about everything in Bamburgh is geared up for pooches and their parents. They’re even allowed in the castle’s café and Armstrong & Aviation Museum. Plus, you can take them on boat trips out to the Farne Islands. They’ll need to be kept on the lead, because of the seal colony, but they do sail free. And make sure to keep an eye out for seals, dolphins and puffins on the cruise over.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Bamburgh.
Tenby, Wales
Tenby’s known for its pretty harbour setting. But did you know it’s one of the best dog-friendly seaside towns in Wales? Its trio of beaches are dog-friendly. North Beach and Harbour Beach have summer restrictions, but South Beach welcomes sandy paws and jaws all year-round. You can set off for a walk along the Pembrokeshire coastline – there are plenty of beaches to stop at en route for a cool-down dip (for you, or your doggo).
The seaside town’s also home to the ‘Best Dog-friendly Café or Restaurant in Pembrokeshire’. At Fuschia, you can tuck into a sarnie, while your pooch wolfs down a sausage, or two. Plus, there are lots of places to take your dog. Heatherton World of Activities, just outside town, is geared up for kids and their four-legged siblings. There’s high ropes, jumping pillows, soft play and archery. And furry family members have their own dog agility course, complete with obstacles like a tunnel and hurdles.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Tenby.
Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
North Norfolk is notoriously good for dog-friendly holidays. And if you’re looking for one of its best dog-friendly beach towns, we’d recommend Wells-next-the-Sea. Apart from the first 200 yards, its massive beach welcomes dogs all year-round. So off-lead beach walks and splashing in the sea are encouraged. Another top place for zoomies is nearby Holkham Beach – its huge expanse of sand never feels crowded, even in summer.
There are plenty of places to visit with your dog, too. You can take them for a ride on the North Norfolk Steam Railway. It’ll drop you off in Holt, a lovely dog-friendly town, which is home to Holt Country Park. Your pooch will love sniffing around its 100 acres of woodland and trails. And kids will love its woodland play area and sculptures.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Wells-next-the-Sea.
Girvan, Scotland
You’ve probably not heard of this tiny town in Ayrshire. But it’s been crowned the most dog-friendly place in the UK at the DogFriendly Awards, voted for by yours truly – the public. And, to be honest, we’re not surprised. Not only does it have a great dog-friendly beach, pretty parks and mountains nearby for scenic walkies, it also goes out of its way to welcome canine companions.
The seaside town’s tourism office launched a dog-friendly initiative, adding dog-friendly stickers to pubs, shops and cafés. The majority of the town’s businesses have signed up – even the amusement arcade welcomes four-legged punters. The bike hire company has two dog trailers for family cycle rides. Plus, dogs can join the family on a trip out to the off-shore island of Ailsa Craig. It doesn’t get much more pawfect than that.
Browse our dog-friendly cottages in Girvan.
Want to sniff out even more dog-friendly places to stay? Search all of your dog-friendly accommodation on our homepage.
Meet the author
Annabel JacksonAnnabel loves exploring new parts of the UK with her family, including French bulldog, Albie. They’re regular visitors to North Wales and Norfolk, but have also made some paw-some memories in the Peak District, Cotswolds, Highlands and Cornwall.
