Your dog will love a cottage holiday in Bournemouth
Who needs the stress of abandoning their faithful friend to go abroad, when you can explore beautiful beaches, historic sites and outstanding restaurants with your pooch in tow right here in Blighty? Bournemouth offers the best of coast and countryside, with some fantastic places for walkies and plenty of attractions for you and your furry friend to enjoy together. Put your passport back in the drawer, pack your lead, and check out our range of dog-friendly cottages in Bournemouth, for the perfect pooch-inclusive break!
Most people come to Bournemouth for its pristine, Blue Flag beach. With seven miles of golden sand, there’s plenty for curious canines to see and sniff out. If you’re taking your holiday between October and Easter, you’ll find your dog has free rein on Bournemouth Beach. During the summer, dogs are still allowed on the beach, but only in certain parts, including Alum Chine and Durley Chine.
By using one of our fabulous dog-friendly cottages in Bournemouth as a base, you and your loyal hound will have easy access to some excellent places to eat. For leisurely lunches, be sure to check out the Flirt Café Bar in the centre of town. Not only will you be offered a water-bowl for your dog, but there are also free doggie-treats on offer! Flirt also has its own resident tail-wagger, in the form of Pamela.
For evening meals, Urban Reef offers stunning views of the sea and delicious food, while the uniquely named Goat and Tricycle pub has everything you could want from a traditional tavern.
Dog-friendly things to do
With a pedestrianised town centre, spacious beaches and a wealth of local attractions, you’d have to be barking mad to pass up on Bournemouth! Here are a few of our favourite, hound-inclusive things to get up to:
Hamworthy Park
Drive the 20 minutes or so to Hamworthy Park, in Poole. It’s an all-year-round beach, designated for dogs and their owners so whether you’re taking a break in the heat of the summer or enjoy bracing winter walks, the sands are always accessible.
Upton Country Park
Just the other side of Poole you’ll find Upton Country Park. If you’re looking for wide-open spaces, this is the spot. There are over 140 acres to explore, with everything from vast meadows to thick woodlands. Your pooch can even bag you a free space in a car park for dog-walkers! Look out for the ‘Paw Prints’ signage, which lets you know whether your canine chum needs to be on a lead and which parts of the park they’re not allowed in.
Hengistbury Head
About 20 minutes in the other direction, Hengistbury Head is a stunning nature reserve where dogs are welcome. While you’ll need to keep yours on a lead, it’s wonderfully tranquil and you can enjoy a quiet coffee at the Hiker café, with a water bowl for your four-pawed pal. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for the doggie water-fountains along the walking paths especially during the summer.