Your dog will love a cottage holiday in Southend-on-Sea
While Southend-on-Sea might be famous for its pier and beachside entertainment, there’s much more to this superb holiday destination than fish and chips and donkey rides. Book one of our dog-friendly cottages in Southend-on-Sea and you, your family and your pooch can explore the beauty of the Essex coast and the surrounding countryside.
While Southend-on-Sea’s beach operates a no-dogs rule during the summer months, there are others nearby which allow dogs all year round. Just half an hour away, Thorney Bay offers the chance for dedicated diggers to get bone-hunting, whether it’s in the heat of summer or winter’s charming chill. Alternatively, drive the hour towards Clacton-on-Sea and you’ll find Mersea Beach, which welcomes dogs at any time of year. With miles of unspoilt sands, it’s the perfect place to blow away the cobwebs!
If you’re looking for places to eat where your dog will be as welcome as you are, you’ll find a good selection close to our dog-friendly cottages in Southend-on-Sea. The Ocean Beach café-bar is busiest during the summer and is right on the beach. Oliver’s on the Beach offers a similar experience, while The Rose Inn is a cosy pub that’s perfect for the colder months.
Dog-friendly things to do
To help you get the most from your downtime in Essex, we’ve put together a few of our favourite, dog-friendly places to go:
Hylands Park
Less than an hour’s drive from Southend-on-Sea, you’ll find Hylands Park; something of a ‘paw-radise’ for curious canines! With over 570 acres of woodland and heath to explore, you can let your four-legged friend off the leash and soak up the scenery. Hylands House is nearby, but dogs are not permitted inside. However, if you fancy a cuppa and your puffed-out pooch needs some water, there’s a welcoming café at the Visitors’ Centre.
Langdon Hills
Inland and away from the coast, Langdon Hills is a patchwork of all types of terrain, from challenging hills and woodlands, to flat pastures and heaths. There are over 400 acres to explore, so don’t expect to cover it all in one day! With a café and a Visitor’s Centre, it makes a superb day out for solo travellers, couples and families.
Cudmore Grove Country Park
While it might be a little further away than some of the other walking spots, a drive out to Cudmore Grove Country Park is well worth the effort. In addition to over 100 acres of grassland and fields, the park has its own beach and a convenient lake for some splashing about in. As a further bonus, the soil is littered with fossils, so your dedicated digger might come home with a piece of the past!