Top Pet Friendly holidays in the UK and Beyond

Tips and Tricks for Travelling with Tails

Bring all the family with you on your next vacation, even the four-legged ones! Filter B&Bs across the UK and beyond for ‘pets allowed’ and find places ready to roll out the welcome mat for man's best friend. Discover top spots for pet friendly holidays, because Fido deserves a getaway just as much as you do!

Dog Friendly Beaches in the UK

A dog stands in shallow water on a beach under a partly cloudy sky, with waves gently crashing and a distant hill in the background.

Cornwall – Perranporth Beach

The whole of Cornwall is a dream destination for pet friendly holidays, with miles of walkable coastal paths, dog-welcoming beer gardens, and year-round access to many beaches. Perranporth Beach is a standout choice with its vast, sandy shore allowing dogs all year with only a few peak-summer lead rules. Dogs love splashing in the surf and running free at low tide. There's even a beachside pub, The Watering Hole, that welcomes muddy paws and wagging tails.

A scenic view of a rocky shoreline with a clear tidal pool, distant beach, and a castle under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

Northumberland – Bamburgh Beach

Northumberland is ideal for dog-friendly holidays, thanks to its mild climate, wide open spaces, and uncrowded, dog-welcoming atmosphere. Bamburgh Beach is a highlight: a long, soft sandy stretch backed by dunes and overlooked by the dramatic Bamburgh Castle. Dogs can roam freely off-lead, with plenty of room to run, dig, and paddle, just be sure to clean up any, er… mess behind you!

Sandy beach with grassy dunes under a clear blue sky, stretching into the distance with a few people walking along the shore.

Norfolk – Holkham Beach

Choosing a dog-friendly B&B in Norfolk lets you enjoy easy access to Holkham Beach, where you and your dog can swim together and play freely. While parts of the beach have on-lead wildlife zones from April to August to protect nesting birds, most areas remain open for off-lead fun. Staying nearby means you can respect these rules while exploring the beach and pinewoods together, making it a perfect, balanced getaway for both you and your furry friend.

A dog stands by a stone wall, overlooking a grassy cliff and sandy beach at sunset, with distant cliffs and a person by the shoreline.

Wales – Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula

Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula in Wales is a pawfect for dog owners seeking stunning coastal adventures. Its beach and dramatic cliffs provide varied terrain and plenty of space for dogs to run, swim, and explore off-lead. The area is known for being welcoming to pets year-round, with dog-friendly cafes and restaurants like The View so your furball can sit with you while you dine.

Woofs and Walks in Nature

Keswick - The Lake District, Cumbria

Keswick - The Lake District, Cumbria

With its stunning scenery and endless winding trails, the Lake District is a dream destination for dogs. Enjoy lakeside strolls, forest paths, and fell walks, all with your four-legged friend by your side. Keswick is fondly known as the UKs most dog-friendly town, with plenty of B&Bs, pubs, and cafés welcoming our furry companions. Don’t miss a gentle walk around Derwentwater or a boat trip across the lake.

A dog stands on a quiet village road, surrounded by charming thatched-roof cottages and lush greenery under a cloudy sky.

The Cotswolds - Gloucestershire

Rolling hills, chocolate-box villages, and peaceful footpaths make the Cotswolds an ideal spot for a summer escape with your pup. Explore charming towns like Bourton-on-the-Water or Stow-on-the-Wold, where many B&Bs are set in traditional stone cottages and welcome dogs warmly. The surrounding countryside offers countless walks, both long and short, including sections of the Cotswold Way – perfect for sniffing at a more leisurely pace.

The New Forest - Hampshire

The New Forest - Hampshire

The New Forest offers a unique mix of ancient woodland, open heathland, and free-roaming ponies – all just a short distance from London. It’s a haven for dogs, with miles of flat, shaded walks ideal for warm summer days. Stay in a cosy dog-friendly B&B in villages like Brockenhurst or Lyndhurst, where pets are treated like family and many pubs and cafés happily provide water bowls and biscuits.

Cairngorms National Park - The Scottish Highlands

Cairngorms National Park - The Scottish Highlands

For wilder adventures, head north to the Cairngorms, where vast landscapes and serene lochs create a breathtaking backdrop for dog walks. The area around Aviemore is particularly welcoming to pets, with forest trails, mountain paths, and pet-friendly B&Bs aplenty. Cool off by Loch an Eilein or ramble through Glenmore Forest – then relax by a roaring fire with your pooch after a day well spent.

Tips for staying in a B&B with a dog

Make your fur baby feel settled in their temporary home by bringing their favourite toys and bed along. Some B&B owners are true dog lovers, offering everything from cosy dog beds and enclosed gardens to treats and toys. But every place is different, so it’s important to check individual pet policies, especially if your dog is large, reactive, or has special needs. Look for house rules on things like off-limit areas or lead requirements, and when in doubt, give the B&B a quick call before booking.

Dogs on Tour - Taking your pet abroad

Scenic view of a winding road and stone bridge through lush green mountains with a small lake under a bright blue sky.

County Kerry - Ireland

Catch a ferry from Wales to Ireland (3-4 hours) and head to County Kerry for rugged coastlines, mountain walks, and doggy beaches. Dogs can travel in onboard kennels or stay in your vehicle, depending on the operator. Once in Kerry, enjoy scenic spots like Inch Beach or Killarney National Park, then relax in a local B&B – many of which welcome dogs with treats, towels, and plenty of fuss.

Normandy - France

Normandy - France

Just across the Channel, Normandy is a fantastic option for a dog-friendly escape. You can take your pup by ferry from Portsmouth or Newhaven (around 4–6 hours), or travel via the Eurotunnel from Folkestone – a quick 35-minute crossing where dogs stay with you in the car. Once there, enjoy peaceful countryside, charming villages, and wide, often dog-friendly beaches like Plage de l’Anse du Brick. Many gîtes and rural B&Bs warmly welcome pets.

A person in a cap sits beside a German Shepherd, overlooking a sandy beach and calm ocean under a clear blue sky.

Zeeland - The Netherlands

Discover Zeeland, a dog-friendly coastal haven, just an overnight ferry ride from the UK to the Hook of Holland! Enjoy amazing beaches, dunes, and serene trails with your furry friend. The Dutch warmly welcome dogs in cafes, restaurants, and even some shops, with B&Bs often offering dog showers and other amenities. Make sure to follow local rules such as keeping dogs on the lead outside designated areas and cleaning up the poo to avoid fines.

Travelling with dogs

Some dogs are happy travellers, while others struggle with a short drive to the vet, so choose a distance that suits your dog’s temperament and include plenty of potty breaks! If you’re heading abroad, you can take the ferry (many offer dog-friendly cabins) or the Eurotunnel where you can all be together. And did you know some low-cost airlines allow small dogs to fly in the cabin, as long as they fit under the seat? Pet passports are no longer issued in the UK, just make sure their vaccinations and animal health certificate (AHC) are up to date - check government guidelines before you go. 🐶✈️🌍

Scenic coastal view at sunset with cliffs, calm sea, and vibrant purple flowers in the foreground.

Extra trip: Isle of Wight, UK

Just a short ferry trip from the south coast, the Isle of Wight feels like a proper foreign getaway without actually going too far. There are year-round dog-friendly beaches, coastal paths, and woodlands to explore. Many of the island’s B&Bs, holiday cottages, and even some attractions are geared toward dog owners, making it an easy and relaxing option for a pawsome staycation-style holiday.