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