A travel trend we can all get onboard with – dog-friendly holidays. It’s on the rise, and we’re really not surprised, considering people often refer to their dogs as their ‘fur babies’. We’ve been ahead of the curve for a while, with our amazing collection of dog-friendly cottages in the UK and elsewhere, like France.
One of the most important aspects of a dog-friendly holiday home is the location, with many of our cottages in remote and rural locations nestled into the countryside… perfect for walkies! Ponds, rivers, woodland and alfresco dining spaces that the whole family can enjoy, including Fido.
Style and character are everything at Oliver’s Travels, and our collection of handpicked dog-friendly cottages in the UK have this in spades.
We have destination experts who know the ins and outs of all our regions, picking cottages that aren’t only unique, but also in the best locations. What's more, our cottages are 100% family-friendly, and have the ‘wow’ factor.
Our helpful concierge team are on-hand to make your stay extra special. Whether you want a fully-stocked fridge, a local in-house chef to cook your meals, housekeeping or any other extra service – consider them your holiday genie, who will happily grant your wishes.
Our experts have reviewed over 100,000 holiday homes - we only select the top 2%.
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Dog-Friendly Cottages Ideal for Kids
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Dog-Friendly Cottages With Hot Tubs
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Activities ideal for doing with pets
Your four-legged friend has a ton of energy to burn off, and while you need to keep them in a routine there’s a lot you can do with your dog on holiday… fun family memories everyone will remember forever!
Go for a walk: A dogs favourite activity, our properties are ideal for walkies as they’re often in rural locations, surrounded by walking and cycling paths. Whether it’s a refreshing morning stroll or a hike up a mountain, your furry friend will be in their element!
Beach days: We’ve got a large selection of properties with beaches nearby – play frisbee, go for a swim, have a sandy stroll or just sit and chill with your best bud and the rest of the family. Just make sure to check that the beach allows dogs, as some do not – or some require them to be on a lead at all times.
Play in the garden: Your little buddy has bundles of energy and can play for hours… so, it’s a good thing a lot of our dog-friendly properties have huge gardens! Perfect for pets and kids, they can spend the afternoon chasing after each other around until they’re sufficiently worn out.
Outdoor pursuits: Some dogs can patiently sit on the front of a paddleboard, others run manically around as you’re trying to bird watch. You know what your dog can/can’t do, but thankfully we’ve got plenty of options they can join in with, from watersports to fishing.
Days out: Whether you fancy a trip to a dog-friendly pub to sit in the sunshine, walk to the local village for a nosey, or head out to a nearby restaurant for a family meal, make holiday memories with the whole family.
Go for a swim: As well as having holiday homes near beaches, a good portion of our pet-friendly properties have lakes, ponds, and rivers to frolic around in. Splash about with Fido – or hop in a boat and let them doggy-paddle along with you!
Top dog-friendly destinations in the UK:
Derwentwater, Lake District: 8-mile easy walk with woodland, water and wildlife.
Inverary Woodland Walk, Argyll: 2-mile walk from a gothic castle to a watchtower with great views.
Bolberry Down and Soar Mill Cove, Devon: Easy 4.5-mile historic coastal walk.
Lizard Point, Cornwall: Easy 1-mile walk around the most southerly point of England with dramatic ocean views.
Muker to Thwaite, Yorkshire Dales: 3-mile easy walk around the Dales, beginning and ending at cosy English pub, Farmer’s Arms.
Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall
Tips for travelling with pets
You know your dog well, so make the judgement if they really can deal with travelling. If you’re staying within the UK, then there’s no worries but think about the effect flying may have on them.
Take into consideration their age, health and whether they’ve done this before – if you’re not sure, it might be best to leave them with someone you trust instead. Or, just opt for a dog-friendly staycation!
Here’s a list of tips if you’re considering travelling with your dog abroad.
Get sorted early: If you know you want to take your pooch on holiday with you, start ticking off the travel checklist a few months in advance!
Make sure where you’re staying has everything you need
Ensure vaccinations and treatments are all up to date
Make sure your doggy is microchipped – you’ll need this if you want a pet passport, and it needs to be done at least a month before you travel
Pack some familiar items for them, like a fave toy or blanket in case they get stressed or sick
Make a note of the telephone number and address of the nearest vets
Most importantly, have a great time together! Travelling with your family pet can be incredibly fun – just keep them in a routine with plenty of exercise and rest.
A staycation is one of the easiest holidays to do when you want to bring your dog along! We have over 150 dog-friendly holiday homes across the UK, most surrounded by miles and miles of rolling countryside, walking trails, mountains, beaches and quaint English country pubs.
Have a look at some of our top properties for dogs or have a look at our whole collection.
Our fave dog-friendly beaches in the UK
Saunton Beach, Devon: A huge beach that hosts ‘Paws on the Beach’ every May, with activities such as doggy surfing!
Sandymouth, Cornwall: Welcomes dogs year-round with coastal cliff walks and a dog-friendly café!
Set in a peaceful area of the South Downs National Park, there are plenty of walking trails – even if it’s just to the local pub! Two dogs are allowed, and there’s a handy doggy shower in the utility room.
Cornwall is an idyllic location for a dog-friendly holiday as there are loads of coastal walks to get stuck into, and this lovely holiday is just metres from a large sandy beach.
With six acres of beautiful gardens and set in one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the UK, the Lake District, your pooch will be in its element! Perfect for lazy summer days, the alfresco dining area and outdoor games are great for everyone.
Set on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, this is the perfect base for a holiday full of outdoor adventures! There’s an area in the house specifically to make dogs feel at home, too.
For starters, this manor house has 30 acres of gardens, so there’s plenty of space for your four-legged friend to roam! Play fetch, go for walks in the Kent countryside, and all come together for meals in the garden.
This little cottage only sleeps 2, but there’s plenty of room for Fido! Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, in a peaceful location with amazing garden views, it’s a completely idyllic escape from hectic everyday life!
Pet-friendly holidays abroad
We don’t just have dog-friendly cottages in the UK – we understand you don’t necessarily want to stop going abroad just because you’ve got a dog, but equally you might not want to leave them behind. So, our holiday experts also stay on the lookout for homes that’ll accept pooches in some of our warmer destinations.
The best thing about renting a villa when you’re taking your dog on holiday is that it gives your dog a safe space to run about, as some destinations in Europe can be quite strict when it comes to allowing dogs on beaches, in restaurants etc.
We have over 900 dog-friendly properties across Europe, currently in:
Our fave dog-friendly beaches in Europe
Crivenika, Croatia: The countries first dog-friendly beach with Monty’s Bar offering dog ‘beer’ and ‘ice cream’
Pineta Beach, Italy: Soak up the Italian sunshine at this pet-friendly beach with its dog showers, food bowls and playground!
Rimini No Problem Dog Beach, Italy: Humans only accepted when accompanied by a responsible dog!
This is probably the easiest destination to get to with your dog, because you can drive across the border, get a ferry or go by train without having to put them through the stress of flying.
One of the most dog-friendly European countries, dogs are often allowed into various sightseeing places, a good portion of archaeological sites, restaurants, bars and beautiful gardens. Plus, the hilltop towns and hiking trails are very pup friendly.
Unless you’re visiting the north of Portugal, it’s best to avoid the scorching summer months as it could be too much for your doggy. Check your nearby beaches to make sure they allow dogs, as a good portion of beaches in Portugal don’t. But there’s plenty of walking trails and street wandering you can do together.
In Spain, there’s plenty of sightseeing they can get involved with, as well as stunning national parks and beaches – although you’ll have to check when they’re allowed, as most prohibit dogs in the busy summer months.
Again, it’s best to check the weather in the summer months as it may be better to take your pooch in Spring. There’s plenty of outdoor activities dogs can get involved with here too, from hiking to beach days – most beaches are dog-friendly, if they’re well behaved. Unfortunately, most archaeological sites in Greece don’t allow dogs.
A country filled with stunning national parks, there’s plenty to do in Croatia with your pup. More and more beaches are starting to allow dogs (in fact, one of our fave doggy beaches is in Croatia), and you can dine alfresco in many of the restaurants/bars.
From the blog...
Going Walkies? Here are 10 Dog-Friendly Cottages for a UK Break
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Thank you for your enquiry! Our team will get back to you shortly with a few options that we think will be perfect for you.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or just feel like having a chat, please drop us a line on 0800 133 7999 or +44 (0)203 637 0999.
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They have all lived in the country that they look after. And with an average of over 15 years' experience in their area, our Destination Experts have the ultimate insider secrets.
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