The best dog and family-friendly UK breaks
The highest number of properties with family rooms on dog accommodation site Pets Pyjamas are in:
- Scotland
- Gloucestershire (The Cotswolds)
- Cornwall
- Yorkshire
- Devon
- London
- Cumbria (The Lake District)
- Dorset
- Sussex
- Wales
- Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight)
- Suffolk
You’ll find the full list at bottom of this page, where we’ve also listed the number of properties with cots available and the number of dog and family-friendly campsites for each area too.
1. Dog-friendly holidays in Scotland
Scotland is the most pet and family-friendly UK holiday destination. Pets Pyjamas lists 27 dog-friendly hotels and cottages in Scotland, as well as over 800 with cots available.
The outdoors is truly great in Scotland, but you’re not limited to walkies in the lochs and glens. We found plenty of dog-friendly attractions that’ll interest children of all ages.
Dog-friendly days out in Scotland
Your dog can enjoy a day or two of walking in the Cairngorms National Park. Then, when older children and teens get tired of trekking, delight them with a day at nearby Ice Factor. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, so parents and dogs can enjoy the cafe, where there’s also soft play for younger kids.
Scotland’s cities have some undercover activities that dogs will enjoy too. Spoil bus-obsessed toddlers with a trip to Dundee Museum of Transport (where “dogs are welcome, but they’re not allowed to drive the vehicles”) or a jaunt on the Edinburgh Bus Tours, which is free for both dogs and under fives.
Most dog-friendly hotel in Scotland
The Glenapp Castle Hotel in Ayrshire was the most popular one on Pets Pyjamas with family rooms. Staying in a castle is every child’s dream, while your dog will appreciate the courtyard access and pet-sitting service.
2. Dog-friendly holidays in the Cotswolds
When the kids get fed up of touring quaint market towns there are some noteworthy dog-friendly attractions in the Cotswolds for children.
Dog-friendly days out in the Cotswolds
Let your dog enjoy a splash about in the streams running through Bourton on the Water while little ones feed the ducks and swans, then head to Birdland on the edge of town. Your dog will be blown away by by a curious selection of feathered friends large and small. There’s also an enjoyable playground, picnic area and cafe, so plenty to enjoy for the whole day.
On the other side of the Cotswolds, just outside Gloucestershire there’s another notable animal adventure. Dog-friendly zoos or safari parks are a rarity, so the Cotswold Wildlife Park is an absolutely treat for the whole family as dogs on leads can tour the outdoor areas. Where else could you see your dog come face-to-face with a capybara or a rhino?
Most dog-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds
The most most popular dog-friendly hotel with family rooms in Gloucestershire is the De Vere Cotswold Water Park. If your dog’s a keen swimmer, this is the staycation for them.
3. Dog-friendly holidays in Cornwall
You’re really spoilt for dog-friendly places in Cornwall and many families will spend days and days on the county’s fabulous beaches. If you’re visiting in peak season, just check dogs are allowed - Fistral Beach in Newquay is dog-friendly all year round, but not all are.
Dog-friendly days out in Cornwall
When the kids get tired of sandcastling (or there’s a downpour) there are lots of things to do in Cornwall with dogs, undercover and outdoors. Escape the rain and transport the whole family to the past at the Museum of Cornish Life. If it’s nice out, marvel at the Lost Gardens of Heligan where “dogs with well behaved owners are welcome”.
Small pirate wannabes will appreciate lunch at Jamaica Inn, where your dog will be welcomed by treats at the bar before you all check out the Smuggling Museum.
Most dog-friendly hotel in Cornwall
The most popular with family rooms is Fowey Hall Hotel - “a sanctuary for the whole family”, according to Pets Pyjamas, where dogs are given bowls, blankets and treats on arrival.
4. Dog-friendly holidays in Yorkshire
Yorkshire’s yet another area with stunning outdoor spaces for all the family and the Peak District is exceptionally dog-friendly, but the weather can put a dampener on outdoor excursions this far north. Perhaps that’s why Yorkshire’s got so many fun under-cover places to go with kids and dogs.
Dog-friendly days out Yorkshire
Learn about life in the trenches at Eden Camp where your dog can enjoy the site too, including the cafe and gift shop. When rain’s forecast you can all keep warm over Pictionary in Sheffield’s Treehouse Boardgame Cafe - under fives and dogs are free. Yorkshire Air Museum, Consibrough Castle and Mother Shipton’s Caves all welcome dogs too and have places where you can all dash for cover if there’s a downpour.
Most dog-friendly hotel in Yorkshire
The White Swan Inn is the most popular dog-friendly hotel in Yorkshire with family rooms.
5. Dog-friendly holidays in Devon
Like Cornwall, Dog-friendly Devon is all about the beaches for most families. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty more to do in the county with both kids and dogs.
Dog-friendly days out in Devon
Calm kids and dogs will enjoy a gentle day out at Sidmouth’s Donkey Sanctury, where dogs can also come into the restaurant.
If you’ve written off trips to theme parks with your dog, think again - Milky Way Adventure Park lets dogs in most areas. And if roller coasters and dodgems aren’t your thing, how about a few hours on the water with the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company (£2 for dogs). Little train superfans will also enjoy the indoor and outdoor playgrounds and trains at Lappa Valley. It’s £1 for dogs, but they can go on the boats and trains with you.
Most dog-friendly hotel in Devon
The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel in Chumleigh is the most popular with rooms for families.
6. Dog-friendly holidays in London
The hustle and bustle of the capital isn’t notoriously welcoming for pets, but there are some notable exceptions for dog-friendly attractions in London.
Dog-friendly days out in London
If your family’s got a head for heights, cross the Thames on the Emirates Air line cable cars where dogs can ride for free. There’s also step-free access which is handy for buggies. Explore the sites along the north bank of the Thames you saw from the sky, ending at Tower Bridge, which claims to be “London’s only major dog-friendly attraction”.
Top dog-friendly hotel in London
Hotel 41 near ‘Bark’-ingham Palace is the most popular. There’s fresh scones for humans at 2pm each day, while your dog's spoiled with a welcome hamper with treats and a drink.
7. Dog-friendly holidays in the Lake District
Touring the Lake District with dogs is a fabulous experience for any family. But it’s notoriously wet, so we’ve focused on some places to escape the weather as the stunning outdoor spaces speak for themselves.
Dog-friendly days out in the Lake District
If you don’t want to spend your time in Cumbria indoors but the kids are getting wet and cold, head to Windermere Lake Cruises where you can huddle under the canvas of a family-sized self-hire electric boat or hop aboard one of the cruise ships. Four-legged family members are welcome and free on both.
If it’s really howling down, warm up chilly children in The Puzzling Place, a fascinating world of optical illusions and one of the more unusual attractions we found welcoming in dogs.
Top dog-friendly hotel in the Lake District
The Ambleside Inn is the most popular place to stay in the Lake District with family rooms that welcomes dogs. You can all dine together in the bar, which has a Sir Woofchester’s menu just for dogs.
8. Dog-friendly holidays in Dorset
It’s good news that Dorset has allocated dog—friendly areas to the beaches in both Weymouth and Bournemouth year-round. But there are a couple of surprising child-friendly attractions in dog-friendly Dorset where your four-legged friend can tag along too.
Dog-friendly days out in Dorset
Kids will enjoy all the usual outdoor things to do in Dorset with dogs like the beach and fossil hunting round Durdle Door. But Lyme Regis stands out for having an aquarium that your dog can enjoy too. When they tire of watching fish, head over to Sandworld, for some sculpture fun - but be warned: dogs should be “well-behaved and emptied”. They make no such stipulation in the rules but we reckon this is also good guidance for toddlers.
Top dog-friendly hotel in Dorset
The Eastbury Hotel and Spa is number one with family rooms. Your dog can dine with you all in the Restaurant or on the terrace.
9. Dog-friendly holidays in Sussex
Kids and dogs alike will love the beaches and seaside towns of Sussex.
Dog-friendly days out in Sussex
When everyone gets bored of the beach, kids and dogs alike will love exploring Newhaven Fort. It’s got plenty of sheltered areas to dive for cover if the weather’s iffy too.
The Weald and Downland Living Museum has loads to do as well and as it’s on a 40 acre site, everyone will benefit from a decent walk.
Top dog-friendly hotel in Sussex
Baliffscourt Hotel & Spa is the most popular dog-friendly property with family rooms. It’s by Climping Beach which dogs are allowed on all year round.
10. Dog-friendly holidays in Wales
Wales is even more notoriously rainy than the UK as a whole, so planning a few indoor attractions for dogs and children is a must.
Dog-friendly days out in Wales
Wonder at the Dan-Yr-Ogof caves in Wales with dogs and children and then if you’re headed to the west coast you can’t go wrong with a dog-friendly boat trip, including Dolphin spotting in New Quay.
Steam railways are always a winning day out with kids and dogs and there’s plenty of choice. Dogs are free on Snowdonia’s Llanberis Railway and £3 on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.
If the kids are begging to be taken to some more traditional attractions you could visit Oaklands where your dog can enjoy the peace and quiet of the theme park’s free kennels. And for something completely different the whole family can get arty throwing pots at Wolfscastle Pottery. How about making your dog a new bowl for sitting so patiently while you work?
Top dog-friendly hotel in Wales
The most popular dog-friendly Welsh hotel with family rooms is Pale Hall near Snowdonia and they even have a petsitting service.
11. Dog-friendly holidays on the Isle of Wight
If you’re visiting Hampshire and in search of dog-friendly beaches, your best bet is to push the boat out and hop on the ferry to the Isle of Wight. It’s small enough to visit several of the beaches welcoming dogs year round in just a few days. Dogs are free on both WightLink and Red Funnel ferries and can stay with you during the crossing either on deck or in comfortable dedicated indoor areas, if the kids are feeling the chill.
Dog-friendly days out on the Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is ridiculously dog and child-friendly, with both allowed in a variety of attractions. But Blackgang Chine on the south of the island is notable for being one of the UK’s few dog-friendly theme parks. Just beware of the dinosaurs - my dog Wallace found them worrying.
For something more relaxed, the Isle of Wight Railway Steam Railway makes a pleasant day out and dogs ride for free.
Top dog-friendly hotel in Hampshire
Before crossing to the island stop off at the New Park Manor in Brockenhurst and enjoy the delights of the New Forest en route.
12. Dog-friendly holidays in Suffolk
Suffolk’s got enough dog-friendly hotels to pick from, but it’s also close enough for a day out from London if you’re based there.
Dog-friendly days out in Suffolk
If your kids are fans of playing king of the castle, there’s another fort to enjoy in Suffolk: LandGuard Fort. After a good walk around the ramparts, the neighbouring Felixtowe Museum is dog-friendly too.
Easton Farm Park is loads of fun for farm animal obsessed little ones and it’s one of the few animal attractions where your dog’s welcome too.
Top dog-friendly hotel in Suffolk
The Ickworth is the most popular with family rooms - probably because it’s surrounded by National Trust parkland for those early morning walks.
