Every spring here in the UK we celebrate our love of pets with National Pet Month. Typically this awareness month falls in April and early May. When it comes to holidaying with pets, it’s typically dogs we cater for, although it has been known for the odd hamster to enjoy a week in the Peak District too. And so our thoughts turn to UK dog walks.
With more than a quarter of people in the UK owning a dog and the popularity of the staycation continuing on its growth curve, you can fill your boots with pet friendly holiday cottages on Love Cottages. Holiday rentals accepting pets account for around half of our portfolio. Phew!
Now that your holiday accommodation is sorted, where will you wander? We’ve previously written about the wonkiest walks in England and Wales. This time it’s specifically about walking with man’s best friend.
We’ve asked our friends, colleagues as well as some well travelled photographers and bloggers for their recommendations of the best UK dog walks.
9 of the best UK dog walks
Mandi Morrison of Big Dog Little Adventures loves a self catering holiday in Wales with her pooch: “I don’t like the idea of her in kennels, we always go away in the UK, so we get a dog friendly cottages as there are plenty of amazing walks to go on and beaches to explore that both the children and the dog enjoy.”
Author Emma Reed has a soft spot for holidaying with her dog in Devon: “We took my dog away with us New Years 2016, actually the whole trip was for her benefit due to the amount of fireworks we’d had going off all winter! We knew she would be distressed so we found a dog friendly cottage in Exmoor and had a lovely, peaceful break. I was amazed by how many shops, cafes and pubs welcome dogs down there. It made the trip very easy as we couldn’t leave her in the cottage to go out.”
Hayley Jones of Devon Mama loves taking her dog away: “It forces us to get out walking and exploring the local area more, even if it can be a bit restrictive at times. Our favourite place is Saunton Sands; we stay in the beach villas, which are completely dog friendly. The huge beach at Saunton is open to dogs all year and there are plenty of great places (and cafes/pubs) to explore locally!”
Pet portrait photographer Tonja Fritz-Johnson loves the South West Coast Path for a walking holiday with their Siberian husky: “It’s beautiful and exciting meeting many friendly fellow travellers, human and canine. There’s a real community on the path, much freedom and excitement for the dog covering many miles of new places and smells, saying hello to everyone, but avoiding the livestock!”
Leyla Brooke of This Day I Love picked Scotland as her favourite dog friendly holiday spot: “He loves swimming in the lochs and everywhere seems very welcoming including pubs and restaurant. He’s part of the family and we enjoy ourselves more when he’s with us.”
Catherine Warrilow of family website Day Out With The Kids has a penchant for dog friendly holidays in the Lake District and also enjoys a coastal holiday down in Kent: “I love the walk from Seasalter to Whitstable and Whitstable to Minnis Bay… the best dog walks are the ones with a pub/place to eat and drink when you get to the end!”
Emma Hunt of The Cheshire Wife loves going on holiday with her dog Maggie: “We love South Wales & were going again next week. We love the beaches and the long walks , the family bonding time is priceless.”
Writer Laura Di Carlo happens to know a Basset Hound named Minnie who really enjoyed her trip to Salcombe on the ferry boat, wind blowing in her big ears: “Once there she enjoyed a pub lunch in the Victoria Inn and then a walk around town where literally we had to stop and chat with every dog, there were hundreds of them, it was doggy heaven. After that, she enjoyed playing frisbee and splashing in the sea at Mill Bay, with some newly found labradoodle friends.”
Parenting blogger Clare Nicholas has been taking staycations with her dog since before having kids: “My favourite holiday with him was when he was 2 years old and we took him to the Lake District with us. We went on a hike which was supposed to be 6 miles, but we got very very lost and it ended up being 12 miles. We got back to our holiday cottage shattered and unable to move. One hour later he wanted his usual evening walk and he wasn’t going to let us forget it!”
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