15 of the best dog-friendly attractions in Wales

With mountains to climb, history to explore, and beautiful beaches to roam, Wales is a brilliant destination for your next holiday.

But you don’t need to miss out on all the fun just because your dog is with you too – there are more dog-friendly attractions in Wales than you can shake a stick at, and we’ve rounded up just a few.

Take a look at our top things to do with dogs in Wales, or click the button below to view our wonderful dog-friendly cottages in Wales to find the perfect base for your adventures.

Dog-friendly cottages in Wales

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• Dog-friendly attractions in North Wales
• Dog-friendly attractions in West Wales
• Dog-friendly attractions in South Wales

Dog-friendly attractions in North Wales

Bodnant Garden

One of the best dog-friendly things to do in Wales if you’re looking for scenic walkies, Bodnant Garden is a riot of colour and scent. The garden was established in the 1870s and now is home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including the National Collections of magnolias, rhododendron hybrids and three other plants.

From October to March, dogs are welcome to explore the gardens every day of the week, and from April to September, dogs are welcome on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, so plan ahead before you go. Whenever you visit, you’re guaranteed a feast for the eyes and the nose! Find out more about the best National Trust sites in North Wales.

Credit: Instagram @carolynferreira49

Llangollen Wharf

If you’re looking for historic things to do in North Wales with dogs, Llangollen Wharf ticks all the boxes. Part of a stunning World Heritage Site, Llangollen Wharf offers trips along the placid waterway where you can soak up the beautiful Welsh scenery.

Two of the boat trips welcome dogs onboard; choose between a spectacular horse-drawn trip where you cruise gently along the water, or discover the area on your own with a private charter. Along the way, you can soak up the scenery of the Llangollen Canal and the Pontcycsyllte Aqueduct before enjoying traditional Welsh treats in the on-site tearoom.

Credit: Zip World

Zip World Llechwedd

With five adrenaline-fuelled activities on offer, Zip World is a great family day out that big kids, in particular, will adore. Take a tour of the mines deep underground, have a bounce on the subterranean trampolines or zoom through the skies on a giant zip wire.

Zip World is dog friendly, but dogs must remain on leads at all times. They’re also not allowed on any of the adventures or underground but, fear not – doggy daycare is available on-site if you and your clan want to attempt some of the hair-raising activities without Fido.

Mount Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa walk

It’s the biggie – and you can’t come to North Wales without at least considering getting to the top of Mount Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa. The tallest mountain in the country stands at a whopping 1,085 metres above sea level and is the highlight of Snowdonia/Eryri National Park, but it’s a doable challenge for most dogs.

The Llanberis Path is the longest and most gentle route to the summit and will take around 6 hours to tackle the 9 miles there and back. There are more strenuous routes on offer too, but make sure you plan ahead and take plenty of kit. Take a look at more great walkies in Snowdonia and our dog-friendly Snowdonia cottages.

Great Orme Bronze Age Copper Mines

Another one of the fascinating, historic dog-friendly attractions in North Wales, Great Orme Mines in Llandudno allow you to step back in time and get acquainted with the unique geology of Wales. Take a tour through the fascinating mines that date back 4,000 years, and see the smelting shelter and an opencast mine.

You could also coincide your visit with a trip on the Great Orme Tramway - the only funicular in Britain that travels on public roads - which offers great views over the site of the mines. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at both attractions.

Dog-friendly cottages in North Wales

Dog-friendly attractions in West Wales

Credit: Instagram @jessieannlewis

Barafundle Bay

Often regarded as not just one of Wales’ best beaches, but one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, Barafundle Bay has the added bonus of being dog friendly all year round. Barafundle could pass for the Caribbean with its white sands and turquoise waters – and the long and steep walk down to the beach means it’s often quieter than its neighbours.

You and your pup can paddle in the sea or build sandcastles on the shore. If you’re looking for walkies further afield, the Wales Coast Path runs right along the dunes and offers stunning vistas for miles and miles. Read more about the best dog-friendly beaches in Wales.

Credit: Heatherton World of Activities

Heatherton World of Activities

One of the best dog-friendly attractions in West Wales, and also offering a fun-filled family day out, Heatherton World of Activities ticks a lot of boxes. Kids will be in their element with the array of activities on offer, including go-karts, archery, adventure golf, zip lines and a climbing wall to name a few.

Four-legged guests are extremely well catered for too, with a dog agility course boasting ten obstacles ready for them to run off some steam. They can also explore the park as long as they’re on a lead.

Credit: New Quay Boat Trips

New Quay boat trips

New Quay is one of the best places in the UK to spot wildlife, including seals, birds and even dolphins! New Quay Boat Trips is a family business running wildlife-watching trips off New Quay pier for most of the year and, the best thing is, dogs are welcome too!

Take a trip around the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation where you can spot majestic marine creatures at a safe distance and without disturbing the habitat. Many pods of dolphins call this area home, so it’s a trip that’s not to be missed if you want to see these incredible creatures in the wild. Well behaved sea dogs are welcome on board. If you're looking for more adventures, check out our blog about things to do in Cardigan Bay.

Cardigan Castle

If you have a hound that loves history, a day out at Cardigan Castle is one of the best things to do in Wales with dogs. Since 2018, dogs have been allowed into the castle grounds for a £1 fee – in return, you get some free poo bags!

The castle has so much to offer both hounds and humans, including a Georgian mansion, manicured gardens, a range of exhibitions and the castle ruins themselves. You can take a guided tour to find out more about the 900 years of history at this castle, before having a bite to eat at the chic on-site restaurant.

Credit (right): Instagram @chepstowclaire

The Welsh Wildlife Centre

If you’re looking for things to do in West Wales with dogs in the great outdoors, a visit to the Welsh Wildlife Centre in Pembrokeshire should be high on your agenda. This natural haven has loads to see and do for all ages, and it’s particularly child friendly – they’ll love the adventure playground, willow maze, geocaching trail and the chance to meet a whole array of creepy crawlies.

Dogs are welcome everywhere on the nature reserve except the visitor centre, as long as they’re on a lead. When you’re all adventured out, visit the Glasshouse Café where there are covered outdoor spaces for dogs, and peruse the mouthwatering menu.

Dog-friendly cottages in West Wales

Dog-friendly attractions in South Wales

Tintern Abbey

If your dog is more bard than bark, he’ll love a visit to Tintern Abbey, where you can all see Wordsworth’s “steep woods and lofty cliffs / and this green pastoral landscape” with your own eyes.

Situated on the banks of the River Wye, Tintern Abbey is one of the best dog-friendly attractions in South Wales with 500 years of history to tell. Find out about the dissolution of the monasteries and see for yourself how these beautiful ruins inspired both Wordsworth and JMW Turner.

Credit: National Showcaves Centre for Wales

National Showcaves Centre for Wales

With ten attractions in one, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales is a great day out for any group, let alone being one of the best things to do in South Wales with dogs. Delve deep underground to explore three showcaves – we think your pup will be especially interested in the Bone Cave – before exploring the Iron Age Farm and the Dinosaur Park.

Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times and aren’t allowed in the farmyard area and the coffee shop, but are welcome to accompany their humans on a self-guided tour around the rest of the site. It’s a great way to learn about Wales’ ancient history on a unique day out.

Credit: Instagram @stontus

Dyffryn Gardens

Let your dog sniff around the many areas of Dyffryn Gardens, a restoration garden dating back to the Edwardian era, and one of our favourite National Trust places in South Wales. There are more than 55 acres to explore with your hound, with formal areas including the Paved Garden, the Rose Garden and the Upper Walled Garden.

In the shadow of the grand manor house, dogs are welcome in all areas of the garden as long as they’re on a short leash. Kids will love the play area, and there are refreshments and a picnic area too – so you could easily spend a day exploring here.

Brecon Mountain Railway

Take a scenic tour through the bucolic Brecon Beacons with your four-legged best friend by your side on a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway. Jump aboard a vintage steam train and tour the Brecon Beacons National Park from Pant to Torpantau.

On the return journey, the train stops at Pontsticill where you and the hound can stretch your legs around the reservoir and, if you have kids in tow, you can let them burn off some steam on the children’s play area before the return journey. Dogs are welcome aboard for a small fee on all except the Santa Special trains.

Credit: National Botanic Garden of Wales

National Botanic Garden of Wales

Time your trip to Wales for a Monday, a Friday or the first weekend of each month where it’s Doggy Day at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Dogs aren’t allowed in this impressive garden every day, but on Doggy Day they’re welcome to explore the beautiful Botanic Garden and the 568 acres of glorious parkland.

When you’re in need of refreshment, dogs are also welcome in the Caffi Botanica, where you can sample produce grown on-site.

Dog-friendly cottages in South Wales

Map of the best dog-friendly attractions in Wales

Take your dog on a trip to Wales

If you’re planning your next holiday to Wales, there’s no reason to leave your dog at home. There are so many dog-friendly attractions to explore together, and we offer even more dog-friendly cottages where you can cosy up together afterwards. Click the button below to view our full collection and find your perfect pad.

Dog-friendly cottages in Wales