Dog-friendly cottages in the South West

Pet-friendly holiday cottages in the West Country

Take a South West holiday and bring your four-legged friend along for the adventure! There’s so much for you and your pet to discover, whether it’s a long sandy beach, miles of open countryside or simply a dog-friendly pub where you and your companion can relax.

Dog-friendly holidays in the South West offer so much variety: whether you crave the breathtaking coastline of Devon and Cornwall or the historic shores of the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, you and your pooch are sure to have a whale of a time. Perhaps you prefer the undulating countryside of Somerset and Gloucestershire to stretch those furry legs (the dog’s, not yours), or possibly you would rather visit the quaint villages of the Cotswolds or the vast woodlands of Wiltshire. Whatever you elect for, our selection of dog-friendly breaks will keep tails wagging.

Cornwall

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most enduring holiday destinations. The whole county resembles a miniature of the rest of England, with enough of its own unique characteristics to set it apart further. The craggy coast of North Cornwall, with its granite cliffs, hidden coves and world class surfing locations thanks to its position at the brunt of the Atlantic Ocean, make it perfect for dog-owners. The South West Coast Path offers particularly beautiful sections of the Cornish seaside. The South of Cornwall and the Lizard offer calmer seas, and interesting landscapes full of woodlands, and river valleys, fishing villages, and the remnants of Cornwall’s considerable tin and copper mining industries of yore. Walk the mysterious expanses of Bodmin Moor or search for ancient standing stones in West Penwith with your dog. Also seek out the wonderful seaside villages dotted around the coast like Padstow, Porthleven, St Agnes, and Mousehole, or the towns of Falmouth, St Ives, Penzance, Looe, Fowey, and Truro. There’s so much to discover on a dog-friendly trip to Cornwall.

Devon

Devon is a land of contrasts, from its high moorlands and long sandy beaches to the English Riviera, and the bewitching cities of Plymouth and Exeter. If you love the great outdoors and long walks you have Exmoor or Dartmoor to choose from. Dartmoor which stands close to the centre of the county is full of tors to climb and deep river valleys to navigate. Exmoor is wonderful for deer spotting and it’s also close to the coast for a change of scenery. Devon’s largest and most popular seaside resorts with dog-owners are Westward Ho!, Torquay, Dartmouth, Sidmouth, Teignmouth, Ilfracombe, and Lynton and Lynmouth. The South West Coast Path makes it possible to make the best of the coast throughout the county (on both coastlines).

Somerset

Famous for its cider and gorgeous hills, Somerset is not to be overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbours. Dogs will love sniffing out new trails in the lovely Quantock Hills and the Mendip Hills AONB. Seek out the wonders of Cheddar Gorge, the ancient curiosities of Glastonbury Abbey and Tor, and the Civil War battlefields of the Somerset Levels. At the West Somerset Coast you will find sweeping beaches at Minehead, Dunster, and Blue Anchor Bay, as well as the quaint fishing villages of Watchet, and Porlock. Somerset is also home to the cultured maritime city of Bristol, and the academic haven of Bath with its ancient Roman features. At the North Somerset coast you can enjoy dog walks at Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea, Brean Down, Portishead, and Clevedon. Somerset is a lovely pet-friendly destination for you and your dog.

Wiltshire

Large swathes of Wiltshire are unspoiled thanks to the farming industries and in part to the British Military. It is a land of open spaces, and big blue skies. Ancient monuments and stone circles characterise the county, everything here seems so old and beautiful. Visit the old city of Salisbury with its water meadows and ancient cathedral and close. Be sure to take in the earthworks at Old Sarum. Most famous for Stonehenge, you can also head to Woodhenge, the White Horse of Westbury, and the Cerne Abbas Man. Wiltshire is full of open space, it’s a great place to escape the cities and the throngs of people everywhere, it’s one of the emptiest beautiful areas of southern England.

Dorset

A dog-friendly holiday in Dorset is bound to feature amazing scenery and intriguing places to uncover. Much of Dorset’s western coastline makes up the UNESCO Jurassic Coast, a protected region where you can find evidence of dinosaurs in the rocks and cliffs. Also, along the coast you will discover seaside towns and villages like West Bay, Lyme Regis, Swanage, Bournemouth, Poole, annd Christchurch. Inland the Cranborne Chase AONB offers lots of scope for beautiful and memorable walking trails. Encounter the joys of Hurst Castle, Hengistbury Head, and Stanpit Marsh, there’s endless dog-friendly attractions to discover in Dorset for you and your pet.

The Cotswolds

The Cotswolds is an AONB with unlimited possibilities for country walks with your pooch by your side. The Cotswolds is known for its hill ranges and honey-coloured stone houses. Top destinations for a dog-friendly holiday in the Cotswolds include the lovely Bourton-on-the-Water, the elevated Broadway with its gorgeous tower and country park, Cheltenham with its famous racecourse and upmarket shops and restaurants, prettyStow-on-the-Wold, and Stratford-upon-Avon, the ultimate destination for Shakespeare buffs.

Gloucestershire

Look no further than Gloucestershire when choosing a dog-friendly holiday destination whether you’re planning to fall in love with the hills of the Cotswolds or trek through the Forest of Dean. The city of Gloucester is an interesting city with its cathedral and canal basin full of shops and pubs. Further south discover the Welsh borderlands and King Offa’s Dyke. The Wye Valley which is home to the unforgettable beauty of Symond’s Yat, a must-see on your dog-friendly holiday.

Stay in the South West

At the end of a long day of exploration, you and your pet will both love retreating to one of our dog-friendly cottages in South West England for an evening of relaxation. With plenty of space for your dog to stretch out and run around inside and out, a break in one of our dog-friendly cottages in the West Country will be just as enjoyable for your pooch as it is for you. Take a look at our pet-friendly holidays and self-catering accommodation in the South West above.