England is such an amazing holiday destination for people with dogs because the English adore their furry friends and happily welcome them in self-catering accommodation. Everywhere you go with your dog, there will be someone stopping to talk simply because of your dog. Lots of English pubs and eateries will have a bowl of water by the door for your pet.
View a list of dog-friendly holiday lets in England
Top 5 dogs welcome destinations in England
- English national parks: Yorkshire Dales and Moors in the north of England, The Lake District in the north west, The Northumberland National Park in the far north east of England, the Peak District in central England, Dartmoor and Exmoor in the West Country, The New Forest and South Downs on the South coast of England, The Norfolk Broads in East Anglia.
- The Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; these are found all over the UK and offer beautiful expanses of countryside where dogs can be walked and scenery admired. The list includes the Cotswolds, Chilterns, Wye Valley, Malvern Hills, Forest of Bowland and Blackdown Hills.
- The English coast. Recommended places are stretches of coastline away from big seaside resorts, where people with dogs can walk the coastal paths.
- The West Country counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset
- The Isle of Wight – a natural haven for man and beast and one of the very best family pet-friendly holiday destinations.
The best places to holiday with dogs are those that have umpteen acres of open countryside and fresh air. National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the less densely populated rural counties of England such as the southwest , East Anglia and the English Welsh borders. All of these have a myriad of sign-posted paths for walks and good dog-friendly pubs en-route. There is nothing like a good walk in the English countryside accompanied by your dogs. If you are planning to take a break as a couple, there is a wonderful selection of pet-friendly holiday accommodation for two on Country Cottages Online.
Read about what you could do during a self-catering cottage holiday in Yorkshire with your dog and family
Yorkshire is a county in the UK that’s quite like no other. Not only is it packed full of activities to do for the whole family but it’s also a haven of incredible natural beauty. You think of Yorkshire and immediately what do you get? The idyllic and lush green Dales, the stunningly atmospheric Scarborough and Whitby coastline, the historical and vibrant cities of Leeds and York. And yet this is just the start of your holiday experience. It is also one of the Top 5 holiday destinations for dog-friendly breaks.
So what do you say of renting out a gorgeous pet-friendly holiday let right in the heart of this inspiring location? A cosy cottage that welcomes you with open arms and invites you to a variety of amazing coastline views and exhilarating walks a plenty for you and your precious pet. Can you imagine yourself immersing in the Yorkshire culture and strolling casually with the dog along the 6 mile stretch of the delightful Robin Hood’s Bay whilst gazing over the vast North Sea? Well, now you can. Then, after your day touring around the area, how about cosying yourself up by the nice warm fire with a homebrewed beer in one of the many charming and homely Yorkshire pubs at your disposal? Yes, you fit right in to Yorkshire life. If you’re looking for a place in particular, The Cock Inn, in the beautiful city of Sheffield, for example is a village pub favourite where sometimes, you can hear the unofficial Yorkshire anthem ‘On Ilkla Moor Baht’at’ ring jubilantly around its four walls.
This pet-friendly cottage will provide everything you need, in which to have that amazing, once in a lifetime holiday. A modern fully functional kitchen, a relaxing and spacious living room which makes you feel that you’re perfectly at home and bedrooms that shout out elegance, style and comfort. Your kids will love the garden too. Whilst you’re on the sizeable patio, sat back and feet up with a glass of bubbly, the children as well as your pet pooch will run around, taking advantage of the lush green grass and breathing in that famous Yorkshire air. After all this fun, surely you’ve got no energy left for the evening? Think again. You’re on holiday aren’t you? You’ve got that extra bit of pizazz. Why not camp out until nightfall inside your luxurious conservatory, tickling the dog’s tummy as he waves his muddy tail excitedly or by playing a family board game of Monopoly? Just watch out that the banker doesn’t steal your money though as you gaze at the incredible views of the Dales outside your window!
Picture the situation. It’s a beautiful Sunday morning and you wake up completely refreshed after a lovely lie in. You’re so used to the noisy sounds of the city that you have slept in til past 10. You layabout you. That never happens and God, how heavenly is the material of the bed that you’re sleeping in. You smell the delicious wafting smell of bacon amidst the chatter of happy children, so you reluctantly pull the covers back, put on your dressing gown and slippers and head downstairs. Everything is already packed for today’s hike in the Dales. Your new walking boots, a camera for all those spectacular shots that you’re going to take and your trusty picnic set, sit pride of place in the rucksack. You hate to leave your blissful personal retreat behind but it’s time to see the sensational sights that you came for. So get the dog on the lead and bring on a day of exploring the incredible limestone cliffs and waterfalls, rich in wildlife amongst perfect picture postcard villages.
Yes, you’re surrounded by the serene and windswept countryside but you are also in close proximity to the big Yorkshire towns and cities too, if you fancy a change from the peace and tranquillity. The well-known, walled city of York, the lively, shopping city of Leeds and up and coming Hull in East Yorkshire are all well worth a visit and can easily be reached from your luxurious accommodation. York, in particular is a perfect day out. Not only is the city enriched in eye catching architecture; the York Minster for example is a magnificent must see, but also it consists of enjoyable family attractions like The York Dungeon and the Railway Museum.
All in all, this is not a holiday to miss out on. Yorkshire has been called God’s Own Country for a reason and that particular reason is something that you will find out early on in your amazing adventure .What a better way to uncover the hidden treasure than in a luxurious pet friendly cottage with all your cherished loved ones and furry friends. So grab your suitcases out of the abandoned cupboard straightaway, get in the car and start living that life changing experience.
Pet-friendly holiday homes in England shown by county
The pleasure of a rural holiday in an English country cottage with exposed beams and period charm
There are not enough words in the English dictionary to describe the immense improvement on your quality of life that a self-catering dog-friendly holiday in a period property could give you. A few days holiday in a charming historic cottage in the country could be a life changing experience that you can learn from. Traditional features and amazing antiques could show you a different kind of life where beauty is the key player. Absorb new ideas about furnishing a home and creating a garden to delight and put a few design ideas into practice in your own home.
There are various styles of English historic cottage converted into holiday home. The one that often springs to mind is the idyllic old stone cottage with a porch and rambling roses around the quaint wooden front door. There may be a wisteria trained along the front, or a thatched roof and a white painted picket fence. The style of a historic house often depends of where in England it is situated. East Anglia is famous for half-timbered and colour washed cottages that cheer up any street with their warm and pastel shades. Thatched holiday cottages are mainly found in the south of England; in the west country, Hampshire and East England.
For example, if you’re looking for a relaxing way to escape from the stresses and strains of your hectic work or home life then this is the perfect opportunity for you. Can you imagine unwinding with nature, sitting outside with your feet up in your lush green garden, a cold refreshing drink in hand and admiring the beauty of the stunning surroundings. Your mind’s eye can flit from one inspiring garden feature to another as you relax.
If the ‘feet up’ option isn’t for you, then how about dusting your walking boots down and going for a peaceful stroll in the fresh country air or even treating yourself to a spot of writing, painting or photography heavily influenced by your idyllic farmland views?
Inside your cottage, you could also wallow in the satisfaction of your splendid personal retreat and being away from the pressures of modern day living. On arrival, you will notice the comfortable and welcoming environment of a centuries old rural cottage with its array of unique raw materials and traditional features. Take a moment and imagine yourself curling up next to your loved one, basking in the heat from a woodburner or open fire in the natural stone fireplace - pure unadulterated bliss. Period cottages tend to be compact and cosy with an atmosphere conducive to intimacy and closeness. Many of the one bedroom cottages are idyllic weekend retreats for couples.
If you have a family and are thinking about a larger two or three bedroom house in the country, cottage holidays cab be most family friendly. Your children will enjoy running around, playing outside and making the most of country life as you get immersed in your favourite book or TV programme and then later, how about an enjoyable board game or a game of cards to round off the perfect family day?
Pets are also welcomed with open arms and the dog that does not appreciate quiet lanes, green fields and woodland has not yet been made. A rural holiday is an excellent opportunity for the entire family, including any dogs, to get out and about to discover something new together. People are often surprised at the number of activities that they find in the countryside – it’s not all cycling, pony trekking and walking. Hilly areas may have hang-gliding on offer, there could be watersports beside rivers and lakes. There are always tea rooms and pub, even in the depths of the most rural areas because these are popular with walkers who demand to be fed and watered.
The benefits of renting a traditional country cottage are also economical. Apart from the rent, costs may not be that much greater than living at home unless you decide to treat the family to a few meals out and participate in some of the attractive activities. Still, holidays are intended to be fun and you can tighten your belt and economise at home at your leisure.
Some of the more popular fixtures of traditional rural housing tend to feature in country-style holiday cottages. People like old oak beams and plenty of exposed wood and even stone. Fire dogs, boot scrapers and panelling are ancient curiosities that people enjoy on holiday. Not only do they highlight the elegant rustic nature of the property but they also call attention to the simple yet beautiful architecture of a traditional open living space which is rarely apparent in modern properties. Another advantage is that despite the beams making the space and ceilings look larger, they also somehow make the rooms look cosier and more homely adding that bit of extra spice to your charming holiday retreat.
Happily, ancient charm is combined with modern technology to create holiday homes that are inspirational and easy on the eye, in addition to possessing labour saving domestic appliances, WiFi and high pressure showers. Your comfort is as important a consideration as style and design.
Ultimately, this type of holiday is an experience like no other, each holiday is a new encounter with its environment, people and ideas, so make the most of your precious time off and book now - your ideal break away accompanied by your dogs is just around the corner.