Best UK dog-friendly holidays?!

[suburbandream]

Hello all, we have a new pup who we want to take on hols with us this summer, so I wanted to pick your brains for your best Uk holidays that are great for dogs and DCs. We're in SE so looking for something along the south coast, New Forest, Isle of Wight or Wales. Where have you been and where would you go again/where would you avoid?? Many thanks for any suggestions.

[mistlethrush]

Cottage holidays. Been to Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Lakes, Scotland and just booked Northumberland (DS, 7, wants to look at some of the Roman things there)

[suburbandream]

Thanks - have just been looking at cottages in Dorset, whereabouts did you stay? We've been to Weymouth before and the DCs loved it but I'm not sure if dogs are allowed on the beach

[maddiemostmerry]

Sandy balls near New Forest is great.

[mistlethrush]

We went to Dorset before the normal 'dogs banned' from beaches took effect, so can't help there.

If you look at, for instance, Devon, there's a guide to dog friendly beaches - probably available for all counties - here

Cottage - most have a tick box option on their search for pet friendly. Remember you'll need early morning and last thing at night excursions unless you've got a garden - and then you need to check that you have the whole of the garden and are able to let them off (clearly picking up if necessary, but nonetheless, not on lead) and that is not shared or indeed, not secure....

[simbo]

Check out Forest Holidays. They have pet-friendly cabins and the top level ones come with hot tubs. We have taken our dog to a couple of their sites.

[exexpat]

The Kennel Club website has a good list of dog-friendly/restricted beaches here.

We have stayed with a dog at Churchwood Valley at Wembury Bay which is pretty dog-friendly - dogs aren't allowed on the closest section of beach in high season, but they are further along, and there is a good walk along the coastal path. The managers of the holiday park also have an arrangement with a local dog-sitter so you can leave your dog for a day if you want to go anywhere that doesn't allow dogs (like most holiday cottages, you aren't allowed to leave a dog alone in the cabins).

[bochead]

Gower peninsula has LOTS of wonderfu kid and dog friendly miles.

[mistlethrush]

boched, thank you, you reminded me of a family holiday when we had the two family collie-crosses - they chased each other for miles on the Gower - huge long strides on empty, flat sand. Then off to Pembrokeshire where extension lead was very useful in preventing the younger from launching herself off the coast path after sea gulls and the occasional rabbit.

[Scuttlebutter]

Little Dumpledale in Pembrokeshire here has a fantastic and very well deserved reputation for being dog friendly. No limit on number of dogs you can take, really secure gardens with proper dog proof fencing, a wonderful farm with paths and ponds, and all of the glories of Pembrokeshire (including miles of glorious dog friendly beaches) at your doorstep. The only drawback is that it is so popular it is a bugger to get a booking. They are currently taking bookings into 2014.

[OrmIrian]

Last year we stayed in a timber chalet near Broadhaven in Pembs. Dogs allowed on most beaches there. We stayed here. They normally add a nominal charge for dogs. Lovely place, lots of beautiful walks on the doorstep. I think dog and I enjoyed it most of all

[Scuttlebutter]

And as a Gower native, I'd add it's a fantastic place for dogs - in fact, most of S Wales is very blessed. Gorgeous coasline, masses of lovely forestry, moorland, commons, and some very good beer. And of course the world's best icecream - Joe's in Swansea.

[suburbandream]

Thanks everyone, I'll have a good look at all the links! Scuttle - Gower is beautiful isn't it, DH comes from Neath so we might try to combine a trip with visit to his relatives. MIL always has Joe's icecream when we go to stay

[Kladdkaka]

Before emigrating we always went camping near Tenby in Pembrokeshire. A lot of the cafes, shops and visitor attractions allow dogs, even a lot of the beaches.

[Scuttlebutter]

Suburban - you married an AllBlack!! Is he an Ospreys fan?

If you talk to any Swansea exile, Joe's is always at the top of the list of things they miss.

Actually, there's loads of nice places round Neath - Margam Park is great, and there's loads of Forestry Commission walks. We go down to Pembrey a lot too - fantastic even in the winter, as the sand underfoot never gets too muddy.

[suburbandream]

Scuttle - he certainly is! He has an Osprey's rain jacket thing that he often wears, and when we lived in central London it regularly attracted beeps and waves from passersby For such a small country it's funny how many Welsh people there are outside of Wales