Dog friendly holiday cottage recommendations

[tizwozliz]

Want to start planning an Autumn holiday, not got any thoughts on where to go yet but looking for recommendations of dog friendly cottages.

Not just places that allow dogs, but are actually dog friendly. I don't want to go somewhere where dogs aren't allowed in the bedrooms or on the sofa with a throw. Also a properly enclosed garden is essential.

Although many of the sites have pet filter options they don't really distinguish between dog friendly and dog tolerant so if anyone has any personal recommendations that would be great.

I know of East Ruston cottages in Norfolk so wondering if there are similar sites for other places in the UK too.

We found lots in Northumberland when we looked. Eventually found one in Berwick where pets not allowed on the bed (reasonable) but allowed on furniture with a throw (provided). That was Air B and B.

also Lake district had a very dog friendly attitude.

We went to Brecon Retreat a few months ago. The site says dogs aren't allowed upstairs but on the socials and in the cottage it is just not upstairs with muddy paws and keep off the bed. They reshared a picture of our dog chilling out on the lounger in the spa room so would definitely say dog friendly.

The gardens were enclosed but surrounded by sheep fields so depending on the dog and jumping ability a long line may be needed.

There's a website called canine cottages which I've been looking at but even though that's a specialist website I'm finding it frustrating trying to find somewhere suitable. I need a proper secure garden, you can filter for that on the website but when you look at the cottages they are often not actually secure... low walls, gates with big gaps in, or no photos of the garden to properly judge.

I think there's a big gap in the market should anyone fancy it in facilitating proper dog friendly holidays!

Our dog sleeps on the bed! Happy to take our own bedding which is what I've seen some places.

We had a sheep in the 'enclosed' garden in the last place we stayed, luckily I spotted it before letting pup out for a wee! Don't really want anywhere which requires more than supervision from the door, otherwise the holiday is far less relaxing.

Sally’s Cottages in the Lake District have loads of lovely ones.

East Ruston is really good @wishitwasaduvetday as it has loads of info about the boundaries, whether people likely to be walking by, noisiness etc. I just wanted to explore options other than Norfolk. But like you say, what a website considers enclosed does not match up with my idea of enclosed. Our pup isn't a super escape artist or anything, but a gap in a hedge or by a gate is considered fair game!

Sally's cottages seem to suffer from the same drawback as most of the other sites. The first place I looked at, looks great, enclosed garden but then you read the reviews and the enclosed garden is not directly accessible from the house, it requires going out onto a road to get into the garden!

I'll have a look at that thanks OP ☺️

Todd and Gunn in the Lakes are genuinely dog friendly but for families you have to book their 'twin' cottages together.

www.developingdogs.co.uk/holidays/

Not much to look at but 100% dog welcoming with access to secure 8 acre paddock and 1 of the cottages also has own garden.

It's Cambridge so not a million miles away from Norfolk, but still somewhere new.

Unless there's stock fencing as well which I can't make out, my lab would not consider this a fence! Maybe when she's older but at only 1 she'd be off to make friends with the first person that walked by!

Exactly the same problem I'm finding with fences!

If there was a solid barrier we'd be able to get away with a 4ft fence I think, she could jump that but wouldn't unless asked. But post and rail fences as pictured above and she'd just step through the gap, it wouldn't register as a barrier.

I've got plenty of time to do research but I've been tripped up with the last two places which has less than ideal features. The sheep mentioned above in one and the dog exercise field advertised containing free range chickens in another! Hence hoping there might be a site I'd not yet discovered that lets me filter by my exacting requirements!

I've stayed at this one in North Devon before and it was soooooo great - www.classic.co.uk/holiday-cottage/desc-4719.html
It's detached (great for reactive, barky dogs like mine), and the garden is completely enclosed by a wall/fence, with a solid wooden gate at the side (5ft high, or something like that). It's crazy how many places say they have an enclosed garden, but actually have gaps or gates that dogs can easily get through.

They provided a little portable dog shower for post-walk washdowns, and a box of toys and blankets. (If you visit and find a yellow squeaky ball with a smiley face on it, that will be my dog's ball, which we accidentally left there, LMAO.)

They did ask in the notes for dogs to be kept off the beds and sofas if possible; but also said that if we were going to do it anyway, just use blankets. The owner has a dog herself and was beyond lovely. My dog always sleeps with me, so not having him on the bed isn't an option. I just try to be respectful and keep him clean and tidy, etc.

We went to book one once and it said dogs must be kept in the utility room at all times...... thank god we hadn't booked it.

Ours always come on the sofas and beds with us but we take massive throws!

That looks promising @dustofneptune no carpets anywhere which is always a bonus with dogs and good to have confirmation that enclosed means enclosed. I'll put it on my shortlist

I've been to a few
These
www.barhillcottage.com/
Has a fully enclosed large garden to the right side, it's in the boundary and so if you open the back door, the dog cant get out.

www.welcomecottages.com/cottages/shingle-cottage-w7403
Fully enclosed back garden , even the gaps in the hedge have wire fencing too.

www.cottages.com/cottages/dolphin-cottage-14198
Fully enclosed back garden, which is literally on the beach.

Theres a few more but I'd need my brain to work.

Thanks @Terfydactyl I'll take a look at those too

We have had several holidays to Pembrokeshire and stay in a cottage or caravan at littledumpledale.co.uk/ . They are very dog friendly but also very popular so do book up fast.

Last year we went to Cornwall and stayed here www.dogs-holiday.co.uk/index.asp Another dog friendly place with very few rules and provide throws for furniture.

I've just posted about hotels but have used lots of dog friendly cottages over the years. Sally's Cottages and Rural Retreats are good. Wales, the North East and Norfolk are more dog friendly in our experience. I'd avoid Cornwall and Devon. Over priced IMO

I take covers for the sofa and own bedding, and towels for her. There's no way she'd ever stay off the furniture so I don't even try. I just protect it and have never had an issue.

Fell View Cottages

Need to book in advance but dog holiday heaven you have your own forest all to yourself amazing walking and beaches. No worries booking in advance when bookings open as if you can't go nearer the time you can sell your spot in hours!

I think you have to have a dog to stay here owners do have a dog so not recommended for reactive dogs.

I can second Developing Dogs, we're about to go for our third holiday there in September. Very dog friendly and not too far from Norfolk with its amazing beaches. Also Bed and Basket in Cornwall (www.bedandbasket.co.uk/) is really good too. Good luck..

Have a look at bainland lodge retreats, cant vouch for the enclosed gardens as we dont stay there til September, however you can search for enclosed gardens and from my research and their photos it looks like a proper fence line ! ...... hope so anyway or our collie will be causing chaos 🤣

Just come back from Woodend cottage near Dumfries Scotland. Throws provided for your dog to cover settees, dog bowls provided, plus dog treats. Secure garden. One previous occupiers dog did manage to escape and owner cam round with wire fencing to block up gap.Dogs not allowed on beds, but I suppose if you're prepared to take your own bedding.......

Lots more to check out there, thanks all