Dog friendly holiday cottages

[BellaAndSprout]

My partner and I are hoping to go away later this year on a walking holiday. We are thinking either Wales or the lake district. Does anyone have any recommendations for dog friendly cottages (we have 2 dogs) and any tips about taking dogs away on holiday?

The holiday is to celebrate our 10 year anniversary and will be our first trip away together so I'm anxious that we choose somewhere nice!

Bella is 10 years and Sprout will be coming up to 18months - both girls, and medium size. Bella is long haired.

Thank you!!

There are lots of dog friendly cottages in the Lakes. The shops and pubs allow dogs too. Great place for a walking holiday. We take their bedding, toys and bowls, have water in the car in case you get stuck in traffic. We’ve booked with Lakelovers a couple of times and not been disappointed.

I’ve used Forest Holidays, they do lodges in forest locations and are well set up for dogs - things like enclosed decks and stair gates in place, wipe clean sofas etc. They have places in Snowdonia and Brecon Beacons which are perfect for walking holidays, they also do food deliveries etc to your cabin and have different activities. Not cheap but good for a hassle free break.

Lots of places are dog tolerant rather than dog friendly so think about what you need from a holiday let.

So where do your dogs sleep normally, are they allowed on the sofas at home, do they toilet in the garden etc.?

Nearly all holiday let's won't let you leave them unattended so consider if that's going to be an issue.

Our dogs sleep in our room at night and are allowed on the sofas at home so I don't want a holiday to be some sort of training exercise in not having them do the same. I always want a garden with some grass as one occasionally likes to toilet at 2am and getting dressed to take her to find some grass isn't my idea of a holiday!

I have found since Covid, might be a coincidence, that dogs can be charged up to £50 a week each. Personally I don’t think my 2 dogs create £100 worth of additional cleaning and wear and tear in a week.
I know it’s cheaper than kennels - which I have never and will never use - but I think owners are using kennel prices and think they can charge silly amounts. They are nothing alike. Saying that I do bite the bullet and pay.

We just go to Haven and choose a dog friendly chalet. They're cosier than the vans but basic. You can do a hideaway option where you don't pay to use the entertainment. Sometimes the restaurants are really dog friendly. Havan y mor is lovely and has dog walking areas

I would aim for properly dog friendly cottages, rather than cottages that accept dogs. You need to check that the garden is secure, rather than just 'enclosed'.

We also try and look at where we can walk directly from the property a bit at least, for early morning and late night walks. Obviously there are loads of places for other walks, but our dogs are used to a little toilet walk first and last thing (and I have one who wouldn't poo in the garden if you paid him!), so we need somewhere decent to go for a quick walk, without risking roads.

I echo check the dog rules. Mine slept downstairs and wasn't allowed on sofas etc so wasn't as issue but if seen rules as strict as not allowed in the living room on the floor

National trust offer holiday cottages for dogs and you do not need to pay extra.

Bodnant estate (north wales) offer dog friendly holiday cottages

Thank you everyone!

Very good point about the difference between dog friendly and dog tolerant - the dogs are used to going on the sofa and sleeping with us so it wouldn't work if they weren't allowed upstairs etc.

Likewise with the secure versus enclosed garden - although to be honest, even with a secure garden we would supervise very closely. I'll have a look at some of the links and recommendations shared and hopefully book something soon :-)😁😁

If you are on Facebook there is a group called Really Really Really dog friendly holidays. You can ask for recommendations or just look through posts. They should detail what is and isn't allowed, regarding furniture and rooms and give descriptions of the sort of fencing.

Not one I've ended up visiting, but these pop up on that group in the lake district

https://toddandgunncottageswasdale.co.uk/our-properties

A friend used to have two cottages and charged £15 per visit with a dog. The bloke that has taken them over now charges £20 per dog per night. Rip off.

Double check triple check. One place only told no dogs upstairs when we arrived. And we’d specifically asked before we went!

Also some places provide dog beds and bowls etc so check that out.

Our girl (12) has now started weeing (inside) as soon as we arrive at a new place so I now make sure she wears a nappy. She never used to. So bear in mind with your older one.

I travel with lots of dog towels, a bed quilt and travel rugs, plus a lint roller. I cover the sofa, bed etc and then my dogs can come and go without making a mess.

Can't get more dog friendly than here. Have you own private 22 acres to play in as well. But it is always booked up so have to plan in advance. There are other similar properties in Wales.

Dog Friendly Cottage in Wales

A lot of "dog friendly" places won't allow them upstairs or on the sofas, and the vast majority won't allow you to leave the dogs unattended at all.

When we take our dog on holiday we book direct with the owners and get written confirmation that he's allowed on the beds and furniture before confirming anything.

That looks amazing!! Although, completely booked up for 2025 - not a surprise as it is fantastic, especially for reactive dogs.

@biscuitsandbooks and @JRSKSSBH

Thank you - we will definitely be taking lots and lots of throws etc and a good tip to check directly with the owners to make sure dogs are allowed upstairs. If not, we would all be sleeping in the living room!

The Forest holidays place I suggested have the main bedroom on the ground floor with the kids bedroom upstairs so no problem with the dog going upstairs because it doesn’t need to.

Scotland - but since it is a special occasion I will suggest it anyway - Braidwood Castle near Carluke. It's a restored (very old) reivers tower and absolutely amazing. You get the whole property to yourselves although the grounds are shared with a one bedroom cottage (which is also very nice).

Hi everyone, thank you so much for all the recommendations and pointers!

We've booked a cottage with Todd and Gunn Cottages (thanks for the link @SolarWinds) and are going for a long weekend in May!

Before booking we confirmed that dogs were allowed on sofas and upstairs which they are - we just need to bring plenty of throws and our own sheets if we want them to sleep with us.

I'm so excited and will let you know how we get on.