Dog friendly holiday. Can you recommend?

[PupstarHoliday]

We have a 9 month old small breed puppy and planning to holiday in the UK with him this year.

We’re a family of 5 and I’m suddenly feeling worried about a cold/wet break that no one enjoys.

The kids are teens / young adults and we’d like somewhere nice with a hot tub, near the beach and activities and nice accommodation.

We are also considering Center Parcs Eu but realise this is more work and not sure the travelling will be particularly enjoyable.

Any recommendations or advice on UK or Eu breaks please!

In the summer holidays? Where are you based and how far are you willing to travel?

Summer holidays. Based in midlands. We have driven 3 hours with him and that was no problem. Can do more or could break a journey up if necessary.

North Norfolk - around Wells is great. Close enough to Hunstanton for days out and Cromer but also near the lovely Holkham beach (dogs on leads on most of the beach during summer).

Barefoot Retreats have lots of holiday cottages in Burnham Market/Thornham and Brancaster that are dog friendly and can have a hot tub (usually costs extra). They’re not cheap though. You’ll be looking at £3-4K a wee. But you get what you pay for with holiday cottages.

We just got back from a break in Devon and it was very dog friendly. Clean and accommodating everywhere. Loved it.

Thanks so much for the info. I’ll have a look now.

That’s wonderful @SassyButClassy. Which part did you visit?

No problem! We were near Bicton Park Botanical Gardens and the beach we visited was Exmouth Beach where dogs are allowed top and bottom. The Gardens might also be worth a visit for the kids and the dogs. We didn't go but might next time we're in the area.

We drive our dog to France via eurotunnel le shuttle and have done many times. Love a French holiday!
if you are going for more than 3nights think it’s definitely worth the drive… there’s some lovely places already within 45min /1hr from the border and nice wide sandy beaches
food and drink is way cheaper for superb quality and accommodation in the north of France is so much cheaper than uk breaks..very dog friendly as well..

Our dog loved three mile beach in Cornwall. All th houses have hot tubs.

North Devon & Exmoor.

North Norfolk is lovely with dogs. We've stayed a few times with East Ruston Cottages who specialise in dog friendly places and a few of theirs have hot tubs, as do Pack Holidays

Thanks all. Some great suggestions to look at.
We used to do France when our kids were small and would be happy to revisit this option, if it isn’t too stressful!

Our pup is quite clingy and I know he wouldn’t cope being left in a car during a ferry or tunnel crossing. Are other options possible and do you think there would still be availability to book?

I really like North Devon around Woolacombe (Saunton sands just up the road is dog friendly all year round but it’s not a resort as such - just a huge beach with a cafe)

I’ve had some success asking for dog friendly accommodation for particular dates on Holiday cottages uk fb page - it’s for cottage owners to advertise their accommodation but I always make sure I book via a proper booking link (lots of them are on air bnb etc). It’s good because you can specify what sort of thing you want and what your dates are/budget limit.

For teens and young adults I’d be inclined to look for a cottage with a games room or something for rainy days - you can get groups of farm cottages that have a barn with pool table/ping pong etc.

https://www.robinhillfarmcottages.co.uk/
https://hillfarmcottages.co.uk/

https://www.villagefarmcottages.co.uk/

We stayed here a couple of times. They have a spa/ pool.
Northumbria coast is great for beach walks with dogs.

Bainland Lodge Retreats this is my happy place with my dog 🥹

The are genuinely dog friendly, not dog tolerant... Dog friendly.

Restaurant is wonderful, accommodation superb, their spa is opening soon, every lodge has at least one hot tub, they don't hike their prices in school holidays, every time we return we see something has been upgraded/improved (you see your money going back into it iyswim), book a supermarket delivery for your arrival, all gardens properly enclosed, absolutely wonderful staff onsite.

I return several times a year I like it so much.

That in not an issue with le Shuttle, you're meant to stay in the car.

A lady called Lottie Gross wrote several guides for trips and holidays in the UK and EU.

The only thing about France is you need to get an AHC. But there’s now online services where a vet comes to you and issues one for 99 quid

they don't hike their prices in school holidays

That's because they're extortionate to begin with!

The Lake District is super dog-friendly, and the Cumbrian coast really is a hidden gem.

We went to the Dylan Coastal Resort in Laugharne in March, and it was a return visit. Very dog friendly, you can take dogs into the bar area of the restaurant (food is outstanding) and eat there too. Lovely lodges with an estuary view, lots of amazing beaches within 15/20 minute drives. There's a pool and spa on site, and a nice hotel Brown's down the road that's good for food.

It's where they filmed Keeping Faith that was on BBC. Ruined castle by the estuary.

Don't you also need to take them to a vet in France before you go back to UK to get a working tablet administered. This is the bit that puts me off taking the dog to France.

I get the ahc vet to witness me giving my dog the tablet .. then it’s valid for the next 120h.. we’ve only done short trips so far!

but we did get a french vet to do it once. Something like 40 eur for. A 20min appointment where you could pile in as many things as you needed.. vaccination, checkup, and the worming! Actually saved us money va our London vet charges

Thank you so much for the suggestions. Lots to think about.