Top 5 UK Dog-friendly Days Out

In honour of National Dog Day, we have compiled a guide to the best dog days out in the UK.

The well-loved National Dog Day takes place on the 26th August, not that we needed a day to appreciate our canine companions. Find the perfect dog day out for you and your pooch, whether you’re seeking an action-packed outdoor adventure or just a day of pampering.

Discover the 5 best dog-friendly days out in the UK…

1. Pamper your Puppy

To give your dog the utterly indulgent experience that they need to celebrate their own designated day, why not treat them to some tail-wagging canine spa treatment?

Take a day out of your dog-friendly holiday and head down to one of the several deluxe dog grooming salons dotted around UK and Ireland, within reach of much of our dog-friendly accommodation. They offer a wide range of therapising services to help make your Cockapoo, Pug or Pomeranian feel, smell and look like the classiest hound about town. Methods of grooming and spa relaxation can include almost anything from bathing, clipping and nail trimming to massages and even mud treatment.

Snobby Dogs is a magnificent dog grooming company boasting five salons predominantly situated around the Manchester area, with a further one taking stand in the Oxfordshire village of Wheatley. Here you can watch your pooch getting pampered by the highly qualified staff, or sit and enjoy a ‘puppicino’ while you wait. Browse our full range of dog-friendly cottages in and around the North West of England and Oxfordshire.

2. Go to the Beach

Bounding across the sands and splashing around in the sea is undoubtedly one of the most popular dog days out. You and the whole family, including your precious pooch, can enjoy a dog-friendly beach holiday pretty much anywhere that we offer our superb coastal accommodation, with well over 500 dog-friendly beaches available across the UK alone. Our dog-friendly cottages in Cornwall come completely surrounded by beaches that allow your pets to come along and enjoy the fun, whether it be all-year-round or limited to certain months.

Of Cornwall‘s 53 glistening beaches, only seven of them do not allow access for dogs in any capacity, making this an absolute haven for you and your loved ones to enjoy an unforgettable break by the beach without leaving anybody behind. Elsewhere, the Beach Café in Wells-next-the-Sea is the perfect example of somewhere that goes out of their way to accommodate dogs, offering its free ‘Wash ‘n’ Wag’ booth where you can clear your mutt of the sand and seawater before sitting down and enjoying a drink and a snack, with Berties Bark-up Bar thoughtfully providing a canine alternative.

3. Stroll Around Parks and Gardens

Ditch the mundane amble around the block or the local park and take your hound out for the walk of their lifetime. Our dog-loving country is becoming increasingly accommodating to our four-legged friends, now with an abundance of activities and dog days out to suit all ages, tastes and interests.

The Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, on the outskirts of the idyllic Cotswolds AONB, have created the perfect outing for those that adore all things animalistic. You and the whole family can explore one of the UK’s largest zoological collections at great leisure, allowing your furry friend to meet a wealth of fascinating animals whilst getting some vital fresh air at the same time, providing they are well-behaved, on a lead and avoiding the restricted sections.

Another one of our favourite dog days out is at the National Trust’s Bodnant Garden in North Wales, an expanse of serene parkland and enchanting botanical gardens bursting at the seams with things to see and do whilst your trusty companion can stretch its legs among this peaceful paradise.

4. Discover Fascinating Heritage

As well as its plethora of tranquil gardens, many of the UK’s captivating, historical buildings also welcome our tail-wagging friends to explore their absorbing beauty and heritage. Over 150 of England‘s spellbinding properties, forts and castles accept dogs, boasting intriguing tales from every era and finding themselves dotted around every corner of our history-rich country.

Some of the country’s most renowned structures are among this list, with Whitby Abbey, Tintagel Castle and the 1066 Battle of Hastings Abbey and Battlefield to name but a few that are available for your pooch to sniff around. The English Heritage website lists every property across the land that accepts man’s best friends among their grounds.

If your dog-friendly holiday is elsewhere in the UK, visit the Dog Friendly Britain website for a selection of fun-packed days out for you and your pooch. More often than not, what comes hand-in-hand with such historical properties is spectacular views, creating the perfect opportunity to capture the moment of you and your pup soaking up the scenery and show it off to your friends and family back home. Discover more places to visit with your dog around the UK.

5. Go for a Drink and a Bite to Eat

The ideal way to finish a memorable day trip with your dog is to go for a soothing drink, or perhaps a hearty meal to recharge the batteries in one of the many dog-friendly pubs and restaurants across the UK and Ireland.

During summer, you can sit back in a glorious beer garden and reflect on the events of the day over a glass of wine or a cold pint. Alternatively, when the winter draws in, head with your precious pet to one of the cosy, traditional inns and put your feet up in front of the roaring fire with a warming meal to top your day off in the right way.

Your dog is always certain to receive a fuss and a tummy rub, with most establishments also considerately providing water bowls and treats so your furry companion can wine and dine in style, just like their owners. The areas surrounding our carefully hand-picked, dog-friendly cottages in and around Devon, Yorkshire and Cornwall are considerably well-equipped with welcoming spots for you and your best friend to kick back and relax together.

Did you know?

Browse our immense range of dog-friendly cottages and use our Dog-friendly Holiday Travel Guide for inspiration for your next dog day out.