Holidays are a wonderful way to spend time with your dog. Exploring new locations and experiencing new things together. The UK has some of the best dog-friendly places to visit so whether you're looking for a seaside holiday or a weekend away, there's something to suit everyone.
From city breaks to ritual escapes and everything in-between, this is a guide to the best dog friendly destinations in the UK. Don't forget to check out my travel guides for location-specific dog-friendly activities.
Brighton
A holiday in Brighton offers pebble beaches, beautiful coastlines, and rolling countryside. It has many dog-friendly attractions and landmarks to enjoy, all within easy access of the city's centre; making it one of the UK's most popular destinations on England’s south coast.
What makes Brighton so enjoyable is the artsy liberal residents that give the town its distinctive character. The town is full of independent homewares and coffee shops with street art and giant murals covering most buildings. Although Brighton beach is popular, the town has more interesting (and dog-friendly!) attractions.
Explore Brighton with a ride on the dog-friendly Volk's Electric Railway from Palace Pier to the Marina. Look out for Anna's Museum and the Flint Grotto along the way. Then head to the Royal Pavilion Gardens for an afternoon stroll. Finding somewhere for a rest stop won't be difficult. Many of the pubs, bars, and restaurants in Brighton are dog-friendly.
If you're looking for a seaside vacation with a modern twist, then be sure to add Brighton to you travel list of dog-friendly places to visit. Browse my travel guide to Brighton for more dog-friendly activities in and around the area.
Glasgow
Glasgow is well-known for its impressive architecture, green spaces, and vibrant nightlife. The city is packed with things to do, from bars and restaurants to museums and comedy clubs. What makes Glasgow extra special is the people. They've unbelievably welcoming especially if you have a dog!
With over 90 parks and gardens and numerous walking trails, Glasgow is one of the best dog-friendly city breaks. Must-see dog-friendly attractions in Glasgow include the Necropolis and Botanical Gardens. Both are within walking distance of the centre and offer some of the best views of the city.
Most of Glasgow's bars and restaurants are dog-friendly too so finding somewhere to eat and drink won't be a problem. Top picks include the Mediterranean-inspired Gloriosa and The Pot Still whisky bar. Don't forget to grab a sweet treat from Tantrum Donuts for the journey home.
If you're keen to explore Scotland, visit Oliver's Travels for dog-friendly accommodation, activities, and more. You'll be able to find everything you need to know about taking a city break with your companion. For more dog-friendly activities in and around the city, read my travel guide to Glasgow.
Margate
South-East Kent has a lot to offer for those looking for a pet-friendly vacation. Only a short 2-hour journey from London, Margate is the ideal location for a dog-friendly day trip or short weekend break away; full of sandy beaches, coastal walks, and woodland trails.
Margate is a traditional seaside town with fairground rides, fish and chip stalls, and arcade machines. Much of the area has seen improvements with Margate's Old Town filling up with independent shops, cafes, and bars. The dog-friendly restaurants in Margate are not to be missed!
There are some intriguing dog-friendly attractions to discover in Margate, which is what makes the town so special. These include the Crab Museum, Shell Grotto, and the Margate Cave gardens. For outdoors adventures, the Viking Coastal Trail is one of the best ways to explore the area.
Covering 32 miles, the Viking Trail winds along the coast from Margate to Broadstairs and on to Ramsgate. All three of these harbour towns offer picturesque scenery including secluded bays, low chalk cliffs, and tranquil woodlands.
Looking for inspiration for your next trip? Visit Cool Stays for unique holidays and dog-friendly accommodation. Head to my travel guide to Kent for more dog-friendly activities in and around Margate.
Birmingham
Being in The Heart of England, Birmingham offers the perfect mix of city exploration and outdoor attractions. The city is surrounded by picturesque countryside, charming towns, and quaint villages. Making it the ideal dog-friendly destination for a long weekend away.
Birmingham is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the UK where many of the city's independent bars, restaurants, and coffee shops allow dogs. For a particularly warm welcome, head to Coffee Tales for breakfast; lunch at OPM; drinks at Loki , Arch 13, or Couch; and pizza at Rudy's.
When city life gets overwhelming, it's only a short train journey or car ride to reach the breathtaking countryside just outside Birmingham. Enchanting woodlands, parks and country trails provide the perfect location for an afternoon dog walk. There are are plenty of National Trust properties nearby too, including Kinver Edge, Lickey Hills, and Attingham Park.
If a countryside dog walk followed by dinner in the city is your idea of a great weekend away, then Birmingham could be the perfect place for your next dog-friendly holiday. Discover more dog-friendly activities in and around the city with my travel guide to Birmingham.
Lyme Regis
Dorset is one of the most dog-friendly places in the UK, with Lyme Regis being one of the most dog-friendly towns. It has miles of coastline and countryside to explore with 27 unrestricted dog-friendly beaches. It's a quiet place ideal for a relaxed dog-friendly holiday.
This sleepy town by the Dorset-Devon border is known as the "Pearl of Dorset." Famous for being on the Jurassic Coast, Lyme Regis has everything from beautiful seascapes to dreamy beaches to idyllic cottages. It really couldn't be a more perfect dog-friendly destination. Although the town itself is quiet, there are plenty of things to see and do in the area.
Go fossil hunting on Monmouth Beach, followed by pizza at Poco Pizza, and drinks overlooking the beach at Swim. Visit the nearby attractions Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, and Agglestone Rock, which are only a short drive away. Slightly further afield but well worth the visit is the dog-friendly Corfe Castle and Corfe Model Village.
See my travel guide to Lyme Regis for more dog-friendly activities in and around Dorset.
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