Leaving my dog behind while I go gallivanting across the world is hard sometimes, she’s my little baby and sometimes I feel like giving up the travel life to keep her in a stable environment. But, there are some options when it comes to travelling with a pet. Living in London means that most of my staycations are in the South of England, and the best part is – the pup can come too!

As disposable income and spare cash becomes less common in these times of austerity, a ‘staycation’ or a UK Holiday has become the break of choice for many people. A positive side to these UK Holidays for dog owners is the increased ease of taking your dog away, rather than boarding in kennels or finding someone to take care of them.

Despite this, it can sometimes be a challenge to find pet friendly holidays and accommodation. If you are looking for a slightly warmer temperature and a diverse range of UK holiday destinations, the South of England can offer dog friendly holidays across a range of options. Find out more about some of the best pet friendly accommodation in the UK.

Kent

Kent dog friendly UK holidays

If you live in the London area, Kent is an excellent destination in terms of accessibility for you and your dog. The rolling countryside surrounding the town of Tenterden is great for dog walkers, and can even be explored by rail on the Kent and East Sussex Railway which allows travel for your dog at a ticket price of £1.00. The county is also known for its Roman history, which is well exemplified by such attractions as Richborough Fort and the Towers at Reculver. Both these attractions allow dogs on site, though they must be on a lead.

Devon

Devon dog friendly UK holidays

With its breathtaking moorland at Dartmoor or its seaside treks on the North Devon Coast, Devon is fantastic for walking with or without the dog. For much of Dartmoor, dogs are fine on and off the lead but look out for restrictions near areas where sheep graze – and also be careful to plan your walks with the aid of a map in case of dangerous areas such as quarries and cliffs. Historical sites such as Okehampton Castle on central Dartmoor and Totnes Castle to the south also accept dogs on leads.

Dorset

Dorset dog friendly UK holidays

Bearing similarities to Devon, Dorset is a largely rural county. However, it is the Jurassic Coast that will perhaps be of most interest to the dog walkers reading this. The South West Coast Path stretches through Lime Regis (a prime destination for keen fossil hunters) and through to the highest point on the south coast at the Golden Cap. Inland, certain destinations such as Abbotsbury Abbey and Knowlton Church are dog friendly as long as they are kept on a lead.

Cornwall

cornwall dog friendly UK holidays

Of all the counties, Cornwall is likely to be the most accepting of dogs. Not only is the county home to a wealth of coastland, inland walks, as well as outdoor attractions and gardens – but the area offers a wide range of accommodations from pet friendly cottages to rent and an abundance of camping and hotel facilities. Trevarno Garden near Helston is a Victorian Garden that stretches over 35 acres with some areas suitable for dogs off the lead. The Tamar Valley is also a beautiful location for riverside walking.