Summer is here, and, for dog owners, that means more adventures with our favourite four-legged friends!
Whether you want to take your pooch for a nice long walk in the park, along the beach, or if you want to go all out and enjoy a staycation together, the UK is home to plenty of dog-friendly places to explore.
Since 27% of UK adults own a dog, we took it upon ourselves, here at Pooch and Mutt, to find out where the most dog-friendly places are in the UK, including parks, restaurants, hotels and even where to go to take part in some unique activities together.
To do this, we scraped the number of dog-friendly places on Bring Fido, by every city in the UK (76 cities) to determine the most popular regions as well as the best dog-friend0km radius. Keep reading to discover the results and find out where you should be taking your dog this summer!
Coming out on top, the best dog-friendly region to be in the UK is the West Midlands! With a grand total of 368 dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks and other fun activities, there’s an abundance of places to keep both you and your dog occupied. The South West of England was a close second with a total of 351 dog-friendly places, while Scotland came in 3rd.
Of course, when it came to the most dog-friendly cities, the City of London was the clear winner thanks to its wide variety of other activities. This was followed closely by St Albans in the East of England and Birmingham, all of which are fantastic places to take your dog out for the day.
Where are the Best Dog-Friendly Parks and Beaches?
If you’re wanting to take your dog to a beautiful park or beach this summer, then Truro, which is located in the heart of Cornwall, is the place to be. It’s no secret that Cornwall is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world with golden sands and clear blue waters, and you’ll find that Truro has 52 dog-friendly beaches and parks to choose from. One of the top-rated dog-friendly beaches is Vault Beach in Saint Austell. This sheltered beach is surrounded by calm sea, ideal for a doggy paddle.
Plymouth came second on our list with 8 dog-friendly parks and beaches, while London followed with 7 perfect parks for dogs. Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Chester, Liverpool and York all took the bottom spots on our list as they only have 2 dog-friendly parks and beaches.
Where are the Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants and Cafes
We all deserve to be treated to an indulgent lunch every now and then, even our dogs! We guarantee nothing will make them happier than dining with you while getting bundles of attention from staff and other diners.
Whether you’re meeting up with friends and want to bring your dog along or you want to enjoy brunch with your fluffy bestie, the City of London is the best place for dog-friendly restaurants and cafes, with a total of 75 to choose from. North London pub, The Lord Palmerston, is an amazingly dog-friendly, local gastro pub with fantastic food and a great range of real ales. Beautifully decorated, the wonderfully accommodating chef will always provide a treat for your dog, and water is always available.
St Albans is also very accommodating, with 38 dog-friendly restaurants and cafes to treat your pooch to, while Edinburgh has 12 places you can happily dine with your dog. Take a trip to Love, Peace and Coffee, a dog-friendly coffeehouse in Edinburgh, to enjoy freshly brewed coffee, homemade pastries, and sandwiches, or for a meal your four-legged friend won’t forget, stop by The Caley Sample Room, a laid-back gastropub that serves up a variety of delicious grub including a menu just for pups! Your mutt can choose from options like dog beer, biscuits, and beef sticks.
Also in St Albans and other locations in and around London is Megan’s, a small, independently-owned dog-friendly spot that feels like a home away from home. Not only do they serve delicious brunch, lunch, dinner and cocktails for humans, but they also have comfortable dog beds for your four-legged friends to relax in after a long walk and yummy Pooch & Mutt treats to enjoy!
Where are the Best Dog-Friendly Hotels for a UK Staycation?
There’s nothing quite like a staycation in the summer, from exploring a new city over a long weekend to relaxing in the great British countryside. And, rather than leaving your dog with a friend or family member while you’re away, why not choose a place with plenty of dog-friendly hotels and give your dogs a break from their busy lives too?
According to the experts in dog-friendly travel and the UK’s only dog-first travel website, Paws & Stay, “anyone who has a pet knows how much a part of the family they are, so it’s only right that they should be able to enjoy our holidays with us. Many dog owners tell us how tricky it is to find reliable kennels or dog-sitters, so if they can take their pet on their staycations to a place that truly welcomes dogs and not just tolerates them, it’s a win-win situation.”
The City of London is the top spot to take your dog on holiday, with 181 dog-friendly hotels. This is followed by St Albans, which offers 167 dog-friendly hotels and Birmingham, with 86 hotels for your dog to get comfortable in. In total, the West Midlands region had a huge 345 dog-friendly hotels, so you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice!
“Totnes is another one of the most dog-friendly towns we have come across, with a lovely array of shops, restaurants and outdoor spaces that both dogs and humans love.” add the experts at Paws & Stay. “The open-air Totnes Market welcomes dogs, and their owners, to follow their noses through its bustling stalls. Places close to the beach are also eternally popular. What dog doesn’t love a good run around on the beach before a splash in the ocean? Places like Whitstable in Kent are very popular because of the close proximity to London in places like The Cook’s Cottage, which is just a short stroll to the beach.
Where’s the Best Place for Unique Dog-Friendly Activities?
Sometimes, we want to do more than simply take our dogs for a walk in the park. Luckily, there are plenty of other fun activities to experience that will strengthen the bond between you and your dog. The City of London offers 17 unique dog-friendly activities such as paddle boarding, dog yoga and a pet-friendly skincare store, so you can really pamper your pooch.
However, Scotland is the region with the highest amount of dog activities, with 19 in total. Here, wizarding fans can participate in a Harry Potter walking tour in Edinburgh with their dogs – capturing all the magical snaps for Instagram. Edinburgh also offers personal training sessions where you can get fit alongside your dog and pet-friendly jewellers, so you can shop together too. In Glasgow, you can visit The Candy Rooms, Scotland’s first pet-friendly salon that includes treatments for humans and dogs.
It’s safe to say that the UK loves dogs, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a city or region that doesn’t cater for your canine friends. While London is the best city for the most dog-friendly amenities, the West Midlands and South West of England are the best regions for a dog-friendly day out. If you’re planning on taking your dog on a staycation, take a look at these calming music playlists for dogs to make the car journey easier than ever.
