For dog-walkers

We've got a huge variety of dog-friendly places for you to explore with your pooch, from the best walking spots to holiday cottages that welcome well-behaved dogs

Cliveden, Buckinghamshire
Couple walking dog on Aberdaron beach, Llŷn Peninsula
Walking trail 

Best places for dog walking

We've some fantastic locations and landscapes for you and your four-legged friend to explore and enjoy - here are just a few suggestions.

It's a dog's life
Family playing football with their dog on Embleton Bay beach
Walking trail 

Dog walks by the coast

Dogs love playing on the sand, so we've picked some of our top dog-friendly beaches where you can take your four-legged friends for a walk.

Find dog-friendly beaches near you

For your four-legged friends...

Pet dogs with their owners outside a holiday cottage

Dog-friendly holiday cottages 

Many of our places are as mad about dogs as you are, and welcome dogs on leads into their grounds. Now, more of our holiday cottages are welcoming well-behaved dogs, so they can join you on your break away.

Two dogs outside the Guardian's entrance to The Workhouse

What your dog can expect 

We're as mad about dogs as you are and many of our places provide facilities for you and your dog, such as shady parking spaces, water for drinking bowls and hitching posts where dogs may be left.

A man walking his dog in the woodland

9 walks with dog-friendly cafés 

After a long stroll in the fresh air with your four-legged friend, it’s nice to have somewhere to sit back and put your feet (or paws) up. We’ve chosen some of our favourite walks with dog-friendly cafés, so you can enjoy getting outside with the promise of a cuppa and cake at the end of the trail!

Follow our lead...

Help us keep the countryside a safe, healthy and enjoyable place for you and your dog, other visitors, wildlife and livestock:

  • Keep your dog in sight and under control - use a lead if requested
  • Don't let your dog chase wildlife or farm animals
  • Watch out for local notices. There may be restrictions in woodland or farmland at sensitive times of year, during the lambing season, or between March and the end of July when ground-nesting birds are on eggs or raising their young
  • Please always pick up after your dog. At many of our sites we've dedicated dog bins for you to use

Different restrictions apply at each of our places and at different times of year, so please check before you visit exactly where you and your four-legged friend can roam.

Heathland flora in the New Forest, Hampshire

Ticks and Lyme disease 

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks. Ticks are tiny spider-like creatures found in woodland and heath areas. Find out what to do if you're worried about ticks or Lyme disease.

Find out more about ticks and Lyme disease