Why book a pet-friendly cottage directly with the owner?
Why book directly with the owner? The big holiday platforms add a surcharge and sometimes they label it a booking fee or sometimes, they call it a service charge. It nearly always ends up costing more. We do things differently. All the properties on Simply Owners are let directly by their owners or a small local agency, with no surcharges in addition to the advertised price. What you see is what you pay.
That is important, but the real benefit of booking direct is far more than price. When you are travelling with a dog, little things matter. You can ring the owner and see if the garden has a proper fence all round or just a hedge with big gaps. You can see if the cottage is on a quiet lane or a busy road. You can check out whether the local pub takes dogs or if there is a nice walk off-lead within ten minutes. Good luck with that off an automated FAQ page.
Personal service, with the security behind it. We provide a Payment Protection plan to cover your money even when you are booking direct.
What makes a great dog-friendly cottage?
Just ticking the "pets allowed" box on a listing does not necessarily make a property dog friendly. A dog-friendly cottage is one that is designed around how you and your dog will actually holiday together.
Begin with the garden. A fully enclosed garden, completely fenced all round, is the most important feature. Your dog can run free first thing on a morning without you in your pyjamas holding a flexi lead in the rain. When looking at features on listings, be sure to specifically look for the word "enclosed." "Private garden" sounds idyllic but does not tell you if your little terrier is going to wriggle through a gap in the hedge.
After the garden, the differences between a good dog-friendly cottage and a brilliant one are less glamorous but surprisingly functional. Walks starting from the door, so you do not have to drive everywhere. Hard flooring in the main living spaces, because carpets and mud do not mix. A utility space for drying coats and leads. Welcome packs for dogs, including a bowl, a towel and occasionally some treats, which are left out ready for arrival. Small, thoughtful touches like these really help. Are they allowed on the furniture? Does the owner supply throws for this, or will you need to bring your own? Questions you can ask as you have direct contact with the owner.
It would be wise to enquire about dog washing facilities with the owner too, especially if you are off to somewhere with beaches or moorland. And find out if there are any dog friendly pubs around, because nothing rounds off a good walk better than a pint and a bowl of water by the fire.
Best destinations for dog-friendly cottages in the UK
The UK is a brilliant place for holidays with dogs. Here are the destinations our holidaymakers come back to again and again.
Cornwall: Miles of coastal path, year-round dog-friendly beaches at Perranporth and Sennen, fishing villages where dogs outnumber tourists for most of the year. Excellent walking along the South West Coast Path, and Cornish pubs welcome dogs as a matter of course.
Lake District: Fell walking that will tire even the most energetic spaniel, lakeside paths around Windermere and Derwentwater, and a deep pride in welcoming dogs at pubs and cafes. Popular for good reason.
Yorkshire: The Dales provide large areas of open moorland, peaceful river valleys and villages built from local stone. Further north, the North York Moors add dramatic coastline around Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. Big areas, perfect for walking all week and never retracing your steps.
Scotland: If your dog loves freedom and wide open spaces, the Highlands have plenty. Tracks around the lochs, passes through mountain ranges, glens so empty you will not see another person all day. The Isle of Skye and the Cairngorms are especially popular.
Devon: Dartmoor offers great off-lead walking on the vast open moor. The coastline produces beaches such as Saunton Sands and Woolacombe. Dog friendly tearooms serving cream teas are close to being a local institution.
Wales: Pembrokeshire offers some of the best coastal walking in Britain. Snowdonia adds mountain drama, and the right-to-roam legislation means the Welsh uplands are well within reach of walkers with dogs. Less crowded than Cornwall and arguably prettier.
Norfolk: Long empty beaches backed by dunes, the quiet waterways of the Broads, flat terrain that suits older dogs and less confident walkers. Genuinely relaxing.
Northumberland: Bamburgh, Alnmouth, and the vast sands at Druridge Bay welcome dogs year-round. The Cheviot Hills offer hill walking far from the tourist numbers of the Lake District. Overlooked and well worth the drive.
Tips for planning a dog-friendly holiday
- Book outside of peak summer holiday time if you are able. More cottages become available, prices drop, and beaches which restrict dogs between July and August open up again from October through April.
- Clarify how many dogs the property takes. Most welcome one or two, but some larger cottages accommodate three or more. Ask the owner directly rather than relying on a filter.
- Find out where the nearest vet is. You probably will not need one, but knowing where the closest practice is saves you scrambling in an emergency.
- Take a dedicated dog towel; your car seats and the cottage furnishings will thank you.
- Before travelling, check beach restrictions. Many popular beaches ban dogs between May and September.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do dog-friendly cottages include?
It depends on the property. Sometimes your dog is welcome in the cottage free of charge or for a small fee per stay. The best properties have enclosed gardens, dog beds, water bowls, information on local walks, dog washing facilities and welcome baskets. As they are each owned separately, just ask in advance what is provided.
What are the best dog-friendly destinations in the UK?
Traditional dog friendly holiday areas are Cornwall, the Lake District, Yorkshire, Scotland and Devon. Cornwall and Devon provide dog friendly beaches for every month of the year. The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales offer fell and moorland walking. Scotland offers wild open spaces. Choose based on whether your dog prefers the coast, the hills or the countryside.
How many dogs can I bring to a holiday cottage?
Most cottages will allow one or two dogs, with larger properties even taking three or more. Each listing mentions the maximum number of pets allowed, and you can contact the owner through our site to confirm, especially if you have a larger breed or more than one dog.
Are there dog-friendly cottages with enclosed gardens?
Yes. Several of our properties have enclosed gardens where dogs can have off-lead time. Look for the term "enclosed" or "secure" in listings rather than "private." If it is not specified, call the owner.
Where in the UK is most dog-friendly?
Dog-friendly pubs, open walking country and a strong culture of travelling with dogs make the Lake District, Cornwall and the Yorkshire Dales the most dog-friendly parts of the country. Scotland is hard to beat for space and freedom. Northumberland does not get enough attention.
Can dogs stay free at holiday cottages?
Yes, at many of our properties. Some owners have no charges for dogs. Others charge a small fee per dog per stay, around twenty to forty pounds, which covers extra cleaning. Check with the owner before you book through our site.
Find your perfect pet-friendly cottage
Browse our full collection of pet friendly holiday cottages in the UK and contact owners direct. No booking fees, no service charges. Straightforward holiday planning with the people who know their properties best.
