The most dog-friendly holiday hotspots in the UK revealed

With 21,000 monthly queries for 'dog-friendly cottages,' it's evident that many Brits are eager to discover getaways where they can take their cherished pets. Whether it's scenic coastal trails by sandy shores or tranquil rural hideaways in the English countryside, the UK offers a plethora of fantastic staycation options. But which destinations are best suited for you and your four-legged friend?

At cottages.com, we’ve done the research to uncover the most dog-friendly holiday hotspots in the UK, so keep reading to find your next dream getaway destination for you and your pooch!

1. Penzance, Cornwall

Penzance in Cornwall tops our list of dog-friendly destinations, primarily due to its abundance of accessible green areas, where it shares the top spot with Dumfries. Moreover, this location has no recorded instances of harmful plant species.

This means that you and your furry friend can enjoy leisurely strolls through stunning gardens and parks with peace of mind! Close by is the National Trust site known as Trengwainton Garden, featuring an award-winning collection of plants and a charming second-hand bookshop housed in the old head gardener's cottage.

Additionally, there's the historic Morrab Gardens situated just outside the town centre, spanning three acres. If you're up for a short walk, you can reach Penlee Park within ten minutes; it's home to an open-air theatre and a playground for children.

2. Dumfries, Scotland

Up in Scotland, Dumfries takes the second spot in our rankings with an impressive total score of 96.79. A number of different factors contributed to this score, including having the second most dog-friendly eateries (43) and the highest number of accredited veterinary practices (5), so you can feel at ease knowing there’s a whole host of pet experts in the area.

Dumfries also appears joint-top with Penzance for accessible green spaces (15), with tons of wonderful dog walking spots right on your doorstep. This includes Drumlanrig Castle, which you may recognise from TV’s ‘Outlander’, Ellisland Farm, which is the former family home of Robert Burns, and Galloway Forest Park, where you can spot red squirrels and red deer. And that’s just to name a few!

3. Whitby, North Yorkshire

The final coveted spot in our top 3 goes to the North Yorkshire coastal town of Whitby, which scored 84.77 in our rankings. With a whopping 43 dog-friendly eateries, the most of any location on the list, it’s clear that they encourage people to bring their pooches along with them for a coffee or bite to eat!

Aside from mealtimes, there are also lots of lovely green spaces (10) and no harmful plant species sightings, meaning you can explore the area without any concerns. Some of the most iconic walking spots around Whitby include the abbey ruins, which inspired Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’, as well as a 7-mile walking route from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay.

Three Scottish locations appear in the top 10

In the top 10 alone are three different dog-friendly Scottish locations – Dumfries (96.79), Pitlochry (45.17), and Fort William (42.17). We’ve already taken a look at why Dumfries is worth considering, but what about the other two?

In 9th place is Pitlochry, a picture postcard town in the Perth and Kinross area, which scored 45.18 in our rankings. Whilst it is a smaller town, there are still cafes and eateries that welcome furry companions and some great dog-walking spots, like Faskally Woods.

The final Scottish spot in our rankings is Fort William, whose score of 42.17 managed to secure the 10th spot. Only a short drive away is the Nevis Range, where your dog can join in taking in the scenic views and mountain trails.

Cornwall has four spots in the top 20

Another area frequently featured in our full rankings is Cornwall, with four separate spots in the top 20, including Penzance (100), St Ives (52.61), Port Isaac (41.63), and Padstow (20.76). As our number one location, we’ve already touched on why Penzance might be the location for your next Cornwall dog-friendly cottage holiday, so let’s check out the other three Cornish spots.

Claiming the sixth position with a score of 52.61 is St Ives, a favoured destination in Cornwall for visitors thanks to its lively atmosphere and stunning beaches. Additionally, it welcomes dogs, allowing your furry friend to accompany you on coastal strolls and partake in various activities like exploring the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.

Port Isaac, a quieter village in Cornwall and the shooting site for 'Doc Martin,' claims the 11th position with a score of 41.63 in our dog-friendly rankings. In 18th place is Padstow, which received a score of 20.76. We're confident that both you and your canine companion will love this location, as it offers opportunities to explore the numerous beaches or accompany you along the Camel Trail.

Discussing the research and its findings, Richard Banks at cottages.com, says:

“Whether you want to explore the countryside, enjoy a picturesque coastal walk, or wander around an idyllic village, the UK is home to many lovely places and it’s great to see that there are plenty of dog-friendly staycation options across the country.”

To ensure happy travels for you and your pup, take a look at our dog blog universe, which offers top tips for taking your dog on holiday. It delves into what to pack, things to look out for when choosing your dog-friendly holiday cottage and provides top tips for taking your dog on holiday, and other helpful advice.

Ready to discover the perfect getaway place for you and your pup? Whether you're dreaming of a dog-friendly cottage in the UK, you can discover them all here at cottages.com.

Methodology

Average monthly searches in the United Kingdom, data taken from Ahrefs on 4th April 2025

To determine the best dog-friendly staycation locations across the UK, we analysed key factors relating to dog safety and suitability. Our analysis included:

• Veterinary Availability: Counted Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)-accredited veterinary practices within each location using data from findavet.rcvs.org.uk

• Lost and Stolen Dogs: Collected data on currently reported lost or stolen dogs from DogLost.co.uk for each area's postcode.

• Presence of Harmful Plants: Using the comprehensive UK plant survey Plant Atlas 2020 , we identified reported sightings within a 5km radius of six plants toxic to dogs: Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), Yew (Taxus baccata), Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna), Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis), Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum), and Daffodils (Narcissus spp.).

• Traffic Safety: Assessed safety by calculating the average daily traffic flow from the nearest manual count points, using the latest data from roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk

• Dog-Friendly Dining Options: Counted the number of dog-friendly pubs, cafés, and restaurants in each area from DogFriendly.co.uk

• Proximity to Parks and Green Spaces: Identified parks and green spaces accessible within a 10-minute walk, sourced from fieldsintrust.org

Each metric was normalised and given equal weight to calculate a composite score between 0 and 100, enabling clear ranking of the most suitable locations for dog-friendly staycations.

Disclaimer

This study is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a definitive guide or ranking of UK locations. While we have made every effort to verify and accurately present the data, we cannot guarantee the complete accuracy or reliability of the information. We recommend conducting your own research and due diligence before making travel decisions involving dogs.

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