Dogs On Tour: How to Enjoy a Dog-Friendly Tour of the United Kingdom

Leaving our dogs behind when we go on a trip can be a heart-wrenching experience, but fortunately for anyone visiting the United Kingdom, dogs are widely welcomed. With spectacular countryside and beaches for long walks, exciting attractions that welcome four-legged travellers, and plenty of dog-friendly cafés and pubs to relax in, there’s so much to see and do. 

Try canine canoeing and enchanting walks in Scotland

With its rich diversity of landscapes, your dog will get as much from a trip to Scotland as you will (Photo: Getty Images)

Scotland is a dream destination for dog owners: mountains to climb, beaches to explore.

The capital, Edinburgh, has so much to offer, with gentle walks up Arthur’s Seat – an extinct volcano southeast of the centre that affords excellent views across the city – and fun museums to explore. Visit Summerhall with the dog to see the latest art exhibitions, or take the whole family for a silly afternoon at the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, where a vortex tunnel and mirror maze is sure to entertain. Stay at Delta Hotels Edinburgh, where dogs are just as welcome as you are, and you’ll find dog-friendly beaches at Cramond and Yellowcraig for seaside adventures nearby. 

Beyond the Scottish capital lies a country of spectacular scenery. The Cairngorms, in Scotland’s northeast, has incredible canoeing opportunities – take to the shores of Loch Morlich for watery adventures in the shadow of Cairn Gorm mountain. Or hop on the Strathspey Steam Railway from Aviemore for a sedate trundle through epic scenery. 

Find four-legged fun at the castles and coastline of Wales

The spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline of Wales is ripe for adventure when travelling with your dog (Photo: Getty Images)

Located just south of the quaint town of Chepstow, Delta Hotels St. Pierre Country Club has vast grounds for those essential morning walks. Book one of the hotel's regal Village Superior rooms and the dog will be welcome, too. When the time comes to explore further afield, try Chepstow itself. It's a beautiful market town, with a dramatic dog-friendly castle perched on a limestone cliff above the river. 

Further west lies the coastal region of Pembrokeshire, where Wales’ spectacular coastline comes into its own with sweeping sandy beaches and secluded coves. Don’t miss walking the Wales Coast Path, and make time to let the dog run free on beaches like Broad Haven South and Freshwater East, both of which allow dogs year-round. For an afternoon of intrigue, take a coastal foraging tour with Forage Pembrokeshire to seek out seaside morsels and cook up a fabulous lunch on the beach.

See pawsome scenery by rail or boat in Northern England

Head to the North York Moors to enjoy an unforgettable steam railway trip with your canine companion (Photo: Getty Images)

From the fells of the Lake District to the undulating Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors, the north of England is prime dog-walking country. The great outdoors here is impossible to resist when you’re travelling with a dog, and there’s a wonderful variety of ways to see it: on foot, of course, and even by steam train or boat.

In Cumbria, you can explore the Lake District by boat on dog-friendly Ullswater Steamers, while in the North York Moors there’s a dog-friendly steam railway line connecting the countryside to the coast at Whitby. 

Further north, near the border with Scotland, Northumberland National Park has more hiking in the Cheviot Hills and along the historic Hadrian’s Wall, where Roman fortress ruins abound – don’t miss exploring Corbridge Roman Town with the dog. On the coast, visit Bamburgh beach for blustery coastal walks, boat trips to the Farne Islands and an arresting red sandstone castle right on the sand.

Go barking mad for beaches and canals in the Midlands and East Anglia 

Whether it's walkies along the canal paths of Birmingham or out in the wide open spaces of Norfolks beaches, you and your four-legged friend will have the time of your lives in the Midlands and East Anglia (Photo: Getty Images)

England’s dynamic second-city, Birmingham, is the heart of the Midlands and dogs will love canalside walks through the city centre and the rightly celebrated guided tours led by local legend Kevin Thomas. Beyond the city, discover great walks in the Shropshire Hills, or visit the former home of Britain’s most famous playwright, Shakespeare, in Stratford-upon-Avon, where dogs can join you to explore the gardens. 

In East Anglia, it’s all about the coastline: Norfolk and Suffolk have myriad dog-friendly beaches, from the vast sands of Holkham to the pier and promenade at Felixstowe. Don’t miss the dog-friendly boat trips to Blakeney Point, the best way to see the hundreds of seals that lollop on the beach in Norfolk. If it’s an educational day out you’re seeking, head to the fantastic Food Museum, where there’s 84 acres of countryside and 17 buildings to explore with the dog. 

Get tails wagging on a coastal adventure in Southwest England

From Bournemouth and Portsmouth all the way through to Cornwall, Southwest England's beaches are a playground for pups (Photo: Getty Images)

Bournemouth is the ultimate beach town in Southwest England, and there’s plenty to enjoy with the dog by your side. From October through April, dogs can run around on the whole length of Bournemouth Beach and explore the Victorian pier, while the beach section around Alum Chine nearby is dog-friendly year-round. They get five-star treatment at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel, too, with beds, bowls and blankets provided in the room. Book a cosy 'cottage room' and you'll also get a special treat for your pup.

East along the coast from Bournemouth lies Portsmouth, a buzzing city with fascinating maritime history. Stay at the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel in the north of the city and your dog will be welcomed in the bar area at mealtimes and outside on the grassy terrace. Head towards the city’s Historic Dockyard for dog-friendly boat trips around the harbour, and don’t miss a stroll on Southsea Beach and along coastal Southsea Common. 

If you venture further southwest, the coastal castles of Devon and Cornwall offer a multitude of fascinating days out. Tintagel and St Mawes are two dog-friendly favourites. For something a little different, visit the Cornish Seal Sanctuary with the dog to meet a cast of curious creatures rescued and rehabilitated from the nearby coast. 

Become a big city pup in London and Southeast England

At Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, it's not just you who can enjoy an expertly mixed drink (Photo: Marriott International)

Dogs needn’t miss out on the culture of England’s capital city, as London is a supremely dog-friendly destination. Book into Sheraton Grand London Park Lane, which sits just a minute’s walk from Green Park and fifteen minutes from St James’s Park, and the dog will be welcomed with open arms. The hotel's Smith & Whistle bar even has a menu of 'Dogtails' – drinks specially devised in a collaboration with canine nutritionist David Jackson. Will it be a Bubbly Bow Wow or perhaps a Poochie Colada for your companion today?

At London Marriott Hotel Regents Park, meanwhile, dogs get their own bed and handmade treats – not to mention plenty of walks on nearby Primrose Hill and along the leafy towpath on the Regent’s Canal. It’s not all about the city parks, though, as one of London’s biggest attractions allows dogs: don’t miss a wander along the glass walkway at Tower Bridge.

Treat yourself and your furry friend to an unforgettable stay at Aloft London Excel with the exclusive Animals R Fun (Arf) package! A cozy overnight stay complete with breakfast included and your pet will be pampered with an Aloft-branded bed, a personalized paw-arrival email, and a water bowl to quench their thirst after a day of exploring. Plus, indulge them with our woof-alicious treats and toys of their choice! With accommodations for one pet up to 40lbs per room, your furry companion will feel right at home.

Further into the southeast, the Kent coast is a wonderful place for a weekend away with the dog, and trendy Margate has cafes and pubs aplenty that welcome pets, as well as the quirky Crab Museum. Between October and April, dogs can also run free on Margate Main Sands beach.

Published: October 07, 2024

Last Updated: November 26, 2024