Who do you love more – your pooch or your partner? Celebrate Valentine’s Day with both by your side, on a dog-friendly date where your four-legged friend will feel the love, too. From hand-in-hand hikes with your hound to fine dining with your furry friend, here’s our pick of romantic things to do this Valentine’s Day with your dog in tow.
1. Hike to the Hilltops
The UK boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world, so lace up your walking boots and lead your dog and your lover on a romantic hike through rolling hills or dramatic mountains. Fill your lungs with fresh air, capture stunning views, and enjoy quality time together immersed in wild beauty. For a challenging hike summit Snowdon in Wales or Helvellyn in the Lake District, and for a more gentle climb head up Whernside in the Yorkshire Dales.
2. Beach Picnic with Your Pooch
Are there any more romantic places to head with your pooch and your partner than the beach? Kick off your shoes and wander hand-in-hand beside crashing waves, while your dog scampers along the shoreline chasing balls and sea foam. Make the day even more special by packing a picnic of delicious seasonal treats to lay out on a beach blanket, not forgetting treats for your four-legged friend and a flask of hot drinks, so that you can stay and watch the sunset before heading back to your dog-friendly holiday cottage.
3. Dog-Friendly Dates at National Trust Estates
Grand country estates with sub-tropical gardens, romantic walks and dog-friendly cafés serving afternoon tea – no wonder National Trust properties are our go-to for delightful days out with the dog. From the magical woodland of Clumber Park in Nottinghamshire, to the water gardens and fairytale ruins of Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire, there are countless landscapes where you can woo your lover and walk your dog this Valentine’s Day. Plus, the National Trust’s pawprint rating system makes it simple to find the most dog-friendly days out close to your holiday cottage.
4. Walk to a Dog-Friendly Pub with a Log Fire
Wrap up for a rosy-cheeked ramble with Rover and your lover, plotting a route that ends at a cosy, canine-friendly pub with a roaring fire. From moorland meanders in Devon to yomps in Yorkshire, we’ve got a few favourite walks to pooch-friendly pubs and have handpicked some of the dog-friendly watering holes we love visiting in winter. But you’ll find plenty of country inns across the UK welcome your furry friends, many of which serve up special Valentine’s menus that you can enjoy in a cosy ambience beside the fireplace with Fido at your feet.
5. Dine on the Foods of Love
Oysters and mussels have long been considered aphrodisiacs, so why not woo your Valentine with the foods of love in a romantic restaurant where dogs are welcomed? Stein’s Cornish Arms serves delectable Moules Marinere in a dog-friendly setting on the outskirts of Padstow. Or you can crack into oysters and crab over a leisurely lunch at The Oyster Shack in Devon, where dogs are welcome on the sheltered terrace area.
6. Book a Photo Shoot with Your Pet
Make lasting memories this Valentine’s Day, by hiring a professional photographer to capture paw-traits of you and your loved ones. Make it a fun day out with your favourite landscapes in the backdrop – whether that’s the beach, woodland or your favourite park – or hire a studio and strike a pose with your pooch and your partner.
7. Go Stargazing
One of the most romantic activities you can enjoy with your loved one on Valentine’s Day is stargazing, and it’s easy to take your dog on a night walk where you can lose yourselves to the vastness of the universe. The UK is home to several designated Dark Skies Parks, including Europe’s largest area of protected night sky in Northumberland, Galloway Forest Park in Scotland and Exmoor National Park. If you prefer to stargaze with creature comforts, why not enjoy a Valentine’s Break in one of our dog-friendly cottages where you can watch the stars from a hot tub?
8. Road Trip with Rover
Fuel your love with a romantic road trip to somewhere new. Whether you go ten miles or ten hours from home, exploring new places with your pooch nurtures curiosity and fills your Valentine’s celebrations with special memories. For inspiration why not check out our insider guides to some of the top dog-friendly destinations for 2025 and see what new activities you can try with your dog?
9. Share Cake at a Dog-Friendly Café
While dining out with your dog is a breeze these days, our favourite meal out with our canine companions is when we’re tucking into sweet treats at dog-friendly café. Not only can you and your lover share your favourite cake while you gaze lovingly at each other, most cafés provide delights for your dog – from doggie ice cream to biscuits and belly rubs.
10. Cosy Up in a Dog-Friendly Cottage
Imagine cosy evenings by the fire with the winter storms rapping at the window, a glass of wine in hand, and your furry friend curled up at your feet beside the fire. Dog Friendly Retreats offer the perfect hideaways for a romantic getaway with your loved one and your pooch.
Check out our collection of romantic dog-friendly cottages available for a Valentine’s Break.
