Ditch the car keys and do dog-friendly holidays differently this year. A car-free break isn’t just better for the planet – it’s easier on your pocket, less stressful for you, and a whole lot more fun for your pooch.
Whether you arrive by train or bus, or drive to your destination and leave the car parked up, we’ve unearthed some of the best places to dive into dog-friendly adventures on foot and paw.
Think wide-open spaces and trails on the doorstep. Pubs and restaurants with water bowls and dog treats at the ready. And plenty of things to do with your canine companion – from beach days and boat rides, to culture and country estates.
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
Creative canine owners craving a countryside break with riverside rambles will fall head-over-heels with Hebden Bridge. This charming market town – instantly recognisable from its starring role in Happy Valley – is packed with independent shops, galleries and cafés – nearly all of them dog friendly. While your four-legged friend is sure to be made a fuss of while you eat, drink and browse, the real lure for hounds and hikers is the labyrinth of trails winding alongside the canal and into wooded valleys and moorland.
It’s easy to get to Hebden Bridge by train (direct from Manchester or Leeds), or – if you insist on driving – it’s a cinch to get around without your wheels from our dog-friendly cottages in the heart of town. Need to stay somewhere? Check out our dog friendly cottages in Hebden Bridge.
Keswick, Lake District
Surrounded by fells, lakes and endless trails, Keswick is a top spot for dog lovers looking to ditch the car and set out on scenic loops to cosy pubs, or try lakeland adventures such as paddleboarding with your pooch. Dogs are welcome on Derwentwater steamers, in local shops and tearooms, and there’s no shortage of waggy-tailed walks into the hills. Why not explore Walla Crag, or summit Catbells for a mini-mountain adventure? For a low-carbon Lake District escape with dogs, it doesn’t get better than this.
Buses run regularly from Penrith station, and once you’re settled into one of our dog-friendly cottages in Keswick, everything’s within easy reach on foot and paw.
St Ives, Cornwall
Step straight off one of the UK’s most scenic railway lines to paddle in turquoise shallows, sniff out fresh crab in dog-friendly eateries beside the harbour, and strike out into a gallery of views along the coast. St Ives is a dream destination for car-free coastal escapes with your dog. Lambeth Walk and Bamaluz Beach are dog friendly all year, and there are lots of sea-view watering holes where you can watch the waves with your dog at your feet. Hit the South West Coast Path towards Zennor or Land’s End for big-sky drama, or hop on a boat or the open-top Atlantic Coaster bus if you want to explore further – no car needed.
Trains roll right into St Ives via a scenic branch line from St Erth, and once you’re there, you won’t need a car. Our dog-friendly places to stay in St Ives put you minutes from everything.
Barmouth, Snowdonia
With its vast beach, mountain backdrop and iconic railway bridge, Barmouth is a brilliant base for dog-friendly breaks – no car needed. Splash along the Mawddach Estuary trail, sniff out history in town, or scale the hills behind for knockout views of the bay. Then retreat to a cosy, dog-loving pub or café that’s full of character.
Barmouth is on the scenic Cambrian Railway, so getting here is part of the adventure. Settle into one of our dog-friendly stays in Barmouth and let the trails, tides and sunsets do the rest.
Lynmouth, North Devon
Where the wild Exmoor cliffs meet the sea, Lynmouth delivers dog-friendly adventures with old-school seaside charm. Pups can ride the historic cliff railway, pad beside tumbling rivers, or clamber up wooded paths to sweeping moorland views. Follow the South West Coast Path for salty air and seal-spotting, then refuel in a harbourside tearoom.
Buses link Lynmouth with Barnstaple and Minehead, and you’ll be all set to explore from one of our dog-friendly boltholes in the heart of Lynmouth.
Pitlochry, Perthshire
Forests, lochs and warm Highland hospitality make Pitlochry a prime location for car-free holidays with your pooch. Wander riverside trails, crunch beneath woodland canopies, or take on Ben Vrackie for those big-sky views. Post-walkies, plenty of pubs and cafés open their doors to muddy boots and wagging tails.
Trains roll into town from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, and with so many walks starting right from the doorstep, you won’t miss the car when you stay in one of our dog-friendly cottages in Pitlochry.
Castleton, Peak District, Derbyshire
Often overlooked in favour of the Lakes, the Peak District is home to a scattering of dog-friendly trails and towns. And if your idea of a hound-friendly haven is a scenic hike followed by a pint in a cosy pub, Castleton delivers. Hike Mam Tor, peer into cave-slashed valleys like Winnats Pass and Cave Dale, then refuel at one of the dog-friendly pubs or tearooms. It’s compact, friendly and surrounded by some of the Peak District’s best trails.
While it’s easier to arrive by car, you can get the train to Hope (Derbyshire), then stroll or hop on a bus to Castleton. Once here, everything’s within reach of your dog-friendly hideaway to Castleton.
Llangollen, North Wales
Tucked into the Dee Valley, Llangollen is a scenic gem with steam trains, canal walks, hill trails and dog-friendly tearooms at every turn. Set off along the Llangollen Canal towpath, hike to the ruins of Castell Dinas Brân for panoramic views, or take the Horseshoe Pass for a proper leg-stretcher. Back in town, pubs and cafés are ready with water bowls and biscuits.
Trains to nearby Ruabon connect easily with buses to Llangollen, and once you’re there, everything unfolds from your dog-friendly holiday cottage – no wheels required. Discover our cottages that welcome pets in Llangollen today!
Whitby, North Yorkshire
With its gothic spires, cobbled streets and windswept headlands, Whitby welcomes dogs into its dramatic landscapes and atmospheric attractions. Stroll the 199 steps to the Abbey, follow the Cleveland Way along the clifftops, or hop on the Esk Valley Railway for a ride through moorland and forest. Then settle in for fish and chips by the harbour with your dog at your feet.
There’s a direct train to Whitby from Middlesbrough, and the town’s walkable scale means you can leave the car behind and dive into dog-friendly days out on the doorstep of your Whitby holiday cottage.
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