Thought a car was essential for a dog-friendly holiday? Think again. Let the train take the strain and hop onboard with your hound to these dog-friendly destinations that are easy to reach by rail.
With over 200 years of rail travel in the UK and growing interest in greener travel, there’s no better time to embrace the ease and excitement of train travel with your dog. No traffic, no parking stress – just step off the platform and straight into adventures with your four-legged friend.
1. Staveley, Lake District
It’s no secret that we love spending time in the Lake District with our furry friends – whether that’s stomping into the hills or taking in the scenery from the water. While popular Windemere is easy to get to by rail with Rover, we’d suggest hopping off the scenic Lakes Line one station earlier, at Staveley. Why? For the same dramatic valley and mountain walks, but without the crowds. This quieter part of the Lakes is perfect for dogs and their owners looking for adventures a little off the beaten track: Head up to Garburn Pass for panoramic views, stroll along the River Kent, or hike up to Potter Tarn. And reward yourself at the dog-friendly Wilf’s Café or the Hawkshead Brewery Taproom.
Getting there: Direct trains from Manchester run to Staveley via Oxenholme, making it one of the easiest Lake District escapes by rail.
2. Newquay, Cornwall
Fancy a beach holiday with your dog – by train? Newquay is one of our all-time top destinations for toes-in-the-sand adventures with our four-legged friends. And Newquay train station is just a short walk from a pack of dog-friendly beaches, as well as miles of coast path. Newquay is a vibrant hub supporting a variety of tourism businesses, including cafés and pubs that welcome your pooch with treats and belly rubs. Whether you want to frolic in the waves, caper along the cliffs, or kick back with a cocktail in hand, Newquay is a dream spot for active dogs and their beach-loving owners.
Getting there: Newquay is well-connected to many UK cities, including London, Bristol, and Birmingham. Newquay train station is footsteps from Tolcarne Beach, and 25-minutes walk from Fistral Beach.
3. Aviemore, Scottish Highlands
Love exploring the Great Outdoors with your hound at your heels? Nestled in the Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore boasts miles and miles of magical forests, mountains, lochs and riverside trails for adventures with Rover: Wildlife walkies in Rothiemurchus Forest, leisurely strolls along the Speyside Way, the funicular up Cairngorm Mountain and plenty of pooch-welcoming pubs to rest and fuel up. Not only is it easy to reach Aviemore by train, but the journey there through the Highlands is enchanting, with breathtaking views of rolling hills, dense pine forests, and wilderness.
Getting there: Direct trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London make Aviemore an easy – and scenic – journey. The station is in the heart of town, so you can step straight into dog-friendly adventures.
4. Teignmouth & Dawlish, Devon
Few train journeys in the UK rival the one along Devon’s coastline. As the train clings to the edge of the cliffs, the waves crash just metres away, making this one of the most spectacular journeys you can take with your dog. Step off in Teignmouth or Dawlish and you’re instantly in beach mode, with sandy shores, waterfront cafés, and scenic coastal walks at your feet.
Getting there: Direct trains from Exeter to Teignmouth and Dawlish take just 20-30 minutes, making this a quick and scenic trip for anyone wanting to experience Devon’s coast.
5. Dunbar, East Lothian
A hidden gem on Scotland’s southeast coast, Dunbar is perfect for a dog-friendly seaside escape. Flanked by sweeping beaches, rugged cliffs and rolling countryside, this coastal town steeped in history is easy to reach by train – and packed with adventures for you and your four-legged friend when you get there. Explore John Muir Country Park’s wild dunes, walk along the dramatic cliffs to Dunbar Castle, play fetch on Belhaven Bay, and fuel up at pooch-friendly cafés and pubs including The Brig and Barrel.
Getting there: Direct trains from Edinburgh take just 30 minutes, making Dunbar an easy and scenic escape from the city.
6. Harrogate, Yorkshire
How about a dog-friendly getaway with a touch of elegance? The historic spa town of Harrogate is a fantastic rail-accessible destination, that’s surrounded by countryside and dog-friendly walks in The Stray, RHS Harlow Carr, and the Nidd Gorge. Take a stroll through Valley Gardens, enjoy a coffee in the many dog-welcoming cafés, or venture further afield to the Yorkshire Dales.
Getting there: Harrogate has direct train connections from York and Leeds, making it an easy and scenic getaway without a car.
7. Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland
Straddling the border between England and Scotland, Berwick-upon-Tweed’s dog-friendly mix of beaches, history and coastal trails are a breeze to get to by train. Step straight out of your carriage with your canine companion, and it’s about 15 minutes’ stroll via the town’s Elizabethan town walls to the sandy expanse of Berwick Beach. From here you can stretch your legs and paws along the Berwickshire Coastal Path, crossing the Tweed River to Spittal Beach and beyond – and keeping your eyes peeled for seals and seabirds. The town is full of welcoming cafés and pubs, including The Curfew, a cosy micropub where dogs are always greeted with a fuss.
Getting there: Berwick-upon-Tweed is on the East Coast Main Line, with direct trains from London, Edinburgh, and Newcastle. The station is a short walk from the town centre and coastal paths.
8. Rye and Camber Sands, Kent
Hop off the train in the charming medieval town of Rye and step into a world of cobbled streets, historic inns, and dog-friendly adventures. Just a short bus or taxi ride away, Camber Sands offers one of the best dog-friendly beaches in the South East – miles of golden sand and rolling dunes, perfect for off-lead zoomies. Back in Rye, enjoy a pint at The Mermaid Inn, one of England’s oldest pubs, where dogs are warmly welcomed by the fireside.
Getting there: Direct trains from London St Pancras to Rye take just over an hour. From Rye, Camber Sands is a 10-minute bus or taxi ride away.
9. Peak District, Derbyshire
Often shunned for the more popular Lakes, the Peak District offers some of the best dog-friendly hiking in England, with vast moorlands, deep dales, and charming villages ready to welcome you and your pup. Arriving by train, you can step straight onto scenic trails from places like Edale or Hope. Take your dog along parts of the famous Pennine Way, wander through the dramatic landscapes of Mam Tor, or enjoy a gentler stroll along the Monsal Trail. Many pubs in the Peak District are dog-friendly, offering cosy spots to refuel after a long walk – The Old Nags Head in Edale is a particular favourite.
Getting there: Direct trains from Manchester and Sheffield run to stations including Edale, Hope, and Hathersage, making the Peak District an easy escape by rail.
10. Llandudno, North Wales
Combining seaside scenery and scenic mountain walks, Llandudno ticks both the coast and countryside boxes as a top dog-friendly destination that’s easily accessible by train. The sweeping Victorian promenade is perfect for a leisurely stroll with your dog, while the Great Orme headland rises over 200m above the Irish Sea, providing stunning views, plenty of off-lead walking areas, and a wonderful wildlife-spotting vantage point. Whether you’re enjoying fresh air on the seafront, striking out into the surrounding hills, or taking a pit-stop in a pooch-friendly pup, you and your pup will love a railway adventure to North Wales.
Getting there: Direct trains from Chester take just over an hour to Llandudno, and it’s just over five minutes walk from the station to the seafront.
All Aboard for a Dog-Friendly Holiday by Train
Book your train ticket and a dog-friendly cottage, and hop on board for an adventure you and your pup will love. Whether you choose a seaside escape or a countryside retreat, train travel offers a stress-free and sustainable way to explore the UK.
