Renowned for its beautiful coastline, towering mountain ranges, picturesque river valleys and ancient woodlands, Wales is a dog’s dream come true. With so much to see and do, it lends itself pawfectly to countless hours of exploration, enjoying the country’s natural landscapes and sniffing out all the best trails. And, it’s not just its outdoor spaces that are great for canine exploration either, as the country also happens to be one of the most dog friendly in Europe, offering a wealth of dog-friendly attractions that welcome four-legged visitors for a fun day out with the pack.
What are the best dog friendly attractions in Wales?
So that you can put your best paw forward and head straight to the top places to visit with your dog, we’ve put together a list of the best dog-friendly attractions in Wales for year-round exploration. Leashes at the ready!
North Wales
Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey
An unfinished masterpiece, the moated Beaumaris Castle in Anglesey is perhaps the “greatest castle never built”. Providing a fascinating insight into the history of this half-finished 13th-century castle, the castle’s ground floor levels (including the weaponry room and a small cinema) and outdoor spaces are all open to four-legged chums and their owners to explore together.
Llanberis Lake Narrow Gauge Railway, Llanberis
Treat yourself and your loyal companion to a relaxing ride with Llanberis Lake Narrow Gauge Railway in Snowdonia National Park. A dog-friendly heritage railway, it departs from Llanberis and pootles along the northern shores of Llyn Padarn for 2.5 miles, showcasing some of North Wales’ most glorious scenery. There’s a small fee for dogs, but the journey is well worth it for the unrivalled views of Snowdon alone.
National Trust Bodnant Garden, Conwy
Planted with flora from all over the world, the historic, Grade I listed Bodnant Garden on the Gower Peninsula is a real horticultural masterpiece and open to dogs on select days throughout the year. 150 years in the making, every inch of its 80 acres is beautifully maintained with manicured lawns, floral borders and verdant woodland – a real sensory sensation for curious pups.
Great Orme Mines, Llandudno
Dating back 4,000 years, the Great Orme Copper Mines near Llandudno provide a detailed look into Wales’ ancient and modern history. One of the best dog-friendly attractions in the country, it welcomes dogs everywhere on site, including the underground tunnels which make up part of what is now believed to be the biggest prehistoric mine in the world.
Zip World Llechwedd, Blaenau Ffestiniog
Zip World is a superb family-friendly attraction offering thrilling activities and tours for all ages, including mine tours, caving experiences, underground golf, ziplining and more. Best of all, dogs on leads are very much welcome onsite, and while they can’t take part in the adventure activities, they can be pre-booked into Zip World’s onsite doggy daycare. There is plenty of dog-friendly accommodation in Blaenau Ffestiniog and nearby Porthmadog.
South Wales
Tintern Abbey, Tintern
One of the most iconic abbeys in the UK, the 12th-century Tintern Abbey creates a magical setting for walkies with your dog. Pups and senior hounds alike need to be kept on a lead, but you’ll undoubtedly enjoy keeping them close as you weave around the walls of this glorious, roofless ruin and wander along the banks of the river above which it lies in the glorious Monmouthshire countryside.
National Showcaves Centre for Wales, Swansea
The dog-friendly National Showcaves Centre has been the recipient of several awards and is often dubbed one of Britain’s finest natural wonders. To set tails wagging, there are three caves (part of a 10-mile-long cave system), a dinosaur park with 220 life-sized dinosaur models and a museum for you and your dog to enjoy. It’s a wonderful attraction to visit when staying in Powys and is easily accessible from other areas of Mid Wales and South Wales.
Raglan Castle, Monmouth
Some of the most striking ruins of a Medieval castle in the UK, Raglan Castle should be on the bucket list of every four-pawed historian. Amongst its dog-friendly ground levels, you can retrace the pawsteps of time through grand stone arches and drink in the views from atop the castle tower of the surrounding countryside towards Monmouth and Abergavenny.
Dyffryn Gardens, Welshpool
Restored botanical gardens dating back to Edwardian times, the National Trust Dryffyn Gardens are amongst the most popular in Wales. With 55 acres to uncover with your little or large companion, you can follow winding paths through a series of dog-friendly garden rooms, including the Paved Court, Reflecting Pool, Rose Garden and Mediterranean Garden. A must-visit attraction to visit during a dog-friendly holiday in Glamorgan.
Brecon Mountain Railway, Brecon
Take the weight off feet and paws with a scenic tour with Brecon Mountain Railway. A vintage steam train running from Pant to Torpantau through the stunning Brecon Beacons National Park, it proffers the perfect way to get around and lap up the region’s beautiful views. You can also extend your day trip by stopping off at your favourite places en route too.
St. Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff
St Fagans National Museum of History is a family and dog-friendly open-air museum that chronicles the social, cultural and architectural history of the Welsh. Explore over 40 original buildings from different historical periods in the museum’s 100-acre parkland, take part in activities and watch craftsfolk demonstrate their traditional skills, all with your pup by your side.
West Wales
Pembroke Castle, Pembroke
With its 1000-year history and striking views across Milford Haven, Pembroke Castle has all the ingredients for a captivating day out. What’s more, dogs are free to walk on a lead throughout the site (apart from the gift shop) and are also welcome during the castle’s regular daytime activities and at the annual Christmas Market. Besides its fabulous dog-friendly beaches, this is one of Pembrokeshire’s top attractions to visit with a dog.
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthney
The first weekend of every month, as well as every Monday and Friday during the week, are designated ‘Doggy Days’ at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales in Carmarthenshire. These are the perfect times to visit this world-famous attraction as they provide an unmissable opportunity to explore the site’s 400 acres and see its giant greenhouse – the largest single-span greenhouse in the world.
Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cardigan
Get back to nature at the Welsh Wildlife Centre and Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve. Home to a wide range of wildlife and habitats to discover, activities to do and pooch-friendly picnic areas (with food served at the onsite Glasshouse Café) to enjoy, this dog-friendly attraction in Wales will win over all generations of two and four-legged family and friends. It’s a great attraction to visit if staying nearby in Cardigan, Aberporth or anywhere in the Ceredigion or Pembrokeshire areas.
Heatherton World of Activities, Tenby
One of the top dog-friendly attractions in West Wales, the award-winning Heatherton World of Activities near Tenby will appeal to the little kids and the big kids at heart. As well as go-karts, tree top trails, golf, zip-lines, Zorb balls, mazes and more for human visitors, doggy visitors are also very well catered for with a dedicated dog agility course with ten obstacles.
New Quay Boat Trips
Not only is New Quay one of the dog-friendliest destinations in Wales, but it’s also one of the best places to go in the country for sea cruises and marine life-watching excursions. Ensuring no one has to miss out on the fun, family and dog-friendly boat trips run from New Quay harbour and take spectators out along the coast, showcasing the incredible views and offering the chance to see seals, birds and even dolphins.
Experience These Top Things to do on a Holiday in Wales
Now that you know about the top dog-friendly attractions and things to do here, why not book a dog-friendly retreat in Wales for your next holiday? There are over 4,000 dog-friendly properties to choose from in this beautiful country, by the sea, in the mountains and in the countryside. Treat yourself to some luxury in a Welsh holiday home with a hot tub and experience everything the country has to offer. For more inspiration, read our guide to staycation holidays with four-legged friends in Wales.
