Looking for a refreshing break with Rover this summer? Finding places where your furry friend can have fun without feeling the heat can be challenging. So, here are some of our favourite places to stay cool with your canine companion this summer – from forest walks and mountain hikes to lakes and rivers for splashing around.
Forest Walks
Find shade with your four-legged friend on forest walks in nature’s air conditioning. Thick canopies keep the ground cooler for paws beneath the trees, while the breeze through the leaves creates a cool environment for walkies.
Criss-crossed by over 140 miles of paw-friendly, off-road paths, the New Forest is one our top spots to roam dense woodlands with the dog. And with 40 miles of coastline, you’re close to the beach, too. Lesser-known and less crowded for it is Cheshire’s Delamere Forest, where you and your dog can roam leafy pathways through shady glens, and step out into the sun at glorious viewpoints where, on a clear day, you can see all the way to Liverpool.
Mountain Hikes
The higher you walk up a mountain, the more the temperature drops. So a mountain hike with your mutt is a great way to climb to cooler heights. Not only will your dog reap the benefits of the crisp mountain air and exercise on a hot day, you’ll also enjoy soaking up the breathtaking, blue-sky views.
The dog-friendly Lake District is home to England’s highest mountain, so fewer spots are cooler than the peak of Scafell Pike on a hot day. While the climb is steep and strenuous, the views and fresh mountain air are well worth it.
Or why not head to the Brecon Beacons on your next holiday in Wales, where you can tackle Pen y Fan, Corn Du and Cribyn, then dip into some cool culture at the dog-friendly 13th-century cathedral in Brecon?
We also love summer walkies in the Yorkshire Dales and Peak District, where miles of footpaths wind from scrub-topped peaks to shady, wooded valleys.
Rivers and Lakes
Nothing beats a swim on a hot summer’s day, and most dogs love to cool off in the water. Splashing around is great exercise for them, too.
After a yomp with your four-legged friend in the Yorkshire Dales, cool off in the River Wharfe at Appletreewick, or top off a visit to the dog-friendly Bolton Abbey with a dip further downstream.
We also love Snowdonia National Park for its peaks and lyns, but our top destination for water-based adventures with your dog in summer is the Lake District. Here, you can combine climbs up cloud-scraping peaks with doggy paddles in refreshing tarns. There are also plenty of opportunities for your dog to join you on boat trips, kayaks and paddleboarding adventures.
Coastal Escapes
Escape to the coast with the dog in summer, where you can enjoy the sea breeze, sandy paws and coastal trails. The coast often enjoys cooler temperatures than inland, and the beaches offer wide open spaces for dogs to run, play and paddle.
How about a dog-friendly holiday in Cornwall? Its coastline is littered with wide-open beaches that welcome dogs year-round, all linked by hundreds of miles of rugged coastal paths where you can hike with your hound at your heels. In fact, North Cornwall boasts the highest concentration of beaches that welcome sandy paws year-round. There are also plenty of tidal pools where you and your dog can wild swim together, including sublime spots at Trevone, Treyarnon and Porthtowan.
Pembrokeshire is another of our favourite coastlines to explore with the pooch, boasting secluded coves such as Marloes Sands, a sheltered, dog-friendly stretch of golden shoreline made for dipping in cerulean waters framed by dramatic rock formations.
However, if you’re looking for cooler climes and empty beaches, head up to the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where the Hebrides is home to lots of little islands boasting remote shorelines beckoning you and your canine companion to stay cool on your adventures.
Doggie Pools
Not all dogs are keen to dip in the wild, so why not make the most of summer to build their confidence and swimming skills in canine pools and aqua parks? Dedicated doggie pools provide a safe, controlled environment for your dog to enjoy the water, socialise with other dogs, and exercise while staying cool, and the aqua parks are often equipped with toys and obstacle courses designed specifically for canine fun.
If you’re heading on holiday with your hound to Wales, Action Petz in Swansea has a large outdoor aquapark for dogs, featuring a shallow pool, splash pads, water fountains, and a dry play area for your pooch.
Close to Ardingly in West Sussex, visit Paws in the Pool in the South of England Showground, where Fido can learn to float in an 8.5-metre dedicated doggie pool.
Doggie Ice Cream Parlours
Just like humans love to cool down with ice cream on hot summer days, so do your canine companions. So why not head to a doggy ice cream shop with your hound to beat the heat?
In the heart of Dartmoor, Baskervilles serves ice lollies for four-legged friends alongside award-winning ice cream for well-behaved owners. In Cheshire, the family-run Bidlea Dairy on Orchard Farm serves 16 flavours of doggie ice cream, including gluten-free options, topped with a biscuit bone and ready to be woofed down by Fido and his friends.
Check out some of our top doggie ice cream parlours here.
Book a Cool Holiday with Your Hound
Ready to beat the heat and book one of our dog-friendly holiday cottages? Use our availability calendar to find last-minute availability this summer.
