We've stayed in over 50 dog-friendly cottages across the UK with our six dogs. Charlie the German Shepherd, Buster and Ember our Golden Retrievers, Simba and Max the Labradors, and Molly the French Bulldog have tested everything from tiny shepherd's huts to grand country houses.
Finding a cottage that genuinely welcomes dogs isn't always easy. Plenty claim to be "pet-friendly" but come with restrictions, hefty fees, or gardens that aren't secure. We've learned what to look for and what to avoid.
This guide shares everything we know about booking dog-friendly cottages in the UK – the best places to search, what questions to ask, and our top picks by region and feature.
Why Choose a Cottage for Your Dog Holiday?
Self-catering cottages are our favourite way to holiday with dogs, and here's why:
Space to spread out – Six dogs need room. Cottages give you separate living areas, multiple bedrooms, and outdoor space that hotels can't match.
Gardens for the dogs – Most cottages have private gardens. With an enclosed garden, your dogs can potter outside safely while you have your morning coffee.
No disturbing other guests – In a hotel, you worry about noise and other guests. In a cottage, you've got privacy. If Max wants to bark at a squirrel at 6am, that's between you and the squirrel.
Keep to normal routines – Self-catering means feeding your dogs at their usual times with their usual food. No begging at restaurant tables or rushing back from dinner.
Better value for groups – For families or groups with dogs, cottages often work out cheaper than multiple hotel rooms, especially for longer stays.
Walks from the door – Many cottages are in rural locations with footpaths starting from the garden gate. No loading dogs into the car before every walk.
Best Booking Sites for Dog-Friendly Cottages
After years of searching, these are the booking sites we trust and use ourselves.
Specialists in Dog-Friendly Properties
Canine Cottages – Our top recommendation. Every single property welcomes dogs, so no wasted time filtering. They have over 5,000 cottages, excellent search filters for enclosed gardens and multiple dogs, and many properties provide dog bowls, towels, and treats. Part of The Travel Chapter Group.
Dog Friendly Cottages – Over 17,000 properties with a best price guarantee. Good filters for enclosed gardens, hot tubs, and coastal locations. Free membership gives you access to exclusive deals.
Dog Friendly Retreats – Curated collection of quality properties. Some cottages accept up to 9 dogs, which is rare. Focus on genuinely welcoming places rather than just "dogs allowed."
Puddle Duck Cottages – Gold Winner at the DogFriendly Awards 2024 for Most Dog Friendly Cottages, three years running. Small collection but exceptional quality. Two dogs stay free, enclosed gardens, walks from door.
Large Selection Sites
Sykes Holiday Cottages – Winner of Best UK Holiday Cottage Booking Company at the British Travel Awards. Over 23,000 properties with pet-friendly options. Excellent filters, flexible cancellation on many properties.
Sally's Cottages – Part of the same group as Canine Cottages, with a focus on Lake District and Cumbria. Good for finding luxury and secluded options.
holidaycottages.co.uk – Over 10,000 dog-friendly options across UK. Cornwall and Devon specialists. Price match promise available.
Lakelovers – Over 1,000 dog-friendly cottages specifically in the Lake District. Good range from budget to luxury.
Unique and Special Properties
National Trust Holidays – Over 300 unique dog-friendly cottages in historic and beautiful locations. Dogs stay free. Access to National Trust grounds often included. Properties include former coastguard cottages, estate workers' homes, and historic farmhouses.
Sawday's – Hand-picked special places with character. Their top 10 dog-friendly cottages list features properties with treats, towels, and enclosed gardens as standard.
Coolstays – Over 1,500 quirky and unique dog-friendly stays. Treehouses, converted barns, shepherd's huts, and unusual buildings. No booking fees.
Premier Cottages – Luxury end of the market with quality-assured properties. Good selection with enclosed gardens.
Luxury Cottages – High-end dog-friendly properties with premium features.
What Makes a Cottage Genuinely Dog-Friendly?
Not all "dog-friendly" cottages are equal. Here's what we look for based on years of experience with six dogs.
Enclosed Garden (Essential)
This is our number one requirement. With multiple dogs including two Labradors who'd chase anything, we need a garden they can't escape from.
What "enclosed" should mean:
- Solid fence or wall at least 5 feet high
- No gaps at ground level (diggers beware)
- Secure gate with working latch
- Checked for escape routes
Red flags:
- "Enclosed on three sides"
- Low stone walls (Labradors can jump)
- Hedges with gaps
- Gates that don't close properly
Always message owners before booking to confirm. Ask for photos of the garden boundaries if not shown in the listing.
Multiple Dogs Accepted
Most cottages accept 1-2 dogs. Finding places that welcome more is harder. With six dogs, we sometimes book two adjoining cottages or look for larger properties.
Sites like Dog Friendly Retreats have properties accepting up to 9 dogs. Canine Cottages lets you filter by number of dogs welcome.
No Breed or Size Restrictions
Some cottages restrict certain breeds or impose weight limits. Charlie is a large German Shepherd – we always check there's no "small dogs only" clause.
Ground Floor Access
Charlie has hip dysplasia, so steep stairs are difficult. We look for cottages with ground floor bedrooms or single-storey properties. Many booking sites let you filter for accessible accommodation.
Hard Floors
Wooden or stone floors are much easier to clean than carpet. After a wet Lake District walk with six muddy dogs, we're grateful for wipe-clean surfaces.
Dog Washing Facilities
Some cottages provide outdoor showers or dog washing stations. Puddle Duck Cottages have "Woofers Wash Stations" with hot and cold water plus Mud Daddy portable dog washes. This makes a real difference.
Walks from the Door
The best cottages have footpaths starting from the property. No loading wet dogs into the car after every walk.
Dog Welcome Pack
The best places provide water bowls, dog towels, treats, poo bags, and local walk recommendations. It shows the owners genuinely welcome dogs rather than just tolerating them.
Dog-Friendly Cottages by Region
Here are our picks for the best areas to find dog-friendly cottages across the UK.
Lake District
Our most-visited region. The Lake District has an incredible selection of dog-friendly cottages, from cosy Keswick hideaways to grand properties with lake views.
Why it's great: Keswick voted one of UK's most dog-friendly towns, Derwentwater and other lakes for swimming, hundreds of walks for all abilities, most pubs welcome dogs.
Best booking sites: Lakelovers, Sally's Cottages, Sykes Cottages
Our experience: We've stayed in over 25 Lake District cottages. Favourites include a converted barn near Keswick with a paddock-sized garden and a cosy stone cottage in Buttermere with woodburner and lake views.
Read our full guide: Dog-Friendly Cottages Lake District
Cornwall
Cornwall has more dog-friendly beaches than anywhere else in England. Cottages here range from coastal bolt-holes to farmhouse retreats.
Why it's great: Year-round dog beaches like Harlyn Bay and Perranporth, the South West Coast Path, Rick Stein's dog-friendly pubs, Lost Gardens of Heligan (dogs welcome in grounds).
Best booking sites: Canine Cottages, holidaycottages.co.uk, Dog Friendly Retreats
Our experience: Molly loves the calmer beaches in Cornwall – she's not a strong swimmer. We found a cottage at Mawgan Porth called Seacrest with an enclosed garden and sea views that was perfect.
Read our full guide: Dog-Friendly Cottages Cornwall
Yorkshire
Yorkshire offers moorland, coast, and charming market towns. Great variety of cottages from Dales farmhouses to coastal properties near Whitby.
Why it's great: Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors walking, dog-friendly beaches at Robin Hood's Bay and Whitby, excellent country pubs.
Best booking sites: Sykes Cottages, Dog Friendly Cottages
Our experience: A 4-bed cottage in Bedale near the Yorkshire Dales had one of the largest enclosed gardens we've found – perfect for our pack to run around.
Read our full guide: Dog-Friendly Cottages Yorkshire
Scotland
Scotland offers wild landscapes, empty beaches, and genuine wilderness. The right to roam means dogs can explore freely across open land.
Why it's great: Dramatic Highlands scenery, Edinburgh voted most dog-friendly city, Isle of Skye, Dumfries and Galloway for quieter escapes.
Best booking sites: Sykes Cottages, National Trust for Scotland, holidaycottages.co.uk
Our experience: A cottage in the Borders near Melrose had walks to the Eildon Hills straight from the door. Velvet sofas, William Morris curtains, and a proper log fire.
Read our full guide: Dog-Friendly Cottages Scotland
Wales
Wales offers mountains, beaches, and fewer crowds than England's popular spots. Excellent value and genuinely dog-friendly.
Why it's great: Snowdonia (Eryri) National Park, Pembrokeshire Coast Path, over 125 miles of coastal paths on Anglesey, Brecon Beacons.
Best booking sites: Sykes Cottages, Canine Cottages
Our experience: A farmhouse in the Brecon Beacons with acres of countryside, herbs growing in the garden, and Hay-on-Wye bookshops nearby.
Read our full guide: Dog-Friendly Cottages Wales
Norfolk
Norfolk offers endless beaches, big skies, and the unique Norfolk Broads for boat trips. Flatter terrain suits older dogs or those with mobility issues.
Why it's great: Holkham Beach (one of UK's best), Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk Broads dog-friendly boat hire, Bacton Wood (280 acres of woodland paths).
Best booking sites: Dog Friendly Cottages, Canine Cottages
Our experience: A traditional Suffolk cottage near Aldeburgh with a snug woodburner and walks to Southwold, Walberswick, and Dunwich. Sawday's recommended it and they were right.
Read our full guide: Dog-Friendly Cottages Norfolk
Other Regions Worth Considering
Devon – Dartmoor and Exmoor for wild walks, beaches at Woolacombe and Croyde, cream teas everywhere.
Cotswolds – Honey-coloured villages, rolling hills, Broadway Tower circular walk, Cotswold Wildlife Park (dogs welcome on leads).
Peak District – Over 100 dog-friendly pubs, Monsal Trail, Chatsworth Estate grounds welcome dogs.
Northumberland – Dramatic castles, empty beaches year-round at Bamburgh and Alnmouth, fewer tourists than anywhere.
Dorset – Jurassic Coast walks, Golden Cap highest cliff on south coast, fossil hunting at Charmouth.
Suffolk – Bury St Edmunds voted Britain's Most Dog-Friendly Destination 2024 with over 140 dog-friendly businesses.
Dog-Friendly Cottages by Feature
Cottages with Enclosed Gardens
Our non-negotiable. Sykes Cottages has a specific filter for enclosed gardens. Dog Friendly Cottages also has a dedicated enclosed garden collection.
Tips for enclosed gardens:
- Ask owners for photos of boundaries
- Check gate security before letting dogs loose
- Look for 5ft+ fencing for athletic dogs
- Watch for gaps at ground level
Cottages with Hot Tubs
Nothing beats soaking in a hot tub after a long walk while the dogs snooze inside. Most major booking sites have hot tub filters including Canine Cottages, Dog Friendly Retreats, Lakelovers, holidaycottages.co.uk, and Hoseasons.
Note: Check if the hot tub area is fenced. Some dogs (not naming names, Buster) try to jump in with you.
Luxury Dog-Friendly Cottages
For special occasions, luxury cottages offer log fires, home cinema systems, four-poster beds, and landscaped gardens. Check Canine Cottages, Premier Cottages, and Luxury Cottages for high-end options.
Cottages for Multiple Dogs
If you have more than two dogs like us, finding accommodation is trickier. Dog Friendly Retreats has properties accepting up to 9 dogs. Canine Cottages lets you filter by number of dogs. Contact owners directly – many are flexible if you ask.
Coastal Cottages
For beach holidays with dogs, Sykes and Dog Friendly Cottages both have coastal filters. Check beach rules before booking – many beaches restrict dogs May-September.
Last Minute Dog-Friendly Cottages
Spontaneous getaway? Check Sykes and Dog Friendly Cottages for late availability. Off-peak seasons (November-March) have better last-minute options.
Browse All Accommodation Options →
What to Expect: Costs and Policies
Dog Fees
Most cottages charge per dog per stay. Typical fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Budget properties | £15-25 per dog |
| Mid-range | £25-40 per dog |
| Luxury | £40-60 per dog |
| Per night fees | £5-15 per dog per night (watch out!) |
| Free | Rare but some like National Trust don't charge |
With six dogs, we've paid over £200 in dog fees for a single week. Always factor this into your budget.
Number of Dogs Allowed
| Allowed | How Common |
|---|---|
| 1 dog | Very common |
| 2 dogs | Common |
| 3 dogs | Less common |
| 4+ dogs | Rare – use specialist sites |
Standard Rules
Most cottages ask that you:
- Keep dogs off furniture and beds
- Don't leave dogs unattended
- Clean up in the garden
- Vacuum before leaving
- Report any damage immediately
We bring throws to protect sofas and a handheld vacuum for dog hair.
Damage Deposits
Many properties require a damage deposit (£100-300 typically) held against damage or extra cleaning. This is refunded after your stay if everything is in order.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Save yourself problems by checking these before you pay:
- Is the garden fully enclosed? Ask for photos if not shown
- How many dogs can stay? And any size/breed restrictions?
- What are the total dog fees? Per stay or per night?
- Are dogs allowed in all rooms? Or restricted from bedrooms?
- Is there somewhere to wash muddy dogs?
- What walks are accessible from the property?
- Are dogs allowed on the furniture? If important to you
- Can dogs be left alone? Most say no, but worth checking
Packing for Your Cottage Stay
After 50+ cottage stays with six dogs, here's what we always bring:
Essentials:
- Dog beds (familiar smell helps them settle)
- Food, treats, bowls
- Leads, harnesses, long lines
- Poo bags (always more than you think)
- Towels for wet dogs (at least two per dog)
- First aid kit
- Vaccination records
Really Useful:
- Handheld vacuum for dog hair
- Throws to protect furniture
- Baby gate
- Cooling mat for Molly (French Bulldogs overheat)
- Raised bowl for Charlie (helps digestion)
- LED collars for dark walks
Nice to Have:
- Portable dog shower
- Dog life jackets for lake swimming
Full packing list: Dog Travel Essentials
Tips from Our Experience
After years of cottage holidays with six dogs:
Book early for peak times – Best dog-friendly cottages with enclosed gardens get booked 3-6 months ahead for summer and Christmas.
Check reviews from dog owners – Their feedback is more relevant than general reviews.
Let dogs settle in – Give them time to sniff around before heading out. Familiar items from home help.
Bring more towels than you think – Six wet dogs need a lot of towels.
Have backup walk options – Weather in the UK changes fast. Know alternatives if your planned walk gets rained off.
Leave the cottage as you found it – Quick vacuum, clean up garden, report any issues. Makes dog owners look good for future guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dog-friendly cottages cost in the UK?
+Can I find cottages that accept more than 2 dogs?
+Are there dog-friendly cottages with pools?
+What if my dog damages something in a cottage?
+Do I need to bring dog bowls and beds?
+Can I leave my dog alone in a cottage?
+Which region has the most dog-friendly cottages?
+Final Thoughts
A cottage holiday is the best way we've found to travel with our six dogs. The space, the gardens, the privacy, and the ability to keep to normal routines make all the difference.
The UK has thousands of genuinely dog-friendly cottages in stunning locations. Whether you want beaches in Cornwall, fells in the Lake District, or peace in the Scottish Highlands, there's a cottage waiting for you and your dogs.
The key is finding places that truly welcome dogs – not just tolerate them. Look for enclosed gardens, flexible policies on dog numbers, and owners who provide thoughtful touches like bowls, towels, and local walk recommendations.
We hope this guide helps you find your perfect cottage. Questions? Get in touch through our contact page – we love helping fellow dog owners plan their holidays.
Happy travels!
Luke, Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max & Molly
Related Guides
Regional Cottage Guides:
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Lake District
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Cornwall
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Yorkshire
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Scotland
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Wales
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Norfolk
Other Accommodation:
Planning:
This guide is based on our personal experiences staying in cottages across the UK with our six dogs. We only recommend places and sites we've used ourselves.
🐕 Explore More
- Dog-Friendly Cottages in Cornwall: The Complete Guide
- Dog-Friendly Cottages in Scotland: Your Complete Accommodation Guide
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Wales: Find Your Perfect Welsh Retreat
- Dog-Friendly Cottages in Yorkshire: Stone Barns, Coastal Retreats & Dales Hideaways
- Dog-Friendly Cottages Lake District: Our Honest Guide
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