Weekend Dog Breaks

Not every holiday needs to be a week long. Weekend breaks offer regular escapes without the planning complexity of longer trips. Two or three nights away can refresh both you and your dog, and shorter trips are perfect for trying new destinations or fitting travel around busy lives.

Why Weekend Breaks Work

The Benefits

For You:

• Regular escapes possible
• Less annual leave needed
• Easier to plan
• More spontaneous
• Try different destinations
• Break up routine

For Your Dog:

• Less disruption than long trips
• Regular adventures
• New experiences
• Quality time together
• Good for dogs who don't settle well on longer trips

Weekend vs Longer Holidays

Weekends Work Well For:

• Closer destinations
• Focused experiences
• Dogs needing routine
• Busy schedules
• Frequent travelling
• Testing destinations

Longer Trips Better For:

• Distant destinations
• Immersive experiences
• Dogs who take time to settle
• Relaxed pace

Both have value. Many dog owners do regular weekends plus occasional longer trips.

Best Weekend Destinations

Choosing for Short Trips

Key Criteria:

• Reasonable journey time (under 3 hours ideal)
• Quick access to activities
• Concentrated attractions
• Efficient accommodation

From the Midlands

Good Weekend Options:

Peak District - varied walking, accessible, good pubs.

Cotswolds - pretty villages, gentle terrain.

Yorkshire - coast and country options.

Norfolk - coast and broads.

From the South East

Good Weekend Options:

Kent Coast - close, varied coastline.

South Downs - accessible walking.

Cotswolds - easy access.

Isle of Wight - island break, ferry accessible.

Suffolk Coast - quiet character.

From the North

Good Weekend Options:

Lake District - dramatic scenery.

Yorkshire coast - Whitby and coast.

Northumberland - empty beaches.

Scottish Borders - peaceful walking.

City Breaks

Dog-Friendly Cities for Weekends:

York - historic, walkable.

Edinburgh - dramatic, dog-friendly.

Bath - elegant, accessible.

Bristol - varied, characterful.

See our city break guides for details.

Maximising Weekend Time

The Friday Question

Leave Friday vs Saturday:

• Friday evening departure = more time
• But tired after work + traffic
• Saturday morning = fresher start
• Friday stay = maximum weekend

Strategies:

• Leave Friday if feasible (three nights if possible)
• Or leave very early Saturday
• Aim to arrive ready for afternoon activity

Sample Weekend Structure

Two-Night Weekend (Saturday/Sunday):

Saturday:

• Early departure
• Arrive late morning/midday
• Afternoon walk/activity
• Evening meal

Sunday:

• Morning activity
• Lunch
• Check out and depart
• Arrive home evening

Three-Night Weekend (Friday-Sunday):

Friday:

• Evening departure
• Arrive late
• Settle in

Saturday:

• Full day activities
• Main adventure day

Sunday:

• Morning activity
• Afternoon flexible
• Or depart for home

Making It Count

Efficiency Tips:

• Pre-plan walks/activities
• Know opening times
• Book dog-friendly venues
• Pack night before
• Prepare food in advance if self-catering

Weekend Accommodation

Best Types for Short Stays

Cottages: Self-catering offers flexibility. Garden for dogs. Cook or eat out.

Pubs with Rooms: Often accept 1-2 night stays. Eating sorted. Character. See our Pubs with Rooms guide.

Hotels: Some accept short stays. See our Hotels guide.

Booking Short Stays

Challenges:

• Minimum night requirements common
• Weekend premium pricing
• Popular destinations book quickly

Solutions:

• Book ahead for peak weekends
• Look for no-minimum properties
• Consider midweek if flexible
• Try less popular destinations

See our Booking Accommodation guide.

Weekend Break Types

Beach Weekend

Perfect For: Dogs who love beaches. Coastal walking. Relaxed atmosphere.

Best Destinations: Norfolk, Northumberland, Cornwall (though further).

See our Beach Holidays guide.

Walking Weekend

Perfect For: Active dogs. Hillwalking. Countryside immersion.

Best Destinations: Lake District, Peak District, Yorkshire Dales.

See our Hiking guide.

Pub Trail Weekend

Perfect For: Sociable dogs. Walk-pub-walk rhythm. Good food focus.

Best Destinations: Cotswolds, Yorkshire, anywhere with good pub culture.

See our Pub Walks guide.

City Break Weekend

Perfect For: Urban exploring. Culture and cafes. Different experiences.

Best Destinations: Edinburgh, York, Bath.

Relaxation Weekend

Perfect For: Unwinding. Gentle pace. Quality time.

Best Destinations: Quiet countryside cottage. Remote location. Minimal agenda.

Packing for Weekends

Streamlined Approach

Weekend trips need less but essentials stay the same:

Always Pack:

• Food for duration + extra
• Bowls
• Lead, collar, ID tag
• Poo bags
• Bed/blanket
• Towel
• Any medications

Can Reduce:

• Number of towels (1-2 sufficient)
• Toy selection (favourites only)
• Grooming (basics only)
• Clothing variety (for you)

See our full Packing Checklist and adapt for shorter trips.

Weekend Break Challenges

Time Pressure

Risk: Rushing to fit everything in defeats the purpose.

Solution: Accept you can't do everything. Focus on enjoying what you do.

Settling Time

Issue: Dogs may just settle as it's time to leave.

Solutions:

• Bring familiar bedding
• Keep routine similar to home
• Don't over-stimulate
• Consider dogs who settle quickly benefit most from weekends

See our Dog Behaviour guide.

Weather Gamble

Issue: Bad weather ruins one day = significant impact.

Solutions:

• Have backup plans
• Pack for all weather
• Choose destinations with indoor backup
• Accept what comes

See our Rainy Day Activities guide.

Making Weekends Regular

Building a Habit

Monthly Escapes: Some dog owners aim for monthly weekend breaks. Creates rhythm. Regular adventures.

Seasonal Weekends: At minimum, each season. Four weekends per year is achievable for most.

Different Destinations

Benefits of Variety:

• Discover new places
• Find favourites
• Keep it interesting
• Build knowledge for longer trips

Benefits of Returning:

• Know the area
• Less planning
• Dog knows routine
• Favourite spots

Mix both approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a weekend break worth it with a dog?

Absolutely. Quality time together. Fresh experiences. Breaks routine for both of you.

How far should we travel for a weekend?

Under 3 hours each way ideal. Minimises travel proportion of trip.

Do dogs settle for such short trips?

Most dogs adapt quickly. Familiar items help. Some dogs prefer short trips to long ones.

Best accommodation for weekend breaks?

Pubs with rooms often perfect. Cottages work well. Look for places accepting 2-night stays.

Is it cost-effective?

Per-night costs may be higher. But total cost lower than longer trips. Regular short breaks can replace fewer long ones.

What if the weather is bad?

Have backup plans. Embrace British weather. Dogs often don't mind rain as much as we do.

Regular Adventures Await

Weekend breaks make regular dog adventures achievable. Less planning, less commitment, more frequency. Whether it's monthly escapes or seasonal treats, short trips create ongoing memories without the complexity of longer holidays.

The best weekend break is the one you actually take.

Luke often takes Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly on weekend breaks between longer holidays. These short trips maintain adventure rhythm and let the pack explore new places regularly.