Dog-loving travel writer Lottie Gross spends her days seeking out the most pup-friendly spots across the UK and Europe with her highly strung (but adorable) Manchester Terrier, Artie.
Some life, eh?
From a steam train where dogs get their own tickets to a pet spa in Cambridgeshire, these are her seven picks in the UK for 2026 — plus where to stay and stop for a drink.
The Penwith Peninsula, Cornwall
This gorgeous corner of Cornwall is idyllic for summer days spent on the beach and long walks on the South West Coast Path.
Head to Gwynver Beach for year-round zoomies on the sand, and stroll onto the grassy cliffs towards Sennen Cove, where a dog-friendly Sennen Surf Lodge has beers, ice creams and sea views.
Inland, explore the nearly 2,000-year-old Carn Euny Ancient Village, or have days out at the former tin mines, learning about how Cornwall’s industry once thrived.
Where to sleep: For a family gathering, Gwynver Beach House (from £2,200 per week) sleeps 10.
Alternatively, head further north to Three Mile Beach (from £1,500 per week), where beach houses sleep up to eight. Each has a hot tub and sauna on the cliffs above Upton Towans Beach.
The southern Cotswolds
Eschew the crowds in the north Cotswolds and head south to quirky towns like Stroud and historic Cirencester.
Tiny Tetbury has the best boujie pet shop in the region, and miles of footpaths, including parts of the Cotswolds Way, offer utterly charming walks through pretty little villages home to stone cottages with heavy, thatched roofs.
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For cosy pub vibes, head to the Bell at Sapperton for drinks after a walk in the gorgeous Sapperton woods.
Where to stay: Wild Thyme & Honey (from £180 per night) has rooms and a dog-friendly restaurant, while Burleigh Court Hotel (from £180) in Stroud is all about fancy dog-friendly dining and gorgeous views across Stroud’s valleys.
Alternatively, try a bespoke multi-day walking trip on the Cotswold Way with Encounter Walking Holidays.
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
While dogs can’t join you on an exploration of Cambridge colleges, you can still admire much of the city’s handsome architecture from a punt at Scudamore’s Mill Lane Punting Station.
Walks southward into rural Cambridgeshire along the river are delightful – stop for lunch in the Grantchester Green Man.
If you have a car, drive out to Paus for a dog-friendly spa day, where, if you let them know in advance, you can bring your pup to play with their resident dogs as you enjoy outdoor, wood-fired saunas, hot tubs and cold plunges.
Where to sleep: The Waterman (from £95 per night) is a great pub with rooms in the city centre where pups get a welcome pack with treats, while a little more upmarket is the colourful Graduate by Hilton (from £175 per night), right next to the punt station.
Pembrokeshire, Wales
Known for its fabulous sandy beaches – Broad Haven South and Freshwater East are two spectacular stretches on the south Pembrokeshire coast – this county in Wales offers adventures aplenty.
Beyond the coastline, you’ll find fabulous hill walks in the Preseli Hills, like Foel Drygarn hillfort, which is home to Bronze Age burial cairns. Don’t miss a guided tour at Lammas Ecovillage for an insight into how co-operative, sustainable living can work.
Where to stay: Set up camp in an enclosed pitch at Thorning Farm Glamping & Camping (from £36 per night) so the dog can roam free without the tangle of a longline, or book Ger y Llyn (from £170 per night), a cottage sleeping two people and three dogs with its own hot tub and enclosed garden.
North York Moors National Park
A heritage steam railway where dogs get their own tickets and the dramatic, cliff-top Whitby Abbey are two highlights in the beautiful North York Moors National Park, set on the North Yorkshire coast.
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Hiking trails up and around hills or through forestry abound – head to Dalby Forest for woodland walks or Roseberry Topping for fabulous views.
Where to stay: The Fox & Rabbit Holiday Cottages (from £399 per week) offer three one-bedroom dog-friendly escapes near Dalby Forest, while Roseberry Retreat has a dog-friendly shepherd’s hut with a wood-fired hot tub and welcome pack for pups.
Sanday, Orkney
Getting to the island of Sanday is half the fun of a trip way out here in the north of Scotland – it’s two ferries away from the north of mainland Scotland.
But it’s well worth the effort, as your reward is white-sand beaches with glistening shallow waters perfect for paddling and splashing about, a Community Craft Hub and Cafe with local crafts for sale, and incredible wildlife (think whales, otters, dolphins) to be seen on walks with local guide, Adam Hough.
Where to sleep: Orkney Retreats (from £185 per night) has several dog-friendly properties, including the wonderful Boloquoy Victorian Farmhouse, which offers an escape to another era through its period decor and fascinating local historic connection.
Alternatively, bring your camper and stay at the 59 Degrees North Aire (from £25 per night) – don’t miss their brilliant dog-friendly pizza place.
Galloway Forest Park, Dumfries & Galloway
Plans to make Galloway Forest Park Scotland’s third national park were dropped in 2025, but that doesn’t mean this region isn’t worth your time.
Part of the Southern Uplands, there are high hills to climb – try the Merrick at 843 metres – and glistening lochs to paddle on or in.
Swimming in the likes of Loch Trool is idyllic on a warm summer’s day, and an afternoon at the Bellymack Farm red kite feeding centre is bound to excite the dog.
At night, look up – this region is a dark sky park, and the Milky Way is often seen on the darkest of nights.
Where to sleep: Glentrool Holiday Cottage (from £95 per night) has two properties that welcome dogs. For campers, Galloway Forest Holiday Park (from £29 per night) is a great base – both have walks through local woodland on the doorstep.
London
The capital is, of course, a playground for both people and dogs.
With large parks, plenty of dog-friendly pubs and restaurants – try Brutto for excellent Italian and £5 negronis or Birley Bakery for fancy cakes and moreish homemade chocolate – and even a few dog-friendly museums.
The city’s iconic Tower Bridge allows dogs on its glass walkway, while the nearby Brunel Museum has some fascinating city history relating to the work of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Where to sleep: Native Hyde Park (from £155 per night) has serviced apartments right next to London’s largest city-centre park with small kitchenettes – perfect for dogs on fresh or raw food.
Battersea Art’Otel (from £269 per night) has dog-friendly dining, welcome packs for dogs and views over the dogs and cats home.
