Dog-friendly holiday cottages for August Bank Holiday…

If you read our last blog post and have since interpreted the signals that yes, your dog does indeed need a holiday, here are four canine-friendly holiday cottages with availability over the August Bank Holiday week:



Wheal Betsy, Mary Tavy

Kent’s Barn in Mary Tavy, Dartmoor, is a bright, comfortable, 'upside down' cottage neatly converted from a stable block. It’s beautifully located on the side of a hill and looks across a peaceful wooded valley to nearby Cholwell Brook. This is a great place to come back to after a day exploring the wilds of Dartmoor or further afield – Pooch can enjoy a well-deserved gnaw on a bone (while you enjoy an evening drink) as you both sit out in the a suntrap cobbled courtyard and admire the views across the valley.

Nellie's, a cottage converted from an old stone barn, is situated a mile from Moreleigh, a tiny village with a pleasant pub in lovely, wooded farming country in the heart of the South Hams. You’re welcome to walk the long countryside trails (fields, woods, streams) over the owners’ 200 acres – you need never take your dog on the same walk twice! The cottage is around 20 minutes from Slapton Sands, a fantastic long beach, allowing dogs throughout the year.

 

Perranporth Beach

Beech, another barn conversion cottage, is situated in Goonhavern, two miles inland from Perranporth’s fine sandy beach (dogs on the busiest parts of the beach have to be kept on leads between 1000 and 1700 during August). The cottage, which boasts great views across the meadows to the sea, is well suited for dogs, and you can take Pooch off the lead in a dog exercise field (shared with three other cottages). For the rest of the family, there’s a games barn with pool tables, table-top football, table tennis and badminton. A great spot for beach or touring with no passing traffic.

Bosoljack, a former boathouse in the beautiful creek-side hamlet of Port Navas, offers sensational views down the creek and of 'messing about in boats'. The fantastic Trebah Gardens are nearby, with dogs welcome all year round (on a lead at all times). Grab a sandwich and enjoy Trebah’s very own secluded, private beach on the Helford River, with views that stretch out to the open sea. 

Don’t forget, if you can’t get away for a whole week, three and four night short breaks are now available at many of our holiday cottages over the August Bank Holiday week.

Take a look at all our dog friendly holiday cottages available during August Bank holiday week – and don’t forget to ask Pooch for his opinion!

Is your dog telling you he needs a holiday?

Lots of our customers are dog lovers and enjoy bringing their pet to the many dog-friendly holiday cottages we have throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

We’re dog lovers too and enjoyed listening to this Guardian Science Weekly podcast investigating the relationship between humans and dogs. The podcast interviews John Bradshaw, a fellow at the University of Bristol specialising in anthrozoology: the science of human-animal interactions. He’s also one of the world's leading experts on dog psychology and the author of In Defence of Dogs: Why Dogs Need Our Understanding. Perhaps you could download it and listen to it on your iPod whilst giving pooch a walk? The website Paws for a Walk has some useful guidelines to follow when taking your dog out trekking. For instance, check if dogs are allowed where you plan to walk, and carry water for both you and your pet.

Photos courtesy of
dog-friendly-beaches-in-cornwall.com

Our stunning West Country beaches are great places for your dog to cavort on the sand and play in the surf and this website has a useful map of beaches that welcome dogs in Cornwall. You can also find dog-friendly beaches in Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Further inland, you’ll find perfect dog walking country - spectacular moors (Dartmoor, Exmoor and Bodmin), wooded river valleys and beautiful rolling farmland.

At the end of any good walk you’ll both need some sustenance. As an example, The Loft at St Ives has a dog friendly owner, always happy to supply a bowl of water and a stroke of the ears! For more ideas, you’ll find a guide on the Doggie Pubs website which lists 132 dog-friendly pubs in Cornwall, 181 in Devon, 115 in Dorset and 102 in Somerset. Spoiled for choice!

Of course you’re not limited to the great outdoors – many family attractions, gardens and stately homes welcome well behaved dogs and their owners too. English Heritage has a guide to which of its properties are suitable. Dogs on leads are usually welcome but restrictions may apply to certain areas. The website Dog People has a list of some other attractions suitable for dogs.

So – give your dog a break! Why not browse our selection of dog-friendly holiday cottages? Pooch will love you for it!