It’s a dog’s life!
It’s not a proper family holiday if your furry friend doesn’t come, too. Here’s our pick of the best places to go with your pooch!
BEST FOR: COUNTRYSIDE ADVENTURE The Swan at Lavenham, Suffolk
Lucky pups staying at this handsome hotel in the old Tudor wool town of Lavenham get their own registration card, in-room dinner menu and treats. While Rover’s chomping on a chicken breast or steak and eggs, you can treat yourself to dinner at the Gallery restaurant.
WHAT TO DO: Let your four-legged friend run wild in nearby Melford Country Park, which is dotted with ponds and wildlife.
HOW TO DO IT: B&B starts from £185 per night and dogs are £10 per night. Doggy dining dishes are from £3. Book via theswanatlavenham.co.uk
BEST FOR: SEASIDE FUN
Stade Cottage, Hythe, Kent Just two minutes from the wonderful beach at Hythe, your pooch will be in heaven – with plenty of seagulls to chase and waves to bark at. This modernised fisherman’s cottage is immaculate, well-equipped and cosy, with three bedrooms, a luxurious bathroom and a wood-burning stove for when the nights draw in. There are also smart TVs and wi-fi. On arrival, humans are greeted with wine and crisps, and there is a packet of beef chews for furry vistors. Dogs aren’t allowed upstairs, but there is a safe, fenced-in courtyard where Fido can catch some rays.
WHAT TO DO: The Dymchurch miniature railway welcomes four-legged travellers and you can hop on and hop off, exploring places along the way across Romney Marshes. The end of the line is stunning Dungeness, where the open sands are perfect for a scamper. The Britannia in Dungeness welcomes dogs and The Pilot will serve your four-legged friend in its garden. Back in Hythe, the newly refurbished White Hart does a lovely Sunday lunch, and Hythe high street, with a selection of quirky shops, is moments away. St Leonard’s Church, which dates back to the 11th century, has a fascinating crypt with a spooky collection of bones (not one for Fido, obviously).
HOW TO DO IT: You can book via Kent and Sussex Holiday Cottages ( kentandsussexcottages.co.uk) from £610 a week.