AND FIDO CAN COME, TOO!
Many self-catering cottages and hotels allow guests to bring their dogs, but few of them go the extra mile and provide welcoming treats and special facilities. Here, travel editor David Wickers finds some places where your pooch will be prioritised
Holidays for the whole family, including your four-legged friends
Welsh welcome
Sherwood House sits right on the Pembrokeshire coastal path, near the aptly named village of St Dogmaels. Here, dogs are offered a choice of Pawsecco, Bottom Sniffer Beer or Posh Pooch Wine from pet supplier Woof & Brew, home-baked treats from local company St Dogmeals, an indoor and outdoor pet play area and a Teach Your Dog Welsh book. Plus, guests receive a digital pup portrait from a photo taken and sent prior to the holiday (reproduced on mugs and T-shirts, if you like). One week for up to seven humans from £1,450 (premiercottages.co.uk).
Course work
The Fish Hotel in Worcestershire, close to the Cotswold village of Broadway, is a collection of quirky country houses standing within the 400-acre Farncombe estate. As well as walks in the surrounding forest and fields, dogs can enjoy an Agility Course, a small enclosed area with special activities and a washing station with an aluminium bathtub (shampoo provided). Dogs (medium size, minimum age one year) are welcome in the hotel bar, lounges and restaurant, and in a number of the rooms, where there are dog beds, bowls, towels and treats. Doubles from £170 a night B&B, dog included (petspyjamas.com).
Cottage industry
Gamekeepers (which sleeps six) and Cross (sleeps four) are two cosy cottages in Wigglesworth, Yorkshire, catering for every pet need, including a hose for washing muddy paws, blankets and throws, treats and even dog tags with the phone number in case your pooch goes walkabout. Both properties have wood-burners, patios and sweeping views, and share six acres of orchard and an enclosed paddock. From £109 per night for up to four sharing, plus up to two dogs from £30 per dog, per stay (wigglesworthhouseandcottages.co.uk). Find these and other dog-friendly properties at sawdays.co.uk.
Rural glamping
Set within the High Weald, an area of outstanding natural beauty in East Sussex, The Challoners provides glamping in style for dogs and owners alike. Canine comforts include dog beds, underfloor heating and a fully enclosed garden with an area for washing off the residue accumulated from walks in the 50 acres of adjacent woodland. Owners, meanwhile, can enjoy one of two beautifully crafted units, each made up of a shepherd’s hut for sleeping and an adjacent cabin complete with antique furnishings, log-burner, a well-equipped small kitchen and a bathroom with roll-top bath. Three nights from £426, based on two sharing. Two dogs are welcome at £10 per dog, per stay (qualityunearthed.co.uk).
Walkies in the wild
Sutherland, in the far north of Scotland, is where you’ll find Eddrachilles, a hotel especially rated by the Good Hotel Guide for dog friendliness. Overlooking Badcall Bay, the hotel offers a ‘Bowwow’ service that includes bedding, towels, warm-water washing facilities, mats and cushions. ‘Well-behaved dogs’ are welcome in all public areas. Doubles from £260 for two nights’ B&B, plus £10 per dog, irrespective of length of stay (eddrachilles.com).
Green and pleasant
The four-star Balmer Lawn Hotel, in the New Forest, overlooks the village green of Brockenhurst, and is part-managed by resident hounds Sherlock and Watson. Expect fluffy towels, water bowls and tasty treats for four-legged guests, an outside area where mucky pups can be hosed down, and several tables and chairs just outside the main restaurant where guests can have dinner with their pets. Of the 56 rooms, 23 are dog-friendly, as are all the pubs in Brockenhurst. Doubles from £120 B&B; dogs £20 per night (balmerlawnhotel.com).
To the manor born
17th-century stately home Stapleford Park, in Leicestershire, offers a Doggy Divine package. It provides hypoallergenic dog beds, dog toys, a doggy afternoon tea menu, served on a tiered stand, and other goodies from local business The Hungry Hounds Bakery. Dinner can be enjoyed in the Library Bar, with dog, or take advantage of a dog-sitting service and dine in the wood-panelled Grinling Gibbons restaurant. There is also a pool and spa (for humans only). From £475 per night for two owners and one dog (prideofbritainhotels.com).