Dog friendly holidays with Farm Stay

14 April 2022 (Last updated: 24 Jul 2022 19:44)

Farm Stay holidays are for the whole family to enjoy ­– and that includes the pet dog! What could be better than staying somewhere where the hosts truly understand animals and who loves dogs themselves? Many of our dog-friendly Farm Stay properties provide dog beds, bowls and even treats for your pet, with facilities for washing off muddy paws. They’ll be able to suggest all sorts of local doggy adventures, along with pubs, cafés and beaches where dogs are welcome.

The countryside is simply made for our four-legged friends as the walking options are endless, with farmland footpaths, bridleways, open moorland and woods to explore. You’ll have miles of traffic-free routes to enjoy from your door – avoiding the need to get in your car or pound the pavements. Dogs love being in new surroundings and like you will enjoy a change of scene, spending time with their favourite people rather than being cooped up in kennels.

To give you an idea of what to expect, we’ve come up with a selection of our best dog friendly properties for short breaks and holidays. There are enclosed gardens where a dog can safely spend time with you, beaches where dogs are welcome, and one even has training and agility facilities! All are family friendly with a range of activities on-site and close by.

Treats await in Oxfordshire cottages

Your dog will be thrilled to join you on walkies in the Cotswold countryside on a self-catering break at Lower Farm’s Oxford Country Cottages. Choose from one of the five luxury cottages – with one, two and three bedrooms – in the historic village of Noke, next to the 1,000acre RSPB Otmoor Nature Reserve. The cottages are pet friendly and well-behaved dogs are welcome for a small fee and via prior arrangement. Lucky pups are provided with dog beds, bowls and some treats too!

You’ll be able to enjoy the onsite hot tub and the brand-new heated outdoor swimming pool and oak-framed pool house, before or after your day’s walk on the farm’s bridleways. Head to a welcoming traditional country pub for your lunch or dinner, dog in tow, or prepare meals in the cottage kitchen using produce bought from the small, but well stocked farm shop on site! The award-winning cottages are converted farm buildings which combine farmhouse character with quality modern comforts. And if you fancy a day exploring nearby Oxford, a city known for its ‘dreaming spires’, colleges and museums, the hosts will happily arrange dog sitting!

Kent countryside by the sea

Chilton Farmyard B&B is an ideal location for a dog-friendly break in the Kent countryside because the owners enjoy making dogs welcome. And, as there are a multitude of footpaths and bridleways on the doorstep, it’s ideal for active pups with lots of energy to burn. Some routes run through the farm and offer miles of countryside for you and your four-legged pal to explore together.

Nestling in the beautiful Alkham Valley, the newly converted flint farm buildings offer a variety of cosy rooms for family and friends. The Dairy, which sleeps two, the Calf Shed sleeping up to five, and the Byre sleeping up to six people – plus the Albion Breakfast Room where the delicious cooked breakfast is served – are all set all set around a central lawn. Each property has its own terrace for summer evening barbecues or peaceful morning coffee.

There are many beaches and coastal paths to discover, not to mention some great local pubs and restaurants, many of them dog-friendly.

The B&B is part of the working farm, where you can meet the rare breed Albion Cattle and resident ponies. The nearby towns Folkestone, Deal and Sandwich are also within easy reach, as are attractions such as Dover castle, and the Castle and gardens at Walmer.

New doggy tricks in Cornwall

Polean Farm Cottages on Cornwall’s stunning south coast is an ideal dog destination, with numerous dog-friendly beaches, pubs and cafés in the area and some fantastic walks along the coastal path and exploring the local countryside in an area that has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Located close to Looe and Polperro, Polean Farm has converted 18th century former barns into spacious, comfortable and tastefully decorated self-catering cottages, each with their own unique character, set around a pretty courtyard.

Up to two dogs per household are accepted here. Each of the four cottages has tiled floors and has a secure courtyard or garden that the dog can spend time in. And if you fancy visiting local attractions such as the amazing Eden Project, which are designated dog-free, the owners offer a day’s free dog sitting!

Dogs can be exercised off the lead in a large 15-acre exercise field at the front of the farm, and water-loving pooches can even swim in the ponds. There’s a farmyard hosepipe that can be used to wash them down after swims or muddy walks.

Plus, you and your dog could both go home having learnt some new skills as Polean Farm offers indoor dog training sessions led by a qualified dog trainer. These are held for an hour, three times a week on the farm.

Glamping in Yorkshire for animal lovers

There are miles of lovely footpaths directly from the farmgate at Goxhill Meadows in the Yorkshire Riding so you and your dog will enjoy getting your step-count in on a break here. Rural and remote, yet only three miles from the seaside, a break here will see you enjoying the peace and quiet of big open spaces. The farm is just a 30-minute walk from Hornsea Mere SSSI and the picturesque Trans-Pennine Trail is also very close by.

You’ll be staying in one of three Landpods on an eco-friendly smallholding surrounded by nature, with the owners’ animals grazing in the adjacent fields. These provide all the excitement of camping with more space and more comfort. The Woodland Lodge pods are insulated and have solar lighting. They sleep up to four adults on two double mattresses, while the single futon seating area doubles as a fifth bed large enough for a child.

Both sides of each pod open up fully so you can stargaze from the comfort of your own bed and during the day, they open up to let the sunshine in. There is a bench, picnic table and barbecue firepit/stove outside each pod so you can make the most of the great outdoors and dine al fresco. There’s a shower pod with eco-friendly toilet and an outdoor covered kitchen.

A wash-off facility for your canine companion’s muddy paws is available.

As an animal lover, you’ll be welcomed to enjoy hands-on interaction with the resident pygmy goats, alpacas, chickens, ponies and sheep.