With the abundance of countryside and all the walking opportunities in and around Sidmouth, it is the perfect place to spend National Pet Month which just so happens to be this month! If you’re planning a visit to Sidmouth with your furry friends, here are some suggestions of places to stay where your pet will be just as welcome as you are.
One popular accommodation option for those travelling with dogs is a self catering cottage or something similar. There are loads of options for holiday cottages in and around Sidmouth giving you plenty of space and privacy and often, even an enclosed garden for you and your dog to enjoy.
If you like the idea of a cottage, take a look at what Sweetcombe Holiday Cottages have on offer. They have over 170 coastal and rural cottages across East Devon, including Sidmouth and the nearby towns and villages of Beer, Branscombe and Exmouth. There are over 70 dog friendly properties for guests to enjoy and the team are always on hand to recommend great walks and dog friendly attractions and restaurants nearby.
Classic Cottages also offer a variety of holiday cottages in the region, from family sized properties to romantic cabins for two. They have over 1200 properties on their books, so no matter what you’re looking for, you’re bound to find exactly what you need.
There are a couple of cottages at Boswell Farm, which is nestled in the Sid Valley and each of the cottages are based around a historic courtyard with their own private entrance and gardens, making them ideal for those staying with dogs. The Holt sleeps six, while Cider Cottage is a quirky upside down 3 bedroom cottage and Hayloft Cottage features two bedrooms, complete with a double bed and two singles. This cottage is a little higher up and has French doors leading into the garden with views across the farm itself.
Another option in the heart of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and just a short distance from the Jurassic Coast is Higher Wiscombe. These cottages are within the Southleigh Valley, on the outskirt of Sidmouth. The cottages all have stunning rural views and are ideal for larger groups. The Thatched and Flint both sleep six with the Old Winery sleeps twenty and all three are dog friendly and Higher Wiscombe has been previously awarded Dog Friendly awards.
A little further out towards Exmouth is Alpine Park Cottages, where you can find 11 modern lodge style self catering holiday cottages. The site is perfectly placed for exploring the East Devon countryside and the nearby towns and with each cottage having its own parking space and patio area, you have plenty of space and the chance to explore to your heart’s content. Pets are accepted in certain properties, so make sure to mention them when booking.
If you like the idea of staying on a site, Oakdown Touring and Holiday Caravan Park is a tranquil and peaceful site just outside Sidmouth town centre and is perfect for glamping and caravan holidays. With a wide range of luxury holiday homes, glamping units and a choice of touring and camping pitches, you’re spoiled for choice here. If you don’t want to bring your own accommodation with you, five of the lodges are dog friendly and seven of the glamping units, so you can easily pick the perfect property for you.
If the idea of glamping intrigues you, check out Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping. At Cuckoo Down Farm you can enjoy a relaxed glamping experience with hot tubs and stunning glamping tents each with their own hot showers, all just a stone’s throw from the town centre. Because this is glamping rather than camping, you even have your own individual toilets in each safari tent! The whole site is dog friendly and they, as well as you, will love making friends with the farm animals and the wildlife that reside at Cuckoo Down.
It isn’t just self catering and holiday parks that are happy to welcome pets, there are a number of Sidmouth hotels that provide dog friendly accommodation too. The Royal Glen Hotel, which was briefly the home of the future Queen Victoria in the 1800s, has several pet friendly rooms which are just as comfortable for your pet as they are for you. Set in a quiet part of town with its own secluded garden, this is a lovely place to call home for your stay in Sidmouth.
For those of you who love history, Sidmouth is a great place to visit, not only is there the Royal Glen with its royal connections, but there is also the Woodlands Hotel, which was once owned by Sir Walter Raleigh. This pet friendly hotel has spacious rooms, a tranquil private garden and terrace and is just a short stroll from the Sidmouth seafront.
Alternatively, there is the Royal York and Faulkner, ideal for those that want to be in the centre of the action as it sits right on the esplanade. This hotel is a magnificent Regency building and has splendid views across the Lyme Bay and the Jurassic Coast. Once you’ve spent time playing with your dog, why not pamper yourself by visiting the hotel’s spa?
It isn’t just accommodation that is dog friendly in the region either, there are a host of local attractions, including the Donkey Sanctuary, where you and your dogs can make friends with their collections of rescued donkeys. The sanctuary is free to visit and always has something special to offer, particularly during school holidays – so make sure to spare some time to visit!
Inspired for your dog friendly trip to Sidmouth? Find more options for places to stay and things to do here.