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Treat your dog this August!

8th July 2019

Categories: Visitor News

If you are a dog owner/dog lover you will probably already be aware that International Dog Day falls in August and as such, this is your warning to treat your pooch to a trip to Devon!

Devon is one of the most dog friendly places in the UK, it’s full of accommodation and attractions that not only welcome dogs, but actively encourage you to bring them with you! You’ll find plenty of fun things for you and your four legged friend to get up to when you’re in the region on our dog friendly pages, but here are a few suggestions to get you started.

In terms of accommodation, you’re really spoiled for choice.

The English Riviera is a popular holiday destination, it’s warm, it’s sunny, it has palm trees… What more could you want!
This part of Devon is also a good choice for dog owners, in the Torquay area, the Cary Arms Spa offers luxury accommodation and have both indoor and outdoor places for dogs to enjoy! While you’re there you and your furry friend can spend some time exploring the Babbacombe Model Village, which welcomes dogs and is a fun place to spend a few hours.

Image: Cary Arms

In neighbouring Brixham, those who love the great outdoors can spend a few days with their dog at Galmpton Touring Park choose between touring caravans, tents, motorhomes and holiday lets that are available all year around. It’s a great base for exploring the Torbay area and your dogs will love the wide open space that they can run around in! If you don’t fancy being out in the open but do like the views of this area, take a look at Harbour Reach Holidays it’s a real home from home, offering comfort and luxury.
For those of you who have your heart set on visiting Paignton, don’t fret, Whitehill Country Park Paignton is just a short journey from the towns of Totnes and Dartmouth with plenty of beaches in the area, not only are they dog friendly, but also award-winning! In Dawlish, you’ll find Powderham Castle which has lots of fun displays for you to explore.

Image: Whitehill Country Park.

Speaking of Totnes, the south of the county are also dog friendly. Beyond Escapes have a range of accommodation options, plus an onsite spa, restaurant and is close to a whole host of fun attractions. If you want to give glamping a go, Beara Lodge is a family run dog-friendly site based at Beaworthy. It’s not that far from Roadford Lake where adventure is rife and you can really lose yourself in beautiful scenery.

If you fancy some accommodation that’s homely, take a look at Bolberry Farm Cottages these traditional barn conversions are set in a quiet hamlet near Hope Cove and Kingsbridge. Not only are pets welcome here, but they can stay free of charge!
Nearby in Newton Abbot, one of Devon’s more interesting attractions, House of Marbles, welcomes dogs is a great place to pick up unique gifts for those at home. The Wooladon Estate is ideal for anyone wanting to stay near Plymouth with their four legged friends, especially those wanting proximity to the city without sacrificing peace and quiet.

If you’d rather be more central, there are plenty of places to choose from in the towns and villages of Mid Devon. Those wanting to experience glamping will want to book into Devon Yurt, it’s like camping, but more glamourous! At this site you can stay in a variety of yurts all with carpets, rugs and actual beds! Keep the adventure alive, by taking the dogs with you to Tree Surfers, where they can watch while you and the family take on some death defying feats. Tamar Trails is also nearby, and is perfect for entertaining the whole family, dog included! Another outdoor adventure site, Canonteign Falls is a must visit when in Mid Devon. This site based in Exeter is home to the UK’s largest man made waterfall and has a whole host of woodland trails to occupy you.
Nearby in Tiverton, there are plenty of dog-friendly places to spend a few hours, like the Grand Canal and the Ducks Ditty Bar, one of the UK’s only canal based floating bars. If you’re not too keen on spending all day outside, why not head to the Devon Railway Centre, a haven for train fans with lots of fun, railway activities to keep everyone entertained. Dogs are also welcome at Fursdon House and Gardens, in Exeter, this historic house and the surrounding gardens is ideal for anyone wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life, while not straying too far from major towns and cities.

Image: Ducks Ditty Bar

Also in Mid-Devon is the aptly named Fox and Hounds Country Hotel a stay here, on the outskirts of Exeter puts you in a great location for exploring the whole of Devon. You and your dog will love the chance to see the extensive beaches in the north of the county, especially when the beach restrictions are lifted, as well as the beauty of the countryside, so staying somewhere central is perfect for those who want to travel round and see it all.

The north of the county is the place to be if you love watersports and during certain times of year, many of the beaches are unrestricted, so your dogs can enjoy the sand too.

Westward Ho! is a popular destination in North Devon and you’ll know why when you get there. There are lots of amazing accommodation and attractions in the region and many of them are happy for your dogs to join you! One such place is the Braddicks Holiday Centre, a self-catering park close to the beach. A stay here means you can explore the village of Clovelly, an attraction in its own right and grab food at the Pier House. The Pier House is Westward Ho!’s only seafront bar and bistro giving impressive views over Lundy Island.
If being by the sea is important to you, check out Croyde Bay Holiday Resort which is right on Croyde Bay. While there are plenty of things to see and do onsite, including a dog friendly area, you are also fairly near the Waterfront Inn, a family friendly inn offering children’s play areas, gardens, food and drink and somewhere for your dog to hang out for a while.

It isn’t just holiday parks and resorts in north Devon offering dog friendly accommodation, Trimstone Manor County Cottages in neighbouring Ilfracombe are a good shout for those wanting something more reminicient of home. The surrounding countryside is perfect for exercising your doggos and there is an onsite pool, sauna, gym, traditional games room, tennis court and more so even if you don’t go out exploring, you’ll never get bored!
Broad Close Farm Apartments are another good choice, set on a farm, these apartments are an excellent base for exploring Devon and have wide reaching countryside views.
If you want somewhere to keep the kids entertained without having to leave the dog at home? The Milky Way Adventure Park is a great place to go. The kids can exhaust themselves on the rides and the dogs can come in and watch!

Want to find out more about places to stay in Devon who will welcome your dog with open arms? Click here to see our full list of dog-friendly properties!