Dog-friendly holidays on the beach

More and more of our canine chums are insisting that they deserve a holiday just as we do. The constant stresses of daily life – whether to eat or bury the Bonio, how many power naps to have each morning, whether to fetch the stick or stare blankly at the human… there are a whole host of problems that the thinking dog needs some time away from. 

So, instead of making them spend time away from the family, take them with you to one of our dog-friendly cottages by the beach. Let them have a read of our top ten dog-friendly coastal cottages below – we’re sure they will let you know their favourite.

For more holiday inspiration, check out our guide to the UK's top dog-friendly beaches, or paw through our entire collection of dog-friendly coastal cottages, by clicking the button below.

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• Dog-friendly beach holiday cottages in Cornwall
• Pet-friendly seaside breaks in Devon
• Dog-friendly beach getaways in Dorset
• Beach cottage holidays for you and the dog in Sussex
• Dog-friendly seaside holiday cottages in Norfolk
• Dog-friendly cottages by the beach in Wales
• Pet-friendly beach retreats in Scotland

Dog-friendly beach holiday cottages in Cornwall

Headland House, Newquay | sleeps 6 + 1 dog 

You simply can’t beat a North Cornwal break for amazing coastline and stunning views, and at Headland House you really get a feel of the Atlantic that's just inviting you to get your paws wet. This Regency house with a Juliet balcony allows you to drink in the spectacular views across Fistral Beach and if you prefer to not walk too much (we’re not all athletes), there is an enclosed lawned garden where you can have a relaxing heavenly snooze at any time of day.

There is also a BBQ at this wonderful Newquay-based house, so your canine pal will no doubt be planning some sausage stealing of an evening – find out more about this coastal town in our Canine guide to Newquay. There are numerous National Trust properties nearby with many being dog friendly, so days out should be a doddle – after all, no one wants to be left at home on holiday.

Villa Surfside, Hayle | sleeps 6 + 4 dogs 

The first thing you will notice about Villa Surfside in Cornwall is the wooden bench overlooking the sea – you’ll be met with spectacular views across the golden sands of Hayle and across the bay to St Ives. You can then suggest a walk to clear the head as, at the end of the enclosed garden, there is the South West Coast Path, which follows a scenic route across cliffs to Godrevy Point. Alternatively, stroll down to Hayle Sands, only a few hundred metres away; the beach is dog friendly all year so you don’t have to worry about when you go. There is a surf school there as well which is fun as you’ll see some dogs on boards with their owners. 

You and your pup pal can take a visit to one of the many interesting places around, including the picturesque harbour of St Ives, Land’s End, Penzance and the Lizard Peninsula - check out our best dog-friendly days out for ideas. Be warned canine chums – there are no actual lizards on this peninsula – it is just a name, so you won’t need to protect the humans this time, just enjoy the miles of wonderful walkies and relax.

Infinity, Whitsand Bay | sleeps 2 + 2 dogs 

Enjoying a dramatic cliff-top location on the edge of Cornwall, Infinity is a beautiful lodge that benefits from uninterrupted sea views, which you can enjoy from the comfort of the sofa, from a lounger on the infinity-style terrace, or from the luxurious hot tub.

Wander down the cliff path with your four-legged friends and you’ll find the dazzling 4-mile stretch of Whitsand Bay, a dog-friendly beach which feels wild and rugged. There are coast path walks aplenty, and when you return to the haven of the cabin relaxation is guaranteed, with the boutique-style interior providing everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay. If you're planning adventures out and about to discover more of this county's rugged beauty, read through our top dog walks in Cornwall. 

Sandy Cove, Portmellon | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs 

Sandy Cove is a charming Cornwall cottage that couldn’t get any closer to the sea – with uninterrupted views over the beach and cove of Portmellon, it is as coastal as it gets. There is a lovely pub next door and you can walk down to the beach as it is right in front of the cottage. Decorated with a fantastic nautical theme, it also has its own little enclosed garden if you fancy an alternative countryside view. On winter nights, you can snuggle up next to the wood burner with your four-pawed pal at your feet – what could be more perfect?

The cottage is only a 1-mile stroll from the picturesque harbour of Mevagissey and the popular town of Truro is 18 miles away. In high seas and stormy weather, your car will need to be parked slightly further back – pack your wellies and mackintosh for exciting maritime adventures!

Fistral Beach House, Newquay | sleeps 4 + 1 dog 

Fistral Beach House is a detached coach house-style property in Cornwall that's perfect for the pooch with an eco-conscience as it is situated on the Duchy of Cornwall eco-development. With the fabulous Fistral Beach on your doorstep, it's easy for older dogs and those who don't like car rides, as you can just stroll over for a little walkie whenever the mood takes. You can build up to slowly navigating the headland and beach at your leisure, perhaps stopping for a biscuit and bowl of water while your nose gets accustomed to the salty sea air.

The house is decked out in blue and cream seaside tones, so you'll really feel that you are on holiday, especially with the amazing sea views over Fistral Beach. Canines who like to sit outside and sniff the air will love the cosy kitchen which leads out to an enclosed lawned garden with a picnic bench. That's two perfect areas for the humans to drop crumbs while you lie alongside waiting for your next walkie.

Pet-friendly seaside breaks in Devon

The Anchorage, Putsborough | sleeps 7 + 2 dogs 

Get away with two of your canine friends to this magnificent holiday let on the North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – check out our Canine guide to North Devon for holiday ideas during your stay! The Anchorage is a beautiful property with plenty of big, welcoming, social spaces where you and your group can gather to relax and spend time together while away. A kitchen island ensures you can cook together or catch up with a drink, while the lovely, sumptuous lounge beckons relaxation. Outside, the enclosed garden is a peaceful space for you to dine alfresco while Fido snoozes on sunny days. 

Putsborough Beach is just half a mile down the road, which has sections restricted in the summer and sections where dogs are free to roam all year round. It's a stunning, sweeping stretch of sand, with big waves blowing in off the Atlantic, and backed by fantastic grassy cliffs. Next door you'll find another magnificent beach, one of the best in the UK, Woolacombe, which also offers a section that welcomes dogs year-round. For a walk with a view, trek out to Baggy Point, cared for by the National Trust this headland provides impressive views of the coast. For more holiday ideas, we've got a host of fantastic places for you to visit during your break in our guide to dog-friendly Devon beaches. 

2 At The Beach, Slapton | sleeps 4 + 1 dog 

Down in serene South Devon, 2 At The Beach is quaint, characterful and full of charm, and sits in an unbeatable location in Torcross, right at the start of fantastic Slapton Sands. Light, bright and thoughtfully decorated, with a wonderful paved and furnished terrace overlooking the sea, this is a delightful place for a dog-friendly holiday by the beach. 

Impressive Slapton Sands is pet-friendly all year round and stands out among beaches due to its unique formation – it's a 3-mile stretch of shingle bar that separates the open sea in front from the natural freshwater lake that sits behind. The lake, otherwise known as Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, is bursting with wildlife and offers enchanting scenery for your Devon break with the dog. Our guide to dog-friendly South Devon beaches offers more places your pup will go mutts for too!

Dog-friendly beach getaways in Dorset

Seafields, Ringstead | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs

In an unforgettable location with a beach at the bottom of the impressive garden, a dog-friendly beach break doesn't get much more relaxed than this. Seafields is a wonderful country property with big social spaces throughout, and half an acre of garden to enjoy outside. Large picture windows boast fantastic sea views and allow light to flood in during the day, while at night, an open fire ensures you can fill the home with warmth while you unwind together. 

Best of all, within 100 metres you can be on the National Trust's Ringstead Bay Beach and exploring the Jurassic Coast Heritage Site. It's majority shingle and you can see remains of World War II pillboxes on the beach, as well as soak in beautiful coastal views. Ringstead Beach is dog-friendly all year round, with rock pools and the opportunity for fossil hunting, although keep dogs away from the crumbling cliffs as rocks often fall away, potentially revealing more fossils each time. Discover more about dog-friendly Dorset in our guide. 

Seafields

Ocean View, Swanage | sleeps 6 + 1 dog 

A truly elegant apartment filled with contemporary design elements and cosy furnishings, Ocean View in Swanage is perfectly located for a fantastic beach break with up to two of your four-pawed pals. Bring your best canine friends along for spectacular coastal walks, country pub dinners and trips to historic sites. No matter what you get up to during your stay, the balcony with sea views is a fantastic, scenic spot to end your day.

While Swanage Beach only allows dogs out of season, the fantastic beach at Studland Bay and the castle and parkland of Durlston Country Park are perfect, pet-friendly places to go during the summer, both within 4 miles. Studland Bay even boasts excellent views of Old Harry's Rocks, the area's iconic sea stacks. 

Ocean View

Beach cottage holidays for you and the dog in Sussex

Stone’s Throw Beach Retreat, Pevensey Bay | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs 

Paws up who wants direct access onto the beach? When we say direct access, canine friends, we don’t mean you have your own key – you still have to take the human with you. However, you do have a decked area and enclosed (if you aren’t a jumper) beach garden to run around at your leisure until the human takes you through the magical gate to the sparkling waters beyond – Stone’s Throw Beach Retreat is the setting for the ultimate beach holiday in one of our Sussex cottages.

Obviously, a fellow canine had a hand in the design of this contemporary beach house as while you are surveying your land from the terrace, you are equidistant from three main human areas of food – outside table, inside dining table and breakfast bar. No dog wants to be too far from the action.

Seagulls, Pevensey Bay | sleeps 7 + 1 dog 

Overlooking a great expanse of sea, and right on the beach, Seagulls is a spacious house in Sussex, perfect for adventurous dogs who love to just run for miles and miles. With an enclosed garden, it even has a garden hose to wash off those sandy paws. There is also an upstairs terrace to just sit and relax and look at other dogs letting off steam while you enjoy a nice chew.

The house is big enough for all the family, so you can be sure to get attention from everybody. Being perfectly situated between Hastings and Eastbourne with a multitude of beautiful country towns and villages to visit, this is a great house to base yourself from – discover a host of places to visit in our guide to pet-friendly Sussex attractions. With the Firehills at Fairlight and the beautiful South Downs each within a half an hour drive, this is impressive dog walking country. 

Dog-friendly seaside holiday cottages in Norfolk

Antillas, Eccles Beach | sleeps 4 + 2 dogs 

Retreat to this modern, stylish, dog-friendly holiday home in Eccles-on-Sea for a peaceful get-away-from-it-all-style holiday with up to two canine companions. Antillas is a light, bright, welcoming space and the best feature has to be the wonderful French doors – they open up straight onto the garden and frame enchanting sea views beyond so you can make the most of this stunning coastal setting. There are plenty of outdoor seating options at the front with open views and hidden away in a private backyard space too, while inside, a gas fire warms the beautiful open-plan interior. 

Stunning Cart Gap Beach (also known as Eccles Beach) is just half a mile away and welcomes our four-pawed friends all year round, while Happisburgh Beach and Sea Palling Beach sit either side of it (Happisburgh also welcomes dogs all year) – so whatever the season, you and your pup are sure to have a ball! Check out our guide to paw-friendly Norfolk beaches too for more inspiration. Head out on the Norfolk Coast Path for longer dog walks, or spend lazy mornings eating breakfast with a view at the cottage, and afternoons down on the beach. 

Antillas

Pilgrims Progress, Bacton | sleeps 4 + 1 dog 

A charming, characterful holiday cottage in a peaceful location, just off Bacton's Coast Road, Pilgrims Progress is a real chocolate-box cottage by the coast. It's simply bursting with wonderful, special features you'll love. It's one of four stone cottages that share access to an indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna, so you can totally relax during your getaway. 

We haven't forgotten your four-pawed friend either – a track leads from this holiday cottage directly down to wonderful Bacton Beach, with sand, groynes and grassy areas behind. Parts of the beach have dog restrictions during the summer, but the Norfolk Coast Path runs along directly behind it, so you can always venture out on dog walks towards Walcott or Mundesley for pubs, cafes and more coastal views. Spend all day exploring this fantastic stretch of coastline with your canine pal by your side and find out more about the region in our Canine Norfolk guide.

Pilgrims Progress

Dog-friendly cottages by the beach in Wales

Number 1 St Anns Head Lighthouse, Dale | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs 

What fun-loving dog wouldn’t want a lighthouse as its neighbour? Isolated and peaceful, with the sea in front and fields behind, Number 1 St Anns Head Lighthouse overlooking a huge lighthouse is great for long, interesting walkies. There are lots of other beaches around Pembrokeshire – West Dale is only 3 miles away, Marloes 5 miles and Broad Haven 6 miles, so there are plenty of options during your West Wales holiday, and you can discover more pet-friendly Pembrokeshire beaches here. 

Anyway, enough exertion – the most exciting thing about this house is the fantastic pizza oven outside for memorable al fresco evenings. Even better, if you visit the house in the winter, there is an Aga to snuggle up next to, and an open fire in the lounge to dry dogs after brisk walks on the beach. There is even storage for bikes, so you can venture out on long cycle rides in this stunning location. 

Ysbryd Y Mor, Freshwater East | sleeps 6 + 3 dogs 

Ysbryd Y Mor is a quirky Wales property, separated into two building. It has the most amazing views across Freshwater East, and you can take three dogs, so this trip will be fun! The beach below is dog-friendly all year round and brilliant for exploring – the path can be a bit steep for older dogs but there are alternative routes for those of you who are a bit wobbly. Pembrokeshire is the UK’s only coastal national park and its famous path runs right past the bottom of the enclosed garden.

This property is the perfect place if you are a beach-loving dog who needs to just get away from it all – there are so many opportunities to splash about in the sea with your pals, perhaps popping into the dog-friendly beach bar afterwards for a snack. After all, what is a holiday if you can’t enjoy it with your best buddies? For more fantastic places to go, check out our favourite paw-friendly beaches in Wales. 

Pet-friendly beach retreats in Scotland

Providence House, Fife, Scotland | sleeps 2 + 2 dogs 

This dog-friendly apartment is right at the beach, and just a stone's throw from Kinghorn's sandy beach and harbour. Having been fully refurbished, Providence House is a delightful home from home for anybody looking for a pet-friendly base from which to discover the Neuk of Fife. From this charming Scotland cottage, take a walk along the long-distance Fife Coast Path; at 114 miles long, it's bound to provide some memorable coastal walks with your dog.

Providence House is close to Pettycur Beach (1 mile) and Silver Sands Beach (6 miles) too, as well as fine dog-friendly visitor attractions such as Townhill Country Park, Blairadam Wood and St Bridget's Kirk, all within 17 miles. There's so much natural beauty all around Fife, be sure to bring your camera and your walking boots, or check out our Canine guide to Scotland for more holiday inspiration. 

The Haven - Coldingham Sands, Coldingham Bay | sleeps 6 + 2 dogs 

An elegant, contemporary and welcoming retreat with plenty of space for a family or friend group and up to two dogs, The Haven is a serene base for outdoor adventures in a magical setting. Coldingham Bay sweeps out below, and you can admire it from the cottage with windows that frame the stunning seaside scenery. A modern, creatively designed interior offers lovely spaces to socialise and there's plenty of floor space where Fido can stretch out for a snooze each day. 

Set on the eastern coast of the Scottish Borders, you and your pup can enjoy days playing ball games down on Coldingham Sands during the off-season, and head out on impressive dog walks along the Berwickshire Coastal Path during the sunny summer months. The lovely village of St Abbs and its visitor centre is set 1.5 miles away and, from here, you can head out into the rugged and beautiful St Abbs Head Nature Reserve to follow a 2-mile trail to St Abbs Head itself where you can spot puffins on the cliffs during spring. For more coastal break ideas, take a look through our favourite dog-friendly beaches in Scotland. 

More coastal canine cottages

If you still haven't found your perfect doggie beach holiday, there's still plenty more to choose from amongst our collection of dog-friendly coastal cottages. They cover locations from the tip of Cornwall right up to the reaches of Scotland, meaning there's somewhere to discover for every canine explorer, each boasting a great location within easy reach of the sea and welcoming pooches with open arms.