Top 10 dog-named places

What’s in a name you may ask? Well, rather a lot we reckon – especially if that name has canine connections! 

The UK has plenty of places with fun and unusual names and we had great fun compiling a hotlist of the most doggy-themed places in the UK. From waterfalls to rural villages, you may be surprised by the wonderful locations we came across. 

Read on to see which ones are best for a peaceful pet-friendly getaway, which are best for the historical hound about town, and which ones are perfect for keen hikers who love a long W-A-L-K! Or click the button below and start pawing through our pet-friendly cottages collection. 

Pawlett, Somerset

A village with leafy lanes on the banks of the River Parrett in Somerset, this is the perfect place for you and your canine chum to explore Bridgwater Bay and the glorious Quantock Hills. 

There are lots of lovely villages with pet-friendly pubs, all surrounded by beautiful Somerset countryside. In fact, the Campaign for Real Ale has compiled a list of dog-friendly pubs in the area, so it’s the perfect excuse to head to this destination with your four-pawed pup in tow. 

Woofferton, Shropshire

Set amongst acres of open Shropshire countryside, this village is just south of Ludlow and perfect for doggos who like to explore and humans who like to accompany them on their impressive adventures. 

Home to the Woofferton transmitting station, it is great for the intelligent canine who counts modern history among his many interests. And why not pop over to Mortimer Forest for a woodland dog walk while you're here? 

Petworth, West Sussex

Home to the majestic Petworth House, this country house and park in Sussex is home to one of the finest art collections the National Trust has to offer. 

But fear not non-art-loving canines, it is also bang in the middle of the South Downs National Park. With lots of fabulous coastal walking routes on your doorstep, this is the perfect holiday for any type of pup. The spectacular chalky cliffs are better for dogs on leads but there are also lots of wooded areas perfect for a safe stroll – just be mindful of the resident deer.

Dog Falls and Coire Loch, Scottish Highlands 

Step out on a dog walk to Dog Falls with your canine companion to the spectacular Scottish Highlands. Located in beautiful Glen Affric, where you'll find enchanting woodland, moorland and lochs, Dog Falls is a series of waterfalls that flows into Coire Loch and has a walking trail leading you through this dog-friendly beauty spot. 

There's even a brewery named after this magical waterfall, so make sure you order a couple of bottles to enjoy back at your cottage after your Highland walking adventure. 

HIGHLANDS COTTAGES

Labrador Bay, Devon

Now, any self-respecting Labrador will have already made sure that you know about this place. 

A beautiful coastal reserve near the picturesque village of Shaldon on the South West Coast Path, it has breathtaking views over Lyme Bay. Adventurous dogs will love the stories about the notorious Jack Rattenbury and his smuggling friends who used the Teign Estuary to bring in their illegal wares.

Lickey End, Worcestershire

We feel the majority of our pooches would head to this beauty spot in an instant! 

This delightful village is set just outside of Birmingham and a stone’s throw from Lickey Hills Country Park - perfect for adventurous canines who have 524 acres of rolling wood and heathland to play in. You might also like to head to Beacon Hill Toposcope or Waseley Hills Country Park with your four-pawed pal. 

Hound, Hampshire

On the shores of Southampton Water in Hampshire, this village is home to historical landmarks such as Netley Castle and Netley Abbey. 

There are lots of country walks including Westwood Woodland Park, a 200-acre nature reserve of ancient woodland and grassland, and the popular Royal Victoria Country Park, home to the Netley Chapel - the only remaining part of the famous Royal Victoria Military Hospital. Originally built for 19th-century soldiers returning home from war, the hospital is now in ruins, so sadly no good for poorly paws on a walk.

Black Dog, Devon

A typically picturesque Devon village with thatched houses, and great for rambling as you can walk the Two Moors Way - don't forget to stop at the Black Dog Inn for a drink. On one of the highest ridges of land between Dartmoor and Exmoor, it has spectacular views across both moors.

Legend has it that a ghostly black dog used to guard the entrance to an important tunnel during the Civil War. Nowadays, dogs of all colours are welcome, though black dogs with a sense of humour seem to find hours of amusement here for some reason.

Hound Tor, Dartmoor 

This eerie deserted medieval village in Devon consists of a cluster of 13th-century stone longhouses on Bronze Age land. The ghosts of its ancient dwellings and graves were allegedly the inspiration for The Hound of the Baskervilles.

This legend goes that the hound was a dog who had been turned to stone by witches and has returned to stalk the moors, and there have reportedly been many sightings of a big black dog in the area. This is scary stuff, so is only recommended for the bravest of canines!

DARTMOOR COTTAGES

The Isle of Dogs, London

First mentioned in Henry III’s papers, it is thought that Edward III kept greyhounds here, leading to its strange name. It's just 20 minutes from the Tower of London (nervous pooches will not be up for this attraction) and you could also take royalist dogs to see Buckingham Palace. 

The area has lent its name to a new Wes Anderson film about dogs being quarantined on an island due to an outbreak of canine flu – dogs with the sniffles are best left at home!

Special mention: Yorkshire

Finally, a special mention for the terrier pup parents out there. Did you think we'd missed off this classic doggy destination? 

Terriers have a habit of being named after the places where they were bred - with others including the Manchester terrier, Norwich terrier, Lakeland terrier, Airedale terrier - there's no end to these place-named dogs! 

However, the Yorkshire terrier has to be the best-known of the bunch. And we suspect, if you have a Yorkie of your own, you and your pup will both love a trip to their home county. 

YORKSHIRE COTTAGES

Dog-friendly holidays 

Have we inspired you and your pup to visit one of these wonderful dog-friendly locations? Have a paw through our dog-friendly cottages across the UK; you may just find one within barking distance of our doggy-named places!