Best dog-friendly attractions in North Wales

We have sniffed high and low to find you the best dog-friendly attractions in North Wales. It’s a beautiful place with an astoundingly high number of natural spots to visit with your dog. It’s ludicrous to suggest that North Wales is not dog-friendly if you are a lover of the great outdoors and love a fantastic wild trek in the Snowdonia (Eyri) National Park or the region’s other vast country parks.

We have compiled a list of fun and historical attractions where dogs are made to feel very welcome. Whilst some require your pooch to be on the lead, we have included these attractions because the requirement is in place for environmental and safety reasons, and not because the management dislikes your pets. From the spectacular Great Orme Copper Mines (yes you can take your dog underground if you like) to one of the world’s oldest trees, the draws are certainly quirky! There’s a mountain railway and unspoiled, unrestricted beaches to enjoy too. North Wales really is a dog-friendly destination whether you have a Great Dane, a tiny terrier, a blue heeler or a British bulldog. Read our guide to find out more.

Why not stay at one of our North Wales dog-friendly cottages so that you can visit a few of these attractions? We have properties all across North Wales for everybody, from large families to cosy couples, all of which welcome your four-legged chum to join in on the fun.

Walkies

Mount Snowdon

Vertical walks for mad dogs and their owners? Sound good? Well, there are seven trails up to the peak of Mount Snowdon. A lot of visitors take the train up but unfortunately, dogs aren’t permitted, so the only alternative is an enjoyable walk up. Some of the paths are quite arduous but the pick of the litter for dog owners is the Snowdon Ranger Path. The 4-mile-long path is stony but relatively easy for you and your dog to make the journey in under 3 hours. Prepare in advance and check the weather forecast. You can enjoy a pint at The Snowdonia Parc Inn at Waunfawr to recover after you have come back down from admiring the stunning views.

Why your dog will love it: It’s a chance to be the top, well, highest dog in Wales!

Best for: Enjoy the ultimate dog walk! This is an exercise with a capital X.

Stay at: Damselfly Lodge | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 2 humans 

Conwy Water Gardens 

Soggy dog alert! Not that your dogs will get all that drenched here unless they are super naughty; Conwy Water Garden is a wonderful choice for a dog-friendly day out with the family. With three fully-stocked coarse fishing lakes, a nature walk, an aquatic centre and the Dutch Pancake House on site, there’s much to see and do for everyone.

The nature trail is particularly well-loved by families with dogs; the course of the path dips through a wooded valley and through tranquil surroundings, making it something of a bird reserve. You need to keep the pooch on the lead so that they don’t disturb nesting birds or wintering species; look out for capybaras, pheasants, hens and ducks at the woodland bird feeding station. There is a lively programme of events on at Conwy Water Gardens all year round, so be sure to check their social media updates.

Why your dog will love it: There’s a lovely nature walk through the woods. Ideal for pups and older dogs who may not want to walk very far.

Best for: It’s a superb family day out with lots to see and do for everybody.

Stay at: Dolgraian Cottage | Sleeps: 1 dog and 2 humans 

Great Orme Country Park 

A hill walk for older dogs and pups, with the choice of a short bus ride either there or back! Sounds pawfect, right? Great Orme is an eye-catching headland close to the Victorian-era seaside resort of Llandudno. It’s a lovely choice for those who may want to experience a dog walk that’s less strenuous but is also short, close to town and with good pathways. There are several paths to the top of Great Orme which is surrounded by water on three sides, and you can also catch a road train to the top that runs from the town too. Bold, easily earned views across Liverpool Bay, over to Anglesey and the Menai Strait await.

Why your dog will love it: It’s a short walk for pups and older dogs but with the same result as a long country walk!

Best for: Amazing views a short distance from town with a good public transport link!

Stay at: Park Villa | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 8 humans  

Beaches

Point of Ayr Beach 

This beach is for dogs who have had turbocharging modifications. It’s time for a mad dash at this heavenly beach. Wide sands and uninterrupted views of Liverpool Bay, Point of Ayr Beach is close to the estuary of the River Dee that separates North Wales from the Wirral Peninsula in England. Close to the village of Talacre and the popular resort of Prestatyn, this dog-friendly beach has no restrictions or limits but the tide. The beach is characterised by the 19^th-century Point of Ayr Lighthouse and miles of sand dunes to shelter from the sea breeze. 

Why your dog will love it: There’s so much space to have a fast run and hours of play.

Best for: A beach day with the family. It doesn’t ever get too busy.

Stay at: Old Lixm Cottage | Sleeps: 1 dog and 4 humans  

Conwy Morfa Beach 

This North Wales beach is a dog-friendly choice to love. There are no restrictions at all here, and there is plenty of space to walk, play and relax. Wrapped around a big sandy bay, Conwy Morfa’s beach links up to its neighbouring beaches and coves at low tide. Bird watchers, anglers and wild swimmers make good use of Conwy Morfa Beach and it’s a great retreat from the busy town with its fine shops, café and the iconic Conwy Castle.

Why your dog will love it: What’s not to love about a broad sandy bay?

Best for: Conwy Morfa gives the illusion of being remote despite its proximity to town.

Stay at: Honey Bee Lodge | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 4 humans

Harlech Beach

Sandy paws, cool shallow waters and high skies equal doggy nirvana. Harlech Beach is a dog-friendly destination to remember, with its golden sands and views of the peaks on the Llyn Peninsula out over the bay and the mountain ranges of Snowdonia National Park inland. Lined with sand dunes, it’s a lovely 4-mile-wide, wild beach overlooked by the imposing Harlech Castle, built as part of Edward I’s ‘iron ring’ of fortresses. Your dog will love the opportunity to bounce, play and walk on this beautiful beach with its stunning aspects. There is a very small dog exclusion zone between April and September (look out for markers).

Why your dog will love it: Harlech is all things to all dogs. Views, food, scents, and room to play.

Best for: Beauty.

Stay at: Ty Coch Arthog | Sleeps: 1 dog and 3 humans 

Family Days Out in North Wales

Greenwood Forest Park 

Sociable pooches are very welcome to come to Greenwood Forest Park. This family-friendly play park in the forest is a brilliant choice for all the family. There are lots of outdoor areas to hang out in and have fun. As there are hordes of children around, your buddy has to remain on the lead at all times, but that’s standard practice for most places like this. Small kids love meeting doggies, so it’s an added plus for your pooch if they enjoy a friendly encounter. There’s so much for the youngsters like soft play, adventure playgrounds, rides, a rainforest walk and so much more, all in a lovely woodland habitat.

Why your dog will love it: It’s a buzzing place full of activity to engage your dog (and kids)!

Best for: An active dog-friendly destination which the kids will love.

Stay at: On the Marina | Sleeps: 1 dogs and 4 humans 

Llanberis Lake Railway 

An astounding doggy day awaits those who clamber aboard one of the quirky locomotives that roll along the Llanberis Lake Railway in a clanking fashion.  A narrow-gauge steam train hugs the shoreline of Llanberis Lake during its serpentine journey through Snowdonia National Park. The sights and scents of a steam railway will intrigue your hand and bewitch small children. The mountain vistas will enchant everybody who takes the train between Gilfach Ddu (in Padarn Country Park) and Llanberis Station.

Why your dog will love it: Safe and sound, this is a great way for them to see new sights and sounds aboard a train!

Best for: A cool locomotive experience in Snowdonia!

Stay at: Daffodil House | Sleeps: 1 dog and 4 humans 

Dolbadarn Castle Ruins 

How romantic is your dog? Well, this fantastic ancient ruin has inspired many artists to chase down its beauty with their paintbrushes, and it’s a lesser-visited attraction close to the Llanberis Mountain Pass. JMW Turner painted Dolbadarn in 1802 and even though it dates all the way back to the 13^th century, it’s set to captivate visitors both doggy and human for hundreds of years to come.

The views across Snowdonia National Park are terrific. If you and your bounders love a short but challenging walk, then look no further. Keep pooches on their leads inside the castle because, from time to time, you may encounter grazing animals in the area.

Why your dog will love it:  It’s a lovely open spot with scents of the wild to savour.

Best for: Elevated lake views and a carefree dog-friendly attraction that’s off-the-beaten-path.

Stay at: The Llyn Retreat | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 2 humans  

Historical attractions in North Wales

Sygun Copper Mines  

Take your dog underground! It’s a rare opportunity to take your doggo into a managed ‘cave’. Dogs love digging holes; you can show them that humans also share the same passion. What drove the need to burrow at Sygun was not the desire to go rabbiting but to mine copper - that’s where similarities between man/woman and dog diverge. The tunnel system is a wonderful sight to behold and if your dog is happy to walk along metal walkways for some of the trail, then this is a great historical attraction to visit.

Why your dog will love it: Dogs love holes. This is a massive one.

Best for: A rare subterranean experience for you and your dog.

Stay at: Cae Glaslyn Beddgelert | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 6 humans

Llangernyw Yew

Visit one of the world’s oldest trees, the Llangernyw Yew, near Conwy! Canine arboriculturalists (and their human companions) will just love that you’ve taken time out to search for one of their most favourite things on the planet! A tree! Thought to be 5,000 years old (at most), it is a place of Welsh mythology (Google the Angelystor); hiding within its trunk is a fabled gateway to the underworld. One of ‘Fifty Great British Trees’ this is a bit of a pit-stop wander rather than a whole day trip, nonetheless, if you love nature and appreciate being in the company of one of the world’s most venerable trees, this pick is perfect for you and your hound!

Why your dog will love it: It’s a tree. What’s not to love?

Best for: Lovers of folklore and tree admirers.

Stay at: Canol | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 4 humans 

Great Orme Bronze Age Mines

The Great Orme Mines were rediscovered in living memory for many of us. Dating back 4,000 years, they were uncovered after being lost for centuries in 1987. Now a vast pit has been unearthed and excavated for visitors to walk around and also discover how life may have been in Bronze Age. There are even tunnels to traverse with your doggy. Close to Llandudno, this is one of North Wales' premier visitor attractions and it’s a major plus that dogs on leads are very welcome to step back in time with you. Please be aware that there are a few grated metal walkways that may be slightly troublesome for some dogs.

Why your dog will love it: It’s another fascinating hole to explore!

Best for: The sheer scale of accomplishment achieved so long ago. It’s a historian’s gem.

Stay at: Park Villa - Llandudno | Sleeps: 2 dogs and 8 humans

Discover dog-friendly North Wales

North Wales is a superb dog-friendly destination with lots of attractions for you to visit. If you're seeking even more reasons why North Wales should be the spot for your next dog-friendly holiday, see our complete dog-friendly guide to North Wales.

Our dog-friendly self-catering holiday cottages in North Wales are located close to each of the most popular resorts or in remote countryside locations. From the Llyn Peninsula to the Dee Estuary and Snowdonia National Park to the Mawdacch Estuary, North Wales is a wonderful place to escape to for a romantic break or a vacation with all the family or a group of friends.

Our dog-friendly cottages include some special extra features like dog beds, blankets, enclosed gardens, outdoor taps, and treats on arrival. We love dogs and our range of pet-friendly holiday cottages in North Wales are canine palaces!