If your dog can’t stop barking about your next holiday, why not consider a break to dog-friendly Somerset?
With wide, sandy beaches to roam, winding walkies through rolling hills and dramatic gorges, and fantastic attractions that the whole pack will enjoy, Somerset is a doggo’s dream.
The ancient city of Bath offers café life and shops to browse, Taunton is well situated with plenty of things to do within easy reach, and the coastal towns and villages of Brean, Weston-super-Mare and Dunster offer a great selection of seaside walks to explore.
Somerset is a wonderful choice for a dog-friendly holiday, so pack the lead, grab your guests and head to this beautiful county for a pet-friendly break to remember.
What have we got to get tails wagging?
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🐾 Top walkies
🏖️ Top beaches
🐶 Top days out
🍴 Top dining spots
🏡 Top places to stay
Walk, run and fetch in Somerset on these top dog walks
There are plenty of wonderful, dog-friendly walks in Somerset for you and the hound to follow during your break in the South West.
Put your best paw forward with the excellent variety of footpaths and scenic routes that criss-cross this beautiful dog-friendly region. Somerset’s picturesque rural countryside offers plenty of fantastic walking routes for you and Fido to follow.
While in Somerset, you and Fido simply have to explore the famous Cheddar Gorge with its rugged hills and far-reaching views.
It must be one of the best dog walks in the county and is certainly one of the best known. Follow this National Trust trail which will lead you through England’s largest gorge – enjoy a leg stretch whether travelling on two feet or four paws in this beautiful natural landscape.
Cottages in Cheddar
Next, head to Wells for a circular walk that will lead you through the heart of the city, then across to Torr Hill Wood for a tranquil forest walk.
Set on the edge of the remarkable Mendip Hills, Wells is a superb choice for a dog-friendly holiday to Somerset with plenty of dog-friendly cafes and pubs for you to pop into and wonderful walks for you and your pup to discover – although this circular walk is certainly our favourite!
Wildlife watch during your time roaming the banks of the beautiful Chard Reservoir Nature Reserve. Great for families and big groups, this accessible walk ensures everyone can join and enjoy the picturesque natural scenery.
There is a section of the park reserved for anglers where dogs can’t venture, but otherwise, they are free to roam this scenic spot to their hearts' content.
Ulti-mutt dog-friendly beaches in Somerset
Nothing can beat the wind in your fur and the sand beneath your paws; discover some of our favourite Somerset beaches that welcome dogs and plan a holiday break nearby.
From open spaces where excitable pups can run about to quiet seaside spots for peaceful dog walks, Somerset is full of a whole range of coastal locations for you and Fido to visit during your Somerset getaway to a pet-friendly cottage. Which of these beaches will be your favourite?
Why it will set tails wagging:
It’s a wonderfully wide, flat, sandy expanse of beach, perfect for your doggo to race across while chasing a stick or playing with another friendly four-legged bud.
While the dog goes mutts on the sandy shore, you can enjoy a tranquil walk taking in coastal vistas and people-watching the other dog walkers who pass by.
Cottages in Weston-super-Mare
Why it will set tails wagging:
This beach has a whole 7 miles of sand for you and your best friend to enjoy, and it’s just 2 miles from the ever-popular holiday destination of Western-super-Mare.
Venture down for a blustery, winter walk or a summertime stroll along the sand and through the dunes, before grabbing a tasty snack from the burger van that’s often parked up.
Brean cottages
Why it will set tails wagging:
Head down to quiet Donniford Beach near Watchet for a peaceful dog walk in a scenic location. Let the pup splash through the lapping waves or throw a stick to give your dog some great exercise.
When the tide is out, rock pools are revealed making it a great spot for children too who can discover what sea life lurks in the shallow waters.
Exmoor dog-friendly cottages
Sniff out the best dog-friendly attractions in Somerset
Of course, Cheddar Gorge is one of the great dog-friendly attractions of Somerset, but there’s more to this bustling county than crags and caves. Venture out and enjoy a whole host of exciting family attractions that welcome dogs to tag along too!
If your dog loves watching the world pass by…
… the West Somerset Railway is just the place for you and your canine companion. Take in the beautiful landscape as it floods past while you both relax in the carriage.
It runs a whole heap of fun events including murder mystery specials and an elegant dining train perfect for humans, while doggos can meet the other passengers or just flop on the floor at your feet.
Cottages in Dunster
If your dog loves exploring gardens…
… you should go and explore beautiful Hestercombe. Dogs cannot enter the main house, however there are 50 acres of lakes, temples, woodland and formal terraces for you and your canine companion to discover together.
Enjoy far-reaching views and uncover wonderful plants before visiting the café and shop which are both dog-friendly.
Taunton dog-friendly cottages
If your dog loves meeting other animals…
… then ensure you head over to the World Horse Welfare Glenda Spooner Farm where you and your pup can see these gentle giants up close.
It’s a charity that cares for a whole mix of horses and ponies (even the occasional donkey!), and it has a visitor centre and café to ensure there’s plenty to entertain visitors. You and your four-pawed friend can even go for a peaceful walk around the beautiful on-site lake.
Taunton dog-friendly cottages
Dine like a top dog at these places to eat in Somerset
After all that adventure, you and the rest of the pack will be ready for some good food. Somerset is home to a host of stylish restaurants, cool cafes and cosy pubs welcoming doggos, but we’ve picked out a few top places to eat below.
Choose one of the following dog-friendly eateries for a delicious dinner out with your pup. Don’t forget to bring a few treats along for Fido too!
Best for families: The Hairy Dog, Minehead
The children’s playground ensures families are wonderfully catered for – kids can blow off steam outside before eating or head out for an after-dinner adventure while the grown-ups enjoy a natter and a cup of coffee.
As you may expect from the name, canine companions are wholly welcome at this award-winning dog-friendly pub and your pup may even sniff out those tasty dog treats that are sometimes hiding behind the bar.
Exmoor holidays
Best for a light lunch: Café Lucca, Bath
A relaxed and stylish café set in Bath’s antique quarter is a great place to stop and rest tired paws after a day out and about exploring this ancient and beautiful city.
Enjoy a tasty breakfast, light lunch or pleasing afternoon at this eclectic city café. It’s ideal for families or couples with a doggo in tow to grab a meal.
Escape to Bath
A rustic yet elegant pet-friendly pub and restaurant set in the midst of the pretty rural town of Dulverton, Woods Bar & Restaurant welcomes all our four-pawed friends so you can enjoy cosy evenings dining with the dog by your side.
There’s an award-winning wine list for you to taste, a wonderfully warming atmosphere and delicious dishes including an à la carte dinner menu.
Have a ball in Somerset’s most dog-friendly cottages
Find yourself and your canine companion a beautiful dog-friendly cottage, ideal for the whole pack. From holiday cottages for families, romantic retreats for couples, and large properties for big groups, we have a fantastic selection of self-catering accommodation in Somerset for you to browse.
Take a look below at some of our favourite cottages for canines or keep searching our full collection to find your ideal pet-friendly getaway.
Best pamper property for you and your pup: The Old Stables, Glastonbury
Treat yourself (and your dog!) to a stay in The Old Stables cosy dog-friendly accommodation. It’s located in the quiet, tranquil village of Stawell, just 6 miles from Shapwick Nature Reserve and 13 miles from Glastonbury Tor.
Inside, neutral tones and farmhouse furniture ensure a relaxing retreat, while outside there’s a tarmacked area where your canine companion can potter about first thing in the morning and a bubbling hot tub where you and your partner can unwind last thing at night.
Stay in Glastonbury
Best property for multiple mutts: The Old Dutch Barn, near Taunton
The Old Dutch Barn is a gorgeous four-bedroom converted barn that languishes on 9 acres of private grounds amid beautiful Somerset's rolling countryside. Welcoming eight guests and, more importantly, five dogs. Its large enclosed garden is a plus because your dogs can explore the large garden and play unfettered. Highlights for humans include a private hot tub in the garden, a great seating area and BBQ in the garden, a wood burner in the lounge area, and a large luxury kitchen.
Local attractions for guests at The Old Dutch Barn include the Quantock Hills AONB and the Blackdown Hills AONB, as well as the North Somerset coast. Catch a steam train from Taunton all the way to Minehead to get the best of the coast. Further west, is the Exmoor National Park which straddles the Devon/Somerset border. There is wildlife and rugged countryside to miles and miles to explore with your hounds.
Holiday in Bath
Best coastal cottage: Dunes Edge, Burnham-on-Sea
Dunes Edge is a delightful pet-friendly escape for eight guests and two canine companions and is just 50 metres from the wonderful sands of Berrow Beach. Nearby Burnham-on-Sea has plenty of dog-friendly eateries to visit and the popular seaside towns of Berrow and Brean both have pleasant dog-friendly beaches and plenty of country and coastal walks.
If you decide to spend an afternoon at the property (and trust us, you'll want to!), you have plenty of options for relaxation or entertainment. From the expansive lawn with a decked area and comfortable seating to the table tennis table, pool table and croquet set, you'll have no time to get bored. Add to this the plunge pool and hot tub and you've got yourself the perfect recipe for coastal memory making.
Cottages in Burnham-on-Sea
Browse through our full collection of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Somerset and find the perfect retreat for you and your four-pawed pal.
We have cosy cottages with wood burners, romantic retreats with hot tubs, and rustic getaway with enclosed gardens so your doggo can roam about outside whilst you sip your morning coffee and watch the sunrise from the patio.
Whatever kind of pet-friendly holiday retreat you’re after, you’re sure to find it in our collection of self-catering cottages.
Pet-friendly Somerset cottages
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.