Ultimate dog walking holidays to em-bark on!

Taking in the country and coast at walking pace is one of the very best ways to experience nature, and who better to join you on your adventures than Fido? Dogs adore walking in new surroundings; it’s a way to pick up new scents, see unbelievable sights, and be reminded that there is a world full of dog walking trails beyond their weekly circuits in the local park. 

We have scoured the country to share a compendium full of places in the UK to go for the best dog walking holidays. So, whether you are planning a break in England, Scotland, or Wales, read on to get some inspiration for your next dog-friendly holiday and a whole slew of wonderful dog walks.

What have we got to set tails wagging?

Best dog walking holidays in the Lake District

Defined by its high peaks and fells just as much as its lakes, meres, and tarns, the Lake District National Park is a vast wonderland of pooch-welcoming destinations and dog-walking trails. With 16 contrasting lakes including the mighty Windermere, Coniston Water, Derwentwater, and more, you will need ten trips to do justice to this huge and wild dog-friendly holiday destination.

Wasdale Head to Scafell Pike 

Take your dog to the top of the highest mountain in England, Scafell Pike, then warm up afterwards by the fire in the Wasdale Head Inn. Look out for grazing sheep out on the fells, otherwise, it’s a careful climb to some of the best views around. All in all, it’s an incredible feat, and one of the best spots for walking holidays with dogs. 

Ullswater to Aira Force 

Go to Aira Force with your dog after a few days of rainfall and you’ll be able to hear the roar of its waters long before you see it. At 65 feet, this National Trust-managed beauty spot draws in many visitors throughout the year. The trail is mostly level alongside the shores of Ullswater and it’s an easy-going challenge for everybody from small children to grandparents. 

Read our best walks in the Lake District guide for more inspiration.   

Best dog walking holidays in the Peak District

The Peak District is a world-renowned destination for walking holidays with dogs, so you can expect some very well-established dog walking trails here. Your pooch will love the landscapes, sheer heights and delights of the national park. Head out to stunning locations such as Kinder Scout, Mam Tor, The Roaches, Stanage Edge, The Heights of Abraham, Winnats Pass, and Monsal Head Trail. There are dog-friendly walking trails for pooches big and small, old and young to uncover.

Edale to Kinder Scout Low 

Much of the trail to the highest point in the Peak District, Kinder Scout is fairly level and easy to traverse for the first 8 miles or so. It’s not until you stand at the foot of Jacob’s Ladder that your reserves will be called upon. The climb is steady yet long, but it’s a great task for your dearest and best to undertake. On a fair day, you can see Mam Tor and the whole of the Dark Peak. Save energy for the walk back to Edale and its lovely pubs. Walk back via Barber Booth for a flatter road home.

Redmires Reservoir to Stanage Edge 

Depending on how you intend to reach the Peak District, the view from Stanage Edge is a good introduction for you and Fido to this region that is popular for dog-friendly walking holidays. The ridge forms a front-row seat to the Peaks as they roll out to the west to the town of Hathersage far below. The walk up from Redmires Reservoir (on the outskirts of Sheffield) is wide and sealed and doesn’t pose much of a challenge. 

Once you reach the cliff ridge, the wide stone path ends but you can still follow pathways made by wayfarers to see the best views. Take a picnic and drink in the openness and purity of these surroundings that make for breathtaking dog walking holidays. 

Read our best walks in the Peak District guide for more ideas.  

Best dog walking holidays in Cornwall

The popular county of Cornwall is home to some of the best dog walking trails in the country. Come on holiday to walk your feet off and rest in sumptuous natural surroundings at the coast, and inland too. Cornwall is a land of wonderful contrasts; one day you could be on the moors, on a golden beach, in deep forest, in sparse mining country, following mysterious river valley trails, or journeying high above the mighty green Atlantic Ocean on a cliff walk. Where will you wander? Let us give you a few ideas to choose from for your Cornwall dog walking holiday.

Cape Cornwall to Crown Engine Houses

Few walks in Cornwall offer more dramatic coastal scenery than this stretch at the very edge of the land near St Just. The sights take in some of the most photogenic and precariously situated engine house ruins in The Duchy. The Crown Engine Houses at Botallack are memorably beautiful and are emblematic of Cornwall’s tin mining heritage. 

The trail also takes in one of the British mainland’s two capes; Cape Cornwall. Everybody goes to Land’s End a few miles away but if you want to avoid the hordes of visitors, this is the trail for you and your dog.

St Breward to Brown Willy (Bodmin Moor) 

Does your dog aspire to be the highest hound in The Duchy? Well, if you climb to the trig point at the summit of Brown Willy your dog’s dreams may come true! Bodmin Moor is an unforgettable place – one visit is all it will take to fall in love with its empty majesty. On clear days, you can see both coasts from the top of Brown Willy and just about the whole of the moor. The walk from St Breward begins at a pub, so reward your endeavors with a pint at The Old Inn. 

Read our best dog walks in Cornwall guide for more ideas.    

Best dog walking holidays in Devon

The only county in England with two separate coastlines, Devon is a dog walker’s dream. Like its neighbour Cornwall but at the same time different, Devon is full of different habitats located close together - but it’s slightly lusher than The Duchy. Full of river valley trails, two national parks - Exmoor and Dartmoor - and miles and miles of coastline covered by the seemingly endless South West Coast Path. Devon is a sunny county full of dog-walking trails for ardent wayfarers. Whether you run with the pack or fancy a bit of quiet time, a dog-walking holiday here is the right choice.

Heddon’s Mouth, Exmoor 

Blend the heady heights of Exmoor National Park and the ocean with this nice and easy amble through a wooded river valley and out to the sea. Heddon's Mouth is a circular walk that originates at the lovely Hunter’s Inn and follows the course of the Heddon out to a striking, cliff-gilded pebble beach complete with ruined lime kilns. It’s an easy prospect for older dogs and pups. Elderly visitors can rent a tramper from the National Trust in advance to get them to the beach. For a longer and more difficult walk, you can try the 5-mile linear walk to Woody Bay, which is one of the best North Devon coastal walks to do with fit dogs!

Teign Gorge, Dartmoor 

The National Trust-managed Teign Gorge is a superb little circuit that offers you and your dog mild challenges between long stretches of pathways over gentle terrain. Following the course of the Teign up and down the river, this woodland walk is a fun proposition for you and the pooch. At times, the path runs along the riverbank before ascending the sides of the tree-clad valley. 

There is a path to Castle Drogo that branches off the main route for a longer, more challenging walk. The path originates at the dog-friendly Fingle Bridge Inn, where you can enjoy warming meals and fresh pints in this popular destination for walking holidays with dogs. 

Read our best dog walks in Devon guide for more ideas. 

Best dog walking holidays on the South Coast (Sussex and Dorset)

From the Isle of Sheppey in the Thames Estuary to the Devon border in the west, the South Coast region offers Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty like High Weald in Kent, UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Jurassic Coast, national parks like the South Downs, as well as dog-friendly Dorset's islands, bays, chalk cliffs, and a never-ending beach. 

When it comes to dog-friendly walking holidays, the prospects here are endless, and while the task of narrowing down the best trails is bewildering, we know you will never go short of choice. The South Coast is a superb place for dog walking holidays in the UK.

Swanage to Studland Bay, Dorset 

One of the Jurassic Coast’s prettiest dog walks is along the South West Coast Path between Studland Bay and the lovely seaside resort of Swanage. The scenery is spectacular from the cliffs above Old Harry Rocks, where you can see the whole of Poole Bay, Bournemouth Bay, Sandbanks, and on a clear day The Needles on the Isle of Wight. Studland Bay is a very peaceful, long series of beaches and nature reserves. There’s lots of space for everyone, but be mindful of any restrictions concerning access that you and your four-legged explorer may encounter. 

Sniff out even more dog walks in Dorset in our guide . 

South Downs Way (Alfriston to Eastbourne), Sussex 

Dogs who love good exercise should try this amazing trek across the South Downs via the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs and the English Channel. Dog walking along the South Downs Way gives you a superb chance to get the best out of these rare chalk grasslands and see a part of the UK’s most iconic coastline. The route follows the River Cuckmere, Friston Forest, Birling Gap, and Eastbourne. Catch a bus or taxi back to Alfriston after you complete your journey, then relax in your holiday home to look at the memorable photographs you’ve taken. 

Find out even more about the dog-friendly county of Sussex in our helpful guide. 

Best dog walking holidays in the East of England (Norfolk and Suffolk)

As one of the most charming spots for dog-friendly walking holidays, the East of England is characterised by its big skies, open spaces, an absence of difficult hills - the Norfolk Broads, and dramatic coastline being just two examples. It’s home to some of England’s oldest dog walking trails like the Peddars and the Marriott's Way, there’s also the Norfolk Coast Path that runs for 83 miles around the fringe of the county. The Suffolk coast is defined by adorable seaside villages and dune-crested beaches, where good memories are just waiting to be made. 

Your dog will be in for a treat if they don’t like hills - although they exist, dog-friendly Norfolk and the surrounding East of England are famously level. We’d assume that it’s a mountain climber’s least favourite part of the country, but it's a hit with everybody else, including your furry friend. Further north, Lincolnshire also has a fantastic array of dog walks that take in the coast and countryside.

Hunstanton Beach to Holme-next-the-Sea, Norfolk 

For hounds that love a coastal walk, this pleasant corner of Norfolk is one of the best for dog walking holidays. Originating at Old Hunstanton Lighthouse, follow the Norfolk Coast Path in a northerly direction and you will see the sandstone cliffs that make this area of the East of England famous. Holme-next-the-Sea is a small village with a few good dog-friendly pubs and cafes to check out for lunch. After a dip in the sea, you may be too tired to make the return trip - taxis and regular buses are available to close the loop home. 

Read our guide to the best dog walks in Norfolk for more inspiration and places to discover.  

Felixstowe to Landguard Fort 

This selection is for old dogs, small dogs, and pooches that still love a walk but may not be able to manage anything too strenuous. Felixstowe, with its new pier, is something of a forgotten treasure with its very relaxing promenade. Lying at the base of a cliff away from the main town, it seems like a village of its own, and as a result, feels a world away from anywhere. 

Beyond the winter gardens, the pier, and the amusement park, the buildings thin out to reveal a nature reserve that centres around the 18^th-century Landguard Fort. Enjoy a memorable walk on the peninsula before circling up to the viewing point at the deep-water docks of Felixstowe - one of the largest ports in the UK for colossal freighters. It’s a walk of interesting contrasts all within a few miles, making this region perfect for tranquil walking holidays with dogs.

Read our dog-friendly guide to Suffolk for ideas for more places to uncover on holiday.  

Best dog walking holidays in The Cotswolds

One of the most popular and scenic destinations for humans, let alone dog-friendly walking holidays, The Cotswolds offer so many varying dog walking trails that hounds of all ages and sizes will enjoy. The most charming of English regions, made distinct by its honeycomb-coloured houses, rolling hills to roam in, and ancient Civil War battlefields to visit, this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is as pretty a location for a dog walking holiday as you may find in the UK. 

From Broadway Tower and Blenheim Palace to the gorgeous arboretums of Batsford and Westonbirt, where will you visit on your dog walking holiday in the heart of England?

Tewkesbury Circuit

This walk takes in the impressive 11^th-century Tewkesbury Abbey (home to one of the best-preserved Romanesque cross towers in the world), historic mills, gorgeous riverbanks with miles of reed banks, and several battle sites from the War of the Roses and the English Civil Wars. The playing field behind the abbey will give your hound lots of space to run and play; it’s almost completely enclosed away from busy roads and there is a shallow stream for them to cool off in. 

The walk also takes in Victoria Park, Tewkesbury Marina, and the town centre with its array of dog-friendly pubs and shops. This walk is perfect for all dogs as it's mostly paved (except for the battlefields and the playing field).

Crickley Hill 

For unforgettable views of the Cotswolds, Crickley Hill Country Park is a great, varied walk for you and your dog. High above Cheltenham and Gloucester, the dog walking trails wind around the hill past limestone quarries, through chalk grasslands and woodlands to a lovely café at the summit. Crickley Hill is perfect for dogs that are happy to walk at heel and are quite sociable as it is a popular spot for local pet owners. 

They can meet and make friends with other dogs to have some fun and games; there’s lots of open space to make the most of. After the climb, choose a spot to sit down and have a lush picnic - Crickley Hill is that kind of place. 

Read our guide to dog walks in The Cotswolds for ideas for more dog-friendly places to discover.  

Best dog walking holidays in Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors are wild places in the North of England, and two of the best destinations for dog-friendly walking holidays. The region is full of holiday spots galore for you and your dog, with long-distance walking trails like Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, the Cleveland Way, and the Pennine Way. From high moorland, river valleys, forests, and lakes, it’s a woofer's wonderland. 

At the coast, you have the coast path that offers stunning views across the North Sea, and you can also enjoy beach walks at places like Staithes, Runswick Bay, and Robin Hood’s Bay. Inland, you have the joys of Ilkley Moor, Aysgarth Falls, Castle Howard, Wensleydale, Aysgarth, and the Nidderdale National Landscape. Yorkshire, bisected into four sub-regions, is a vast and varied land to discover and a very satisfying choice if you're searching for dog walking holidays UK. 

The Cleveland Way – Staithes to Runswick Bay 

This clifftop walk along a stunning section of the Cleveland Way is a must for visitors to coastal Yorkshire. It runs through the fisherman’s village of Staithes, most famous for being the birthplace of Captain Cook. The climb out of Staithes is fairly demanding, rising to 84 metres in a short distance. The path is fairly level until you reach Port Mulgrave, a really pleasant seaside hamlet. 

It’s a great place to birdwatch as you journey towards Runswick Bay. Climb over The Crocodile’s Head, a rocky landform that juts out into the sea right before you reach Runswick Bay with its dog-friendly pubs and cafes, like the Runswick Bay Hotel. You can take a bus back to Staithes if you and the dog are too tired to make the walk back.

Brimham Rocks 

With its mixture of woodlands and moorlands, the walk to Brimham Rocks is a walk of environments that chime together. Giving you and your dog spectacular views and very dramatic natural landforms to discover, the National Trust-managed Brimham Rocks is a favourite with visitors to North Yorkshire and local dog owners and wayfarers. There is a visitor centre with a kiosk where you can buy snacks and hot drinks. Please note that dogs must be on the lead between April and June to protect ground-nesting birds. 

Read our guide to pooch-friendly walks in Yorkshire to sniff out the best spots for northern walking holidays with dogs.

Best dog walking holidays in Scotland

The most northerly of the British Isles’ countries has its own visual language – mountains graze the sky, while deep lochs and glens entice you to get out in the great outdoors. The extremes are breathtaking and provide the ultimate backdrop to memorable dog-walking holidays - from the southern borderlands, home to Edinburgh and ancient Montrose, Stirling, and the land of Sir Walter Scott, to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and The Cairngorms National Parks, the Highlands and the myriad of distant islands like the Orkneys and the Shetlands. 

And we’ve not even mentioned Fort William, Inverness, or Loch Ness, and its historic and distinct twin-like cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. Scotland is a dog-friendly destination for the ages – start planning your Scottish dog walking holidays now.

The Loch Ness 360 Degree Trail (Drumnadrochit to Invermoriston) 

You are in Loch Ness country here, so this is for brave wee dogs and humans with serious intent on walking one of Scotland’s most dog walking trails. The entire 360 Degree Trail is 80 miles in length and can be split into six (roughly) equal sections. This stretch, between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston, has a high road and a low road. The low route runs close to the shoreline of the lake in the main, whereas the high one consists of forestry tracks. 

It’s along this section that you can see the Great Glen and Loch Ness in all their glory. Drumnadrochit is home to all things Nessie including a themed museum attraction. There are also dog-friendly cafes and shops where you can put together a picnic to eat on the trail.

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh 

For dog lovers on a city break to Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat sits at the edge of the city centre, beckoning visitors to climb it. With wide views of the Firth of Forth, the Forth Bridges, and the city at large; a climb to the dormant volcano is a must - it’s a local haunt for joggers, dog-walkers, and locals out for an airy walk at weekends. Its summit is a perfect place to climb to, so you can enjoy seeing the skyline and all the wonderful buildings of the city like Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and The National Gallery of Scotland. Take a picnic on a fair day; you won’t be sorry. 

Read our guide to dog walks in Scotland to discover even more inspiration for dog-friendly walking holidays.

Best dog walking holidays in Wales

Wales has got it all from a dog walking point of view; accessible mountain trails, long golden beaches in the south, hill ranges, valley walks and gorgeous lakes and river paths. Explore the heights of the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia National Park, roam the dune-crested beaches of the west coast, and discover the secret joys of the Llyn Peninsula, and the UK’s only coastal National Park - the Pembrokeshire Coast. 

Your dog will also love the seaside resorts of North Wales such as Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, and Prestatyn, the cultural cities of Swansea and Cardiff, and the popular holiday haunts like Tenby and The Mumbles. Bring your four-legged explorer to Wales for unrivalled walking holidays with dogs.

Top Corris’ Little Italy

High in the forested hills above the Snowdonia National Park village of Corris Uchaf (where the trail begins) is a little-known architectural spectacle. Little Italy is found through waymarked forest trails past old slate mine ruins and fern-fringed streams climbing ever upwards. A labour of love began in the 1980s, when a fan of Italian architecture decided to build a private model village in his back garden which includes Brunelleschi's Dome in Florence, The Vatican in Rome, Venice's Piazza San Marco and many more. 

As the years go on, it is becoming reclaimed by the forest, so it’s worth a visit before it is lost. You and your dog will love the walk to this unique curiosity in the depths of the forest.

Read our guide to dog walks in North Wales for even more walks.

Pen y Fan and Corn Du circular walk 

Another exceptional walk and a climb for adventurous mountain dogs, try dual ascents to the peaks of Corn Du and Pen y Fan - the Brecon Beacons' highest peaks. On a clear day, you can see Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Cambrian Mountains, the Gower Peninsula, and the Bristol Channel beyond. It’s a fantastic achievement for fit dogs and their owners; it’s achievable, though, as the trail is waymarked and easy to follow. At the end of the day, you will enjoy unwinding in your dog-friendly self-catering holiday cottage before an even more exceptional walk in Wales. 

Read our guide to dog walks in South Wales for more walks.  

Stay in a dog-friendly self-catering holiday cottage

The best way to enjoy a dog walking holiday in the UK is from a self-catering holiday cottage. Somewhere that offers luxury, practicality, and space to rest is just what you need, and we have a huge collection of pet-friendly holiday accommodation for you to choose from all across the UK, from the Shetland Islands to the tip of Cornwall. 

Explore our collection today to find the ultimate backdrop for your dog walking holidays.