Every year, April is National Pet Month, when it's time to celebrate pet ownership a little more than usual. To show your appreciation for your animal friends, why not spread the word on responsible pet ownership and raise money for your favourite UK pet charity? However, you can show your love all year round by taking your furry companion on a UK pet-friendly break. Tons of self-catering cottages are dog-friendly, welcoming them with open arms and maybe even a few treats. Read on for a selection of UK dog-friendly places to stay for National Pet Month and beyond...
A Corner of Eden
Here you have a trio of luxury dog-friendly – and eco-conscious – cottages in one of the most scenic corners of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Located in the beautiful Eden Valley in Cumbria, choose from The Farmhouse which sleeps eight, Angel Barn housing six, and cosy Shepherd’s Cottage, a small perfectly formed hideaway for two. The properties were awarded 'Dog-friendly Accommodation of the Year' at the iNews National Staycation Awards, confirming their dog-friendly status!
Glanmedeni
Recent winners of an award for 'Best Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottage in Ceredigion', this is a pet-friendly place indeed. The truly tranquil spot for two is just a few miles from the magnificent coast of West Wales, midway between Cardigan and New Quay. A wonderful place to get away from it all, the thoughtfully restored stone forge benefits from being part of a larger property, including spacious grounds and woodland. Above all, Glanmedeni is a uniquely well-kitted-out place to stay, with a special wooden Japanese dipping tub.
Gravel Farm
These four eco-conscious cottages are handy for visiting Cambridge and exploring the unique landscape of the Fens. Located just a few miles south of the cathedral city of Ely, the self-catering properties are in a glorious riverside spot on a small 12-acre farm and they feel genuinely remote, and yet you're only an hour or so from London. Willow accommodates eight, Oak Cottage houses four people, while Chestnut and Elm each sleep two. They all have their own garden and are thoroughly dog-welcoming.
Bethnal & Bec
Picture this: three Hertfordshire retreats providing the ultimate venue for a luxurious chilled-out stay. That's exactly what you get at eco-friendly and dog-loving Bethnal & Bec. The properties are beautifully kitted out, and uber-cosy, including bathrooms with rainforest showers and your very own outdoor soaking bath. There's also an honesty pantry, stocked with goodies like locally-made gin and vodka. They also offer pre-ordered dine-in food – on warm days, enjoy an alfresco meal at your patio table by your firepit.
Cider Mill Cottage
On the edge of the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just a few miles northwest of Worcester is this beamed cider mill, offering cosy accommodation for two people (or for a couple with a toddler or young child), plus your dog. Carefully converted, it's the perfect base for exploring a hugely attractive part of England, with the relatively undiscovered Teme Valley right on your doorstep. Located off the beaten track, you'll feel gloriously isolated and enjoy stupendous panoramas over the surrounding countryside.
East Thorne
Head 10 minutes inland from Bude and the coast of North Cornwall and you'll reach East Thorne, a scenically located self-catering retreat. Convenient for beaches yet set amid gorgeous countryside, the relaxing hideaway consists of self-contained luxurious roundhouses with hot tubs, plus four dog-friendly cottages that each sleep four people – Nook, Cranny, Nobby's and The Cwtch. Whichever you choose, you'll be greeted by a bright and modern style.
Ysgubor Holiday Cottage
This striking barn conversion between the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay is a special property: meticulously designed, the glass-fronted property boasts views of rolling hills and you can truly immerse yourself in Welsh nature. Soak up the spectacular surroundings from the enclosed garden and savour the blissful feeling of being miles from anywhere. In fact, you're just a mile from the nearest watering and the town of Tregaron. What's more, lovely touches like dog treats make your four-legged companion feel very welcome.
LazyDay Cottages
You'll find this dog-friendly place to stay in the Scottish Borders, right in the heart of glorious countryside. Ideal for a romantic break, there's a huge temptation to hunker down in your luxe log cabin. All three lodges feature a wooden deck, an outdoor dining space with rural vistas, and a secluded hot tub. And each accommodates two dogs, with a spacious garden for plenty of zoomies. If you can tear yourself away, there are tons of trails, beaches and hills nearby for adventures with your four-legged friend.
The Laverick Cottage
This fabulous rural retreat is set on a privately owned estate and comes complete with sensational views over the Northumberland countryside. Situated just a few miles from Hadrian's Wall in a fork of the Upper Tyne Valley, you couldn't wish for a more peaceful location. The beautifully refurbished self-catering cottage sleeps six and blends country interiors with contemporary design. If you're looking for something smaller, the same owners have a romantic bolthole for two nearby: The Bothy.
Half Moon Lane Cottage
Highlighting the extraordinary dog-friendly nature of Half Moon Lane Cottage is the fact you're promised a 'hound and human holiday' above everything else. Nestled in deepest Suffolk, the canine-centric property is surrounded by walks, nature reserves and forests. For guests, the attraction is clear, too: a renovated six-person old country dwelling on the edge of the Waveney Valley, with a library, a double-sided wood burner and outside space with barbecue facilities.
For more information on UK pet-friendly and dog-friendly places to stay, check out our dog-friendly hotels guide and our dog-friendly B&Bs guide. And for book lovers, check out our Dog-Friendly Britain book.