Dog Friendly Holiday Accommodation in the UK & Europe with Dogs Invited
Where It Started From
Back in 2002, as owners of 4 dogs and parents to a toddler, we faced the annual problem again……where can we go on holiday and take our dogs and child with us as a family?
We disliked the expensive and unsettling option of putting the dogs in kennels for a week so we needed to search out hotels or cottages that would allow us to bring our dogs with us to share our holiday. Let’s be honest when you go on holiday to somewhere like the Lake District with its fantastic variety of walks, it seems only natural to take your dogs with you!
Over 15 years ago finding holiday establishments that were dog friendly was very much a hit and miss affair, often brochures didn’t mention whether it was or wasn’t possible to take your dog with you and it also sometimes felt slightly uncomfortable asking that seemingly ‘dirty’ question….”are you dog friendly”?
The responses we had from holiday property owners ranged vastly including:
- “Of course you can, they’re welcome to sleep in the car”
- “No problem, the more the merrier, we’ve got dogs and prefer them to people”
With the hit and miss responses we had from holiday property owners we felt that there had to be a better and easier way to do this, so we set up Dogs Invited as a website resource for dog owners that would allow them to quickly and easily search out dog friendly holiday accommodation where both they and their dogs would be welcome.
From humble beginnings, Dogs Invited has grown and grown and over 17 years has become a favourite with thousands of dog owners.
What Is Dog Friendly?
The level of ‘dog friendliness’ will vary from establishment to establishment and we do stress that owners should always check that their chosen property meets with their requirements. Only allowing a dog to sleep outside in the car is not a dog friendly property, however it is not unreasonable for dogs to have limited access to certain areas of establishments eg dining rooms and not to be allowed on the furniture.
Thankfully, over the last 19 years, the number of holiday establishments that welcome dogs has increased significantly and Dogs Invited now has Cottages, Hotels, B&B, Guest Houses, Holiday Parks and Camp Sites offering this facility.
It’s not just dog owners going away for a week in Cornwall that use Dogs Invited, every year owners of show dogs and trial dogs use the website to source dog friendly accommodation near the show or trial eg Crufts
Some of the holiday property owners who advertise on Dogs Invited have really entered the spirit of welcoming dogs to their property and supply water and feed bowls and even some freebie treats for your four-legged friend.
Now For The Irony
Since setting up Dogs Invited, we have bought our farm and no longer have the time or the ability to go away on holiday ourselves with our dogs and enjoy all the dog friendly properties we have sourced, but hopefully you will continue to enjoy them and Dogs Invited has made finding your ideal dog friendly holiday accommodation that bit easier!!
For your convenience I’ve listed links to some of the more popular areas:
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Cumbria
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Yorkshire
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Cornwall
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Devon
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Dorset
Dog Friendly Accommodation in South & West Wales
Dog Friendly Accommodation in Scotland