At Dog Friendly Destinations, we believe dogs aren’t just pets … they’re family. So why should they miss out on the fun?

Whether it’s a cosy weekend away, a long beach walk followed by a pub lunch, or discovering somewhere new and woof-worthy, we’re on a mission to sniff out the very best dog friendly places across the UK. We’re talking hotels that leave doggy treats on the pillow, cafés where water bowls are filled before your coffee cup, and walks that make tails wag all the way home.

If dogs aren’t just allowed, but welcomed with open paws, we want to know about it – and share it with you.

The humans behind the leads

inspired by their paw-fect pooches

Dog Friendly Destinations began as a passion project created by two dog lovers who wanted to make it easier for pups (and their people) to explore the UK together. What started as a simple idea has grown into a much-loved resource for dog owners looking for genuinely welcoming stays, days out, dog friendly dining and much more.

Over the years, the team behind DFD has grown, but the heart of our mission remains the same: to sniff out the very best dog friendly spots where tails can wag freely.

You’ll still find some of the original explorers occasionally popping up on our website and in our social media stories – adventuring with their four-legged companions and sharing their favourite finds – but these days, the mission continues with a wider pack of dog lovers (just like you) leading the way.

Meet our roving reporters

(and their four-legged field assistants)

How We Review: The ‘Paws of Approval’

At Dog Friendly Destinations, we believe that our four-legged friends deserve holidays that are just as special as yours. We know that trusting a recommendation means everything when you are booking a trip, which is why we don’t just list places – we curate them.

Here is exactly how we sniff out the best spots in the UK, and the criteria every destination must meet to join our pack.

1. How We Verify Our Listings

We use a combination of boots-on-the-ground exploration and rigorous vetting to ensure our directory is accurate and safe.

• The Roving Reporter Visit: This is the gold standard. One of our Roving Reporters (and their dog) has physically stayed overnight. They have tested the bed, walked the local trails, and eaten in the venue to ensure it is truly dog friendly.
• The Content Creation Visit: Sometimes our HQ team visits a property specifically to capture it through our lens. While we may not sleep over, we have physically inspected the grounds, met the owners and verified the dog amenities in person.
• The Digital Deep-Dive: For directory listings we haven’t visited yet, we conduct a rigorous digital audit. This involves cross-referencing reviews on third-party sites to check for specific ‘dog’ feedback and ensuring there are no red flags.
• Direct Owner Vetting: We liaise directly with property owners to confirm their current policies – such as breed restrictions and fees – before we even consider them for a listing.

2. The ‘Dog Friendly Destinations’ Standard

There is a big difference between a place that tolerates dogs and a place that welcomes them. To make it onto our site, a venue needs to pass our ‘Welcome Test’.

• Welcomed, Not Just Tolerated: We prioritise places that provide treats, bowls and beds over those that simply allow a dog to exist in a room for a fee.
• Access All Areas: We look for properties that allow dogs in main living areas. If a hotel bans dogs from the main restaurant, we expect a viable alternative, like a dog friendly lounge where you can dine together.
• Outdoor Space: Immediate access to suitable outdoor space for toilet breaks is a must. If you see our ‘Enclosed Garden’ filter, you know we’ve checked that it’s secure!
• The Muddy Paws Policy: We look for hosts who understand that dogs get dirty. We prefer venues with washing stations, towels and hard floors rather than places with strict ‘white carpet anxiety’.

3. Our Promise to You (Transparency & Ethics)

We value our community deeply, and your trust is our most important asset.

• No Pay for Praise: While properties may pay a subscription to be listed in our directory, they cannot pay for a positive review. If a Roving Reporter visits and has a bad experience (whether the venue was unsafe or unwelcoming), we simply will not publish a feature, regardless of the relationship.
• Impartial Reviews: Occasionally, our reporters are invited for a complimentary stay (Press Trip). However, our reviews remain 100% unbiased. If we say we loved it, we really mean it.
• Fee Transparency: We require all listings to be transparent about extra charges. We do not list properties that hide significant pet fees until the final checkout page.

Sniff out your next adventure

the best trips include muddy paws, wagging tails and treats for everyone

From cottages with squishy dog beds and sun-soaked patios perfect for post-walk G&Ts, to coffee shops that serve puppuccinos with a side of biscuits, we’ve done the legwork (and the tail wagging) so you don’t have to. Follow our lead … your next dog friendly escape is just a pawstep away.