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Photo: Spittal Beach, Northumberland by Walter Baxter, CC BY-SA 2.0
A cottage is the easiest kind of holiday with a dog: no worrying about the dining room, a door straight out for the morning walk, and somewhere for wet towels. The tricky part is that "dog friendly" means very different things from one cottage to the next. Here's what to ask, where to search, and the dog-friendly pubs and days out near each area.
Ad Links marked Ad go to cottage booking sites we have an affiliate deal with (Snaptrip and holidaycottages.co.uk). If you book, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We don't check their cottages the way we check the places on this site, so read each cottage's pet rules and fees before you book. Nothing on this site is ranked or described differently because of it.
Choose a region
Northumberland
Northumberland is the biggest draw for a dog holiday in the North East: miles of sandy beaches, castles you can walk to, Hadrian's Wall and empty hills.
North Yorkshire
Swaledale and the villages around Richmond have some of the best walking in the north, with hay meadows, stone barns and inns that take dogs in the bar.
County Durham
Teesdale and the Durham dales are walking country, with waterfalls, moorland and stone villages whose pubs are used to muddy dogs.
Tees Valley
The Tees Valley runs up to the edge of the North York Moors around Great Ayton and Guisborough, with Roseberry Topping and the Cleveland Way close by.
Before you book: eight things to ask
- How many dogs, and how big?Lots of cottages take one or two. Say exactly what you're bringing, including size, and don't assume a second dog is fine.
- What's the dog fee?It can be per dog or per booking, per night or per week. It's often added at the end, so check before you pay.
- Is the garden fully enclosed?"Garden" doesn't always mean secure. Ask about fence height and gates if your dog jumps or wanders.
- Where can the dog go inside?Some cottages keep dogs downstairs or off the furniture. Find out before you arrive with the dog's bed.
- Can the dog be left alone?Many cottages say no. If you want a meal out, pick a pub that lets dogs in, so the dog can come too.
- Muddy paws?Ask about hard floors, an outdoor tap or a boot room, and bring your own towels anyway.
- What's right outside?Walks from the door are the dream. Fields of sheep, busy roads and beaches with summer dog bans are worth knowing about first.
- Get it in writingIf anything matters to you, ask for the answer in an email or in the booking notes.
Searching for something specific
Cottages that take more than one dog
Handy if you have two, three or more. Still check the exact limit on each cottage.
Dog-friendly cottages with enclosed gardens
For dogs who need a secure garden. Ask about fence height if yours can jump.
Luxury dog-friendly cottages in Northumberland
Hot tubs, big sofas and a bit of luxury, on the coast and inland.
Dog-friendly cottages across the North East
Snaptrip's full North East search, from the Tees to the Tweed.
Rather stay at a pub?
If you'd like a fire, a pint and the dog under the table without cooking, see our pubs and inns with rooms, where we say which ones take dogs in the bar and the bedrooms.