July
We all love being able to get away and relax. This may not be possible if you have pets and don’t want to leave them for a week or more. Personally my mum and dad don’t go abroad due to having our dogs and not wanting to leave them behind. Not to mention they are family, and our beloved pets need to enjoy some relaxing holiday time too.
We have looked at some of the best places to take your furry family member, where they can enjoy some down time, sunshine and river walks. The UK has some amazing getaways and we would love to share some of them with you.
When looking for a holiday to include our pets, we came across a site called www.cottages.com. This site has some very useful information to ensure your holiday goes as smoothly as possible, with lots of dog friendly cottages on offer in some of the UK's outstanding areas of beauty.
We first looked at Wales, with some beautiful coastlines to walk and swim. One of the more known Welsh beaches at Pembrokeshire - Freshwater West was home to the beautiful seashell house in Harry Potter, with the grave of the beloved Dobby. Freshwater West is popular for its dog friendly beaches and is also one of Wales' top Surfing beaches. A few miles down the road from Pembrokeshire is the beautiful sea side town of Tenby. The cobble stone streets and original unique buildings have a certain beauty to the place.
For those of you who are more active and enjoy more of a physical challenge with your dogs, there are some stunning views around the Welsh Bike Parks. You don’t have to cycle to enjoy a walk in these beautiful forests as long as you are aware of lots of cyclists being around. There are also many hidden gems and plenty of opportunities to explore. Wherever you choose - being a holiday cottage or hotel, always check they are pet friendly first.
Wales is home to two national parks - Brecon Beacons and further north - Snowdonia National Park.
Brecon Beacon National Park has a lots of different things to see and do, and dogs are always welcome. Other places in the area are worth a visit such as the Big Pit - the last working Mine in Wales and now used as a Museum.
The beautiful seaside town of Aberystwyth is set in the beautifully historic county of Cardiganshire. This beautiful little town has a lot of history to uncover, including Cardigan Castle. There are many attractions in the area including steam train rides to Devil's Bridge, Parc Penglais nature reserve and the Aberystwyth Cliff Railway. It's worth knowing that you don’t need to prebook the steam train and any other attractions here.
Moving up north, Snowdon National Park is Wales' largest national park at 823 square miles. The Park is famous for its exquisite landscaping and scenery. The park has 9 mountain ranges, 15 peaks and over 3 thousand feet, not to mention the 23 miles of coastline. This place has so much to offer tourists with plenty to see and do. The landscape of Snowdonia is a backdrop of history and heritage that spans centuries.
Our last visit ends at Conwy in North Wales. The picturesque little seaside town is steeped in history and has a famous castle that was built over 700 years ago. It has eight lofty towers with endless stairs to climb. Conwy is a dog friendly town with lots of things to do and they have a huge range of activities from cycling to walking to windsurfing. After an adventurous day you can enjoy a spot of tea with your dog too. Local food places have seen the benefit of feeding you and your beloved dog, offering them a meal as well.
Please when planning your holiday that you book any of the attractions suggested beforehand to avoid disappointment.
We hope you find the perfect stay for you and your pet.