With spring finally on the horizon, households across the UK are searching for the perfect destination for a staycation. In the last decade, there’s been a 19% increase in families choosing to travel with a four-legged friend, with over half of pet owners choosing to take their dogs, cats and even rabbits away with them. Shared adventures, whether strolling across scenic beaches or exploring vibrant cities, provide ample opportunities to make special memories, combat loneliness, and strengthen the bond between pet and owner.
Finding pet-friendly accommodation, however, can be a tricky task, particularly when booking a city break. With this in mind, researchers at Kennel Store have compiled a ranking of the best UK cities for pet-friendly accommodation. From cosy guest houses in Perth to swanky ground-floor apartments in Carlisle, make your next staycation pawsitively perfect with our handy guide!
The Top 10 Cities for a Pet-Friendly Staycation: Mapped
The Top 10 Cities for a Pet-Friendly Staycation: Data Breakdown
- Perth: 46.08% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- St Davids: 41.12% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Carlisle: 35.42% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- St Asaph: 34.93% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Lichfield: 33.78% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Wrexham: 31.03% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Armagh: 30% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Gloucester: 28.36% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Exeter: 28.35% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Ripon: 28% of accommodation is dog-friendly
Perth
Perth, a charming city with a rich heritage, is a fantastic choice of destination for someone planning to travel with a canine companion. Situated on the banks of the River Tay, Perth offers a fascinating blend of cultural attractions, scenic views, and pet-friendly spaces. With an abundance of riverside walks and picturesque parks, Perth seamlessly combines bustling city life with natural beauty.
Perth has something of a reputation for being pet - and particularly dog-friendly. The majority of pubs and cafes welcome dogs, as do several higher-end establishments. Brew & Chew, renowned for its traditional cream teas, even boasts a separate dog menu, featuring pupcakes, sausages and puppuccinos! For a tasty evening meal, check out the Glover Arms. Craft beer bar and restaurant BrewDog, meanwhile, hosts dog pawties, providing party hats and dog ice cream sundaes to pooches hoping to celebrate their birthday in style!
Scone Palace, a stunning site with over 1000 years of history, permits dogs on its sprawling grounds, as long as they’re well-behaved and on leads. For beer lovers, there’s Cullach Brewing, Perth’s only independent taproom, which has always been dog-friendly.
Some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants
- The Maltings
- The Twa Tams
- Compass Cafe
- BrewDog
- Brew & Chew
Some of our favourite dog-friendly accommodation
- Dunallan Guest House
- Sunbank House Metro Hotel
- The Parklands Hotel
- Scotia Bed and Breakfast
St Davids
Nestled along Wales’ rugged coastline, St Davids is something of a hidden gem. With a mediaeval charm, imposing architecture and serene surroundings, this picturesque place is the UK’s smallest city. Take your four-legged friend on an adventure through winding streets and ancient ruins, stopping for a locally sourced bite to eat in one of the city’s independent cafes.
Dogs are even welcome on boat trips around Ramsey Island. Opt for a wildlife tour and spot seals, dolphins, Peregrines and Choughs. Dogs are also allowed on the grounds of St Davids Cathedral, which is arguably the most important religious monument in Wales.
Many of St Davids’s restaurants and bars are proudly canine-friendly. If you’re craving pizza, book a table at Grain, which offers local craft beer, antipasti and dough balls. For something a bit different, travel slightly further afield to the harbour village of Solva, which is just over 3 miles away. Mamgu Welshcakes is a firm favourite with both residents and visitors to the area and serves traditional Welsh fare in a variety of ways. Dogs are allowed in the cafe.
Some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants
- The Farmers Arms
- The Bishops
- The Mill
- Mamgu Welshcakes
- Grain
- 35 Main Street
Some of our favourite dog-friendly accommodation
- The Grove Hotel
- St Davids Cross Hotel
Carlisle
Carlisle, a historic city in Cumbria, boasts a network of beautiful parks, scenic trails and green spaces, providing ample opportunities for dog walks and other outdoor activities. Bitts Park, which lies adjacent to the River Eden, combines expansive lawns with riverside paths and is the perfect place for a riverside stroll. Steeped in culture, Carlisle is a captivating destination for history buffs and pet lovers alike.
Stroll through Carlisle Castle - where well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome - and experience nine centuries of fascinating heritage. Dogs are unfortunately not permitted in Carlisle Cathedral, but they can enjoy a wander through the grounds.
If you’re feeling peckish, check out the Queen Inn in Great Corby or the Howard Arms on Lowther Street. With a carefully curated menu, fresh food and plenty of local produce, these traditional pubs are firm favourites with residents and visitors to the region alike. For something special, book a table at the Pentonbridge Inn, which boasts a Michelin star and three AA rosettes. This fine dining establishment gets much of its fresh produce from Netherby Hall’s walled garden.
Some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants
- Perntonbridge Inn
- The Queen Great Inn
- Bartons Yard
- Howard Arms
- Greyhound Inn
Some of our favourite dog-friendly accommodation
- Carlisle Station Hotel
- Crossroads House
- The County Hotel
- Crowne and Mitre Hotel
The 10 worst cities for pet-friendly accommodation
- Wolverhampton: 6.39% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Cambridge: 8.28% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- City of London: 10.44% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Oxford: 10.5% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Westminster: 10.7% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Birmingham: 11% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Leicester: 11.08% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Bristol: 11.16% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Salford: 11.57% of accommodation is dog-friendly
- Londonderry: 11.8% of accommodation is dog-friendly
Wolverhampton
If you do decide to visit Wolverhampton, here’s where to go.
Some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants
- The Royal Oak
- The Mermaid
- The Oakham Arms
- Codsall Station
Some of our favourite dog-friendly accommodation
- Novotel
- Ramada Park Hall Hotel
- Redwings Lodge
Cambridge
If you do decide to visit Cambridge, here’s where to go.
Some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants
- The Free Press
- The Pickerel
- The Clarendon Arms
- Stem & Glory
Some of our favourite dog-friendly accommodation
- Novotel Cambridge North
- Hilton Cambridge
- Hotel du Vin & Bistro
- Gonville Hotel
The City of London
If you do decide to visit the City of London, here’s where to go.
Some of our favourite dog-friendly cafes and restaurants
- The Street Easy
- Market Place Peckham
- NHow London
- Pawsitive Cafe
- Lost Souls Pizza
Some of our favourite dog-friendly accommodation
- Doubletree Hilton
- Canopy by Hilton
- The Zetter Hotel
- The Hoxton
Our top tips for travelling with a canine
Research pet-friendly accommodations and attractions prior to travelling
When travelling with a pet, thorough research is absolutely essential. We recommend ringing or emailing a venue or attraction prior to booking, even if you’ve read a pet-positive review, as their policy may have changed since then. Some hotels and other accommodations may also have restrictions, such as the size, type and number of pets that it allows.
Plan regular breaks on your journey
If it's your pet’s first trip away, consider a holiday closer to home. When it comes to choosing your method of travel, make sure to factor in the length of travel, cost and how comfortable travelling will be for your four-legged friend. Travelling can be traumatic for dogs. We recommend investing in a high-quality portable dog crate or carrier. Pet travel agencies, such as Pets Abroad UK, can be counted on to provide expert advice on travelling with a pet.
Visit the vets beforehand
For peace of mind, it’s a sensible idea to visit the vet before travelling with your pet, even if you only plan to travel locally. Make sure vaccinations and worming treatments are up to date. If your dog is not microchipped, doing this before travelling is essential. Planning for an emergency while away from home is key, no matter how unlikely one is to occur.