A 36% increase in dog-friendly bookings in 2023 vs the previous year has been reported by Canine Cottages, indicating a growing trend in dog owners choosing to include their beloved pets in their UK staycation plans. In fact, 75% of owners plan to take their dogs on holiday with them next year according to a new survey of 2,500 dog owners by the dog-friendly holiday cottage provider.
The research which surveyed UK dog owners who have taken their pets on a staycation, and the analysis of internal booking data have been combined by Canine Cottages to deliver a report on dog-friendly holiday trends for 2024. This comes at a time when an increased number of people own a dog in the UK, following the boom in pet ownership during Covid*. In fact, the company has seen a 94% increase in dog-friendly bookings since 2019.
Westward Ho!, Keswick and Bude top the list of dog-friendly destinations for 2024
1. Westward Ho!, Devon
2. Keswick, Cumbria
3. Padstow, Cornwall
4. Alnwick, Northumberland
5. Tenby, Pembrokeshire
6. Southwold, Suffolk
7. Bude, Cornwall
8. Seahouses, Northumberland
9. Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
10. Beadnell, Northumberland
The report takes a closer look at where the internal data records dog owners will be taking their pets in the UK in 2024 with Westward Ho!, Keswick and Bude topping the list, and North of England, Wales and Devon being the top regions.
With Northumberland featuring three times in the top 10, it seems the North of England will remain an appealing destination for dog owners throughout 2024, as it did in 2023.
These are the 5 most popular types of holiday dog owners will take in 2024
| What type of dog-friendly holiday will you take in 2024? | Percentage |
| Multi-generational | 40% |
| Romantic | 39% |
| Adventure | 17% |
| Group | 16% |
| Solo | 13% |
When asked what type of holiday pet owners would be taking their dogs on, multi-generational (40%), romantic (39%) and adventure (17%) were the top three, highlighting that dog owners in the UK consider their pet to be a big part of the family, treating them to a break, whether that’s as part of a big celebration or the annual family holiday with grandparents, children, aunts, and uncles.
While cottages in the countryside (42%) and cottages by the sea (40%) were the two top types of dog-friendly accommodation, 29% of dog owners are also opting for the rustic option of a wooden lodge/cabin. Canine Cottages’ internal data also shows that barns, bungalows, and yurts are a popular choice for dog-friendly bookings.
These are the 10 activities owners prioritise when planning a dog-friendly holiday
| What activities are the most important to you on a dog-friendly holiday? | Percentage |
| Walking in towns and villages | 92% |
| Walking in rural locations | 87% |
| Cooking in the cottage | 81% |
| Eating out in local pubs and restaurants | 79% |
| Visiting local tourist attractions | 74% |
| Visiting family attractions | 60% |
| Using different transport options | 50% |
| Shopping | 46% |
| Land sports | 31% |
| Water sports | 29% |
While walking in towns and villages (92%) and walking in rural locations (87%) are the activities enjoyed most on dog-friendly holidays, more than four in five people think cooking in the cottage (81%) is an important activity too, showing that pet owners value a decent kitchen space as part of their dog-friendly accommodation.
Other key priorities include eating out in local pubs and restaurants (79%) and visiting local tourist attractions (74%). There are plenty of examples of both across the UK that are more than happy to welcome dogs – some even go that extra mile with treats, water bowls and exercise areas.
Interestingly, priorities shifted among different age groups with Gen Z favouring shopping and water sports and Millennials enjoying water sports and land sports. Gen X and Boomers prefer walking and cooking in their cottage.
Commenting on the report Sarah Pring, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages, said: “With such notable increases in dog-friendly bookings over the last couple of years, we wanted to delve a little deeper into the holiday attitudes of owners who book to go away in the UK with their pets. With the UK offering so many beautiful spots, and dog-friendly options, it’s no wonder that so many choose to stay in the UK.
“Although we already know that dogs love a walking holiday, we thought it was interesting that so many families take their pets with them on big multi-generational breaks, and that cooking at the cottage is such a huge priority. It’s lucky we have so many fabulous dog-friendly properties that don’t compromise on quality when it comes to kitchens, facilities, and equipment.”
To view the full dog-friendly report which delves into the angles in this release, and further data sets in detail – please visit: https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/blog/dog-friendly-trends-report
