As searches for ‘dog-friendly attractions‘ have seen a 129% increase over the past three months1, and with spring on the way, many British dog owners are looking for the best dog-friendly destinations to spend quality time with their furry friends. But which UK attractions have the biggest paw-print of approval?
To discover this, the tourism experts at dog-friendly letting agent Canine Cottages conducted a study analysing Tripadvisor and Google reviews to reveal the best dog-friendly attractions in the UK.
The Chatsworth Estate gardens in the Peak District came out on top with a score of 3.45, with Dunnottar Castle (3.28) and Bwlch Y Geuffordd Gardens (3.01) rounding out the top three.
The top 10 dog-friendly attractions in the UK were revealed as:
| Rank | Location | Total Score |
| 1 | Chatsworth Estate, Peak District | 3.46 |
| 2 | Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire | 3.28 |
| 3 | Bwlch Y Geuffordd Gardens, Wales | 3.01 |
| 4 | Ardmaddy Castle and Gardens, Scotland | 3.00 |
| 5 | Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire | 2.91 |
| 6 | Tintagel Castle, Cornwall | 2.82 |
| 7 | Corfe Castle, Dorset | 2.79 |
| 8 | The Milky Way Adventure Park, North Devon | 2.73 |
| 9 | Kenilworth Castle, Warwickshire | 2.71 |
| 10 | Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly | 2.71 |
Let’s take a look at the top three destinations in more depth:
- Chatsworth Estate, Peak District
Taking the top spot is the beautiful Chatsworth Estate in the Peak District. In the heart of the Peak District National Park, Chatsworth has a 105-acre garden, a family yard and an adventure playground, as well as more than 1,800 acres of parkland and historic woodland to explore all year round. You and your pup won’t get bored with ample space to roam.
While exploring the grounds, you can enjoy fresh, seasonal dishes made with ingredients from local farmers. Try afternoon tea at The Cavendish restaurant or treat yourself to an ice cream sundae from the parlour. Please note,Guide Dogs only are permitted inside the house, and all dogs should be kept on leads at all times when on the grounds.
- Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire
Why not embark on a tail-wagging adventure by visiting Dunnottar Castle? Located on the Aberdeenshire coastline near the historic harbour town of Stonehaven, this castle is steeped in history and holds many rich secrets of Scotland’s colourful past. This romantic and haunting ruin is an iconic tourist destination for visitors from all over the world.
There’s plenty to discover on the grounds. Located near the car park, you can stop at the dog-friendly café, C&L Catering, which serves locally sourced refreshments, including hot and cold drinks, snacks and hot food.
- Bwlch Y Geuffordd Gardens, Wales
Ranking third place, we take a trip to Wales to the paw-stopping views of Bwich Y Geuffordd Gardens. A three-acre, constantly evolving wildlife and water garden, it’s an adventure for friends, family and four-legged best friends.
There is something here for everyone. Allow your beloved pooch the chance to guide you through beautiful scenery. The garden is open daily and is an adventure and fantasy experience. It features a water garden, sculpture park, sumptuous flower garden, and much more.
Commenting on the research, Sarah Pring, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages said: “The UK is home to so many beautiful landscapes and tourist hotspots, so as spring approaches, we wanted to highlight some of the best to experience with your dog. Whether you prefer to nosy around some of the UK’s most captivating gardens or spend a day exploring some of the UK’s rich history, there are plenty of attractions across the UK to enjoy with your dog.”
To discover more dog-friendly attractions to set your dog’s tail wagging, please visit the Canine blog here.
References:
1. Google searches for “Dog-friendly attractions” taken from Google Keyword Planner on 15/03/2024.
