As school holidays are approaching, people around the country are looking for ways to spend quality time together as a family, but it can be hard to find events that can accommodate our four-legged friends.
To help those looking for ways to involve the whole family, the experts at Canine Cottages have compiled five of the best dog-friendly festivals around the UK, so that the whole family can experience a fun day out together.
Dog Lovers Festival, Derbyshire: 21–23 August
The Dog Lovers Festival is hosted at the historic Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire and has an array of activities for dogs and owners alike. Throughout the day, there are plenty of street food stalls and pop-up bars for owners to enjoy, alongside vendors selling artisan treats, dog toys and accessories, and sporting activities that allow your pooch to stretch their paws.
For owners, there’s also live music into the evening, an outdoor cinema, and dog shows that provide plenty of opportunities to bond with your four-legged friend.
The event is free to attend every day, and with the endless entertainment on offer, it makes for a great day out for parents looking for ways to entertain their children during the summer holidays.
England’s Medieval Festival – King’s Grove, Sussex: 29–31 August
Laid out across fields, woodlands and performance spaces, EMF King’s Grove is a three-day renaissance festival found in Sussex , which features everything from live jousting and parades to workshops and immersive quests. For those visiting as a family, the Kid’s Kingdom features jesters, storytelling, and puppet shows sure to keep little ones entertained.
Dogs are welcome to accompany their owners around the festival, so long as they are well-behaved and kept on a lead. Tickets range from £35.50 for an adult day pass to £95.50 for an adult weekend pass, with concession tickets available for £34.50 for a day pass and £92.50 for the full weekend. Children under four can attend free, whilst those aged 4-11 can attend for £12 per day, or £30 for a weekend pass.
Adult tickets cost £14, with kids and senior tickets available for £12.
The Big Bark, Northamptonshire: 5 and 6 September
The Big Bark is great for sporty dogs looking to practice without the pressure of formal competition, with scurry runs, hoopers, and scent-work activities available for dogs of any experience level to try out. If your dog has a competitive streak, there are prizes available for everything from waggiest tail to best dressed and even scruffiest, with rosettes being awarded to the winner of each category.
For any puppy owners, the event also has a Puppy Zone with expert advice, mini agility courses, gentle play areas, and plenty of opportunities to build your little ones’ confidence.
Owners and dogs alike can enjoy the Wags Party Zone, with musical sits, bubble bonanza and a plethora of fun surprises. When your dog gets tired after playing with their new furry friends, head over to the Chill Zone to unwind on dog beds under shady spots away from all the excitement.
The event can be found in Northamptonshire, with adult tickets costing £10 (which come with a free bandana for your dog), and children’s and carers’ tickets are available for a discounted rate of £4.
DogFest on the farm, West Yorkshire: 12–13 September
One of Britain’s most established dog events, DogFest is a favourite of many because of its activities, entertainment and educational offerings. Dogs can play in the giant ball pit, splash around at the pup pool party, and meet new four-legged friends at the breed meetups. Owners can take advantage of the expert trainers and behaviourists who are on hand to give out advice, visit the artisan food market, and take in the live music.
A free commemorative photo of each dog is available at any time from the on-site photo booth, so everyone gets to leave with a little souvenir of their day out.
Children ten and under can attend the event for free, whilst tickets for those between eleven and sixteen cost £10, and general admission tickets cost £24.50. Tickets also come with a discount on entry to Harewood House , where the event is held in West Yorkshire.
Paws in the Park, Kent: 19–20 September
Paws in the Park in Kent is one of the UK’s oldest dog events, having run for 20 years. This year’s event marks the 20th anniversary, hosting over 30 different activities, including gun dog scurries, the K9 AquaZone, and classes for dogs big and small. The activities are all run by experienced dog trainers and dog sport enthusiasts, who are on hand to guide pooches through each activity safely, so you and your four-legged friend can find a hobby you can enjoy together long after the event.
The event also has its own shopping village, where you can treat your pet to new toys, equipment and services such as groomers and dog sitters, as well as free water stations to keep your pup happy and hydrated.
Professional advice for taking your dog to a festival
Dr Emma Scales-Theobald, canine behaviourist and resident dog expert for Canine Cottages, says:
‘Ask before letting your dog greet another dog. Keep an eye out for signs that your dog or the other dog might be feeling a bit nervous, such as avoidance, ears back, licking lips, and tail low, and give space to dogs that are wearing a yellow nervous harness or lead.’
Dr Emma also recommends trying to avoid overly crowded areas so you can ensure your dog has space. ‘Don’t ignore signs of fatigue and overstimulation in your dog. Signs include disinterest, yawns, licking lips, excessive panting, or drooling, whereas signs of overstimulation include hyperactivity, restlessness, and maybe even reactivity.’
Emma also advises taking regular breaks, ‘ideally in a quiet, covered area so they can rest and maybe even enjoy some dog-friendly snacks.’
Sarah Pring, Digital PR Manager at Canine Cottages, says, ‘Dog-friendly events are great ways to have fun with the family before the new school year starts, and these events have unique activities which can’t be experienced at festivals that don’t accommodate dogs.’
For more dog-friendly events, visit https://www.caninecottages.co.uk/guides/dog-tastic-events
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