The latest dog-friendly news

If you’re looking for some dog-friendly hotels and staycation spots, you’ve come to the right place! Here we share the latest on pooch-friendly hotspots and doggy news and information.

FOUR HOTELS ARE A SHORE THING FOR DOG LOVERS

Leading dog-friendly holiday company PetsPyjamas has revealed the winners of its annual Dog-Friendly Travel Awards…and there are some coastal crackers who have picked up gongs. Chosen from PetsPyjamas’ extensive portfolio of dog-friendly hotels, cottages, country houses and B&Bs, the awards include the following coastal spots where a dog (and their lucky human) can enjoy a brilliant stay:

The Soar Mill Cove Hotel & Spa near Salcombe was named best family friendly spot, described as a “warm and welcoming hotel which has amenities for all the family to enjoy”.

Best package hotel for dogs went to Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa, in Climping, West Sussex. The Sandy Paws Package at the hotel sets out to please pets and includes the Bailiffscourt Doggie Welcome Kit (bowls, biscuits, tennis ball and thrower), a local dog walks guide, plus a ‘Ruff and Tumble’ dog drying coat to take home.

Best for walkies was the Hotel Tresanton in St Mawes, Cornwall, described as “a stylish escape for canines that love their walks by the coast”. Afterwards, humans can rest weary legs in Dog’s Bar, a warm and informal setting with an open fire, board games and a guaranteed doggy welcome. Dogs are provided with beds, blankets, bowls and towels, so all that’s left to bring is their food and an appetite for adventure.

Best for spa treatments was the St Michael’s Resort & Spa, in Falmouth, Cornwall: set in sub-tropical gardens, this property has a brilliant reputation with PetsPyjamas’ having previously been named in the awards for 2019 and 2020. This time round St Michael’s scoops their award for rest and relaxation with your pooch, thanks to their award-winning spa, boasting more than 60 treatments, it features the largest spa-hydrotherapy pool in the South West.

More details at: tinyurl.com/594cmzp5

DOG-FRIENDLY PLACES TO STAY

Here’s some great ideas for holiday spots to rent where you and your doggy will be most welcome:

1. Carvossa, Marazion, Cornwall

A traditional cottage situated in a quiet street, extending over three floors with super views over St Michael’s Mount. Period features – sash windows, fireplace lintels and chunky reveals – are set against light and airy, white-washed walls. Soak in the roll top bath and relax around a cosy log burner, dine on the pretty outdoors terrace where there is an outdoors shower, ideal for washing off the sand. Perranunthnoe, Sennen and Prussia coves, Carbis Bay and Porthcurno are within striking distance. Sleeps five in three bedrooms, and two dogs. Short breaks from £721. luxurycoastal.co.uk

2. Cregoes, Mylor, Cornwall

Set in one of the most beautiful villages off the Fal river, this family-friendly bolthole is ideal for a tranquil, waterside escape. Mylor marina is a hub of activity with a café, bar and restaurant. The white-washed cottage has large windows that frame the harbour view, allowing you to watch the boats on the estuary and relax in the mature gardens. Explore the surrounding creeks with your four-legged friend in tow. Sleeps eight in four bedrooms, and three dogs. Short breaks from £678. luxurycoastal.co.uk

3. Kerenza Sands, Praa Sands, Cornwall

A contemporary renovation with a prime position overlooking the village green with expansive sea views. The coast path runs behind the garden gate, providing plenty of dog-friendly walks from the door. The single-level house has a large, enclosed garden and hot tub, and three spacious bedrooms. Sandy Praa Sands beach is a mile long with a cafe and surf school and enough space for everyone to find a quiet corner. Sleeps six in three bedrooms, and two dogs. Short breaks from £876. luxurycoastal.co.uk

4. Golden Meadow, Torcross, Devon

Act quickly to book this large designer pad with unparalleled sea views over Start Bay – there’s oodles of space for a multi-generational gathering where pooch comes too. With a Mediterranean vibe throughout, there are several large terraces for al fresco dining, while inside floor to ceiling windows maximise the ocean view. Interiors are by south west designer David Hutton, with granite worktops, banqueting-style dining tables, luscious drapes, and intriguing artwork. Golden Sands is within easy reach of the dog-friendly, sun-bleached beaches that line the South Hams coast. Sleeps 14 people in seven bedrooms, and two dogs. Short breaks from £2,091.  luxurycoastal.co.uk

DOG of the MONTH

Here’s Merlin, my Border Terrier aged 13, tucked up on a cold evening, perhaps dreaming of when he was a pup with a sooty nose, like Pebble in Paignton, pictured here in December’s Coast. Now, of course he’s an elderly chap aka Merlin Grey Beard! Maybe like me he is also dreaming of a future home by the sea (preferably the north east coast in Northumberland from where I came).

Diana Pasek-Atkinson, Beeston near Nottingham.

If you would like to nominate your pooch to feature in Dog of the Month, please email us at [email protected]

THROW A DOG TOY MADE FROM GHOST GEAR…

Imagine throwing your dog a toy to fetch on the beach and knowing you are doing something to protect tour surroundings as well.

Castaway Ropeworks is a small family business based in Hayle on the north coast of Cornwall which makes all its products from washed up and end of service commercial fishing rope. The rope is incredibly tough and hard wearing but occasionally an Atlantic gale is stronger, resulting in the ropes, pots, nets and floats being ripped from their moorings and washing ashore as ghost gear.

Adam Collins, owner of Castaway Ropeworks, says: “Every year approximately 600,000 tons of commercial fishing equipment is lost at sea. This then drifts silently and untraceably though the oceans ensnaring all manner of marine life before coming ashore again. This is where we come in.

“We recover a lot of our ropes from the beaches around the west country or receive donations of rope from fishing boats to prevent more plastic going to landfill. “Once it’s home we then untangle and hang it up in the rain to wash the sand off, before being handcrafted into new items. “We make a range of sustainable and eco-friendly dog toys and leads, from float tuggys to our traditional monkey’s fist throw toy. All are made by hand utilising centuries old ropework and knotting to ensure the best possible quality and durability for your four-legged friend to enjoy time and time again! castawayropeworks.com

IN ASSOCIATION WITH FORTHGLADE

Kick off the New Year by encouraging good behaviour from your canine companions with Forthglade’s natural treats. With tasty chicken and liver the Reward soft bites are grain free, hand-baked and guaranteed to get tails wagging. Suitable for dogs aged 2+ months. 90g bag £2.15. forthglade.com

COAT OF BLACKBERRY COLOURS

The award-winning Classic Dog Drying Coat from Ruff and Tumble is now available in the gorgeous blackberry colourway. Made from two layers of absorbent towelling, the drying coat wicks away wet and mud from your dog quickly and efficiently, and the very softest cotton is super-comfortable and cosy for your dog to wear.

Simply slip the coat over your dog and fasten around the tummy and neck, with easy-to-use Velcro and your job is done! The must-haves coats also have a handy hanging loop, a cotton trim, a cosy and adjustable hood/collar and elasticated leg straps and the coat arrives to you in a gorgeous free storage bag!

Sizes: XXXS-GSD with special sizes also available. RRPs From £31.95 – further colourways available. ruffandtumbledogcoats.com

For more dog-friendly staycation hotspots and beach holidays, read our article here.