As the May Bank Holiday weekend approaches, many dog owners in the UK are planning countryside escapes with their four-legged companions. Yet, not every road trip is designed with dogs in mind—until now.
The Cotswolds has been officially named the UK’s most dog-friendly road trip, offering a perfect blend of scenic beauty and pet-friendly amenities just a short drive away.
Dog Friendly Cottages recently released data ranking 20 popular road routes across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Their UK Dog Friendly Road Trip Index evaluated each based on essential dog travel factors: pet-friendly accommodations, walking trails, green spaces, dog-welcoming pubs and restaurants, suitable rest stops, and iconic landmarks. An interactive map was also created to help plan the ideal dog-friendly journey.
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At number one, the Cotswolds route from Bristol to Stratford-upon-Avon scored a top rating of 88.1. This roughly 100-mile trip takes 3.5 to 4 hours to drive but encourages travelers to slow down and enjoy the experience with over 5,390 dog-friendly stays, 248 dog-welcoming pubs, and 132 scenic trails. Charming villages, riverside walks like those at Bourton-on-the-Water, and welcoming stops make this route a canine paradise.
Other notable routes include Wales’ Cambrian Way (Cardiff to Conwy), boasting the highest number of dog-friendly accommodations — more than 8,800 — and dramatic, peaceful landscapes with 233 trails. The Lake District loop (Kendal to Keswick) offers unparalleled outdoor experiences, featuring 390 walking trails and multiple dog-friendly service stations on its 150-mile circuit.
In Scotland, the A82 through the Highlands delivers breathtaking scenery from Glasgow to Inverness with rugged mountains and serene glens, while the Atlantic Highway along Cornwall and Devon’s coasts shines with the UK’s highest number of dog-friendly stays at 13,421. The Jurassic Coast, Snowdonia, Peak District, North Coast 500, and North East 250 also round out a diverse selection of routes designed to suit different tastes and dogs’ needs.
For those seeking dog-friendly lodging, a variety of unique properties stand out. From the sprawling High View Farmhouse in Devon—complete with hot tub, indoor swimming pool, games area, and room for six dogs—to the peaceful Riverbend Lodge near the Camel Estuary in Cornwall offering luxury and direct access to coastal walks.
In the Cotswolds, The Old Reading Room in Bledington is a charming cottage near famous farm shops and rustic pubs, while in Somerset, Fortnight Manor Farm offers a grand Bridgerton-inspired manor home close to Bath’s historic sites. Shepherd huts, stylish lodges with panoramic views, and seaside apartments near iconic beaches like Pedn Vounder in Cornwall further diversify options for pet owners.
Sykes Cottages recently honored Butterwell Barn in Devon as a ‘gold’ standard holiday home, highlighting its pet-friendly features and amenities, including electric vehicle charging and stylish outdoor areas.
Whether your ideal break features mountain trails, coastal views, or quiet countryside retreats, these routes and stays offer an unmatched way for you and your dog to explore the UK together in comfort and style.