At Hand Picked Hotels, we’ve made it easy to enjoy a getaway with your dog in tow.

With a number of dog-friendly luxury hotels across the UK, your pooch can cuddle up with you in your room and join you for a night of dining. But you don’t have to stick within the hotel walls. There are plenty of activities and sights to see around each hotel, with each place ready to welcome you and your four-legged friend.

Whether you’re looking to get those paws muddy or take a more leisurely stroll, here are the activities and weekend breaks we recommend near our hotels where dogs are welcome.

Buxted Park
Set in 312 acres of Sussex parkland, you don’t need to venture far to enjoy long strolls with your pup at Buxted Park. But if your canine friend loves nothing more than playing fetch on a British beach, we recommend heading to Cooden Beach for the day. Visit at low tide and your pooch can run along a long stretch of sandy flats.

Ettington Park Hotel
No visit to Stratford-upon-Avon would be complete without a visit to Shakespeare’s very own home, and luckily your dog can join you as you take in the literary history. With Hathaway Tea Rooms also welcoming dogs, you can stop for lunch to make a full day of it. And to burn off your cream tea, a walk along the River Avon will offer pretty views, plenty of grass for your dog to roll around in, and even a welcome splash in the water on a hot day.

Chilston Park
As you would expect, the Garden of England has plenty of picturesque parkland for dogs to explore. Combine history with dog walks and visit Ightham Mote, Richborough Roman Fort and Amphitheatre, or Dover Castle. For something a little different, Canoe Wild in Canterbury allows you to take your dog in your canoe for a river adventure.

Wood Hall Hotel & Spa
With the North Yorkshire countryside on your doorstep, there are lots of bracing dog walks around Wood Hall Hotel & Spa. For a more relaxing day out, explore the grounds of Fountains Abbey and the 18th century Studley Royal Water Garden in Ripon. Or visit the Beningbrough Hall in Boroughbridge, where you’ll have miles of paths to explore together.

Fawsley Hall
Fawsley Hall is one of the best dog-friendly hotels in the UK with 2,000 acres of parkland designed by Capability Brown to explore. Beyond the walls, you could visit Brampton Valley Way – a concrete trail on an old railway line, perfect for stretching the legs without needing the wellies. If you have children with you too, Irchester Country Park has three woodland trails and a play area with zip lines. After working up an appetite with all those walks, there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs just a 30 minute drive from the hotel. Book a table at The Sheaf for a cosy pub lunch or The Ark to enjoy a vegan dining experience on the water.

St Pierre Park Hotel
Guernsey is known for its beautiful beaches, many of which allow you to bring your dog. Grandes Rocques Beach has a wide stretch of sand for dogs with lots of energy to burn, while Havelet Bay offers a tranquil place with lovely views of the Castle Cornet. Bordeaux Harbour and Saint’s Bay also allow dogs with no restrictions.

L’Horizon or Grand Jersey
The only beach on Jersey with a full dog ban is Victoria Pool Beach. Besides this one, you can take your dog to play around in the sand anywhere on the island. You just need to keep them on a lead during 10am and 6pm between 1 May and 30 September. If you and your dog aren’t up to beach hopping, St Helier’s Harbour makes for a relaxing stroll.

Rhinefield House
High energy dogs will love staying in the New Forest with endless miles of bridleways and heathland to explore. But if your pup has little legs, a number of attractions open their gates to dogs too. Exbury Gardens is gorgeous on a sunny day with its woodland, manicured gardens and waterways, while Buckler’s Hard historic maritime museum is an interesting place to visit any time of year.

Norton House
Surrounded by West Lothian’s beautiful landscape, Edinburgh has plenty of long dog walks to enjoy. If you’re looking for a more city-based escape, you and your dog can wander through Princes Street Gardens under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, or head up Carlton Hill or Arthur’s Seat for views across the capital. No city break is complete without delicious meals out, and The Abbotsford, Kay’s Bar and Cloisters will all accommodate your dog.

Whether you’re looking to explore great British beaches, parkland or historic sites, we’ve got some of the most dog-friendly hotels around. Book your dog-friendly break with us now.