Dog-friendly campsites: our pick of the best

Camping with dogs: your questions answered

Is camping good for dogs?

Dogs can happily go on holiday in a tent, caravan or motorhome, and a campsite holiday can be fun for both pet and owner. A bit of pre-planning and organisation is all that is needed to ensure a stress-free holiday for both you and your dog.

Remember that your dog will love camping as much as you do as long as they're happy and comfortable. They’ll enjoy being around the new sights and experiences, and they’ll love having the chance to spend lots of time bonding with their family. Involve your dog in whatever you do and reward them for good behaviour, and you'll all have a great time.

Which campsites are dog-friendly?

There are numerous dog-friendly UK campsites all across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These range from adult-only sites, open all year sites, and dog-friendly campsites near the beach, too.

What is a dog-friendly campsite?

For a family holiday that can include our beloved pooches, a dog-friendly campsite is the perfect choice. Many sites that promote themselves as dog-friendly often have added extras, such as an exercise area on site or a walking route direct from the campsite, a dog shower, and dog-friendly attractions or beaches nearby, meaning your pet feels just as welcome on holiday as you do.

Where can my dog go on holiday?

You can take your dog on a camping or touring holiday anywhere in the UK. You don’t just have to stick to the outdoors, either. There are many pubs that welcome well-behaved dogs, usually in the bar area or a beer garden, and lots of popular attractions do, too. These include places such as the North York Moors Railway, Bamburgh Castle, the Cotswold Wildlife Park, the Lost Gardens of Heligan and Tintagel Castle.

Where should my dog sleep while camping?

In a motorhome or caravan it’s best to have your dog’s bed set up in its own little area so your pet has somewhere to go to at night and when they want to lie down. When in a tent, opinions vary as to whether your dog should be inside the tent with you or outside in the porch (if you have one). This may well be dictated by the size of your tent and what’s best for you and your dog.

Top tips for camping with dogs

What to pack for camping with your dog

The best dog-friendly campsites in the UK

The best dog-friendly campsites can be found all over the UK. Popular locations for a dog-friendly holiday include the Peak District, Lake District and Scotland, for all the open space and countryside. For dog-friendly campsites near the beach, you might choose to head to Cornwall, Devon and Norfolk – all places with lots of sandy beaches where dogs are allowed.

Dog-friendly campsites: Cornwall

Discover the best campsites that allow dogs in the farthest reaches of the southwest, from the rocky cliffs of the Atlantic Coast to the historic hills of Cornwall's countryside.

(Photo courtesy of Heligan Caravan & Camping Park)

On Cornwall’s south coast, perched above picturesque Mevagissey Bay, lies the five-star Heligan Caravan and Camping Park. Within the original Heligan Estate, surrounded by natural beauty, this park is a magical destination. Bring your tent to this secluded campsite – you’ll have a choice of pitches, as well as a number of hardstanding gravel pitches for your motorhome or caravan.

The new state-of-the-art facilities block includes toilets, showers, private bathrooms, an accessible wet room, a launderette and a drying room. Canine campers can even wash off their muddy paws with the brand-new dog shower!

From breathtaking coastal path walks, a number of beautiful beaches and the world-class Lost Gardens of Heligan right next door, this is an excellent base for this part of Cornwall.

Find out more: Heligan Caravan & Camping Park

(Photo courtesy of Lovat Parks)

Parbola Holiday Park is surrounded by acres of greenery and mature grounds, the perfect spot for dogs to stretch their legs and venture through the woodlands. With dog showers, snack bars and exercise areas, this pet-friendly campsite has everything to keep your canine companions happy.

The campsite offers a range of accommodation, from brand-new caravans to spacious, well-equipped touring pitches for tents and motorhomes.

Parbola Holiday Park  

This campsite offers direct access to sandy dunes and the delights of Gwithian Beach, which is a long stretch of sand bordered by dunes and cliffs. Dogs are allowed at Gwithian between October and Easter, and other beaches in the area welcome dogs all year round, so there’s plenty of walking delights for your canine companion. Upton Towans, near Hayle, is one such beach, as is Mexico Towans. Both these beaches form part of a glorious four miles of sand (some parts of this stretch do have dog restrictions). There are also plenty of countryside walks to enjoy direct from the campsite.

Pitches at Atlantic Coast are situated in a sheltered area and are fully serviced with hook-ups. There’s a toilet and shower block and shop on the campsite, offering fresh bread, croissants and Cornish pasties of course!

Atlantic Coast Holiday Park  

The setting of St Ives Bay Beach Resort is right next to three miles of sandy beach between Hayle and Gwithian in west Cornwall. The campsite is newly dog-friendly, with dogs welcome on the beach anytime from January to June and September to December, and before 10am and after 5pm during July and August.

When you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous beach, on the campsite there is crazy golf, a tennis court, an indoor and outdoor pool, a play area, two bars, a restaurant, plus activities and entertainment. The touring area has grass pitches with electric, and fully serviced pitches come with water point and grey water drainage. There are toilets and showers, a launderette, dishwashing area and a shop.

St Ives Bay Beach Resort  

The holiday philosophy at Meadow Lakes is that time away should be about being together, a more relaxed pace and enjoying the outdoors. The campsite also believes that every member of the family should be able to go away on holiday, and that includes pets, too!

Set in the Cornish countryside, with the coast and many top attractions nearby, Meadow Lakes welcomes up to two dogs per pitch and has a large dog exercise field, with countryside views to boot! To keep the human members of the family happy, there are four fishing lakes on the campsite, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a paddling pool, a café, play areas, tennis courts, and even a pets’ corner with Shetland ponies, chickens, donkeys and guinea pigs.

Meadow Lakes Holiday Park  

There’s no place like Sun Haven Holiday Park, Cornwall, for reconnecting with the outdoors. This dog-friendly campsite is situated just a 15-minute stroll through woodland to the golden sands of award-winning, dog-friendly Mawgan Porth Beach. The campsite offers a range of accommodation, including brand-new holiday homes and well-equipped touring pitches for tents and motorhomes. Sun Haven features a doggy snack bar, a stick library and a dog shower to clean off after a long day exploring Cornwall’s rugged coastline.

Sun Haven Holiday Park  

Padstow Holiday Village, Cornwall, is perfect for a doggy-staycation. It's located just a 15-minute stroll through fields to the charming harbour town of Padstow and all of its culinary delights.

Furry friends can stretch their legs on the dog agility course and then cool off in the dog shower. There is also a stick library and canine camper stations for dog treats galore. Toys and eco-friendly doggy poop bags are also provided, so be sure to stock up before a day of adventures.

Padstow Holiday Village  

Dog-friendly campsites: Devon

Camping with dogs in Devon is a bit of a no-brainer – the sheer quantity of incredible landscapes to explore, from rugged moorland to sandy beaches, is surpassed only by their quality.

With a dedicated leisure field and even a dog shower, your four-legged friend will love a stay at Ross Park! All the delights of south Devon can be found on the doorstep, from the tors, woodland and meandering rivers of Dartmoor, to the miles of South West Coast Path with stunning views around each corner. You and your companion will not be short of places to visit and explore together. The campsite's on-site bar and eatery is open daily and welcomes dogs in the tropical conservatory, the perfect place to sit and relax at the end of the day.

Ross Park  

This award-winning, open-all-year campsite is set among the rolling hills of north Devon, with 35 acres of woodland and parkland. The woodland is perfect for dog walking, and there is a dedicated dog exercise area. There is a restaurant and bar (which is doggy friendly), which overlooks the stunning gardens and lake. The River Cain runs through the campsite so dogs can take a cooling dip in warm weather. All the local beaches are dog friendly, and Hidden Valley staff can tell you the best ones to visit.

All the pitches at Hidden Valley have electric hook-up, water tap and TV connection. The large and premier pitches also have fresh and grey water connections. There are plenty of hardstanding pitches, and the facilities are first rate.

Hidden Valley Touring Park  

This is a family-run campsite set in 33 acres of parkland and surrounded by fields. Because of the parkland location, it is perfect for walking and the Tarka Trail can be accessed directly from the site. The camping and touring pitches are set in the grounds of the old manor house. There are a variety of pitches available, with hook-ups, some fully serviced and some en suite with their own facilities in a cedar cabin. Tents can be pitched in the Old Walled Garden, which provides shelter and easy access to the outdoor pool. Three camping pods and three timber lodges are also available to hire.

On the campsite are new heated amenities, laundry room, shop, bar (seasonal), games room, play area, dog shower and dog exercise paddock. WiFi is available throughout the campsite. Attractions in the area include great sandy beaches, the pretty village of Clovelly, zoos and farm parks... the list is endless!

Smytham Holiday Park  

Dog-friendly campsites: Norfolk

Explore the green and pleasant land of Norfolk with your canine companion, from the rich ecological haven of the Broads to its vast beaches.

Located in a breathtaking clifftop location, Woodhill Park has magnificent views of the north Norfolk coastline and surrounding countryside. It's the perfect spot to sit and relax after exploring the local area to enjoy the inspiring natural landscape right on its doorstep. An ideal base to set up camp, the campsite has a small shop, a launderette, dog wash area and a large recreation field with pétanque court, tennis nets, a play area and crazy golf. The coastal path runs through the campsite for adventures along the diverse north Norfolk coastline. The whole family can enjoy time together, with fun family activities held during the main holiday periods and dog-friendly pitches.

Woodhill Park  

Waxham Sands Holiday Park, in Norfolk, is wonderfully situated for a back-to-nature camping and touring escape with all the family – including four-legged ones. The dog-friendly campsite features a doggy snack bar and a dog shower to clean off after a long day exploring Norfolk’s dog-friendly beaches. Wander the walking trails and waterways of the Norfolk Broads, just four minutes away from the campsite – nature on your doorstep.

Waxham Sands  

Norfolk has a vast choice of beaches, and, for those with dogs, our favourite is located at Holkham, near Wells-next-the-Sea. The sandy beach here stretches for four miles, and pets are welcome all year round. The pine woods that back onto the beach and the neighbouring nature reserve offer added interest to a trip to the beach. There are also plenty of parking spaces at the beach, too.

Half an hour’s drive from Holkham is Kelling Heath Holiday Park. Here you can relax among 250 acres of open heathland with a backdrop of mature pine and native woodland. There are many walks and trails throughout this landscape that dog walkers can enjoy. There are also plenty of facilities available on the campsite, including a health and fitness club with indoor swimming pool, a choice of eating establishments, a takeaway and shop.

Kelling Heath Holiday Park  

Dog-friendly campsites: West Midlands

The countryside running along the Welsh border and into the heart of England is perfect for exploring, whether you have two legs or four.

An award-winning, well-maintained touring campsite, set in 24 acres, with its very own fishing lake. The rural location is peaceful and idyllic, but there is plenty to explore across the surrounding areas. Walkers and cyclists will enjoy the Forest of Dean and Black Mountains, and nearby Eastnor Castle is surrounded by a deer park, arboretum and lake.

With stunning views, wildlife and excellent facilities, there’s no need to travel far to stock up on food and cupboard essentials, just pop into the on-site licensed shop.

For dogs there is a tailored walking route, which covers the majority of the campsite, so you can explore together and uncover the full beauty of the area.

Hereford Camping and Caravanning Club site  

Dog-friendly campsites: Sussex & Essex

The varied landscape of the East of England, strewn with nature reserves and green countryside, is ideal for camping with your dog.

11 acres of grassy grounds, Warner Farm is a family-friendly touring park located in Selsey next to Medmerry RSPB Nature Reserve. The five-star park sits on Seal Bay Resort, giving you access to all the park facilities: amusement arcade, restaurants, takeaways, swimming pools, beach, gym, award-winning entertainment and a host of activities for all the family. Not forgetting the pooch, there are dog wash stations and an agility course!

There are a range of pitches to choose from, whether camping or bringing the motorhome/caravan. Showers, toilets (including family washrooms and baby changing), charging points and a laundry room are all provided on the campsite.

Warner Farm Touring Park  

Fen Farm is a rural, family-run campsite, set in 20 acres, protected by well-established trees and hedges. On the campsite there is a superb large toilet block, plus excellent laundry room, dishwashing, accessible facilities and shop. There are 90 static pitches, 40 seasonal touring pitches, 60 camping/touring pitches, with or without electric hook-up.

Fen Farm has held a David Bellamy Gold Award for Conservation since 1999 and also Platinum Loo of the Year Award for the last six years. As well as dogs walks on the campsite, including a wild flower and conservation area, a short walk will take you to a long stretch of unspoiled dog-friendly beach. If you are lucky you may even see a red squirrel or two around the campsite.

Fen Farm Caravan Site  

Dog-friendly campsites: Yorkshire

Discover a great selection of dog-friendly campsites in Yorkshire, from its windswept coastline to ancient forests.

Waleswood Caravan and Camping Park, located within Rother Valley Country Park, South Yorkshire, is an ideal place for visiting the Derbyshire Peak District, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. An excellent campsite for walking and outdoor activities.

The licensed coffee shop is dog-friendly, selling special dog treats from the award-winning Ruby and Sophia’s Dog Bakery, which can be visited at the campsite during your stay. Open all year round, all pitches include electric hook-up, with super pitches including water points and grey water drainage point.

Waleswood Caravan & Camping Park  

Perched on a clifftop, with magnificent views of the coast, Whitby Holiday Park is set amidst peaceful footpaths, golden beaches and beautiful countryside. There’s access to the beach from the campsite, so dogs can go for a paddle, and you can walk to historic Whitby Abbey from the campsite and on into the seaside resort itself. National Trust-owned Saltwick Bay and the Cleveland Way National Trail are both accessible direct from the park, making it the perfect retreat for walkers, nature lovers… and pets!

The clifftop touring area has grass pitches – there’s also several hardstanding pitches for larger motorhomes. All pitches are supplied with electric and have access to facilities, including WiFi. There's a reception shop for essentials and, new for 2023, a bar and bistro. The campsite has a playground and laundry room.

Whitby Holiday Park  

Dog-friendly campsites: Scotland

Whether it's the iconic Highlands and islands, or the understated Lowlands, Scotland is perfect for outdoor adventure, including exploring with your dog.

Abbeyford Leisure’s award-winning Elie Holiday Park in Scotland’s East Neuk of Fife is a real hidden gem and is sure to get tails wagging. It offers a fine selection of self-catering options, including fantastic touring and tent pitches with modern washroom facilities nestled behind the sand dunes at Shell Bay. Set on the Fife Coastal Path, the campsite is also home to the impressive Robinson Crusoe Adventure Park, a superb restaurant, popular café and family-friendly bar, all of which welcome well-behaved dogs. Book a pitch online and save 10%, plus enjoy your first night free when booking five consecutive nights.

Elie Holiday Park  

With unrivalled views across azure waters and a magnificent sandy bay towards St Andrews and beyond, St Andrews Holiday Park at Kinkell Braes is one of the most pawsome holiday locations on the east coast of Scotland. Self-catering options include new-for-2023 Castaway Sands holiday homes, lodges with hot tubs and the popular Clifftops touring field. Set on the Fife Coastal Path, the campsite is home to the dog-friendly Braes bar and restaurant, plus there’s a Papa Johns pizza takeaway, play park and games room, too. Book a pitch online and save 10%, plus enjoy your first night free when booking five consecutive nights.

St Andrews Holiday Park  

For a Scottish adventure, head to Auchenlarie Holiday Park on the Dumfries and Galloway coast in southern Scotland. The campsite has direct access to a small sheltered beach and a slipway for launching watercraft. Within 30 minutes’ drive are three visitor centres in the Galloway Forest Park, where you and your four-legged friend can walk many trails while enjoying loch and mountain views.

Touring pitches at Auchenlarie are spread over three fields, on grass or hardstanding. All pitches have electric, water and TV hook-up. There’s plenty on the campsite for all needs – toilets, showers, a launderette, a shop, dog walk and a play area. The leisure complex houses an indoor pool, sauna, soft play area, gym, arcade, a restaurant with terrace and takeaway, plus a sports bar where dogs are welcome.

Auchenlarie Holiday Park  

Set on a Highland estate extending over 1,000 acres, Glen Nevis is ideally placed for walkers and cyclists to explore the countryside, and for dog walking there are innumerable pathways from which to choose. You can explore the woodland at the back of the campsite using the West Highland Way or take a two-mile riverside walk into Fort William. For the more seasoned walker, the path up Ben Nevis is less than a mile away.

The campsite has grass and hardstanding pitches with electric hook-up, plus some fully serviced pitches. Facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry room, a shop, a restaurant and bar, plus several dog exercise areas.

Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park  

Dog-friendly campsites: Wales

Explore campsites that allow dogs in the stunning landscape of Wales!