The Best Dog-Friendly Campsites In The UK For 2026
Inspiration
When a dog is just as much a member of the family as everyone else, you don't want to have to leave your pet at home when you go on holiday and this is where a dog-friendly campsite in the UK comes in. Here is our pick of the best dog-friendly campsites in the UK where your dog is as welcome as you are.
There's nothing more stimulating for your dog than taking them somewhere new where they can sniff, explore, and make friends on their holiday!
Claire Tupholme Content Editor: Travel/Campsites
Claire Tupholme Content Editor: Travel/Campsites
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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.
Nationwide
Away Resorts
Away Resorts crafts the ultimate rockstar holidays where every moment is designed for adventure and excitement, all at everyday value prices you’ll love. Get your paw-fect stay sorted – with 25 dog-friendly resorts to choose from across the UK, there's no reason to end up in the doghouse!
Camping and touring breaks offer the flexibility and freedom you want. Now available at more resorts than ever before; choose from East Fleet Farm, Mersea Island, Moffat Manor, Newperran, Sandy Balls, St Ives Bay and Whitecliff Bay.
The best dog-friendly campsites in 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.
St Austell
Heligan Caravan & Camping Park
Escape into the Cornish countryside at the five-star Heligan Caravan and Camping Park, perfect for a holiday with your pooch. Within walking distance of The Lost Gardens of Heligan and the South West Coast Path, and bus connections to dog-friendly attractions, this peaceful haven is a perfect base for your adventures! If you’re touring around, the pet-friendly pitches welcome tents, caravans, motorhomes, campervans, RVs and more, many with EV charging available.
Or perhaps a luxurious holiday home is more your style? With sunny balconies and stunning interiors, the lodges are fully equipped for a relaxing stay. Pets are welcomed with open paws in most of the accommodation options, and your furry family members will love exploring local woodland walks and beaches – the specialist dog-washing area and indoor drying room will be waiting when you get back.
St Ives Bay, Cornwall
St Ives Bay Beach Resort
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 a water point and grey water drainage. There are toilets and showers, a launderette, dishwashing area and a shop.
The best dog-friendly campsites in 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.
Newton Abbot, south Devon
Ross Park
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.
Ilfracombe, north Devon
Hidden Valley Touring 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.
Torrington, Devon
Smytham Holiday 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 campsite. 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, a 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!
DAWLISH, DEVON
Cofton Holidays
Looking for a dog-friendly getaway in South Devon? Set within 80 acres of countryside near Dawlish Warren beach, Cofton Holidays is the perfect base for touring and camping adventures with your four-legged friend. Enjoy spacious pitches, scenic woodland walks, dog exercise areas and easy access to the South West Coast Path.
The five-star facilities include modern shower blocks, a shop, launderette, pool, bar, restaurant and takeaway, plus e-bike hire for exploring the local area. With a bus stop right on the doorstep, getting around is easy. Proudly named Dog Friendly Holiday Park of the Year for the last two years running.
The best dog-friendly campsites in Hampshire
Encompassing the New Forest and large swathes of both the North and South Downs, Hampshire has a stunning landscape to explore for you and your dog.
Hayling Island
Fishery Creek Touring Park
Explore stunning local scenery with your four-legged friends on days out from Fishery Creek Touring Park, with plenty on the campsite to keep you entertained, too. You can hire paddleboards, canoes and kayaks to explore the adjacent tidal creek, which borders the park alongside a lake, so guests can enjoy fantastic waterfront views from many pitches.
You will also have access to an on-site café, bar and small shop, with a gentle stroll leading you to nearby pubs, restaurants and attractions. It's an easy walk to the nearby beach, too. Most pitches enjoy electric hook-up and there are plenty of water stations and motorhome service points around the well-designed park for guests to make use of.
Even better, Fishery Creek has been awarded the prestigious Gold David Bellamy Award for its efforts towards minimising its environmental impact and improving its biodiversity, so guests can enjoy spotting a wide variety of local flora and fauna.
New Forest
Camping New Forest
Discover the perfect getaway for you and your four-legged friend with Camping New Forest. Choose from eight dog-friendly campsites across the stunning New Forest National Park, with over 140 miles of scenic trails to explore. Walk through ancient woodland, open heathland, and stop at dog-friendly cafés, pubs and attractions along the way.
Whether you prefer a simple, back-to-nature experience or a campsite with full facilities, there’s a dog-friendly spot to suit you – and the best part? Dogs stay for free! After a day of adventure, relax at your pitch and enjoy the sights and sounds of the forest around you.
The best dog-friendly campsites in 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.
East Runton, Norfolk
Woodhill Park
Located in a breathtaking clifftop location along the north Norfolk coastline between two seaside towns of Cromer and Sheringham, Woodhill Park has magnificent views of both sea and countryside. An ideal spot to sit back, relax and take in the inspiring natural landscape around you. Family activities such as archery, wildlife walks and nature crafts are available during selected school holiday weeks. Families can enjoy the large recreational field, play area, mini golf and table tennis.
The coastal path passes through the campsite and the Coast Hopper bus stops outside the entrance. On the campsite there is a small shop for groceries, ice creams, snacks and hot drinks. Nearby towns have lots of eateries; from takeaway fish and chips to cafés, bistros and gastropubs. Various pitch types can be booked online.
Weyborne, Norfolk
Kelling Heath Holiday Park
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.
The best dog-friendly campsites in Essex
The varied landscape of the East of England, strewn with nature reserves and green countryside, is ideal for camping with your dog.
Mersea Island, Essex
Fen Farm Caravan Site
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 and 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 wildflower 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.
The best dog-friendly campsites in Scotland
Whether it's the iconic Highlands and islands, or the understated Lowlands, Scotland is perfect for outdoor adventure, including exploring with your dog.
Blair Atholl, Perthshire
Blair Castle Caravan Park
Blair Castle Caravan Park in Blair Atholl is at the entrance to the Cairngorms National Park, making it a convenient and beautiful base for exploring Highland Perthshire. Situated within the grounds of the magnificent Blair Castle and Gardens, it’s a truly unique location steeped in history and charm. Offering a host of options, from cosy pods, touring, camping, holiday homes and beautiful woodland lodges and glamping pods, there’s something for everyone – even the dog!
Shell Bay, Fife
Elie Holiday Park
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.
St Andrews, Fife
St Andrews 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.
Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway
Auchenlarie 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.
Fort William, Scottish Highlands
Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping 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.
Top tips for camping with dogs
- Do your research carefully, not only for dog-friendly campsites, but for nearby walks, dog-friendly attractions, places to eat and visitor areas, too.
- Consider the best time of year to go on holiday. If you can be flexible then the off-peak season is often best. There will be fewer tourists, you can avoid the hottest days of the year, and beaches tend not to have dog restrictions.
- Before booking a campsite, check if there are any restrictions on the size or breed of dog you can take — and if you have more than one, on how many. Also check if dogs go free or at an extra charge.
- Research what doggy facilities are available on the campsite – are there any special exercise areas, for example? Is there a dog-sitting service, or dog-washing facilities?
- Pack dry food instead of wet – it’s not as messy or smelly.
- Be prepared – take food and drink for the journey and have regular comfort breaks – your dog will enjoy a short walk to stretch the legs.
- Never leave your dog unattended – this applies whether in a tent, caravan or motorhome.
- Check your dog daily for ticks and bites. If you’re near to woodland, then also check their foot pads for splinters and needles.
- A tether twisted into the grass, with your dog’s lead clipped to the top, lets you keep your pet secured whenever you need both hands free.
- Bringing your dog’s own bed from home will mean that they are in comfortable and familiar sleeping surroundings. If camping, a plastic-backed blanket to put under the bed is essential to ensure damp and cold don’t seep through the groundsheet.
- It’s good etiquette to control barking and noise, especially late at night and early morning, and don’t let your dog stray and disturb other campers. It’s easy to forget that there are some people who dislike dogs.
- Check your dog has adequate insurance cover — not just for vet bills, but in the event of them causing any accidental damage to property, or injury to people or other animals.
What to pack for camping with your dog
- Food – take regular food and just give your dog the odd treat here and there. Changing their regular eating habit could lead to a poorly dog.
- Water – make sure water is readily available at all times – in the car on the journey to the campsite and on days out – collapsible bowls are ideal for travel.
- Poo bags – always be prepared with plenty of poo bags to dispose of dog mess responsibly.
- Wet wipes, or antibacterial hand gel – so it’s easy to clean your hands after picking up waste.
- Towels – after muddy adventures you’ll need plenty of these after showering your dog.
- A home comfort – some dogs struggle to settle in different environments even though they enjoy an adventure so take something on holiday with you to give comfort, such as their favourite toy.
- Leads – take a short lead for keeping your dog under control on the campsite and be respectful to other guests and then a long lead for when you’re out exploring – your dog might be good off the lead in familiar surroundings but you don’t want them heading off alone in unknown territory.
- Flea and tick prevention – this should be high on your agenda, especially if visiting warm or humid areas.
Camping with dogs: your questions answered
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Is camping good for dogs?
Dogs can happily go on holiday in a tent, caravan or motorhome, and a campsite holiday in the UK 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.
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Are dogs allowed on campsites?
Not all campsites are dog friendly. Some campsites do not accept dogs or have sections of the campsite where dogs are excluded. Our selection of campsites above all welcome dogs.
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Which campsites are dog-friendly?
There are numerous dog-friendly UK campsites all across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These range from adults-only sites, open-all-year sites, and dog-friendly campsites near the beach, too.
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What is a dog-friendly campsite?
For a family holiday that can include our beloved pooches, a dog-friendly campsite in the UK 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.
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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.
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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.
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Why do campsites charge for dogs?
Due to dogs being present on site, the campsite may require extra maintenance, such as waste disposal management, repairing damaged grass, or maintaining dedicated dog-walking areas. The campsite may also incur an increased use of facilities, such as water for cleaning, or the equipment and water for dog showers on site, all of which contribute to higher utility costs.
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