The most sought-after dog-friendly destinations around the UK

It is well known the UK is a nation of dog lovers, and with many of us worrying about the increasing cost of living, staycations with our pooches may be a good option. With a range of beaches, countrysides, forests, and cities to choose from, where do dog owners really want to take their dogs? Analysing unique data from Ahrefs, a Google keyword research tool, Argos Pet Insurance establishes the most popular dog friendly destinations in the UK.

When looking at locations to take your dog across the UK, the following came out on top, with the most searches for ‘dog friendly’ places:

Combining relevant searches with top searches around the type of places people want to take their dogs, top searches are:

With dog friendly accommodation becoming more sought after, there is now more choice than ever to holiday with your pet.

‘Dog friendly pubs near me’ has over 32,000 average searches per month. If you’re on the lookout for a dog-friendly pub, why not try the aptly named The Dog pub in Grundisburgh, Surrey, winner of the Dog-Friendly Pub Awards 2018? Or The Lorne in Scotland, a traditional Scottish pub set in the heart of Oban This Scottish delight is often praised for being a 'dog-friendly gem' by customers on TripAdvisor.

Whether your dog loves to splash in the sea or just enjoys the feeling of sand beneath their paws, taking dogs to the beach is clearly a popular pastime. The specific term ‘dog friendly beaches’ averages 17,000 searches every month. It’s important to check the beach you're heading to is dog friendly, as many beaches around the British coast only allow dogs at certain times of the year and some don’t allow them at all. The Beach Guide provides a helpful breakdown of truly dog friendly beaches by region.

The research showed some interesting and unusual places to take your dog, here are some top picks:

Muddy Dog Challenge - The Muddy Dog Challenge, in aid of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, is a 2.5K and 5K obstacle course that you can take on with your dog by your side. Locations include New Forest, Manchester, Derby and many more.

Steam Train Experience – The North Yorkshire Moors Railways welcomes well behaved dogs at £3 each or free if you are a member (July 2022 prices). Dogs should be kept on a short lead and are not allowed on the seats. Think of the adventures you could have, travelling onboard a heritage steam or diesel train, through the enchanting North Yorkshire Moors National Park!

Dog-friendly cinemas - Who’d have thought that you would be able to take your dog to the cinema? Well, the good news is that if you have a Picturehouse cinema near you, you can. Keep an eye out for their dog-friendly screenings. These take place ruff-ly once a month, usually on a Sunday morning, complete with special drinks and snacks for your dog.

Dog-friendly shops – Did you know that there are 300 searches online every month by people wondering if IKEA is dog friendly? Unfortunately, you can’t take dogs there but, there are plenty of shops you can. Big high street names such as John Lewis, the Apple store, Cath Kidston, Harrods, Lush, Wilkos, Waterstones and Selfridges (in limited departments) allow dogs in their stores. Make sure your dog is on a lead and on its best behaviour. You may also want to check with your local branch first as dog accessibility can often be down to managers’ discretion.

So, dog leads at the ready, it’s time to explore the places dog lovers across the UK love to visit and some unlikely places too!

Remember to take your dog’s wellbeing and stress levels into consideration when visiting any public place, especially if it is unfamiliar or busy. Argos Pet Insurance (Provided by Pinnacle Insurance plc) offers Cat, Dog and Rabbit Insurance. With a range of Lifetime, Time Limited and Maximum Benefit policies available, pet insurance can help with the costs if your pet gets sick or unexpectedly needs treatment. You can find out more online.