Holidays for Dogs – Our Go to Guide

UK holidays are becoming ever more popular, especially for families and groups with a furry friend. Holidaying in the UK eliminates the worry of leaving your dog behind. There’s no need for kennels or dog sitters and your four-legged companions can enjoy some relaxing time away. Suffolk Secrets understands the importance of not just human comfort, but pet comfort also, which is why so many of our holiday cottages are not only pet-friendly, but perfect places for pooches to feel right at home. Suffolk is an amazing place for a UK holiday with dogs, we have endless walks, many pubs and lots of activities in which pups can join in with. We’ve put together a go-to guide on where to walk your dog, where to eat and drink with your dog and where you and your dog can stay in our beautiful county.

Dog-Friendly Walks

The first of our fantastic doggy walks is the Dunwich Heath Gorse walk at Dunwich Heath and beach. This circular walk will take you and the pooch through forestry, past lakes and through the heath itself which between July and September is a rainbow of colours. Being a National Trust area, it is likely you’ll spot lots of wildlife along the way. The route is dog-friendly and will take you around an hour and a half. The second of our chosen walks is from Thorpeness to Aldeburgh. The 5-mile circular route will take you alongside Thorpe Road whose surroundings are beautiful Suffolk dunes and coastlines. Along the way, you’ll discover the iconic Aldeburgh Scallop, a great place for a photo stop, Aldeburgh Moot Hall and The House in the Clouds. For dog lovers wanting to embark on a more challenging hike, The Bigod Way walk in Bungay is a five-mile hike past churches and castles and ending in the centre of the historic market town. Make sure to leave yourself some time to explore Bungay with the town trail which can be picked up from the tourist information centre. Lastly, we thought we’d mention a good old-fashioned beach dog walk. Many beaches in Suffolk allow access for dogs, some create out of bounds in their more popular areas during the high summer months, but most still keep designated areas as dog-friendly. Pakefield Beach near Lowestoft is a great place for a poochy walk. With a long stretch of golden sand lined with traditional beach huts, this beach is a scenic wonder and perfect for dog walks all year round. Your companion will exude excitement as they play fetch on the sand and then wash it all off in the bracing North Sea. 

Dog-Friendly Eats

Suffolk is full of glorious restaurants, pubs and tea rooms from gastro to traditional. After a walk with the pooch, there’s nothing better than rewarding yourself with a hearty meal and a pint of Southwold’s Adnams. Many of our eateries are dog-friendly, our first pick being The Dog in Grundisburgh. A pretty village pub and just two miles from Woodbridge, The Dog has a fabulous, enclosed, Mediterranean themed garden complete with an olive tree and lavender bushes. As well as a fantastic gastropub menu, the pub offers a pizza menu and the pizzas are handmade and cooked in the pubs wood fire pizza oven that they fire up at weekends. A little closer to the coast and in the iconic town of Southwold is No. Fifty-One Café. Whether you fancy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or an evening meal, No. Fifty-One do it all. Pop in with your pooch for an evening meal and bring your own wine, or enjoy lunch in their secluded courtyard. Winning the ‘Scone of the Year Award’, Dunwich Heath Tea Rooms offer tasty tea and cakes along with lunch and breakfasts. Also, a fantastic place for dog walking, as mentioned above, it’s a lovely, dog-friendly environment where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest after exploring the Heath. Last but not least in our pet-friendly picks is The Westleton Crown. A 12th-century coaching inn with a modern edge. Dining can be done in the traditional front bar where real ales are served or in the garden room, complete with bi-folding doors leading out onto the pleasant outdoor area. As well as The Westleton Crown being a fabulous place to drink and dine, if you've booked a holiday with us, you'll have access to a 10% off voucher. 

Dog-Friendly Accommodation

Suffolk Secrets has lots of pet-friendly properties, many of them surrounded by beach, countryside, walks and pubs suitable for dogs. The Nook in Chediston is part of a converted 19th Century Barn, decorated with unique pieces of artwork creating a cool environment in a characterful setting. The property sits within a former Suffolk farm, with a dedicated place to sit and enjoy the outdoors. Surrounded by Suffolk countryside, couples and their dog can enjoy the five acres of land that sits within a further thirty-six acres. Christmas Cottage in Southwold is a cosy cottage with a traditional farmhouse kitchen. It’s perfectly formed for up to four people and their pet, with a great outside decking area. Small families or groups can enjoy having Southwold beach on their doorstep along with Southwold high street which is almost as busy with dogs as it is with people most of the time! Jays Cottage in Friston has great outdoor space. The cottage has a generously sized garden and patio complete with outdoor furniture and a charcoal BBQ. Guests can make the most of both countryside and beach as Friston is only a short drive from Aldeburgh. The home has the added benefit of two parking spaces and two living rooms. Decorated beautifully throughout with an abundance of space indoors and outside, groups of up to seven can enjoy days out in Suffolk knowing they have a special retreat to return to.

We hope that this go-to guide gives you some helpful information if you are planning a trip to Suffolk and would like to bring your furry companion. Suffolk is truly a great place for humans and animals alike looking for a relaxing trip away.