They’re important members of the family, so it’s only right your four-legged friends join you on a relaxing Devon break.
SANDY PAWS
Saunton Beach Villas, Braunton
Immediate access to one of the best dog-friendly beaches around makes this collection of stylish villas the perfect choice for people and their pets.
There’s no upper limit on the number of dogs you can bring or restrictions on breed or size.
And they’ve really thought about the details here. Dog crates with bedding are available upon request. Each villa has its own fully enclosed fenced garden and there are outdoor showers for washing off sandy paws. All canine guests are welcomed with a doggy box, which contains a range of treats. Oh, and blankets are provided to protect the sofas.
No wonder this lot recently won dog-friendly business of the year at the Devon Tourism Awards.
sauntonbeachvillas.co.uk
HOTEL LUXURY
Bovey Castle, North Bovey
Five-star luxury awaits you and your pet at Bovey Castle where they really know how to make a canine companion feel welcome. Dogs are allowed in all of the bedrooms and lodges and are also welcome in the library, in the seating area under the main staircase and on the South Terrace.
Dogs can also join their owners for afternoon tea and dinner in the Cathedral Room.
That’s inside. Outside is a paradise for walkies with Dartmoor right on the doorstep. Hotel staff can provide a walking booklet for inspiration. The gardens in the 275-acre estate are also worth exploring.
boveycastle.com
SPOILT FOR CHOICE
The Cary Arms and Spa, Torquay
Lovely spot, this, right on the edge of the coast in a pretty part of Torbay. The Cary Arms has loads of choice when it comes to accommodation. There are two dog-friendly rooms on the ground floor, both with their own sea-facing balconies. Four-legged friends can also stay in the two suites adjacent to the inn. There’s also a beach hut option, plus fisherman’s cottages. The Cary Arms is famous for its food - hearty breakfasts, lunches and suppers made with fresh, local ingredients. Venture beyond this little haven and you’ll find that Torbay is home to secluded coves and a decent selection of all-year-round dog-friendly beaches.
caryarms.co.uk
SEASIDE TOWN ADVENTURES
The Pink House, Budleigh Salterton
Another stay with excellent beach proximity. The Pink House is a gorgeous house in a gorgeous town. Budleigh’s shingle shores are ideal for coastal strolls and there’s a good choice of dog-friendly cafes for some light refreshment and a biscuit - or six.
Back inside the newly refurbished house is a spacious kitchen-diner and cosy corners to relax in and pretend you live somewhere else for a while. Two pets are allowed to stay here (but not in the bedrooms). The house is available through Luxury Coastal, who say that almost a third of their guests last year bought their canine companions along. Just goes to show that pets need to be well looked after these days.
luxurycoastal.co.uk
DOGGIE GLAMPING
Oakdown holiday park, nr Sidmouth, Devon
As every dog owner knows, the muddy paw thing can be problematic. The team here at Oakdown have created and installed a bespoke dog-wash, equipped with a dog bath, hot water shower and even a hairdryer to keep that fur looking fab.
A range of other additions and nice touches will make your pet feel right at home in this family-run, award-winning holiday park.
There’s a choice of dog-friendly caravans, plus camping pods with a special ‘pup tent’ that can be hired at a nightly rate. All pitches welcome pets, too.
On site, the shop sells a range of dog essentials and treats. Dogs are welcome to sit on the terrace outside the café and enjoy a special ice-cream.
oakdown.co.uk
SOUTH DEVON EXPLORATION
The Cottages at Blackadon Farm, Ivybridge
The new owners are keen to enhance the already impressive dog-friendly aspects of a stay here in this collection of one, two, three, five and ten-bedroomed cottages.
Plans are in place to introduce a new doggy shower and grooming table, plus a guide for guests to find the best pet friendly pubs, restaurants, shops and walks in the area.
Blackadon Farm is a great base from which to explore the moors, coast and countryside in South Devon. When you get back, paws can be washed with the outside hose before your pet can retire to a luxurious dog bed. There’s even a dog-sitting service.
cottagesatblackadonfarm.co.uk
A MOORLAND ROMP
Moorlands Barn, Belstone
This high-end house is a barn conversion in a secluded location on the edge of a pretty Dartmoor village. Guests and their furry friends get to enjoy access to ten acres of private moorland which descends down a valley towards the River Taw and a lake.
The barn also has a courtyard garden for al fresco dining and a log burner for the cooler months. Just a five-minute stroll will get you to the village of Belstone, with a dog-friendly pub (The Tors Inn) and medieval church.
It’s worth noting that Moorlands Barn is just 50 yards from Moorlands Cottage.
The pair can be booked together through toadhallcottages.co.uk
ORGANIC INDULGENCE
The Bull Inn, Totnes
Currently one of my fave places to go for food, The Bull Inn is also a top choice for a dog-friendly break. The interiors here are heavenly and environmentally conscious with reclaimed furniture, reworked vintage fabrics and collections of antique market finds. Two of the rooms can accommodate pets, who will no doubt appreciate the stylish décor and accessories. Downstairs, the (dog-friendly) restaurant is the main reason you book in. The seasonal, organic menu puts veg front and centre, alongside ethically sourced meat and fish.
Choose from small plates to share or mains and make sure you browse the cocktail list.
bullinntotnes.co.uk
FOREST TRAILS
The Fox and Hounds Country Hotel, Chumleigh
Set in six acres on the River Taw, the hotel has 22 rooms, a restaurant, bar and café.
Dogs are permitted in all areas of the hotel with the exception of a few bedrooms and guests are welcome to bring their pets down to meals.
Accommodation-wise, standard double rooms are dog-friendly, as is the Heywood Suite, which has a private decking area overlooking the garden.
It’ll be hard to leave this comfortable set up but when a walk beckons, there are plenty of places to explore. Dogs can go off-lead in the lower gardens (after passing under the railway). Here there are open fields and wooded areas for everyone to run around in. Waste bins are dotted around the site. There are also off-road and forest walks within a few minutes of the hotel.
foxandhoundshotel.co.uk
BOX OF TREATS
Compton Pool, Marldon
Compton Pool Farm’s lovely owners Debbie and Paul have gone all out to make everyone feel welcome to their holiday cottages, providing a box full of supplies for pets, including towels, blankets, drying glove, a dog toy and even a torch for those evening ‘comfort strolls’.
Dogs must be kept on a lead in parts of Compton Pool because there are pigs, goats and rabbits in pens up in the field by the playground to keep the kids entertained. However, there’s a dog-friendly field and a lakeside area for them to get their roam-free fix. The John Musgrave Heritage Trail is scenic way to take in the rolling hills and pretty villages around here.
comptonpool.co.uk
