If you think travelling with children is hard, try a dog or two.
While it is generally acceptable to travel with your child and bring them indoors, finding dog-friendly places is trickier.
Rather than pointing out all the places with a no-dog policy, here is a list of the best places you can enjoy with your furry friend.
After all, you still want to be able to enjoy a pint or go away for the weekend. What would our beautiful countryside be for if not to go on endless dog walks?
The Fontmell in Shaftesbury, Dorset has been awarded the title of Best Dog-Friendly Pub With Rooms in PetsPyjamas 2017 Dog-Friendly Travel Awards.
Offering everything you could want from a luxury pub with rooms for a relaxing night away, The Fontmell boasts truly dog-welcoming staff, rustic yet contemporary rooms, a gastropub and bar for humans and pooches and beautiful countryside walks on its doorstep and the loveliest of village vibes.
John Crompton, landlord said: “We’re thrilled to have won the award. Dogs are always welcome at The Fontmell and we’re fortunate to be situated within the Dorset countryside which offers great dog walking territory.”
Ston Easton Park in North East Somerset was awarded Top Resident Dog thanks to the hotel's beloved Cocker Spaniel Oscar who is devoted to personally welcoming guests and their four-legged friends as they arrive at the house.
He offers guests guided tours of the 36 acres of parkland and loves snuggles by the log fire. He is also very well trained and knows his boundaries; always remaining on the ground floor and not sneaking up to the bedrooms.
Ston Easton general manager, Jason Winter says: “We always enjoy having guests with their own dogs, as we feel this only makes the house feel more of a home from home, which we hope in turn helps our guests feel relaxed and at home.
"We also look forward to seeing the dogs of a number of guests who return time and time again and who we get to know and love. We are of course delighted to win PetsPyjamas award of Best Resident Dog.
"Oscar is probably as well known as the hotel, with many of our returning guests making ‘How's Oscar - where is he’ the first question they ask when they walk through the dark.”
Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire was awarded Best Luxury Dog-friendly Hotel due to its beautiful setting at the heart of the Cotswolds which is ideal for dog walks.
Each room is kitted out with a luxury dog basket, food, treats, toy, bowls and pet towels, plus there a sausage for breakfast for canine patrons. Owners can also enjoy the award-winning spa and the cinema room.
Sue Williams, general manager of Whatley Manor Hotel & Spa says: “Welcoming dogs makes our beautiful house feel like a home for both our guests and team, and with our large and wonderful gardens, we are able to offer the perfect space for two and four-legged guest to stretch their legs, blow away the cobwebs and relax.”
Widbrook Grange in Bradford on Avon was awarded Best Newcomer. You can take your dog for a walk on the 11 acre grounds and spend your days at the indoor pool and end the night gin tasting at the Gin Bar.
Widbrook Grange general manager, Hakan Tiryaki says: "At Widbrook Grange, we consider dogs as part of the family and believe no member of the family should be left behind.
We love welcoming the whole family, including our guests' furry travel companions and pride ourselves on providing a relaxing experience at our farmhouse retreat.
There are so many benefits for our guests bring their dogs with them on trips. For dog owners, Widbrook Grange is set amid 11 acres of beautifully tended gardens and is conveniently located just minutes from the Kennet and Avon Canal."
What would life be without a dog?
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