Dog-friendly caravan parks in the UK

A dog is a big part of the family, so it only makes sense to bring them along for a getaway. Whether you’re hitching up your tourer or planning a break away in a static caravan, having your dog join you no longer means compromising aspects of your holiday.

Dog ownership skyrocketed during the COVID pandemic, as did the popularity of staycations. Where many caravan parks already had dog-friendly policies in place, this sudden boom highlighted the importance of not only allowing dogs on site, but also welcoming them.

What makes a caravan park dog-friendly?

While any park that allows dogs on site can be considered ‘dog-friendly’, there are certain features that can make it more attractive to pet owners. For example, you may prioritise a park that is located close to National Parks or dog-friendly beaches (but make sure you clarify whether the beach has any seasonal restrictions for dogs!), or perhaps your pooch doesn’t react well to children, so you need an adults-only park.

As bringing the dog along for a staycation increases in popularity, many parks now go above and beyond to ensure that holidaymakers with pets feel genuinely welcome throughout their stay. This marks a clear shift from what was once simply ‘dog-friendly’, to what is now genuine ‘dog-welcoming’ hospitality.

Purpose-built, practical amenities like enclosed outdoor spaces, waste disposal systems, and pet washing facilities address many of the practical challenges of holidaying with dogs, making the overall experience smoother for both you and your furry friend. Some parks even provide welcome packs for guests with dogs, including items like a blanket, travel bowls, treats, and toys.

The best dog-friendly caravan parks in the UK

As mentioned above, while there are a number of dog-friendly parks spread across the UK, some more than others truly go above and beyond to provide the best experience for caravanners and their pets. For this list, we’ve highlighted a selection of parks from the most popular caravanning destinations that aren’t just dog-friendly, but are proactively dog-welcoming too.

Dog-friendly caravan parks in Devon

Oakdown Holiday Park

Gatedown Lane, Weston, Sidmouth, EX10 0PT

Nestled just minutes away from the Jurassic Coast in South Devon, Oakdown Holiday Park offers dog-friendly touring pitches and five ranges of dog-friendly static caravan accommodation options.

Dogs are welcome throughout the park, although they are required to be kept on a lead. The on-site café sells dog-friendly ice cream, and you can even take your dog into the on-site shop, which is stocked with everyday essentials for both you and your pet.

The local area is abundant with dog-friendly beaches and walking routes, including the Donkey Sanctuary trail, which was awarded second place in the Dogs Trust ‘Dog-Friendly Attractions’ scheme. The on-site Clean Paws Dog Spa (equipped with a warm shower and hair dryer) ensures your furry friend is clean and dry before heading back to the caravan after a long day out.

Find out more, or book your stay at Oakdown Holiday Park here.

Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park

Beach Road, Woolacombe, North Devon, EX34 7AF

Run by dog owners, Woolacombe Sands prides itself on providing the best experience for holidaymakers with dogs. Both touring pitches and a range of static caravan accommodations are dog-friendly, and a ‘Doggy Welcome Pack’ is available to purchase when booking, containing a blanket, collapsible bowl, rubber ball, Dentastix, travel water bottle and poop bags.

The site has a dedicated dog exercise area, as well as a woodland walk, and easy access to a National Trust walkway. Woolacombe Village and beachfront is also dog-friendly, with three miles of sand for your dog to enjoy (excluding Zone A, so please check restrictions upon arrival).

There are plenty of dog-friendly attractions in the local area, including adventure parks, farms, a castle, a tea room, and more. For on-site dining, dogs are welcome in the Clubhouse.

Find out more, or book your stay at Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park here.

Dog-friendly caravan parks in Cornwall

Hendra Holiday Park

Lane, Newquay TR8 4NY

Cornwall is a pet owners’ paradise, and Hendra embraces this by making it easy to take your canine chum on holiday. With dog-friendly pitches and a dedicated static caravan field just for dog owners, there’s plenty of accommodation choice.

With 80 acres of parkland, Hendra is an energetic dog’s dream! Alongside a dedicated dog walking field, there’s a nature reserve on site, while Trenance Gardens and boating lake are just a short walk away. Other local dog-friendly activities include Healeys Cyder Farm, which boasts a shop full of local produce, as well as an apple orchard and tea room. There’s also the Lost Gardens of Heligan, one of Cornwall’s most well-known and popular attractions, which offers plenty of walkways and landscapes sure to keep your pet entertained.

Back on site, dogs are permitted in dedicated areas of the bars and restaurants, and if you fancy venturing out further for dinner, plenty of dining options in the surrounding area are pet-friendly. Be sure to wash off their dirty paws first in Hendra’s dog bathing area.

Find out more, or book your stay at Hendra Holiday Park here.

Trevornick Holiday Park

Holywell Bay, Cornwall, TR8 5PW

Voted the UK’s best holiday park 24/25, Trevornick Holiday Park is the perfect example of what ‘dog-welcoming’ truly means. Touring caravans can pitch up on the dog-friendly camping fields, and static caravan holidaymakers have three dog-friendly accommodation ranges to choose from, guaranteed to meet the needs of families of all shapes and sizes.

Trevornick Holiday Park boasts a wide range of dog-friendly amenities, including a farm shop, lounge bar, three golf courses and an arcade, plus dogs are permitted in a designated area of the swimming pool. If you fancy venturing further than the park, the local area has plenty of dog-friendly cafés, pubs, and attractions – just pop into reception for more information.

The park is surrounded by miles of moorland, coastal paths, and wooded areas, perfect for long walks. But, if you’d rather remain on site, the park has two dedicated dog-walking fields for off-lead activities, ensuring your four-legged friend still gets the exercise they need. After a day of outdoor fun, there’s no need to worry about muddy paws, as all guests have access to the Bark and Bathe dog shower on site.

Find out more, or book your stay at Trevornick Holiday Park here.

St Ives Bay Beach Resort

73 Loggans Rd, Upton Towans, Hayle, TR27 5BH

St Ives Bay Beach Resort, owned and operated by Away Resorts, offers touring breaks and static caravans for short-term rent. Up to two dogs are permitted per accommodation type, and all on-site accommodation options are dog-friendly, so you’re spoilt for choice! The park even provides a complimentary goody bag for your furry friend, which contains poop bags and holder, a collapsible bowl, a blanket, and a rope toy.

Dogs are allowed inside the Sands Bar & Bistro, which also features a dedicated dog-friendly menu so your pet can dine in style. The park also boasts a range of other amenities to enhance your stay (although dogs are not permitted), such as an on-site shop, indoor pool, arcade, a surf school, and more.

With a 3-mile dog-friendly beach on the doorstep, and plenty of Cornish landscape walking routes close by, your canine companion is sure to enjoy this sandy break away.

Find out more, or book your stay at St Ives Bay Beach Resort here.

Looking for a different location? Away Resorts offer similar dog-friendly amenities and benefits at 25 parks across the UK.

Dog-friendly caravan parks: Wales

Hafan y Môr Holiday Park

Marsh Road, Tenby, South Wales, SA70 7RB

Hafan y Môr is one of the biggest holiday parks operated by Haven, not only ideal for dog owners, but also families with children aged five and below, due to its abundance of toddler-friendly activities. Touring pitches are available, as well as a selection of dog-friendly static caravans.

Coastal walks and dog-friendly beaches are a stone’s throw away from the park, but Hafan y Môr also offers dog walking routes on-site, as well as the Bark Yard, a dedicated dog obstacle course to keep your furry friend entertained. Dogs are also permitted in certain areas of the main restaurant, Pizza Deck, and the on-site pub.

The park offers a large number of activities to enhance your holiday experience (but please note that dogs are not permitted), such as an indoor and outdoor pool, a climbing wall, tennis courts, crazy golf, kart hire, archery coaching, bungee trampolines, and more!

Find out more, or book your stay at Hafan y Môr Holiday Park here.

Bron-Y-Wendon Holiday Park

Wern Road, Llanddulas, North Wales, LL22 8HG

Whether you’re pitching up your tourer or renting an on-site static caravan, Bron-Y-Wendon has a range of dog-friendly accommodation options. Compared to other parks mentioned on this list, the on-site facilities at Bron-Y-Wendon are somewhat limited, but the areas surrounding the park are what really make it stand out. If you’re looking for a holiday with plenty of walks along beautiful trails, this could be the perfect park for you.

Bron-Y-Wendon is surrounded by dog-friendly attractions and activities. From scenic walks through Pwllycrochan Woods or Gwydir Forest, to coastal treks along Rhos-On-Sea beach or the Llandudno Heritage Trail, dog owners have plenty of choice when it comes to exercising their pet (and seeing the sights!) in the local area. After exploring the Welsh countryside, an on-site dog wash ensures no muddy paws make it back to the caravan.

On-site, Bron-Y-Wendon has a children’s play area, laundry facilities, and offers barbecue and firepit hire for a cosy evening unwinding after a long day of walking.

Find out more, or book your stay at Bron-Y-Wendon Holiday Park here.

Dog-friendly caravan parks: Yorkshire

Crows Nest Caravan Park

Gristhorpe, Filey, North Yorkshire, YO14 9PS

With dog-friendly pitches and luxury static caravan options, Crows Nest welcomes dog owners with open arms. Regarded as a quieter location compared to many larger chain holiday parks, Crows Nest is a great option for dog owners looking for a scenic retreat with plenty of parks and beach spaces nearby.

On site, there is an enclosed dog park to ensure your pet can exercise well, even if you choose to stay within the park. However, if you want to venture out, a sandy dog-friendly beach is close by, and large parks offer expansive views and walking routes. The on-site bar permits dogs within a specified area, allowing you to enjoy food, drink, and evening entertainment with the company of your four-legged friend.

Other on-site amenities (while not dog-friendly) include a heated indoor swimming pool, children’s play area, supermarket, and fish & chip shop.

Find out more, or book your stay at Crows Nest Caravan Park here.

Thornwick Bay Holiday Park

N Marine Rd, Flamborough, Bridlington YO15 1AU

Haven’s Thornwick Bay welcomes dogs with open arms to both its touring pitches and select static caravan models. Packed with activities to keep the family entertained, Thornwick Bay also has plenty of walking areas nearby to ensure your dog is well-exercised.

Thornwick Bay beach is just a 10-minute walk away and boasts a beautiful blue sea. Bridlington beach and the Bempton Cliffs are also close by, all suitable for long dog walks (but check for restrictions).

Back on site, the restaurant has a dedicated area for dogs, so you can enjoy a meal or some drinks with your pet in tow. Other on-site amenities (dogs not permitted) include an indoor pool, daytime entertainment venue, archery, segway tours, bike hire, watersports, kayaking, paddleboarding, and more.

Find out more, or book your stay at Thornwick Bay Holiday Park here.

Taking your dog on a caravan holiday

Whether you’re renting a caravan or own one, there’s no reason to leave the dog behind. There are a wide range of dog-friendly holiday parks up and down the UK, with many curated to provide the best experience possible for both you and your pet.

However, before setting off on a pet-friendly holiday, make sure you have a suitable insurance policy in place. In an unfamiliar place, pets may cause unintentional damage to the caravan, which is a surefire way to put a dampener on your trip. The right insurance policy will protect against the unpredictable.