We’ve spoken before about how glamping is the ultimate dog-friendly holiday. We welcome dogs at all of our locations, and your furry friend is sure to love spending quality time with you in the great outdoors. They can sniff out all the secret corners of our sites, play in the open spaces, before finally curl up in front of a roaring fire… what could be better?
But what about when you decide to explore a little further afield? Luckily, there’s a wide range of dog-friendly attractions to explore around each of our sites, from county homes to local farms. To help you get started, we’ve picked a few of our favourites for you and your four-legged friend to discover…
Bleasdale, Lancashire
Bowland Wild Boar Park
Bowland Wild Boar Park is nestled in the beautiful Forest of Bowland, just 20 minutes’ drive from our Bleasdale site. Dogs are welcome here, although they do need to be kept on a lead and cleaned up after. During your stay, younger guests can stroke the new chicks and feed lamps (seasonal), and enjoy a tractor and trailer ride. Meanwhile, your furry family members will love the great riverside walks, during which you’ll discover lush woodland, colourful wildflowers and local wildlife. Make sure to keep your eyes open for their many sculptures!
Beacon Fell Country Park
Consisting of 110 hectares of woodland, Beacon Fell Country Park is the perfect spot for an amazing dog walk! And being just over 10 minutes from Bleasdale, it’s brilliantly located for our guests. Beacon Fell itself offers some breathtaking views across Morcambe Bay and the Forest of Bowland, and make sure to keep your eyes peeled for stoats, rabbits, weasels and even the occasional deer! There are several marked routes to follow, including the woodland and sculpture trail, but you can just as easily explore the tracks yourself. Dogs are welcome throughout, and allowed off lead in marked areas. They’re also welcome in the outside area of the café, where you can find water bowls and plenty of places to relax.
Exton Park, Rutland
Rutland Water
Rutland water isn’t just famous for its Aqua Park – it’s one of the most important wildfowl sanctuaries in Great Britain, with over 1000 acres and 9 miles of water lagoons. With two visitor centres and plenty of nature trails, there’s plenty for everyone to explore here… including your canine companion! Rutland Water has a designated dog walking area at Sykes Lane car park (10 minutes by car from Exton park), where dogs can run free inside the designated area. Outside of this, dogs are welcome but must be kept on their leads and out of the water. The only place where dogs aren’t allowed are the nature reserve areas at Egleton and Lyndon, in order to protect the wildlife.
The Blue Ball at Braunston
16 minutes from our site, you’ll find this charming 17th Century thatched inn. With a delightful pub garden for enjoying the sunshine, and a real log fire for the colder days, The Blue Ball is the perfect place to relax and refuel after a day exploring Rutland water or one of the local walks. They serve a collection of real ales, as well as wide menu of modern British cuisine and pub classics made using locally sourced produce. Dogs are welcome in the bar and garden terrace, and are sure to appreciate this friendly atmosphere as much as you do!
Kittisford Barton, Somerset
West Somerset Railway
The West Somerset Railway is a branch of the Great Western Railway, running historic steam locomotives through 20 miles of heritage railway. The railway takes you through unspoilt Exmoor, picturesque villages and beautiful coastlines, and there’s many chances to jump off and explore along the way – it’s a fantastic way to get out and about in this beautiful part of the country. Dogs can join your adventure with a Dog ticket, which start at £2.50. They do ask that dogs remain on the floor of the carriages and stay out of the buffet car or wherever food is being served.
Cleeve Abbey
One of the hidden gems of Somerset and just 35 minutes from our Kittisford Barton site, Cleeve Abbey provides visitors with a glimpse into monastic life over 8 centuries ago. The church itself was destroyed in 1536, but several of the cloiser buildings have survived. Guests can explore the gatehouse, dormitory and chapter house during their visit. Dogs are also allowed throughout the grounds, although they are not permitted in the buildings themselves.
Sweffling Hall, Suffolk
Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is a coastal National Trust site just 25 minutes from Sweffling Hall. Full of thick heather and fresh sea air, it makes for some fantastic dog walks. Dogs are welcome throughout the site, but must be kept on leads for several of the walks. The longest route does have a ‘dog friendly’ section, where dogs can be safely let off the lead to run around, and they are welcome to run on the beach. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, you and your furry friend can enjoy a well-earned sit down and drink at the tearooms.
Jimmy’s Farm
Jimmy’s Farm is a 35-minute drive from our Suffolk site, and is a great day out for all the family. During your visit you’ll meet pigs, alpacas, sheep, goats, chickens, rheas, ferrets, guinea pigs and more. For even more adventures, you and your little ones can build dens in the Woodland Walk (where your canine companion will love sniffing amongst the leaves and trails). Afterwards, make sure to visit the Butterfly House, Farm Shop and gardens. Dogs on leads are welcome throughout the park, with the exception of the restaurant.
There’s something special about having your canine companion join you on your holiday. After all, they’re part of the family too! These gems are just the start when it comes to dog-friendly days out to enjoy around our sites. And, if you fancy an afternoon off, both two- and four-legged family members will enjoy lazing around your comfortable safari tent and watching evening fall in our beautiful locations.
No matter how active you and your dog want to be on your break, glamping is a fantastic holiday for the whole family. The only way to really understand it is to experience it for yourself… so what you waiting for? Book your next Lantern & Larks glamping break today!