Summer is finally here, and for the dog lovers among us, it’s the best time to pack up the pooch and have some adventures. However, with summer comes tourists, and with tourists often come restrictions on where our cheeky canines are allowed to go (boring, we know).
Not just this, but travelling incorrectly with our dogs can see UK drivers dished out with a £5,000 fine – and of course we all know about the issues of dogs in hot cars.
With all this in mind, we thought we’d do you a favour and put together a list of must-see travel destinations for you and your hound, along with tips to keep you safe (and fine-free) this summer.
Firstly, we need to warn you that allowing your dog to roam freely can land drivers with a substantial fine, points on your licence – and potentially even a driving ban. Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that: “When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of safely restraining animals in cars.”
Allowing a dog to move around the interior of the vehicle, or place its head outside of the vehicle, demonstrates that the animal is not secured and is therefore likely to result in a driver being pulled over. If a driver is stopped and found to be not following this guidance, they can face on the spot fines to a maximum of £5,000, up to nine points on their licence, and even a full ban and compulsory retest.
On top of this risk, there are also measures that must be taken to safely travel with your dog. Dogs should obviously never be left in hot cars, yet despite this being common knowledge, the RSPCA reports that it receives nearly 10,000 calls a year relating to dogs left this way.
You must always travel with adequate water and provisions for dogs, including sun cream for dogs with any pink patches. And in the event of a breakdown on a motorway, unfortunately you are not able to take the dog out of the car. Rule 56 of the Highway Code states that pets cannot be on the hard shoulder in any circumstances; failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £2,500.
Nick Zapolski, our founder and fellow dog owner, said: “I’m a dog lover, and it’s great to be able to include them in your family days out over summer.
“However, if you don’t take a road trip with your dog responsibly, your trip away could become a nightmare. It’s essential that you do your research before you go away, check your dog is allowed at your location, make sure you have what they need for the trip (and in the event of breakdown) and most importantly, keep them secured while driving.”
Where to take your dog – beaches
Fraisthorpe Beach, East Yorkshire
A beautiful area of sandy beach, which forms part of Bridlington Bay in East Riding. It’s a long stretch, leading all the way to the Humber Estuary, so it offers miles of walking. Fraisthorpe is dog friendly all year round, and is very popular with dog walkers, so there will be plenty of canine chums for your pooch to play with. Be aware that this is also a popular beach for horse riders, so leads may be necessary if your dog isn’t a fan of horses! Paid parking is available very close by, at Auburn Farm.
South Milston Sands, Devon
Devon is full of beautiful beaches, but many are not dog friendly or have summer restrictions. South Milston is an exception, as it’s accessible for dogs all year round, and has a great dog-friendly cafe, too! However, it’s also home to a lot of wildlife and livestock, so make sure your dog is always under control and enjoy the stunning scenery responsibly.
Featuring rock pools, golden sands and an iconic rock archway, it’s bound to be a beach your dog adores.
Whitstable West Beach, Kent
This isn’t a sandy beach, but a lovely shingle stretch that is dog friendly all year. It’s quirky and cute – think fisherman’s boats and windsurfers rather than donkeys and arcades. There’s also a great pub situated almost on the beach for when you get hungry after your ramble, and parking is available on site.
The Naze, Essex
A beautiful, peaceful beach, set amongst stunning cliffs. The Naze gas two sections, one of which is dog friendly all year round, the other has restrictions from May-October – so double check which one you go to! It’s also a great spot for fossil hunting due to the geological nature of the site, with shark teeth being a very common find. Both toilets and a cafe are available on site.
West Wittering, West Sussex
A large, sandy beach, West Wittering is a favourite with many dog lovers. Although there are some restrictions in place from May to October, the area is large enough to accommodate dogs all year round, and is well worth a visit. It’s a busy spot, so pre booking parking in the high season can be a good idea, which can be done through the West Wittering website. Cafes and toilets are plentiful so you can spend the whole day there!
Holkham Beach, Norfolk
Holkham is a real treasure for dogs and their people. The beach does have some restrictions from April to October, but 70 percent of it is still open to dogs all year round. Holkham is one of the most unspoilt beaches in the country, and is home to a stunning nature reserve. Parking is available nearby and is pay and display, toilets are nearby and the Lookout cafe serves light drinks and refreshments.
Sandilands, Lincolnshire
This national trust run area is perfect for your pooch. It’s a beautiful and naturally sandy expanse, and welcomes dogs all year round. Sandilands is popular with locals and tourists alike, but it’s a vast area so there is always plenty of space for you and your dog to enjoy together. There are also a variety of cafes and pubs nearby, parking is on site and toilets are nearby, so you will have everything you need to have a great day out.
Haverigg Beach, Cumbria
Haverigg is a beautiful spot just at the mouth of the Duddon Estuary and with views over the Lake District fells. The beach is dog friendly all year round, but does require leads around the stunning nature reserve, to protect wildlife and nesting birds. The beach itself starts as a shingle surface but soon turns into a vast area of sand, heading towards the Irish Sea.There’s also a handy kids’ play area, free parking and a lovely cafe selling well-priced food and drinks.
Hengistbury West, Dorset
This beach is remote and wild, and a brilliant place for your dog to explore. It’s away from the crowds and is dog friendly all year round. It’s perfect for those who want a more adventurous experience, as it’s mainly undeveloped and has a great mixture of pebble, woodland and shrub. There is pay and display parking located nearby at Hengistbury Head, toilets, and a variety of cafes nearby.
And if beaches aren’t your thing, did you know you can take your dogs to more unusual places?
Liberty’s London
This famous department store in England’s capital is surprisingly dog friendly. So for the city slickers amongst you, why not take your canine companion for a browse around this beautiful store. Make sure you take a lead!
Milky Way theme park, Devon
If your dog’s an adrenaline junkie, why not take him along to a theme park (full disclosure, they can’t go on the rides).
John Lewis, nationwide
It’s one of the nation’s favourites, and now you can enjoy it with your dog, too! John Lewis allows dogs into all of its stores – but just check the rules of any shopping centres you might have to go through to get to your local branch.
Waterstones
If you think your canine friend might appreciate a story or two, then pop along to your local Waterstones. Every store is dog friendly, and who doesn’t want to take their dog along to choose a good book?
