More than two-thirds of dog owners would cancel their holiday if they couldn’t take their furry friend
- Half (49%) of dog owners find it difficult to find dog-friendly accommodation in the UK
- Dog behaviour and training specialist provides advice for travelling with dogs
- Top 10 dog-friendly UK beaches revealed
Peak holiday season is around the corner, and UK searches for ‘dog friendly holidays’ have already increased by 115% since January1 as Brits start to book their 2026 getaways with their furry friends.
A new study carried out by Parkdean Resorts found that over two-thirds (67%) of dog owners in the UK have considered cancelling a holiday they were planning to take because they couldn’t find a dog-friendly option.2 More than a quarter (26%) say that being a dog owner means they are less likely to travel, whilst more than half (54%) would rather look for dog-friendly staycation options over travelling abroad.
Although being able to take their dog with them on holiday is important to so many, half (49%) of dog owners say they find it difficult to find a dog-friendly place to stay when planning a staycation in the UK.
To ensure dogs have just as much fun on holiday as their owner Parkdean has partnered with Ciara Pollen, dog behaviour and training specialist at Woodgreen Pets Charity, to provide owners with travel tips for the upcoming holiday season.
“Preparation is key to ensuring you have an enjoyable holiday with your dog, and that your dog has the best experience too. Make sure to plan activities and things like restaurants ahead of time, to ensure there aren’t any restrictions that might catch you out at the last minute, like dogs not being allowed indoors.
“This isn’t as obvious, but make sure to plan for a change of plan. If your dog seems stressed and needs a quieter day, or it’s due to be too hot for dogs to be outside in the middle of the day, it’s important to have backup options.
“Finally, it’s important to look up local vets wherever you’re staying in case of an emergency, and of course, make sure your dog has an up-to-date phone number on their microchip and tag/collar.”
Ciara also explains the importance of making sure your dog feels comfortable when travelling to and from your holiday.
“Taking regular car journeys in the build-up to your trip can help them get used to travelling and help them settle on the day of your holiday journey.
“On any car journey, make sure your dog is comfortable and securely harnessed or contained during the journey. It’s a good idea to plan your holiday route to factor in breaks so they can go to the toilet and stretch their legs.
“Never leave your dog in a locked vehicle, especially on warm days where temperatures can quickly become dangerously hot.
Once you arrive in a new place, it can be difficult for some dogs to settle in an unfamiliar environment, so Ciara has provided some advice on signs to look out for that indicate your dog may need some extra help settling.
“Dogs who are struggling may show subdued body language, be reluctant to respond to their name, or refuse to eat. Many people interpret this as the dog being naughty, but most of the time, the dog is struggling and needs support. Dogs may pant, pin their ears back and try to run away – they may even growl if too many people get close.
“If you think your dog is overwhelmed, try to give them a little time to relax and calm down. This may mean heading back to the car or sitting somewhere quiet for a while. Try not to force your dog into a situation where they feel uncomfortable.
“Some dogs can recover from being overwhelmed quite quickly, others may need more time, so try to be patient.
Ciara explains that having familiar items and following their usual routines will help dogs feel settled and safe. She therefore recommends packing the following:
“Take their usual food and water bowls, and enough food and treats for the holiday. If that’s a challenge, look up some stockists before you go. If you have fresh food or anything that needs to be kept cold, make sure you’ll have access to a fridge.
“Pack their favourite toys and chews, to keep them occupied during downtime at your accommodation or to help them relax at a restaurant.
“Having their beds and/or blankets, preferably not washed, will help them to feel secure and comfortable because of the scent of home.”
Anthony Reilly, Marketing Director at Parkdean Resorts, share his thoughts on the importance of being able to holiday with family dogs:
“We know how important it is for everyone to enjoy a well-deserved break, and a holiday isn’t truly a family holiday unless the dog is there to enjoy it too.
That’s why all 65 of our parks are dog-friendly. Our goal is to ensure that no family member is left behind, allowing every guest – on two legs or four – to focus on what really matters: enjoying some precious together time by the coast and countryside on a dog-friendly weekend break or a week-long family holiday.”
A core memory for many is playing with their dog at the beach, so to help owners decide where to go on their next dog-friendly break, Parkdean have analysed Reddit forums to identify the top 10 most dog-friendly beaches in the UK.
| Beach | Region | |
| 1 | Whitby | North Yorkshire |
| 2 | Saltburn | North Yorkshire |
| 3 | Cayton Bay Beach | North Yorkshire |
| 4 | Saunton Sands | Devon |
| 5 | West Wittering Beach | West Sussex |
| 6 | Long Rock Beach | Cornwall |
| 7 | Hunstanton Beach | East Anglia |
| 8 | Hayle Beach | Cornwall |
| 9 | Botany Bay | Kent |
| 10 | Formby Beach | Merseyside |
For those looking to book a dog-friendly weekend break soon, Parkdean has hundreds of dog-friendly caravans and lodges available across the UK to book for 2026.
References:
1Google search data as of w/c 9th March 2026
2OnePulse survey carried out of 500 UK Dog owners, participants were asked about their ability to find dog-friendly travel options. Data collected W/C 9th March.
About Parkdean
Parkdean Resorts is the leading operator of holiday parks in the UK, welcoming in excess of 3 million holidaymakers each year. We own and operate 65 award-winning holiday parks and have an unrepeatable freehold property footprint with 3,500 acres of land including forests, peatbogs, rivers, beaches and headlands in some of the UK’s finest beauty spots. We are committed to caring for our parks, people, and planet to create a positive environmental impact on nature and resources, and to acting responsibly for the long-term sustainability of our business. Our 33,000 pitches include a wide range of accommodation options, from static caravans to luxury lodges and glamping, as well as touring and camping pitches. We have 20,000 holiday homeowners, and sell over 600,000 holidays a year, mainly to families.
Our team’s commitment to creating amazing experiences for our holidaymakers has earned us British Travel Awards every year for the past twelve years, including Best Company for UK Family Holidays, Best Company for UK Parks and Lodges Holidays, and Best Company for UK Short Breaks. We continue to record excellent visitor reviews with a 2025 year to date Tripadvisor score of 4.3/5, and 2024 feedback scores of 4/5 on Google and 4.2/5 on Facebook, while 78% of people who visited Parkdean Resorts would recommend us.
About Woodgreen
Woodgreen is a charity that helps pets and their people every step of the way. We are committed to making sure that pets have the best lives possible, with services tailored to the needs of each individual.
We will always be a safe haven for vulnerable pets in need of urgent care and a loving new home. But, just as importantly, we offer expert advice and hands-on support to both first-time owners in need of a guiding hand, and experienced owners facing new or unexpected challenges.
With almost 100 years’ experience in rehabilitating pets with medical and behavioural needs, and understanding what makes the relationship between pets and people so special, Woodgreen is here to help pets enjoy fulfilling, joyful lives with their humans.
Connect with us on social media for regular updates.
