In the past year, pet ownership in the UK increased by 18 per cent compared to the previous year as many Brits decided to take the plunge and become a new pet owner. This trend was mainly driven by people spending more time at home and looking for companionship during the pandemic.

According to a 2020 / 21 survey, 59 per cent of UK households reported owning at least one type of pet, of these households, one third (33%) owned a dog as their pet, followed by 27 per cent who own a cat.

With limited international travel available this summer many Brits are now booking staycations to enjoy this year, meaning that the trend for pet-friendly holidays is rising. In this article we have rounded up our guide on travelling in the UK with your pet…

Booking your trip

When booking your trip, it is important to remember that many places give restrictions on pet numbers and the type of pets allowed in different accommodation. It is always worth reading the fine details of your booking and speaking to the host if you have questions.

It is not just important to check where you are staying but also if you want to get out and explore together, then you should consider the proximity to facilities nearby. Find out if there are places to visit which allow pets such as parks, beaches and places to eat.

Top pet-friendly locations

In recent research conducted by Tails.com, it was discovered that Edinburgh is the most pet-friendly UK destination to visit – with over 300 pet-friendly Airbnb locations and 160 dog friendly places to eat. This was followed by Bournemouth in second place and Brighton which was the third friendliest for dogs.

Dog-friendly beaches to explore

If you are planning a trip by the coast then there are plenty of options, across the nation there are around 762 dog-friendly beaches you can explore.