6 minute read
Devon with the Dog!
Devon With The Dog
The staycation trend is not abating and with four-legged companions making up the family numbers, this Easter could be the time to pack the pooch and sniff out some superb stays in Devon! Sandy beaches, rugged coastlines, stunning national parks, picture-postcard towns and villages, and of course, a Devonshire afternoon tea; just a few of the pleasures to discover in Devon.
Your dog will love Dartmoor National Park! From long-distance walks through the scenic landscape, to shorter guided walks that dogs are welcome on, it's a sensory overload for smells, sounds and sights but do remember Dartmoor is a working landscape. From March to the end of July, dogs must be kept on a lead to protect the ground-nesting birds, grazing cattle, sheep and ponies.
If you've never been, start your visit at one of the National Park Visitor Centres at Haytor, Postbridge and Princetown. There's always a bowl of water for dogs and you can buy those all-important bags that you might have forgotten too!
For dog-friendly accommodation close to Dartmoor, consider Betty Cottles Inn. Located on the outside of the park, in Okehampton, the inn offers free private parking, a bar and restaurant, a nice garden, children's play area and also a sauna.
This property has a homely feel with friendly and welcoming staff. Lovers of a cooked breakfast will be very happy and for evening dining, the restaurant serves a menu of pub classics.
Dogs are charged £8 per night and while you're here, make time for a walk along the Granite Way, where you'll have superb views of the park and its famous ponies.
Another option is the Bedford Hotel where you'll have all the charm of the market town of Tavistock combined with a location that's ideal for Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
With a doggy goody bag on arrival, your four-legged friend is assured a warm welcome and an enjoyable stay at £15 per night. This hotel has lovely gardens which are ideal for that first walk in the morning, as well as being an area where you'll enjoy afternoon dining and early evening drinks.
It's a delicious menu at the Bedford too. With a large emphasis on supporting local farmers, fishermen and producers, you can look forward to market fish of the day, game, Dartmoor venison, steak, artisan bread, West Country cheeses and Devon chutneys as well as a good choice of veggie options.
There's certainly a pedigree choice of award-winning beaches in Devon and a run of total joy for dogs getting that sand between their paws feeling is guaranteed! Teignmouth River Beach is year-round dog-friendly and a great spot for watching the local fishermen bringing in the catch of the day. With a couple of pubs, it’s a good location to enjoy a refreshing pint after a long beach walk too. Alternatively, Teignmouth Town Beach welcomes dogs from October to the end of March or in certain areas from April until September. The award-winning blue flag beach has a Victorian pier, skate-park and amusements and is popular with families.
Just a ten-minute stroll from the pier is the dog-friendly Cliffden Hotel. Sitting in seven acres of beautiful gardens and with sea views, the hotel offers spacious accommodation, free parking, a popular restaurant, lounge and bar area. The outside terrace is a particularly inviting area to sit on a summer's afternoon and watch the world go by.
The cost is £6.50 per dog per night and the team at the Cliffden will supply bedding and bowls if needed, plus there's a handy grooming room too.
The traditional seaside town of Dawlish on the south Devon coast is also home to an award-winning sandy beach which boasts its own dog-friendly area. At one and a half miles long, Dawlish Warren Beach is a combination of sheltered sand dunes, family amusements and of course, the award-winning clean water.
Looking out over this stunning beach is Langstone Cliff Hotel. Sitting in a 19-acre woodland estate and built around an 18th Century hunting lodge, this dog-friendly hotel resembles a resort with all that it has to offer.
An indoor and an outdoor pool, a tennis court, beauty and hairdressing salons, a snooker room, children’s play areas and spa facilities tick the activity and relaxation boxes. For golfers, there's a practice area with bunkers and synthetic greens and just 700 metres away, the challenging links course at Warren Golf Club will test!
Langstone Cliff Hotel allows dogs in all rooms and charge £10 per dog, per night.
Head to the historic port town of Bideford, on the north coast of Devon and pick the Durrant House Hotel for your dog-friendly base. Subject to availability and a £10 charge per dog, per night, the ground floor guestrooms have everything needed for a great family stay.
This luxury hotel is perfectly situated for exploring the rugged coastline and rolling countryside. Westwood Ho! is a must for beach time with dogs from October to April. During the summer, head to Northam Burrow, round the corner near the links golf course. Once you're over the pebble ridge walkway, sandy runs for canine contentment have the green light for go!
