Dog-friendly places to stay in Wales
Small but mighty Wales ticks all the boxes for a dog-friendly holiday: rippling hills to scamper, rivers and seas to splash in, green countryside to snuffle. Wales is also blessed with a clutch of cosy cottages, elegant homes and enticing hotels that offer dogs and their humans an open-arm welcome. In this hand picked collection of special places to stay we’ve chosen a selection that includes extras for your dog, including tasty treats and snuggly beds, dog-friendly recommendations and walking ideas, as well as useful things like muddy paw hoses and towels. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of treats for you too!
Ein Cynefin, Flintshire
Up to two dogs welcome, £40 per dog per stay.
Dogs and their human pack will adore this fine Welsh Victorian manor house set beneath the low-lying Clwydian mountain range – Moel Famau is the highest peak. Sleeping ten in comfort and deep peace while dogs get a Luxury Sleepeezee bed, dog bowl, treats, poo bags and wipes plus an acre of enclosed garden to roam. Come to walk the coast and hills then return to relax in the lounge, the morning room with sun terrace or the snug TV room with glowing wood-burner. You can walk to a nearby pub for supper or chop and stir in the farmhouse kitchen then dress for dinner and eat in the candlelit dining room – perhaps one in your party will tinkle the grand piano. For breakfast and informal suppers, you’ll probably stay in the kitchen.
“Ein Cynefin is a generous and well-thought-out house creating an atmosphere of comfort and indulgence – great for family get-togethers or friends’ reunions.” – Inspector Steph
The Bell at Skenfrith, Monmouthshire
Dogs £20 per dog per night.
The position here is magical: an ancient stone bridge, a river snaking through the valley, glorious hills rising beyond, cows grazing in lush fields. It’s a perfect spot for a weekend away if you fancy good food and fine walks with your dog in tow. Inside, you’ll find a long bar and an airy dining room. In summer, doors fly open and life spills onto a stone terrace with a pretty garden and views of the surrounding hills and woodland. Sit beside the river Monnow – a fine spot for lunch in the sun. Seven circular walks start at the front door with maps to show you the way. On your return, pop into the dog parlour to towel down muddy paws – they have treats for good boys and girls too. You sleep in elegant country-house bedrooms brimming with light. A treat.
“Such a relaxing break with beautiful surroundings. Bedrooms are immaculate and comfortable; the food is very delicious.” – Guest Sharon
Stay at The Bell at Skenfrith >
The Felin Fach Griffin, Powys
No charge for dogs but please let the owners know when you book.
Quirky, homespun and colourful, you feel like you’re staying in the home of a fashionable old friend, with bright art splashed on the walls and pretty bedrooms decked out in antiques. Bring four-legged friends to run around the grassy beer garden, where you can enjoy al fresco lunches. Get advice on the best rivers to leap into and mountains to climb with your dog, or snuffle around bookish Hay. They take food and drink seriously here. Supper is served in the white-walled restaurant, and your dog can usually snooze under the table while you eat. Much produce comes from a half-acre kitchen garden, with meat and game from the hills around you, plus they offer a full vegan spread. Breakfast is leisurely: read the morning papers, make your own toast, choose the full Welsh works.
“Something special definitely going on here. Absolutely superb food, top quality service and warm welcome for dogs and children” – Guest Sue
Stay at The Felin Fach Griffin >
Llys Meddyg, Pembrokeshire
Dogs £15 per stay.
This beautiful small hotel has a little bit of everything: chic bedrooms that pack a punch, a cellar bar for cocktails before dinner, a stylish restaurant for delicious local food. In summer you decant into the garden, where a café/bistro opens up for coffee and cake or pizza from a wood-fired oven. There’s a smokehouse out here, too, then a yurt tucked away around the corner that comes with a wood-burner and a hot tub. Food lies at the heart of the affair, perhaps home-smoked salmon, slow-cook lamb, caramelised pear with blue-cheese ice cream. Beautiful bedrooms are scattered about – three are dog-friendly. There are empty beaches, rippling hills and coastal path walks galore, a hose for muddy paws and always a spare sausage at breakfast.
“The best hospitality we could ever have hoped for. Delicious food, attentive and happy staff, stylish rooms, warm, cosy, inviting and a log fire which was almost impossible to leave. Just a wonderful place.” – Guest Angie
Nantcol, Gwynedd
£10 per dog per week. Max. usually 2.
This remote, rustic place is wildly romantic and adventurous souls will love the drive along narrow roads over cattle grids and through spectacular scenery to get here. Dogs will adore the freedom but this is sheep country so be aware – there’s a supply of Bonios in the downstairs loo. Settle into a deep window seat and gaze at the mighty Rhinog mountains, swirling ravens, wind-blasted buzzards, sometimes a mountain goat. The sitting room has a fireplace at each end plus interesting paintings, local maps, hefty beams (you’ll spot the odd cobweb) and large rugs over ancient tiled floors – not for minimalist fusspots. Gather round the old farmhouse table in the kitchen, light both fires and bring warm clothing. In summer, it’s perfect with the doors open. Llanbedr village is five miles down the winding road; the beautiful beaches of Shell Island offer safe swimming.
“Thank you Stephanie and John for letting us stay in your little slice of heaven… we can’t wait to return again one day!” – Guest Sam
Written by
Carmen McCormack
Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.
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