How to Plan a Dog-Friendly UK Road Trip

The UK boasts some of the world's most beautiful countryside, and with its exceptional public footpath network, it offers a fantastic dog-friendly travel experience. The locals usually love dogs more than humans (!) and there are loads of dog-friendly pubs and options for overnight stays. However, travelling with your dog does require a bit of extra planning.  

We’ve pulled together essential information and useful tips to organize the perfect dog-friendly road trip in the UK.

1. Plan Your Route with Dog-Friendly Stops

Before setting off, plan your route with regular breaks to find the best spots for you and your dog. Most vets believe a dog needs a break during a car journey every 2 to 4 hours.  

WagFriendly features listings for dog-friendly cafés, pubs, beaches, and national parks—easily discover them using our interactive map search. Our community reviews, sit alongside Google and TripAdvisor ratings so you can fid dog-friendly stops that suit you.

Dog-Friendly UK Service Stops

Most UK motorway service areas are operated by major chains, each with different dog-friendly policies:

• Moto & Roadchef: Allow well-behaved dogs inside for toilet access but not in dining or shopping areas.
• Welcome Break: Permits dogs in toilets and seating areas.
• Tebay Services: Welcomes dogs in the foyer but not in shops or kitchens.
• Extra, EG Group & MFG: Only allow assistance dogs indoors.

Outside of the service buildings, older sites (especially on the M1 & M6) have limited green spaces, often just small grass verges. Some newer locations offer designated dog-walking areas, though quality varies.

Top Tip: Stop at services with a hotel, as they often have more green spaces. Some smaller services are also near residential areas with accessible footpaths.

⚠️ Safety Reminder: Be extra cautious in car parks, as safe off-lead areas are rare.

2. Choose Pet-Friendly Accommodation

Not all hotels, B&Bs, or rental properties welcome dogs so you usually need to prebook and the options are often more limited.  

However, nowadays most of the main travel booking services like airbnb, booking.com and holiday cottage rental sites have dog-friendly filters so you can find the best dog-friendly accommodation for your trip. 

Key things to look for when booking are:

• No extra or reasonable pet fees
• Secure outdoor space for exercise
• Nearby parks or walking trails
• Pet-friendly amenities like dog beds, bowls, or treats

3. Pack the Essentials for Your Dog

You will already know what your dog needs but along with the basics like food, water and treats here are some other ideas to help make the journey smoother: 

• Portable doggie water bottle to make it easier to dispense and then retract any unused water.  We love the MalsiPree 
• A comfortable blanket on the seat with non-slip underside or a dog hammock
• Calming tablets or a travel sickness spray if your dog gets stressed with driving.  Our top pick is a spray from Adaptil and we have also found Bach Pet drops useful 
• Doggie wet wipes
• Dog-friendly first aid kit
• Their favourite chew toy, dog-safe bone or plushy toy to keep them entertained and/or comforted on the drive

4. Keep Your Dog Safe

Car safety is crucial to make sure both you and your pet are safe. It’s illegal to not restrain your dog in the UK and you can be fined. One of the below options is best: 

• A well-ventilated travel crate
• A pet seatbelt harness
• A dog guard for the boot of the car

Make sure to dog-proof your car or campervan by removing anything that could be toxic for them, this includes chocolate, coffee, grapes or raisins, onions or garlic, alcohol, medication, batteries or anything small that can get stuck in their throat.

And we all know not to leave your dog alone in a hot car, even for a few minutes.  But you should also keep the car, or van, well ventilated when driving and make sure you take those regular breaks. 

5. Plan Your Feeding & Exercise

Don’t plan to feed your dog breakfast then hop in the car. Ideally, you should aim that they eat 3-4 hours before the drive (a relatively light meal - no table scraps!) and drink a normal amount of water. There’s nothing worse than a gassy pet passenger.  

Also, try to exercise your dog just before you leave with a longer walk or vigorous play to tire them out before the trip. your dog gets stressed with travel you can make it more enjoyable by including activities that your dog will love, they can be a reward at the end of a journey. 

6. Plan in activities with them in mind

Beyond the usuals of a long dog walk in the countryside or a play on the beach there are also some more exciting activities when travelling with your dog like going on a pet-friendly boat ride or visiting a dog-friendly attraction like The Eden Project in Cornwall, The New Forest National Park, and Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.  WagFriendly’s interactive search map makes it easy to find top attractions, activities and off-leash areas.

And there are even outstanding dog-friendly road trips in UK.  According to a 2024 article from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts, the top dog is Borders Historic Route in Scotland. This 2-hour drive features 830 dog-friendly Airbnbs, 72 vets, and 162 dog-friendly pubs, making it a perfect choice for dog owners.

Second place goes to the Atlantic Highway, from Newquay to Barnstaple, offering 1,409 dog-friendly Airbnbs, 27 vets, and 42 dog-friendly pubs.

The Moray Firth Route ranks third. This peaceful and scenic trip from Inverness to Loch Fleet includes 86 vets and plenty of stops for a relaxing journey with your dog.

7. Capture Pawsome Moments

Road trips are perfect for exploring and creating memories with your pet friend.  Take lots of photos, share your experiences on social media if that is your thing, and we would love it if you left a review on WagFriendly to help other pet parents.

Ready to hit the road? Start mapping out your route today and explore together!  And, stay tuned for an upcoming article about the best dog-friendly routes.