How to Choose A Dog-Friendly Holiday Park (and where to book)

Dog friendly holiday parks are growing in popularity, and based on Google Trends data, searches around dog friendly holidays have grown by 20-30%.

It’s natural when booking a family break to want the whole family to be included! Dogs are a huge part of our lives and they shouldn’t miss out on making memories. Whether you’re choosing a coastal or countryside escape, dogs love to be by our side and enjoy the time away just as much as you do.

This also saves you the stress and cost of having to find a dog-sitter as they’re right there with you. At Meridian Parks, all of our parks are dog friendly so the whole family can enjoy the same home-away-from experience.

We have parks in some stunning locations from the rolling countryside of Yorkshire and County Durham to peaceful coastal and riverside retreats in Scotland and Northumberland.

Let’s take a closer look at why holidaying with our furry friend is a growing trend.

The Benefits of Staying at Dog Friendly Holiday Parks

There are lots of benefits to staying at a dog friendly holiday park from saving on pricey pet care bills, to being able to enjoy a staycation with the whole family. Take a look at some of the other benefits below.

Take the whole family

As we said in the intro, dogs are a huge part of your family so they shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity for a holiday with their humans! They love spending time with you so being able to bring them along for the trip means the whole family can get involved and no one is left behind. Staying in a holiday home, whether that’s a caravan, lodge, or glamping pod is a shared experience where you can make lots of new memories, knowing your pet is right there with you.

Save on pet care

Pet care bills can be pricey especially if you’re paying for overnight stays or long trips. For example if you’re going on a family holiday for a week, these costs can soon add up as you’ll have to get a dog sitter or put your dog into kennels.

Not only is this an additional cost but it can also be an additional stress as they could be left somewhere unfamiliar. The whole point of getting away for a staycation is to relax, and if you’re worrying about your furry friend, this could hinder your experience.

A more enjoyable experience

Having your dog with you can make your holiday feel more relaxed and complete. There’s no need to worry about how they’re doing back home, especially if you have no option but to put them into kennels. It also means you can enjoy your regular time together with your dog such as your morning and evening walks. Furthermore, whether you’re near a beach or taking in the countryside, your dog will love being able to run around and enjoy this time with you.

Be more spontaneous / last minute

By choosing a dog-friendly holiday park you can be more spontaneous with UK getaways as there’s less planning involved. Unlike an abroad holiday where you need to pack, travel to the airport, wait in long queues, and most importantly, find someone to look after your dog, you can jump in the car with the whole family and be at your destination in a matter of hours. This means you can enjoy more holidays throughout the year at a time that suits you best.

Give your pet more exercise

As mentioned above, your dog will love being able to run around and take in the surroundings. At Meridian Parks, all of our parks are dog friendly allowing you to choose the destination that suits you best. This means your dog can stretch their legs on long walks and burn off their energy so you can enjoy some downtime. Furthermore, some of our parks even come with dedicated dog walking areas and dog wash stations allowing them to run free whilst keeping your lodge clean and tidy.

Make the most of onsite amenities

As holidays with dogs are growing in popularity, sites are changing to incorporate more facilities that make our four-legged friends feel at home. This includes things such as dog fields, dedicated dog play areas, dog water facilities, and dog wash stations. These furry friends are part of our family so having these amenities on-site adds to the overall experience and helps them feel more comfortable.

This is advantageous after long walks or rolls in muddy puddles as you can keep them clean before stepping foot in your holiday home. Furthermore, thanks to the abundance of dog-friendly pubs these days, you can enjoy food and drink with your dog by your side.

Choose between coastal or country

By choosing a staycation in the UK, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding between the coast or countryside. At Meridian Parks, we have various sites across numerous locations from the Scottish Borders to North Yorkshire.

This gives you the freedom to pick the type of holiday that suits you best depending on what kind of trip you’re looking for. All of our sites are within driving distance of restaurants, tourist attractions, and shops adding extra convenience to your getaway.

How to Choose the Perfect Dog Friendly Holiday Park

When choosing a dog friendly holiday park, you want to be confident that it has what you’re looking for. You want this trip to be stress-free and enjoyable so doing your research first helps avoid disappointment!

Check they allow dogs

First and foremost, check if your chosen holiday park allows dogs. This might seem obvious, but not all sites are dog-friendly and it’s not always immediately obvious. You don’t want to pack your bags and drive to your destination only to come home again. Check the website or give the holiday park a call if you’re unsure. At Meridian Parks, we make it obvious that all of our parks are dog-friendly through the banner below.

Look for onsite, dog-friendly amenities

It’s important your four-legged best friend feels just as welcome as you when they go on their holiday! Amenities like dog wash stations and dog walking areas mean you can relax knowing your furry friend is taken care of. These areas also indicate that a park is well run and clean if they’re providing dedicated spaces for dogs to run and play in.

Nearby activities

When booking a staycation, research the surrounding area to see what’s available for dogs. This could take the form of beaches, fields, pubs, restaurants, museums, and shopping centres – you might be surprised how many places are dog-friendly these days! Whilst you might want to go out walking or spend time in and around the lodge, knowing you have the option to venture out with your dog is helpful. This also means you don’t have to worry about separation anxiety by leaving them behind (even if it is only for a couple of hours).

If you’re visiting Scotland, you’ve got Tentsmuir Forest & Beach and Belhaven Bay to explore – both of which provide plenty of long walks! Explore more places to visit in Scotland for the whole family here.

How to Choose A Dog-Friendly Holiday Park (and where to book)

Choosing the right dog-friendly holiday park means making sure it works for everyone in the family and includes your four-legged best friend. From checking site rules and on-site amenities, to exploring nearby walks and attractions, a little planning goes a long way in creating a relaxing getaway.

The good news is that dog-friendly getaways make holidays easier and more flexible as you don’t need to worry about pet care. Also it means no one gets left behind and you can spend quality time together in some of the UK’s most beautiful coastal and countryside locations.

At Meridian Parks, we’ve designed our parks with this in mind, offering dog-friendly accommodation complete with dog-friendly amenities and surroundings so you and your dog can feel at home from the moment you arrive.

The next step is to see our parks in person and to meet the team so you can ask any questions. Book a site visit with Meridian Parks here and explore our locations and dog-friendly facilities.