Why Pet Friendly Cottages Are the Perfect Places for a Winter Break

Winters can be a long, hard time of year for dog owners. The grey skies, biting winds and pervasive cold make the thought of taking your dog for the same old tramp around the block a deeply unpleasant prospect. So why not have a change of scenery and rent one of these pet friendly cottages for a winter break? It will revitalise you and your pet, and allow you to enjoy this beautiful time of year once again.

In north Cornwall you’ll find Bray View in Camelford, one of three pet friendly cottages that form West Bowlthick Cottages. Once a Cornish farmstead, this holiday home has ample room to sleep four people and two pets. It’s in an AONB, and aside from the other cottages there is nothing to interrupt your view for miles around. And when you return from a winter walk, the cottage is kept cosy by oil-fired central heating.

Ferndale House is a large apartment in Lynmouth, Devon. It sleeps six and up to three pets are allowed to stay with you. Built in the 19^th century, this pet friendly cottage has A frame wooden beams stretching across the vaulted ceiling, but the apartment is thoroughly modern. You have a great view across the town to the sea, and the sight of the frosty rooftops glinting in the amber streetlights can be quite magical in winter. Choose to walk along the seafront or in the nearby wooded valley, you’ll hardly notice the cold in this beautiful part of the world.

Probably the oldest pet friendly cottages on this list, Merryfield Cottage, is a half timbered period holiday home in Robertsbridge, Sussex. To ward off the chill of a cold winter’s day the cottage has electric radiators, plus a romantic woodburning stove in the living room. There are plenty of places for you and your dog to explore in the local area ­– Robertsbridge is in the centre of the High Weald AONB, and next to the A21 for easy access to nearby Hastings and Battle.

Wherry Cottage is a large pet friendly holiday home in the heart of Southwold in Suffolk. With easy access to both the beach and the local countryside, it’s a great location for winter walking and there are great pubs in the area with roaring fires to warm yourself by afterwards.

Winter is a lovely time to visit Norfolk. There’s something about taking your dog for a walk across boundless fields under big pale blue skies in the cold fresh air that makes you feel alive. And if you’re looking for pet friendly cottages then Heron Cottage in the village of Ingham is great place to stay. The Broads and the coast are near, while the immediate area is surrounded by fields and woodland.

Storm Cottage is in Robin Hood’s Bay on the Yorkshire coast. You can spend a winter day exploring the coastline, just a minute from your door, or wrap up warm and head out of the village into the NP. When skies darken and you return to your cottage, its sturdy stone walls will keep the cold out while the gas fired central heating and woodburning stove will soon warm cold fingers and paws.

Damsonlea in Forton, Lancashire was once two old barns, but now has been expertly converted into a large open-plan pet friendly cottage. It could hardly be in a better place to explore the area either. The Forest of Bowland is a short distance to the east, Lancaster is to the north, and Irish Sea is also within easy reach. There are plenty of footpaths in the area for you to explore, including one along the banks of the Lancaster Canal.

With some wonderful views, Ty Eiddew near Caernarvon in Wales is a great pet friendly cottage for a winter break. On the other side of the low stone wall that circles the property are large open fields that gather plenty of snow for your pup to bound about in, and evenings can be spent around the large open fire in the sitting room. Range just a little further afield and you’ll find the majestic Snowdonia National Park is a stunning place to explore in the winter months.