Apart from the fact that you could well end up paying more for your dog to stay in kennels for one night than you might be paying for your own camping pitch, it just doesn't feel right to leave the four legged members of your family at home while the rest of you head off on your camping our touring trip.
Yes, fitting Rover and all of his paraphenalia into an already rammed car or motorhome can be an added pressure when packing to go away (never the calmest of times in our family) and there is always at least once during every camping trip that our black labrador, Louis, disgraces himself in another 'just pretend he's not ours' incident. However, once you've pitched up and sorted out your camp, brewed up or cracked open a beer and the dust has settled that sense of 'something's missing' starts to flicker on the perimeter of your vision. Head to your first beach or off on a walk the next day and either guilt, an unshakeable sense of incompleteness or both soon sets in. The dog would have loved this...
So, agreed, holidays just wouldn't be the same without them. However, although many campsites across the UK now accept dogs, there are fewer that can really be considered super dog-friendly, where camping with your dog (even with Louis) is easy, in fact a pleasure, where it's really no more hassle than camping without your dog, honest! Campsite owners of these truly dog friendly campsites really do have to plan ahead and work hard to provide facilities that could be considered 'super dog friendly'. But there are sites like this out there... and we've found some!
Because a large proportion of our members are dog-mad, it seems, we have created a new camping specialism Dog Friendly Campsites a listing of dog friendly caravan parks and campsites, so that you can look forward to a camping holiday knowing that everyone in the family, even the hairier members, will be happy and that you won't be putting other campers out with a dog whose pent-up energy threatens everyone's peace and quiet.
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Looking for Dog Friendly Campsites in Cornwall?
Well, this may just be the most pooch-friendly site in the entire county! Out in the Open based at Lower Dacum Farm, provides a fabulous environment for dogs to have fun and be happy alongside their owners. Basically this is a holiday camp for dogs, with some rather fabulous facilities for their owners who are very welcome too! On site you'll find 'Beano's Ball Park', a 2.5 acre completely enclosed field where your dog can run freely and safely off the lead and indulge in a little of whatever makes him or her tick: some flat out running, some classic ball retrieving or a spot of dog-blogging perhaps build a holiday romance or two...
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You'll also find 'Jester's Field - a further enclosed, mowed exercise field in case the first is in use. A footpath crosses this field, so walks around the local area are possible from here.
As if this isn't enough, Out in the Open also have a range of competition standard agility equipment that can be hired by the hour by experienced handlers, or an introductory session can be arranged. These self-confessed dog lovers have expert handlers and trainers working on site providing one to one classes and consultations for fearful or reactive dogs - just ring them and enquire. For me, the cleverest feature of this super dog-friendly site is their 'Yellow Dog' philosophy: the owners of less sociable dogs requiring that tad more space can attach something yellow to the dog's collar so that everyone else understands to give them space.
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Out in the Open, Porkellis, Cornwall
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New Forest Camping
This adults-only site is great for camping with your dogs as there are 18 acres of private woodland on site where dogs can be let off the lead to explore, frisk and frolic to their hearts' content.
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Back of Beyond, New Forest, Hampshire
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With plenty of well-placed bins (we are responsible owners but that doesn't mean we enjoy carrying that black bag for too long, especially on an empty stomach before breakfast!) camping with your dog at Back of Beyond is made easy.
There's even a dog-washing station fitted on-site, so no you can wave a happy goodbye to muddy paws and a muddy tent too!
If your dog loves a longer walk (or exhausting him or her is imperative to a restful night!) then you'll be interested to know that the site is only a 5 minute walk from Hurn Forest, a famous dog walking area.
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Dog Friendly Campsites in Shropshire
Birch Hill Certified Location in Shropshire warmly welcomes dogs and their owners to its site with a few rather unique vital dog-friendly statistics.
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Birch Hill Certified Location, Shropshire
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This small site, steeped in the beautiful Shropshire countryside is an ideal location for taking advantage of the dog walking locally.
On site there is also a fabulous woodland nature walk that visiting dogs love.
This dog-savvy site even loans their visitors dog-tags with the campsite's address and telephone number etched on so that you can relax for the duration of your stay. As the campsite puts it, "Bright as they may be, dogs can't talk." and yours wouldn't be the first dog to get lost on holiday... gulp.
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Camping in North Wales with your dog?
Llys Derwen Caravan and Camping lies within the foothills of Snowdon and provides doggy heaven for those pooches that like to run and run and run some more.
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Llys Derwen Caravan and Camping, Snowdonia, North Wales
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Located half way between Llanberis and Caernarfon, surrounded by beauty, this site is perfect for rambling and exploring foothills and lakes with your dog.
Llys Derwen doesn't charge extra for canine visitors and they have a designated Dog exercising Field.
At just under an acre in size, this easily accessible area is securely fenced and regularly mowed, so you won't get soaked during your morning stroll (for those of you who like to do this particular dog walk in your slippers, with a mug of tea in hand!)
Your dog will love the proximity of this site to both the mountains, lakes and coast of Snowdonia.
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You may also be interested in our Campsites near dog friendly beaches specialism - no need to sit in the dunes with your dog on these great beaches! Woofs-away!
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