Dog-friendly holidays to the Isle of Wight

by Sam Jaction
(UK)

It may be raining outside, but the summer holiday season is very nearly upon us and that means one thing: packing that suitcase and having a lovely break!

With many people unable to stretch to a foreign break, the UK 'stay-cation' is on the rise and rightly so. There are so many wonderful places to visit, without the hassle of changing money, brushing up on a foreign language or - gulp - having to drive on the wrong side of the road.

Another advantage is that your pet dog is far more likely to be able to join you on holiday, rather than being dog sat by neighbours or holed up in a kennel for a fortnight.

It may surprise you to learn that there are actually plenty of dog friendly holidays; Isle of Wight breaks of this type are particularly sought after, as the ferry journey makes the island technically overseas and a bit exotic.

Many Isle of Wight holiday parks gladly welcome four-legged friends, where the caravans or bungalows allow pets. Some parks may even offer short-stay dog crèches to enable owners to enjoy a meal at their restaurant.

If the idea of leaving your dog doesn't appeal, then you'll be pleased to hear that there are 37 dog-friendly pubs across the island, meaning you won't have to go far to find somewhere that will provide good pub grub which you can enjoy with your dog at your side.

With lush green landscape and stunning views, there is plenty of space for your dog to run around and exercise. It would be fair to say that generally, the Isle of Wight unlike so many other places, is a dog friendly holiday destination. Even a generous amount of its beaches allow dogs, including Alum Bay, Benbridge and Ryde. Though do check out the signs as some may have defined dog areas.

Besides being dog-friendly, the Isle of Wight is a fascinating place and remains a much-loved holiday destination, particularly if children are among the party. Who needs a holiday abroad, eh?

Photo provided by Bortescristian - Flickr