Somerset is a rural area, so it’s the ideal place to go if you want a quiet holiday away from it all. That said, there are lots of things to do if you want your break filled with activities and days out. Exploring the coastal path with your pooch is a great way to spend time outdoors, and you can stop by Weston-Super-Mare for a bag of chips and a wander around a traditional seaside town.
The Best Places To Take Dogs in Somerset
Take a look at dog-friendly things to do in Somerset:
Activities & Things to Do
1. Go Bird Spotting At Bridgewater Bay Nature Reserve
Where the River Parret meets the Severn Estuary there’s an area of mudflats and salt marshes inhabited by waterfowl and wading birds. Most of the year 190 different species of birds can be seen here such as Curlew, Shelduck and Oystercatchers. Wild plants like yellow poppies grow on the water’s edge, and hundreds of interesting insects have made this place home too. Dogs on a lead are welcome in the nature reserve – it’s a lovely place to walk.
2. Visit Dunster Castle
Perched on a hill, Dunster Castle is an impressive sight. With views that stretch to the Quantock Hills and Exmoor, the castle has been a family home and country estate for hundreds of years. With a working mill in the grounds and acres of parkland to stroll, doggies enjoy a day out here as much as their owners. The river garden offers a path along the Avil, and the tea room has a garden with water bowls especially for pets to use.
3. Spend The Day at Cheddar Gorge
With thousands of years of history to uncover, this natural site is dramatic and a must-see if you’re nearby. Watch rock climbers scale the cliff fronts, have a tour of the caves and take a long or short hike through the gorge – there’s something for everyone. The little village of Cheddar has pubs and cafes too for refreshments where doggies are welcome, or take a picnic if the weather is fine, there are plenty of beautiful places to sit.
4. Play On The Sands At Brean Beach
South of Weston-Super-Mare is a wide curve of sand that extends for 6 miles. Man’s best friend is welcome here 12 months a year so the whole family can spend glorious days on the beach together. With cafes along the back, you have everything you need. Don’t forget to take your bucket and spade.
5. Climb To Glastonbury Tor
Glastonbury Tor is a spiritual place and one that welcomes dogs with their owners. The Tor is a steep hill with a tower on the top and is an iconic symbol of Glastonbury. Walking to the top is a challenge, but when you get to the peak, the views are worth all the effort. Sometimes there are sheep grazing on the Tor, so make sure your pooch stays close by as you hike.
6. Board A Steam Train
The West Somerset Railway is a heritage line that runs along a 20-mile track from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. Watch the beautiful landscape through the window as you go past picturesque villages, an old brewery and Dunster Castle. There’s even a stretch of track that goes along the edge of the sea. The family dog can ride in the carriage and they need their own ticket.
7. Learn All About The Willow Industry
The Willow and Wetlands Centre is a family-run attraction that boasts a basket museum, area of wetland, coffee shop and retail store. In the museum you can learn how baskets are made and the process of growing willow, the family have been harvesting it for over 100 years. Pets are welcome to all areas and they will enjoy a choice of circular walk – one is 1km and the other 3.2 km long.
Looking at Visiting the Area
A top spot for holidays and countless dog walks in Somerset makes this beautiful county one of our favourites so we have selected some pet-friendly holidays that’ll make you want to stay awhile.
Holiday Cottages
Who wouldn’t want to curl up in front of a roaring open fire or relax with a drink in a pretty enclosed garden with your pup stretched out at your feet? Well, you can do just that when you book holidays and rentals in Somerset that accept your dogs as special guests or perhaps you would rather try Somerset hot tub cottages for pets.
Log Cabins
Keep the whole family entertained when you book dog friendly lodges in Somerset, they’re easy to sniff out and offer a variety of onsite facilities.