Dog friendly days out near Away Resorts holiday parks

Planning dog-friendly family days out near your holiday park doesn’t mean sticking to the same old loop around a field. When you stay at Away Resorts, there’s a whole world of dog-friendly days out that go far beyond a game of fetch.

From seal sanctuaries and historic spots to family attractions and waterside hangouts, here’s how to plan days out where your dog is just as welcome as the rest of the family. If you’re booking a break, start with our dog-friendly holidays to find the right park. Then use this guide to map out dog-friendly days out nearby.

We’ve focused on some of our most popular parks: Sandy Balls in Hampshire, Retallack Resort and St Ives Bay in Cornwall, Whitecliff Bay on the Isle of Wight, and Tattershall Lakes in Lincolnshire.

Dog-friendly days out near Sandy Balls, Hampshire

Sanday Balls is one of those places where the “what shall we do today?” question sorts itself out pretty quickly. Set within the New Forest National Park, Sandy Balls means your default option is a genuinely good walk, not a compromise, and it gives you a strong starting point for dog-friendly days out that don’t feel repetitive.

Dog walks near Sandy Balls

From the park itself, you can head straight onto woodland trails, and there are plenty of dog walks near Sandy Balls to choose from. These paths wind through trees, open clearings and quiet tracks, so you can keep it short or stretch it out depending on how ambitious you’re feeling.

Within 5 to 10 minutes on foot, you’ll reach routes towards Godshill, where streams, open forest and the occasional wandering pony make it feel like you’ve gone much further than you have. If you’ve got more time, you can extend these into longer loops without ever needing to get in the car.

It’s the kind of setup that makes early morning walks or last-minute outings feel effortless rather than something you have to organise.

Beaulieu estate and national motor museum

A 25-minute drive from Sandy Balls, Beaulieu is a genuinely brilliant day out — even if your dog doesn't share your enthusiasm for vintage Bentleys. Dogs are welcome throughout the grounds on a lead. The estate's outdoor gardens, parkland, and riverside areas are all accessible, and water bowls are placed around the site. While dogs aren't allowed inside the Motor Museum or Palace House buildings themselves, there's still a good amount of ground to cover outside, and the setting is beautiful. If your group wants to split up — some exploring the museum, others walking the grounds with the dog — it works well as a day out.

New Forest Water Park

New Forest Water Park (7 minutes drive) A fun stop for families who want a bit more action. Your dog gets to play chief cheerleader from the grassy area in front of the clubhouse while everyone else flings themselves at inflatables. Dogs on leads, humans on water slides. Perfect democracy.

Go Ape Moors Valley

Or head to Go Ape Moors Valley (25 minutes), where you can take on the treetops and your dog explores the forest floor. Everyone wins.

Fordingbridge

Fordingbridge (5 minutes) is perfect for a slower day. Riverside walks, independent shops, and pubs where dogs are greeted before you are.

If you’re staying at Sandy Balls, it’s also worth exploring nearby regions with similar options. Check out our guide to Dorset with dogs for even more ideas just beyond the New Forest.

Dog-friendly days out near Retallack resort and St Ives Bay, Cornwall

Cornwall doesn’t just do beaches well. It’s one of the easiest places to plan genuinely good dog-friendly days out in Cornwall - the kind where you don't spend half the day squinting at a sign, wondering whether your dog is technically allowed.

If you’re staying nearby, our full guide to Cornwall with dogs is worth bookmarking, but here are a few highlights.

The Eden Project

45 minutes from St Ives Bay, dogs are welcome throughout Eden's 20 acres of beautiful outdoor gardens, with over 3,000 varieties of plants to sniff around — and entry for dogs is free. Dogs are also now welcome inside the main catering outlet, the Biome Kitchen, and the Core Café. Dogs cannot go into the Biomes themselves (the rainforest and Mediterranean domes), children's play areas, or the Link Building walkway.

Cornish Seal Sanctuary, Gweek

35 minutes from St Ives Bay. The Cornish Seal Sanctuary at Gweek is unusual for a wildlife attraction in that it actively welcomes dogs, provided they're kept on a lead throughout the visit. The resident seals even engage with visiting dogs through the underwater glass observation windows, which makes for a memorable moment. The only areas off limits are the café and the seal hospital; the rest of the 42-acre site is yours to explore.

The Camel Trail in Padstow

15 minutes from Ratallack Resort, The Camel Trail is a flat, traffic-free route running 18 miles from Padstow to Bodmin, following the old railway line alongside the River Camel. It's one of the best dog walks in Cornwall — easy on all paws, no road crossings, and with plenty of places to stop along the way. You can pick it up right from Padstow harbour and go as far as you like.

Padstow and the National Lobster Hatchery

The National Lobster Hatchery in Padstow (a 15-minute drive from Ratallack Resort) is dog-friendly and well worth a visit to learn about the life cycle of Cornish lobsters. Padstow itself is a brilliant base for a dog day out, with harbour walks, coastal paths, and most cafes are set up for dogs, with water bowls outside as standard. The Black Tor ferry to Rock runs from Padstow harbour, and from Rock you can walk to the golden sands of Daymer Bay, which allows dogs all year round.

Tehidy Country Park

20 minutes from St Ives Bay, Tehidy Country Park is the largest woodland area in West Cornwall, with 250 acres and over 14 kilometres of paths through woodland and around lakes. Dogs are very welcome, and there's a café in the heart of the woods for a mid-walk break. A great option for a longer morning out before heading somewhere for lunch.

A note on beach restrictions in Cornwall: Many Cornish beaches have seasonal dog restrictions, usually between May and September during peak hours. Always check Cornwall Council’s beach guidance ahead of your visit to avoid surprises and follow our guide to dog-friendly beaches in Cornwall.

Cornwall leans hard into dog-friendly living, so beyond the attractions above, you'll also find boat trips that welcome dogs, local markets where four legs are firmly part of the crowd, and galleries and studios that don't mind a quiet canine companion. If you're searching for dog-friendly days out in Cornwall, this is where things get interesting.

Dog-friendly days out near Whitecliff Bay, Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight punches well above its weight for dog-friendly days out. Most of the island's independent attractions and natural spaces welcome dogs without a second thought, and the slower pace of island life suits a dog holiday better than almost anywhere else. Less rushing, more sniffing. Ideal. Here’s where we recommend for days out near our dog-friendly Whitecliff Bay resort.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is 20 minutes from Whitecliff Bay and dogs can go everywhere you go on the train and around the station, which has been lovingly restored to its Victorian character. A classic day out that works for the whole family.

Shanklin Chine

Shanklin Chine is a tree-lined historic gorge 20 minutes away from Whitecliff Bay that welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads. Walk through the lush chine to reach the waterfall tumbling down the cliff: one of the island's most distinctive natural attractions, and very dog friendly.

Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary

The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary (36 minutes away) welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads across all areas of the site, including the barns, shop, and café. It's not the obvious choice, but it's a surprisingly lovely visit and one the whole family tends to enjoy.

The Needles Landmark Attraction

A 55-minute drive from Whitecliff Bay, or just 10 minutes from The Bay Colwell. Dogs are allowed on leads throughout the park itself, which has plenty to see, including the famous chairlift down to Alum Bay and its multi-coloured sand cliffs. Note that dogs aren't permitted inside the buildings, but the outdoor areas are well worth it for the views alone.

Carisbrooke Castle

One of the island's great historic landmarks — an 800-year-old castle with impressive grounds to explore, located 30 minutes from Whitecliff Bay. Dogs are welcome on leads in the grounds, making Carisbrooke Castle a good stop to combine history with a walk.

Dog-friendly beaches near Whitecliff Bay

Whitecliff Bay beach itself is a short walk from the holiday park and allows dogs all year round. Other year-round dog-friendly beaches nearby include Bembridge, Brook Bay, and Compton Bay (between Hanover Point and Brook Chine). Several island beaches have seasonal restrictions in summer, so always check ahead if you're visiting between May and September.

The Dinosaur Dog Walk (Brook Chine to Compton Bay)

The island is one of Europe's most prehistoric sites, and at low tide you can take the 'Dinosaur Dog Walk' from Brook Chine to Compton Bay and back. A route with easy beach sections and some steeper climbs, ideal for spotting fossil evidence with your dog beside you.

Dog-friendly days out near Tattershall Lakes, Lincolnshire

Tattershall Lakes is quieter than Cornwall or Hampshire, but that’s part of the appeal. The dog-friendly days out here are easy, low effort, and rarely crowded.

For a deeper dive, take a look at our guide to Lincolnshire with dogs.

Tattershall Castle - National Trust

Dogs on leads are welcome throughout Tattershall Castle grounds and the wider meadow area, which runs alongside the river Bain and borders Tattershall Lakes itself, just 5 minutes drive from the park. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the Great Tower itself, but the grounds with parkland, riverbank, and woodland paths make for a lovely wander. There's also a dog-friendly café on site.

Lincoln

A full day out in its own right. Dogs on leads are welcome at both Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle. The cobbled Steep Hill is lined with independent shops and cafes, many of which welcome dogs. Just a 40-minute drive from Tattershall Lakes.

Ostlers Plantation

Ostlers Plantation is a forest of towering trees, hidden Second World War bunkers, and abundant wildlife, with dog-friendly routes to walk for hours just 15 minutes drive from Tattershall Lakes. An underrated local gem worth building a morning around.

Lincolnshire Wolds Railway

The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, 50 minutes away near Grimsby, welcomes dogs into the carriages on running days. You and your furry friend can ride the steam train along the 1.5-mile restored track and wander around the lovingly restored Victorian station. A lovely, low-key outing for a quieter day.

Woodhall Spa

Woodhall Spa is a 10-minute drive from Tattershall Lakes and offers a good range of dog-friendly cafes, pubs, and woodland walks. It's the kind of place that rewards an unplanned afternoon with tree-lined avenues, a relaxed atmosphere, and plenty of space.

Natureland Seal Sanctuary, Skegness

Natureland Seal Sanctuary rescues orphaned and injured seals from the Lincolnshire coast, and dogs are welcome to visit. Alongside the seals, there are penguins, meerkats, alligators, alpacas, and goats to see. A great option for families who want something structured within a 30-minute drive.

Book your dog-friendly holiday

All Away Resorts parks welcome dogs across every accommodation type, including our Exclusive lodges — because there's no reason your dog can't enjoy a hot tub view too. Our on-site restaurants and bars are dog-friendly with dedicated dog menus, so the good stuff doesn't stop when you get back from your adventures.

Browse our dog-friendly holidays to find the right park for you, or if you already know where you're heading, go straight to Sandy Balls, St Ives Bay, Retallack Resort, Whitecliff Bay, or Tattershall Lakes to start planning.

FAQs: Dog-friendly days out near our parks

What counts as a dog-friendly day out?

Anything where your dog is genuinely welcome to come along. This includes attractions, historic sites, nature reserves, cafes, markets, and outdoor activities. The best ones go beyond merely tolerating dogs; they have water bowls, dog menus, and staff who are pleased to see your dog arrive.

Are there indoor dog-friendly attractions?

Some visitor centres, cafes, and smaller attractions do allow dogs indoors. The Eden Project's Biome Kitchen and Core Café are a good example. But outdoor access is more common, and the majority of the attractions in this guide have enough outdoor space to make a genuinely good day of it.

Do beach dog restrictions apply everywhere in Cornwall and the Isle of Wight?

Not everywhere, but many popular beaches have seasonal restrictions between May and September. Year-round dog-friendly beaches do exist at both destinations - Bamaluz in St Ives and Brook Bay on the Isle of Wight are two good examples. Always check local guidance before you visit.

Are restaurants and cafes dog-friendly?

In places like Cornwall, the New Forest, and the Isle of Wight, very much so. Independent cafes and pubs in these areas routinely have water bowls outside and welcome dogs in outdoor seating. Away Resorts facilities are all dog-friendly and even have dog menus!

Which location is best for dog-friendly days out?

It depends on what you're after. Cornwall offers the most variety with beaches, walks, wildlife, and food. Hampshire and the New Forest are ideal if nature and outdoor activities are the priority. The Isle of Wight gives you a bit of everything in a compact, relaxed setting. Lincolnshire is the best choice for a quieter, easy-going break without the crowds.