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The Dog’s Frolics: Away Resorts opens UK’s first pub for dogs
The pooch pop-up celebrates the UK’s love of dogs, after new research finds 76% of dog owners feel bad leaving their prized pets at home.
01 May 2025
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The New Forest pop up aiming to be the ‘UK’s most dog friendly pub’ is open to the public until Tuesday 6th May
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Designed to put dogs first, it features a special dog menu and ‘paw-gramme’ of activities
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The pup-paw-razzi snapped the UK’s most prolific pups celebrating at the grand opening
Doggy pub
London, UK, 1st May, 2025: UK holiday park provider Away Resorts has opened the UK’s most dog friendly pub after new research revealed that 76% of Brits feel bad about leaving their precious pooches at home when they head out for a pint.
‘The Dog’s Frolics’, which features a drool-worthy dog menu, will host a series of dog friendly activities, from doggy arts and crafts sessions to a dog themed ‘pup quiz’, while also raising money for dog welfare charity the Dogs Trust.
Some of the UK’s most famous dogs attended the grand opening on Wednesday 30th April. Guest of honour, Liliput the Maltese - who has amassed a big social media fanbase since appearing at last year’s BAFTAs - was on hand to declare the space officially ‘open for biscuits’.
The move comes after Away Resorts polled 2000 dog owners in the UK, to better understand our relationship with our beloved pets. The study found that half (50%) of dog owners prefer to spend time with their dog(s) than their friends or family, 22% miss their dogs the second they leave the house and nearly three quarters (72%) would be more likely to go to a pub if it was dog friendly.
Almost half of owners (48%) said their prized pooches dictate where they go on holiday, with the top things they look for being great walks nearby (58%), plenty of space for them to run around in (42%) and ample space inside their accommodation (36%).
Carl Castledine, Founder of Away Resorts commented: “At Away Resorts, we know your four-legged friends are part of the family too. With 40% of our customers coming with a furry friend in tow, we’ve made sure all our accommodation options are fully geared up for dogs and our special doggy menu is available in 21 venues across our parks."
“Our sites are all surrounded by epic dog walks and with our free stays for dogs from May through June, there’s no better time to jump in the car and pay us a visit. I look forward to seeing you down The Dog’s Frolics to raise a glass to our furry friends!”
Formerly known as the Woodside Inn, ‘The Dog’s Frolics’ pub is located at Sandy Balls Holiday village in the New Forest - one of the operator's most dog friendly resorts, which welcomes an average of 12,000 dogs every year. But it’s not just guests staying at the park who can make the most of the pop-up, as it is also open to the general public.
The most important things for dog owners when booking a break with their dogs are:
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Great walks nearby (58%)
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Plenty of space for them to run around in (42%)
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Enough space inside the accommodation (36%)
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An enclosed space area around the accommodation (34%)
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A beach nearby (27%)
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Not being near a main road (17%)
Guests and visitors heading for a pint at ‘The Dog’s Frolics’ will also be able to take part in a special raffle to win a holiday with Away Resorts, with all proceeds being donated to The Dogs Trust. Away Resorts will also be hosting a series of doggy workshops at Dogstival, the popular dog-friendly festival held in the New Forest from the 31st May - 1st June 2025.
Marianne deFiouw, owner of Liliput the Maltese commented: “I’m thrilled to see Sandy Balls launching a dog friendly pub. Our four legged family members deserve to be part of the holiday experience and this new venue makes that possible in the most welcoming way. It’s the perfect backdrop for a five star performance, or simply a well earned puppuccino after a scene stealing stroll."
Away Resorts is offering free stays for dogs from 1st May - 30th June 2025. To browse dog friendly stays at Sandy Balls Holiday Village and at other sites around the UK head here.