Our pups are a main part of the family, and if you’re taking a camping trip outdoors, it begs the question as to whether you should take them with you. Join Flogas, a supplier of camping gas bottles, as they look into how popular dog-friendly campsites are across the UK and if you should indeed take your four-legged friend camping or look into alternative options instead…
The number of dog friendly campsites
There are plenty of campsites that will welcome your dog with open arms. In fact, Cool Camping lists 787 dog-friendly campsites on its website — Campsites.co.uk expands on this number further by listing 981 such locations.
Some popular locations to take your pooch include:
Campsite #1: Dunstan Hill Camping & Caravanning Club Site
There’s plenty of things that make this campsite worth a visit. After all, the area plays host to breathtaking views and is frequently visited by an abundance of friendly wildlife. There’s also a selection of hardstand and grass pitches available, so it’s up to you how you’d like to set up camp.
There’s so much to see around the surroundings of the campsite too. Take the time to seek out Dunstanburgh Castle — which has the glorious Embleton Bay as its backdrop — as well as the imposing Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle, the latter of which Harry Potter film fans will surely recognise as it was used to represent Hogwarts School in the movie franchise.
Open: March 29th to November 5th for 2018.
Address: Dunstan Hill Camping & Caravanning Club Site, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 3TQ.
Contact: 01665 576310
Size: 150 pitches
Further information: https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/northumberland/alnwick/dunstanhill
Campsite #2: Secret Valley
Glamping is a relatively new concept for camping holidays — glamour meets the outdoors. Located within the Quantock Hills of Somerset, all the accommodation options at the campsite are home to their very own fire pits — barbecuing or stargazing long into the night will never have felt so pleasant!
Just outside of your campsite and by following a walking trail, you’ll come across spectacular views of an organic farm. You can even see Wales on clear days!
Open: From the week before Easter until the end of October
Address: Secret Valley, Cobbs Cross Farm, Goathurst, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2DN
Contact: 01278 671 945
Size: Space for the following accommodation: 1 Big Yurt, 1 Tipi, 2 Shepherds Huts, 3 Lodges, 3 Lotus Belle Tents 3 Yurts, 8 Big Chief Wigwams, 11 Small Wee Brave Wigwams
Further information: https://www.secret-valley.co.uk/
Campsite #3: The Sunnyfield
There are multiple options when visiting Sunnyfield — from tents to caravans (with a gas cylinder) and even glamping options. Furthermore, each pitch is not only spacious but come complete with their own campfire pits. You’ll also find hot showers uniquely designed inside horse boxes around the campsite, as well as a horsebox coffee shop, a straw bale breakfast café and a wood-fired pizza oven.
If you want to escape from the campsite, the city of Canterbury is only a 15-minute drive and there are plenty of beaches to enjoy. If you want to venture further, remember Dymchurch and Sandgate is only an additional 15 minutes.
Open: For 2018, between May 26th and September 3rd but on weekends only.
Address: Maxted Street, Nr Stelling Minnis, Canterbury, Kent CT4 6DJ
Contact: 01233 750024
Size: 6 pitches available across 8 acres of grassy space.
Further information: https://www.thesunnyfield.co.uk/
Advice
You should have an idea of where you will take your family by now. The next thing you will want to consider is what to pack and, indeed, whether it will be wise to take your dog with you to a campsite or if it will be better arrange for them to be looked after at home by someone you know or checked into your nearby kennel.
Is your dog healthy?
If your dog is used to being indoors, a camping trip might be a shock to the system — they must be fit and healthy. Therefore, give them a trial run to ensure they are fit by taking them for a long walk around a local park or through a forest if you have one near where you live. Both experiences will also give your pooch an added opportunity to get used to the sights, sounds and smells of nature — aspects that they will need to get used to when camping.
Are there vaccinations up-to-date? Have they been wormed recently? If you have answered no to either question, you’ll want to get your dog booked into the vets prior to a camping holiday.
What you must take for your dog:
- Their favourite toys — these will be perfect for keeping them entertained during car journeys, as well as reducing the risk of them picking up dangerous and hazardous items when walking around a campsite.
- A collar that includes a tag with their name, address and a mobile phone number for their owner — you don’t want to think about your pet getting lost from you while camping, but it’s best to be prepared should they wander away.
- Their bed — dog beds are often small enough to fit into a car, and they will also give your pooch so much comfort once they are at a campsite.
- Towels — you want at least two sets of towels for your dog; one for if they need a wash and another to keep them clean after they have been walking outdoors.
- Their lead — take note here that UK rights of access guidelines state that you must use a fixed lead measuring no more than two metres long between March 1st and July 31st (the period known as the ground-nesting bird season across the nation), as well as whenever they are near livestock.
- Dog poop bags — something you won’t want to forget if you want to reduce the risk of getting slapped with a maximum fine of £1,000 if you don’t clean up after your dog.
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