Located on a working sheep farm in the heart of the North Pennines, Laverock Lodge has much to offer both two-legged and four-legged visitors
Between its captivating countryside and beautiful beaches, it’s clear to see why the North East is a popular travel destination all year round – and why many holidaymakers bring their four-legged friends along too. There are hundreds of miles of scenic walks, parks and sands to explore that both owners and their dogs are sure to love.
And when it comes to the best dog-friendly places to stay in the UK, travel experts at holidaycottages.co.uk have named more than one North East getaway as among the cream of the crop. The first is Laverock Lodge, a country cottage situated on a working sheep farm in the heart of the North Pennines.
With space for four people and up to eight dogs, this County Durham property is the ultimate getaway for families full of pets. Priced from £611 for a seven-night stay with availability throughout 2026, it’s just a 15-minute drive away from the historic market town of Barnard Castle.
It’s also a 20-minute drive away from Raby Castle, Park and Gardens, described as “one of England’s finest medieval castles” with a long history dating back to the 14th century. There are walled gardens to wander here, while the wider grounds sprawl for 200 acres and are home to herds of red and fallow deer, with well-behaved dogs welcome as long as they are kept on leads at all times.
For those who would prefer to rest their heads in a hotel when they visit County Durham, there are plenty of pet-friendly options to choose from. Among the top-rated choices according to reviews on Booking.com are Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County and The Kingslodge Inn, both of which are in Durham city centre, as well as the luxurious Ramside Hall Hotel, Gold & Spa.
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The travel experts said of Laverock Lodge: “Prepare to be wowed at this dog-friendly holiday cottage in County Durham. Welcoming a whopping eight dogs at a time, this rural retreat is overflowing with canine comforts.
“Enjoying a prime spot on a 50-acre sheep farm, not only can your pack enjoy shared access to a 6-acre exercise field, but they can also go wild in the indoor dog agility arena.” Guests should note that extra charges apply for shared access to this arena.
The experts added: “For pampered pups, there is an indoor dog shower room, perfect after all that bounding about! And for the human members of the party, you can’t beat the far-reaching views over open fells.”
It wasn’t the only North East cottage to feature on the list of the best dog-friendly stays in the UK. The travel experts also singled out The Barn At Devil’s Water, located just outside of Hexham in Northumberland, as among the top choices, which is great for larger families and friend groups with space for up to 10 guests and two dogs and is priced from £1,624 for a seven-night stay.
This isn’t the only recognition that Northumberland has had recently as one of the best places to visit with four-legged friends in tow – last month, experts at Sykes Holiday Cottages also named Northumberland as the number one best dog-friendly destination in the UK.
Their verdict was: “With a vast national park and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty waiting to be explored, as well as its impressive coastline, there’s no shortage of places to discover and explore here.
“Here, you’ll find the ancient remnants of Hadrian’s Wall, as well as impressive landmarks like Bamburgh Castle and natural wonders like Kielder Water and Forest Park that are perfect for exploring with your pets. Not only that, but many businesses here also allow dogs, including plenty of pubs.
“With a coastline covering over 60 miles, here you’ll find loads of fantastic dog-friendly Northumberland beaches to visit, many of which offer unbeatable views across the rugged North Sea in popular locations like Alnmouth, Boulmer and Seahouses. Further inland, you’ll also find the gigantic Northumberland National Park, which is great for long countryside walks, hiking, cycling and everything in-between.”
Recommending some unforgettable dog walks, the experts added: “The eight Long Distance Trails that either start, finish or pass through the county take in the many facets of its expressive landscape, often on one trail. St. Oswald’s Way, for example, begins at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, passes along the River Coquet, and also climbs the Simonside Hills, offering dogs and their owners a taste of each of these environments.”
