Travel inspiration | Where to holiday with your dog this summer | Destinations, tips and activities

Dog owners are all too familiar with the heartache of leaving a four-legged friend behind when going on holiday, but arranging a pet-friendly holiday doesn’t need to be challenging!

Home-swapping is a great way to explore amazing locations in the UK and beyond – you can stay in the comfort of a ‘home away from home’ and award-winning platform Love Home Swap has many properties open to hosting pets (as well as their owners)!

We’ve curated a few suggestions of the most animal-loving destinations in the UK, some fun activities to do with your fluff ball while you’re there – and a handful of our pet-friendly homes.

Manchester, England – https://www.lovehomeswap.com/home-exchange/united-kingdom/edwardian-semi-with-fabulous-modern-kitchen

This lovely spacious family property is just 2-minutes from the tram that will take you into the heart of Manchester. If your pooch needs plenty of exercise and stimulation, then you’re in luck, as the home is within easy access of The Peak District and its many lovely walking routes. Closer to home, Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve is just a 15-minute walk away, while there are plenty of pet-friendly bars, cafes and lovely restaurants nearby. For loads of ideas, this useful round-up of dog-friendly days out in Chorlton is incredibly helpful!

London, England – https://www.lovehomeswap.com/home-exchange/united-kingdom/1-bed-in-soho-house-members-club-hotel-style-living

Looking for a dose of luxury with a longer-term swap? Then look no further than this stunning 1-bedroom apartment in a luxury development. This beautiful home is located opposite the lovely Hammersmith Park, which boasts a Japanese garden with a pond and waterfall. For an unusual (yet fun) activity with your pet, take a short stroll to All Star Lanes in Whitefield for a dog-friendly bowling session! As long as your pooch is well-behaved while on a lead, then he or she is welcome to join in the fun. Can’t imagine how this could ever work with a pet? Then check out this blog about Zuki’s bowling experiences with her owners!

Sussex, England – https://www.lovehomeswap.com/home-exchange/united-kingdom/plumpton-designer-2-bed-annex-in-the-sussex-countryside

Set in the grounds of the owner’s property, this stylish 2-bedroom annexe is a dream. With shared grounds that boast a large vegetable garden and chickens, guests are welcome to help themselves to veggies and eggs. But more than that, there’s an onsite gym and tennis courts. Locally, The Half Moon in Plumpton is a dog-friendly pub – and oh, what a pub it is! Locally, there are lots of pet-friendly experiences to be enjoyed in the county of Sussex – take a ride on the narrow-guage railway at the Amberley Museum, or take a steam train at the Bluebell Railway.

For an insider’s view on travelling in the UK with your pet, then check out James’ story on working from home with his dog, or find out how Chisara travelled to Cornwall and the Cotswolds with her pooch!

 Before we go… something for the cat-lovers 

Admittedly more of our members travel with their dogs than their cats – but that shouldn’t put you off, especially as many Love Home Swappers have cats themselves. If your host is leaving their cat at home for you to look after, then you’ll need to check how welcoming their pet is likely to be to another cat in their territory. But if your swap partner is confident that there won’t be a problem, and your cat is equally accommodating, then it’s time to start planning the ultimate cat-friendly home swap!