Christmas is a much easier time to go away with your dog than you might think. Most of the South West’s seasonal beach bans lifted on 1 October and generally stay off until around Easter, the coast paths are quiet, and a muddy walk feels far more earned when there’s a fire waiting at the end of it.
So if you’d rather swap the usual Christmas chaos for long walks and a proper pub lunch, we reckon the South West takes some beating. Here’s where we’d go, whether you’re after a quiet few days for two or a big house with room for the whole family, four-legged members included.
One thing before you start: the best places get booked up early for Christmas and New Year, so it’s worth getting in touch sooner rather than later. Mention your dog when you book too, as dog-friendly rooms can be limited. The festive details below were correct when we wrote this in November 2026, but do check with each place before you book.
Fireside stays on the moors
If your ideal Christmas involves muddy boots and not much phone signal, head for the moors.
Dartmoor, Devon. Two Bridges Hotel sits on the banks of the West Dart River, with cosy lounges, log fires and the ancient Wistman’s Wood walk from the doorstep. Most of the bedrooms are dog friendly, and you can have breakfast and dinner together in the dog-friendly lounge areas. Its Christmas breaks run for three or four nights from 23 or 24 December, and there’s a two-night New Year Celebration Break too. For something smaller, Stable Cottage at Lower Hookner Farm near North Bovey is a converted stone barn for two, with a wood-burner and open moorland straight from the farm. It’s worth asking about Christmas dates directly.
Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. Jamaica Inn has been welcoming travellers since 1750 and it’s hard to think of a more atmospheric place to spend a winter’s night. Expect exposed beams, roaring fires and moorland walks from the door, with dogs welcome in selected bedrooms and the bar areas. This year it’s offering two- and three-night Christmas house parties from Christmas Eve, plus New Year’s Eve packages with a gala dinner.
Exmoor, Somerset. The Crown Hotel in Exford is a family-run 17th-century coaching inn where the moor starts at the front door and the log fires in the bar are ideal for drying off. Its two-night Christmas break runs from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, with a traditional Christmas dinner, and can only be booked direct. Dogs are £9 a night, and there’s a three-bedroom self-catering cottage if you’d rather do your own thing.
Winter stays on the coast
A Boxing Day walk on an empty beach is one of the great pleasures of owning a dog, and these are good places to do it from.
Lusty Glaze in Newquay is about as close to the sea as you can get, with The Cottage and The Chalet just yards from the sand of this small private cove. The Cottage has a wood burner for those dramatic winter days, and pets are £75 per stay, with a maximum of two. It’s self-catering, so get in touch about Christmas dates.
On the south coast of Cornwall, Budock Vean Hotel has 65 acres of gardens and woodland to explore, with riverside walks along the Helford nearby. It has Christmas breaks of two, three or four nights, Twixmas stays between 27 and 30 December and a New Year break. For a quieter winter escape, its Tails and Trails break lets your dog stay free and includes a Harbour Hounds dry robe, which sounds about right for a Cornish winter.
If you’d rather have your own front door, Cornish Stays has a handpicked collection of dog friendly holiday homes across the county, from cosy coastal hideaways to spacious countryside retreats. They sleep from two to 18, and selected homes welcome up to five dogs, so it’s a good option whether you’re going away as a couple or bringing the whole pack. Dog limits and Christmas availability vary between homes, so check before you book.
In Devon, The Cary Arms sits in sheltered Babbacombe Bay, with dog-friendly rooms that have their own sea-facing balconies, plus suites, beach huts and fisherman’s cottages. Its three-night Christmas House Party starts on Christmas Eve, and there are Twixmas stays and a two-night New Year House Party too, with dogs £25 a night. Over in Dorset, Dorset House is a Georgian B&B in Lyme Regis, around ten minutes’ walk from the beach. It welcomes one dog under 15kg in two of its rooms, and the Pooch Package includes a custom-made dog bed, water bowl and paw balm. It has been listed as closed at Christmas in the past, so it may suit a pre-Christmas or New Year break better, but do ask.
Want more ideas for the sand? Have a look at our guides to the top ten dog friendly beaches in Cornwall and the best dog friendly beaches in Devon.
Big houses for a family Christmas
Getting everyone together is much simpler when nobody has to arrange a dog sitter.
Upwey House near Weymouth is a Grade II-listed manor with nine bedrooms, an open fire in the drawing room and an oak table that seats up to 24, which should cover Christmas dinner. It sleeps 18, or 24 with extra beds, and up to three dogs can join you for £50 per dog, with 23 acres of fields, woodland and walled garden to explore. Contact the owner for Christmas and New Year dates.
In Wiltshire, Overtown Manor near Swindon offers a six-bedroom manor house and a three-bedroom Garden Cottage, sleeping up to 19 between them. The Garden Cottage has an enclosed garden and a muddy-paw wash area, and the house is listed as available at Christmas and New Year. There’s currently 20% off when you book the house and cottage together between October 2026 and March 2027.
Need even more room? Duvale Barn near Tiverton has 16 bedrooms sleeping up to 44, a beamed lounge strung with fairy lights and Exe Valley walks nearby, and it looks pretty special in the snow. Ask about dog numbers and festive dates when you enquire.
For something smaller with room to run, Croft Farm Holiday Cottages near Perranporth has five cottages sleeping two to six, an enclosed dog exercise field and space for up to four dogs, so it’s worth asking about Christmas dates. And if the Cotswolds appeal, Orion Holidays offers Christmas breaks in lakeside homes around the Cotswold Lakes, including pet-friendly properties, some with private hot tubs.
Cosy pubs worth the walk
No Christmas walk is complete without a pub at the end of it. Here are three we like, but opening hours can change over Christmas, so check before you set off and book ahead for food.
The Lamb Inn at Sandford near Crediton is a 16th-century pub with a cosy open fire in winter, a dedicated dog menu and a well-loved Sunday lunch. Dogs are welcome throughout the bar. It has been listed as closed on Christmas Day, so save it for another day of your trip.
The Seaview Inn in Falmouth, now run by Verdant Brewing, welcomes dogs on leads and has big views over the harbour. It’s usually open from 4pm, or from midday on Sundays, when there’s a classic roast. It’s a short hop from Gyllyngvase Beach too, where dogs are welcome from 1 October to Easter Sunday.
The Farmers Arms in St Columb Minor welcomes dogs inside, with water bowls, free treats and a menu of their own. It’s close to both Porth Beach and Watergate Bay, so it’s an easy one after a blustery walk.
A few Christmas things to keep in mind
Festive food. Mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolate, stuffing and gravy can all be harmful to dogs, so keep them out of reach, especially in an unfamiliar kitchen. The British Veterinary Association warns about chocolate, raisins, grapes, currants, onions, garlic and leeks in particular, and the Kennel Club has a handy guide. If your dog does get hold of something, call a vet straight away, even if they seem fine.
Find the nearest emergency vet. Save the number when you arrive. Your usual vet won’t be much help on Christmas Day when you’re 100 miles from home, and out-of-hours arrangements can differ over the holidays.
New Year’s Eve fireworks. If your dog struggles with bangs, a quiet spot away from the towns is your best bet, though it’s worth asking your host about local displays before you book.
Short days. It’ll be dark by around 4.30pm in late December, so plan the big walks for the morning. Keep your dog on a lead around livestock, including the ponies and sheep on the moors, and stay well back from cliff edges and stormy seas.
For everything else, our ultimate packing list for a dog-friendly holiday has you covered. In winter, we’d add an extra towel or two.
Our pick for Christmas
If you can’t decide between the coast and the moors, we’d go for the moors. The coast is lovely all winter, but there’s something about a frosty walk across Dartmoor or Exmoor and a log fire at the end of it that feels exactly right for Christmas. Your dog will sleep well too, and you might even get to finish a film.
Ready to start planning? Browse our full collection of dog friendly places to stay in the South West.