Devon has long been known as a dog-friendly holiday destination thanks to its abundance of wonderful walks, wide-open spaces, and welcoming attractions where pooches can join in on the fun too.
In fact, unlike other counties, Devon is so fond of four-legged friends that there’s even a wide variety of hotels and attractions that specialise in pampering pets as much as their owners!
Delightfully Dog-friendly Devon Hotels
Many of our handpicked collection of unique hotels and restaurants pride themselves on being dog-friendly establishments and with locations in some of the most glorious countryside and coastal destinations, it’s easy to understand why!
Whether it’s complimentary treats at Boringdon Hall Hotel, afternoon tea with your dog at Bovey Castle or a ‘doggy essentials kit’ at The Fox & Hounds Country Hotel, our hotels have got you and your four-legged friend covered!
Read our list of ‘Super Dog Friendly Hotels in Devon’ here.
Dog-Friendly Food & Drink
Devon is home to an abundance of restaurants where you and your canine companion can grab a bite to eat together. All the following spots welcome both four-legged friends and their hungry owners – simply click their links to find out more!
Victoria’s Restaurant at The Royal Glen – This table d’hôtel menu will tempt you with a choice of both traditional and continental cuisine using the best of local produce.
The Hartnoll Hotel Restaurant - The Hartnoll Hotel has become one of Devon's premier gourmet restaurants.
Devon View Restaurant at Highbullen Hotel - The AA 2 Rosette Devon View Restaurant has stunning views across the rolling Devon hills to Exmoor. The team of Chefs have created menus using ingredients sourced from the extensive variety of local produce to create a wonderful fine dining experience.
The Bedford Hotel Restaurant - Every menu at The Bedford Hotel is based around the finest Devon ingredients, prepared with care and presented with flair.
Holiday Inn Express Exeter Restaurant – Whether you’re after a great breakfast, a tasty light bite or a late-night pizza, Holiday Inn Express Exeter has you covered.
Hotel Riviera Restaurant - Hotel Riviera has been awarded two AA Rosettes in recognition of its fine cuisine. Enjoy menus that combine international dishes with the best English cooking, featuring a selection of fresh local produce with an emphasis on seafood.
Mill End Restaurant - The Mill End team take seasonal and local ingredients and use them to create fine British dishes for your enjoyment.
The Great Western Restaurant at Bovey Castle - The 3 AA Rosette Great Western Restaurant is just a little bit special- it’s relaxed and comfortable, yet upscale and classy. It is known as ‘exclusive dining’, purely because it’s an experience you won’t find anywhere else.?
Brasserie 16 at The Devonport – Overlooking beautiful gardens and the Devon coastline, Brasserie16 is a well-established venue where good food and good service are the top priority.
Two Bridges Hotel Restaurant - The famous Two Bridges Hotel in the heart of Dartmoor National Park is renowned for delicious dining based around some of the finest local ingredients of the season.
The Manor House Restaurant at Northcote Manor - Dining at The Manor House Restaurant is a feast of seasonality set in a remarkable Manor House perched high above the Taw Valley.?
The Jetty Restaurant at Salcombe Harbour - Serving local and seasonal dishes, with fish landed daily and a local larder of delicious seasonal produce on its doorstep, The Jetty offers an exceptional Salcombe dining experience.
Ilsington Country House Hotel and Spa Dartmoor National - The proud holder of two AA rosettes, the Ilsington Restaurant offers the perfect balance between traditional classics and comforting Modern English cooking, served with sweeping views up towards Haytor.
The Kitchen, The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth - The Kitchen is tranquillity personified; freshly prepared dishes using local, ethically sourced produce are served as spectacular views over The Donkey Sanctuary and the rolling hills of Devon to the sea provide a serene backdrop.?
Dartmoor Lodge Hotel Restaurant - The spacious restaurant at Dartmoor Lodge offers an extensive lunch and dinner menu packed with a mouth-watering selection of modern, traditional, and international dishes, at great value prices.
Drakes Restaurant at The Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel - Drakes Restaurant and Bar offers a range of tempting Brasserie-style meals to savour, as well as an extensive wine list.
Four-Legged Fun in Devon
There’s no need to leave your pooch behind or cooped up in a hotel room (as pampered as they might be!) when visiting Devon.
Alongside the usual types of places to take your canine companion, you’ll find that some attractions in Devon are dog-friendly too, so they can accompany you on your regular day out.
Here are just a handful of local attractions that welcome dogs with open arms.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway
Dogs are welcome to take their humans for a ride on the Cliff Railway, a great way to explore the twin towns of Lynton and Lynmouth. Doggy friends must be on leads and always remain in the carriage.
Arlington Court, Barnstaple
Arlington Court is a National Trust estate, which makes it a great day out for dogs (and humans too!). There are woodland walks, Victorian gardens, and bridleways to explore, as well as National Trust marked-out walks with different lengths and difficulties. Furry friends do need to be on leads in certain parts of the Estate, so be sure to read up on the rules before you visit. ?
Powderham Castle, Exeter
Dogs are very welcome to visit Powderham Castle. Well-behaved dogs on leads will have access to all areas (except the Walled Garden Play Area & Pets Corner and the Deer Park) with their owners, including the inside of the Castle. Their admission charge is only £1 or, if you are a Season Ticket holder, you can bring your pet for free!
The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford
Well behaved, friendly dogs on leads are welcome at The Milky Way Adventure Park. With a great offering of activities including slides, rides, roller coasters, sports, live shows and crafting sessions, the Milky Way is the perfect place to tire out the kids and the dog!
Seaton Tramway, Seaton
Take your beloved pooch along for a ride on one of the trams through the beautiful Axe Valley. Dogs can ride on the lower decks of all the trams, when accompanied by a human companion. Seaton and Colyton Stations also have dog bowls to keep pooches refreshed after a day of riding the trams.
Dog Walking Spots in Devon
Hele Bay
Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round at Hele Bay – a small cove situated on the edge of Ilfracombe. The sand and shingle beach is easily accessible and boasts lots of rock pools for exploring and splashing in!
Dartmoor National Park
Home to many of our glorious hotels, Dartmoor National Park is the perfect location to let your dog stretch their legs and explore!
Much of Dartmoor is open access and you can walk your dog in most areas. The National Park authorities simply ask that you bear in mind that Dartmoor is a working landscape and dogs should be kept on a lead when around livestock and cleaned up after.
The Tarka Trail
The Tarka Trail covers a whopping 180 miles in a figure-of-eight route centred on the North Devon town of?Barnstaple. One of the best and most dog-friendly routes is the 32-mile-long path running from the North Devon coast down to Meeth in Mid Devon. The paved walking track is loved by locals and holidaymakers alike and is mostly flat – perfect for a leisurely stroll!
Haldon Forest Park
Just twenty minutes outside of Exeter city centre and near to multiple dog-friendly hotels such as Express Holiday Inn and Mercure Exeter Rougemont, Haldon Forest Park is a great spot for a variety of dog walks.
The map in the car park will help you decide which route to take, from easy shorter walks to long, harder ones if you like to be more adventurous. It's all signposted along the way so you can't get lost. There are various off-lead areas for dogs as well so they can enjoy a run around.
Plymbridge Woods
An easy fifteen-minute drive from doggy-favourite Boringdon Hall Hotel and Spa, this National Trust run site has some beautiful scenic walks for the whole family to enjoy.
Dogs don’t have to be kept on leads whilst exploring Plymbridge Woods but there are warnings about allowing your dogs to enter the river when the water level is high as the current can be strong.
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Feeling inspired to book your getaway? Find your dog-friendly stay in Devon here.