Whitby's Gone to the Dogs In a Good Way!

Whitby has been named one of UK’s top locations for a dog friendly getaway, according to a new study.

The study compared data on walking routes, dog friendly pubs and hotels – and much more, to name the top spots .

Whitby scored 71 out of a possible 100 in the rankings, making it the UK's third best location for a dog friendly getaway. The study found Whitby boasts having 100 local walking routes, 29 dog-friendly pubs, and an average temperature of 19 degrees across June to August.

The rankings, which were compiled by luxury pet specialists, Lords and Labradors, compared key data points relating to holidaying with a dog in 45 UK locations.

The choice of locations was informed by a pet owner survey, in which they were asked where they thought was best for a ‘pawfect’ trip.

Points were then awarded based on the highest number of local walking routes, dog friendly pubs, hotels and other accommodation, vets in the area, pet shops, and of course the average weather.

The Yorkshire Coast town secured the number three spot in the rankings thanks to its 100 local walking routes (7.94 per 1,000 residents), 29 dog-friendly pubs within a 10-mile radius (2.3 per 1,000 residents) and 3 pet shops (0.24 per 1,000 residents).

Additionally, the seaside town boasts an average temperature across June to August of 19.3 degrees Celsius, with 15.5 dry days – perfect for dog walks along the beach.

Whitby also scored highly for dog-friendly aspects such as having 88 dog-friendly cottages and self-catering options in the local local area and 28 dog-friendly restaurants to choose from.    

Overall, the city of Bath secured the number one spot in the rankings thanks to its 53 dog-friendly pubs within a 10-mile radius (0.56 per 1,000 residents) and 20 dog-friendly B&Bs and hotels in the area.

Other locations that earned top five spots included Lincoln (71.5/100), Bakewell, Peak District (70.5/100), and Southwold, Suffolk (70/100)

Lords and Labradors also quizzed 2,000 UK dog owners about whether they’d book holiday abroad if it meant leaving their beloved pooch behind.

According to the findings, one in eight (13%) UK dog owners said they never holiday abroad without their dog as they‘d feel “too guilty” and opt instead for dog-friendly staycations here on UK soil.

When asked about how much extra they’d be willing to spend to take their dog away with them on a UK staycation, owners said they’d be willing to fork out an extra £50 per night on average. On this basis, with 11 million dogs living in the UK in 2023, if each pooch enjoyed a single night away each year, it would mean an additional £550million* for the UK travel industry.

Finally, Lords and Labradors asked dog owners to share their top considerations when booking a dog friendly staycation, with “plenty of places to walk” coming out on top (42%). Other staycation “musts” included having dog friendly pubs in the local area (36%), plenty of dog friendly accommodation to pick from (35%), and dog friendly restaurants and cafes (35%).  

UK Dog Owners Top Considerations When Booking a Dog Friendly Staycation

1. Places to go walking - 42%
2. Dog friendly pubs - 36%
3. Plenty of dog friendly accommodation -35%
4. Dog friendly restaurants/cafes - 26%
5. A dog friendly garden in your accommodation -15%
6. A vets close by - 13%
7. Dog friendly beaches nearby - 12%
8. Dog friendly shops (non-dog/pet shops) - 12%
9. Dog friendly transport – 10%
10. Relaxing Surroundings – 7%

Johanna Buitelaar Warden, Founder of Lords and Labradors, commented on the findings:

“It’s great to see so many dog owners enjoying all the UK has to offer, there really is an abundance of choice when it comes to getting out and about and exploring the beautiful country in which we live.
 
We hope our study has highlighted some of the beautiful destinations on home soil that are there to explore. And dog or no dog, we truly believe there is something for everyone just a stone's throw away from home.  
 
Whether you prefer a city break, a countryside jaunt with a good dog friendly pub at the end, or even a coastal break, wherever your travels take you to this summer, we hope you and your pet enjoy your adventures!”

Further information on the study can be found at: https://www.lordsandlabradors.co.uk/blogs/journal/the-uks-best-destinations-for-a-dog-friendly-staycation