At Staycation Holidays, we know that your furry friends are a part of the family, and how important it is for you to bring your most faithful friend with you on your holiday.

In East Devon, it really is a dog’s life, thanks to its canine-friendly beaches and prime dog walking countryside across two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But, did you know that there are lots of dog friendly attractions in East Devon too?

To whet your appetite, we’ve put together seven ideas for fabulous dog friendly days out in East Devon. All are just a short drive away from our pet friendly holiday cottages, so you can plan your getaway for the whole family, whether on two legs or four!

1. Walks to get tails wagging

Images from top left: Simon Stuart-Miller ©Haldon Forest Park, SW Coast Path at Hooken Undercliff, Otter Valley

East Devon is blessed with one of the mildest climates in the UK and truly showcases the best of the British coast and countryside. Many dog owners visit this glorious region just for the wonderful walks alone! There are wonderful places to explore - whether it's a stroll along the beach, or an adventurous hike across the moors or beautiful rolling countryside. The region has two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – East Devon and the Blackdown Hills. These picturesque landscapes encompass everything from river valleys to imposing cliffs, and offer a variety of walking opportunities, perfect for those with a four-legged friend. If you’re keen to seek out wildlife, the delightful Lower Otter Valley SSSI may be just the ticket, or enjoy some of the finest coastal walks in Britain on the famed South West Coast Path. With over 630 miles of coastline to see and explore, you’ll be spoilt for choice on where to walk first. Alternatively, head off for a ‘paw-some’ walk in the 3,500 acres of breathtaking woodland at Haldon Forest Park. With plenty of space to enjoy some off-lead exercise, your dog will be in stick heaven! Explore Exeter Quay too, hugely popular with dog walkers, and head towards the famous Double Locks pub or the Turf Lock, both fabulous dog friendly pubs.

2. Castles and Gardens to romp with glee

Images from top: Killerton in the autumn, Burrow Farm Gardens in spring

As a ‘wuff’ guide, most gardens and estates in the area are warm and friendly places that welcome families and their dogs on leads all year around. Dogs are not allowed in the houses however. Many gardens are perfect for a picnic and have a pooch-friendly café to treat your tired out ‘pack’ after a long hoof. Our favourites include Killerton, a famous woodland hillside garden full of splendid old and special trees, guaranteed to charm your whole pack. Or discover the countryside and informal garden areas of Castle Drogo, the last castle ever to be built in England. The majority of the grounds of Powderham Castle (all but the Deer Park and the Walled Garden), Burrow Farm Gardens near Axminster and Bicton Botanical Gardens are also dog friendly as well as offering plenty of inspiration for green-fingered visitors.

3. Fido’s family attractions

Images from top left: © Pecorama; © The Donkey Sanctuary; © Seaton Tramway

Devon's all about the great outdoors, so many of East Devon’s visitor attractions actively welcome dogs on leads, meaning plenty of fascinating days out that the whole family can experience. With plenty of choice within barking distance of our holiday cottages, favourites include The Donkey Sanctuary, Pecorama and Otterton Mill. You can even take your furry friend on a boat trip with Stuart Line Cruises along the Jurassic Coast in search of the area’s wildlife. Alternatively, snake up the Axe River valley aboard the Seaton Tramway. 

4. A pint with the pooch

Images from top: © Bumble & Bee, Exmouth; © The Old Inn, Kilmington; © Lacemakers Café, Honiton

Wonderful dog friendly rest stops abound the area where you and your canine chum can refresh and receive a warm welcome. Favourite café stops include Lacemakers Café in Honiton. Of course, you can’t take an East Devon holiday without sampling some ice cream and a cream tea the Devon way – cream first! Our pooch-friendly favourites include Bumble and Bee in Exmouth, the Salty Monk in Sidford and Otterton Mill in Budleigh Salterton. And no holiday in the countryside is complete without a drink in a traditional old inn. Some of the most popular pubs in East Devon offer a warm welcome to customers bringing their canine companions and many allow dogs in the bar area. Serving good food, wine, and a myriad of local ciders and beers, our recommendations include The Holt and The Railway in Honiton, The Otter Inn near Sidmouth and The Old Inn in Kilmington. You can check out the region’s pubs recommended by DoggiePubs here. We’ll drink to that…

5. Beaches for a dig and doggy paddle

Lower image: Overlooking Branscombe beach from the coast path

Let’s face it, we all love to visit the beach during our holiday, and we all know how much our hounds love a romp in the sand! East Devon is situated within easy reach of the breath-taking Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which spans 185 million years of geological history. It includes such impressive sights as the Hooken Cliffs landslip near Branscombe and offers an array of beaches to choose from – perfect for buckets and spades and fantastic crabbing! The nearby beaches of Seaton, Sidmouth Beach (East), Exmouth Beach and Shelley Beach (Exmouth) are dog friendly all year round and are perfect for a day of family fun. And all just a bone’s throw away from our East Devon Cottages.

6. Paws on Treasure

© Treasure Trails

Wherever you stay, make sure you explore the different towns across the region as well as the city of Exeter. A great way to enjoy this with your whole family and pet pooch is with one of the Treasure Trail self-guided themed walks. Solve fiendish clues on a Murder Mystery Trail in Honiton, Sidmouth, Lyme Regis or Budleigh Salterton and unravel ‘whodunnit?’ from a list of suspects. Or test your wits on a Treasure Hunt Trail in Exmouth or historic port of Topsham to work out the location of buried treasure. Alternatively, make like James Bond on a Spy Mission Trail in the historical market town of Axminster, Seaton or Exeter and work together to crack a code by entering numbers and letters into a grid. You can find more information on the Treasure Trails website here and experience the thrill of discovery, a sense of play and the fun of following ‘clues’ and looking for treasure, whatever your age, whatever the weather!

7. Geocache with your Geohound

A brilliant game of search and find that all dogs will enjoy, embark on a digital treasure hunt with your hound in tow! Seek out hidden containers or ‘caches’ containing little treasures – similar to the ones you find in Christmas crackers – using your smartphone. There are nearly a thousand geocaches in East Devon waiting to be sniffed out by you and your pooch – and all you need to do to get started is to create an account and download the app which will give you clues on where the nearest geocache is hidden. Once you find a cache and open it, the idea is to then replace the treasure with something of equal value. It’s a fantastic way to have some fun and see the beautiful Devonshire countryside!

Our dog friendly East Devon holiday cottages

Hunters Moon, Harvest Moon, Lower Curscombe Barn (sleeps 4, 8 and 12)

Staycation Holidays offer a great choice of dog friendly holiday cottages in East Devon. Offering a warm West Country welcome with open paws all year round, they are packed with pooch friendly features and space outside for your canine pals to let off steam. Enclosed gardens, nearby footpaths and open countryside equal an exciting dog friendly getaway! Alternatively, browse our full range of dog friendly holiday homes here.