5 great weekend breaks to spend with your dog by campervan

Dreaming of hitting the road with nothing but your dog and a van? If you can’t actually give up the day job for a life on the road, you could just hire a van for a long weekend instead. We like Goboony who are dog-friendly and have loads of advice and recommendations for you and your dog to get the best out of your weekend away.

So now all you need to do is decide where to go. Here are our top 5 dog-friendly destinations from around the country.

Keswick, Cumbria

No list of picturesque places to while away a weekend would ever be complete without a trip to the Lake District. Keswick is a multi-time winner of the Kennel Club’s title of ‘Most Dog Friendly Town’, so it seemed like the obvious pick for our list. There are loads of pubs, shops and campsites that welcome dogs as much as people, making it a great location to set up camp for all kinds of adventures – hiking up and around Skiddaw or Grisedale Pike, boating on Derwentwater, or simply exploring the miles of woods, hills, valleys and (of course) lakes that surround this charming market town.

Hope Valley, Derbyshire

From the Lake District to the Peak District. Hope Valley is home to some of the widest, most open spaces the region has to offer for you and your dog to ramble through, with terrain ranging from moorlands to woodlands to riverside paths – and some well-known walks like Winnats Pass, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge. There are plenty of dog-friendly attractions like Peveril Castle, one of the UK’s oldest existing Norman buildings. And after all that, stick your feet up and relax in one of the many dog-friendly pubs and campsites in the area.

St Agnes, Cornwall

The north coast of Cornwall is known for its dramatic views – high cliffs, sandy beaches, jagged rocks – all of which can be seen on the long coastal walks you can take with your dog. Like the scenic trek around St Agnes Beacon, which offers everything great about Cornish countryside – cliffs, hills, woodland, and the county’s rich mining history – in one walk. Or if spending a day on the beach is more your thing, Trevaunance Cove (aka St Agnes beach) and Chapel Porth beach are both dog-friendly all year round. So whenever you park up, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Folkestone, Kent

This Kent coastal town is also home to some fantastic beaches where dogs can run free, in some cases all year round. The Warren beach offers plenty of space for off-lead fun, while Nearby Abbots Cliff is a bit trickier to get to but another a lovely spot for dogs to walk and play. Radnor Park and The Leas Coastal Park both allow dogs to play off the lead too (although not in all areas of the park). And, essential for every weekend getaway,  there are plenty of dog-friendly pubs and cafes to refuel in.

Durness, Scottish Highlands

So, we may be stretching the “short break” for a lot of people, because unless you’re already in the north of Scotland it’s going to take you a while to get here! But it’s totally worth it – Durness is home to some striking scenery, and plenty of places to spend time with your dog. The northerly beaches of Sango Bay and Balnekeil are both dog-friendly, so you can walk, run and play together, or just enjoy the view while your dog does the running and playing. Take long walks in the hills of Foinaven and Arkle, or gentler strolls along the coastal paths. Go in July and you can enjoy the annual Highland Gathering – just don’t let your dog think tossing the caber is a game of fetch.

All 5 destinations have great campsite facilities, making them ideal destinations for motorhomes. So what are you waiting for? Head over to Goboony and hire your campervan, then hit the open road for a weekend you and your dog will truly cherish.