PetsPyjamas’ Guide to Dog-Friendly Hampshire
Situated in the South East of England on the coast of the English Channel, the gorgeous county of Hampshire has it all: enchanting countryside with miles of open spaces, quaint villages with dog-friendly pubs and beaches, fabulous eateries, and wonderful English heritage sites to discover.
Bordered by Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Surrey, the county dates back to Roman Britain, with the town of Winchester previously known as Venta Belgarum. The region boasts two amazingly dog-friendly national parks; the South Downs and the New Forest, as well as three magnificent Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the Isle of Wight.
Hampshire is also home to a number of gorgeous beaches like Milford-on-sea and Browndown Point. Further afield, it’s just a short ferry ride from the beautiful Isle of Wight, which makes for a fantastic dog-friendly day out.
Discover the pretty villages of Beaulieu with its famous car museum, Burley and Brockenhurst, Chawton, East Meon and the shipbuilding village of Buckler’s Hard, as well as miles of hiking trails in the woodlands and heathlands of the New Forest.
We’ve rounded up the very best dog-friendly accommodation in Hampshire, ranging from grand country house hotels to charming inns and everything in between; where your dog will feel as welcome as you are.
We’ve also sniffed out some of the best dog-friendly pubs to stop for a well-earned lunch, dog-friendly beaches, wonderful walking routes and local dog-friendly attractions for you and your canine companion.
Bow-Wow Factor
Must be the New Forest – a perfect playground for your hound. A designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s home to more than 140 miles of tracks and footpaths for you and your dog to explore!
Sniff Out These Categories Below
🍽 Dog-Friendly Pubs and Eateries
🏖 Our Favourite Dog-Friendly Beaches
Dog-Friendly Places to Stay in Hampshire
There is a wonderful variety of dog-friendly places to stay in Hampshire. Whether you are looking for a luxury spa hotel, a New England-style house on the South Downs, a cosy countryside cottage or a charming pub in a picture-postcard village, you are sure to find the perfect stay for you and your hound.
Plus, many of our properties come with exclusive PetsPyjamas packages attached, helping you to get the most out of your dog-friendly getaway.
For a special occasion, you could stay in a dog-friendly treehouse suite at Chewton Glen, with its fabulous spa, croquet lawn and pool, you and your dog can walk through the woods to Naish Beach.
New Park Manor is right in the heart of the New Forest in the pretty village of Brockenhurst, making it a great choice for families with dogs; with endless dog walks right from the doorstep.
For family groups or a party of friends check out the gorgeous Hampton House – a luxurious six-bedroomed house set in the South Downs National Park, surrounded by beautiful countryside with a heated pool and sauna. If you’re looking to nestle yourself amongst the wildlife, stay in a luxury wood cabin – with your own porch and lovely grounds to explore.
Alternatively, stay at the super dog-friendly Woolpack Inn, set in the Candover Valley between North Wessex Downs and the South Downs – as well as dog walking it’s ideal for country pursuits including shooting, fishing and cycling.
Dog-friendly Hotels In Hampshire
Our PetsPyjamas hotels are all incredibly dog-welcoming; with each one given our paw of approval. Suitable for all breeds and budgets, here are a few of our favourite dog-friendly hotels in Hampshire.
The Jack Russell, Andover
Nestled on the Faccombe Estate in the middle of the glorious Hampshire countryside, this super dog-friendly, historic hotel has oodles of charm and a rustic feel that creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere for you and your hound.
New Park Manor, Brockenhurst
A fabulous family and dog-friendly hotel in the heart of the New Forest. Once a Royal Hunting Lodge, it has a relaxed atmosphere, fantastic spa facilities and gorgeous walks nearby.
Chewton Glen, Barton-on-Sea
Set in 130 acres of stunning grounds, stay in one of their dog-friendly treehouses located on the edge of the New Forest. This luxury spa hotel offers in-house dining with woods and a beach for your dog to play close by.
Dog-Friendly Cottages In Hampshire
Our PetsPyjamas cottages are super dog-friendly; with each one given our paw of approval. Suitable for all breeds and budgets, here are a few of our favourite pet-friendly cottages in Hampshire.
Hampton House, Soberton
A luxurious six-bedroomed house in a New England style on five acres of grounds. Set in the South Downs National Park, there are rolling hills, endless countryside trails and the nearby coastline to explore.
Watersedge, Hayling Island
Located in Hayling Island with uninterrupted views across the Solent, dog-friendly Watersedge House is a large three-story, five-bedroom house with direct access to the beach. The perfect spot for coastal canines!
Adhurst Yurts & Cabin, Petersfield
Nestled within a 450-acre Victorian estate, glamp in style with these dog-friendly yurts and cabins; equipped with their own campfires, wood-burners, and safari kitchen to offer a peaceful escape from urban life, from the heart of the South Downs.
Dog-Friendly Pubs & Eateries in Hampshire
After a busy day exploring the heathlands, glades and open moors in the New Forest, visiting picturesque villages and under-the-radar beaches, you’ll want to find somewhere to put your paws up and grab a bite to eat. Luckily, Hampshire is teeming with dog-friendly places to eat, whether it’s a beachside cafe, an award-winning restaurant or a fabulous countryside pub.
Hampshire’s beautiful villages are home to a fabulous array of gastropubs that offer exceptionally good food. We recommend the Bush Inn in Ovington – a riverside pub, close to the Pilgrim’s Way, a prehistoric route on the North Downs. The food is a favourite with hikers and their furry friends. Or, try the Woolpack Inn in Totford, which has a lovely garden situated next to the Grange Estate.
Also, check out the Master Builder’s Hotel located in the New Forest overlooking the Beaulieu river where you can dine with your dog and which also has foodie options. If you fancy a beachside restaurant, there’s no better than the dog-friendly Hut, a super stylish waterside restaurant in Colwell Bay serving fabulous fish and seafood including oysters and giant gambas.
We’ve put together a collection of our favourite dog-friendly Hampshire eateries where you can enjoy fabulous food sourced from local ingredients while your dog will be spoiled with treats, biscuits, doggie beer or maybe their own gourmet meal. Take a sniff around!
Our Favourite Walks in Hampshire
Hampshire has all kinds of wonderful walks your dog will love – from woodland, forest and waterside trails to secret coastal walks. The New Forest has over 140 miles of safe off-road tracks and 40 miles of coast for you and your curious canine to explore.
They can burn off lots of surplus energy and there’s a walk to suit every dog whether it’s a shorter circular trek to something a bit more challenging for energetic dogs and owners. There are also lovely walks around Hayling Island and the Isle of Wight, too.
For a longer walk, try the Bucklands Ring Trail which takes you through dog-friendly Roydon Woods Nature Reserve where dogs are allowed on a lead, across Setley Plain to Buckland Rings which used to be a site of a former Iron Age hill fort!
Or for a shorter walk, you could take the Whitefield Moor route, which is one and a half miles long with the Ober Water, a stream which runs through the forest with amazing scenery and lots of wildlife to spot.
For a whole day’s walking, you could take your dog on the Lyndhurst Parish Walk. This is an 8.5-mile circular route which takes you around the New Forest and past where you can stop at some super dog-friendly pubs which include The Waterloo Arms and The New Forest Inn. Embark on one of our dog-friendly collections of walks in the magical New Forest and beyond.
PetsPyjamas Top Picks
Farley Mount Country Park
A 200-acre nature reserve is a large area of downland and woodland for you to explore with your best furry friend. There are numerous walking trails and ancient woods with gorgeous views.
Beaulieu to Buckler’s hard
A lovely New Forest riverside walk – start at the charming village of Beaulieu and follow the Solent Way – a coastal path to Buckler’s Hard passing through the North Solent Nature Reserve. Stop for lunch at the dog-friendly Master Builders.
Studland Beach
Starts at Whitefield Moor Car Park this walk is one and a half miles long and takes you around the Ober Water, and includes woodland, heathland and grassland with amazing scenery along the way,
Dog-Friendly Beaches in Hampshire
Whilst the New Forest is famous for its wonderful countryside, magical forests, woodland and heathland, did you know the New Forest is also home to some magnificent beaches? So swap muddy paws for sandy paws and investigate some of its wonderful beaches, just a short drive from the border of the Park, with your best furry friend by your side.
Discover some off-the-beaten-track beaches where your dog can enjoy off-lead frolics in the sand, swimming in the sea as well as coastal walks too. And whilst some of the beaches have some restrictions in the summer, others are dog-friendly all year-round.
Explore the beaches of lovely Calshot beach, which has a long sandy and shingle beach, where your dog can run along and play. Barton-on-sea has a sandy beach and is dog-friendly year-round, as is Milford-on-sea which is a pebble beach with a gorgeous walk to Hurst castle and lots of dog-friendly cafes.
You could also take a dog-friendly ferry from Mudeford Quay to Mudeford sandbank, which welcomes dogs off lead all year round. Or, for a nice day out, take a ferry to the Isle of Wight and check out the lovely, unspoilt dog-friendly beaches at Chilton Chine and Brook Chine.
PetsPyjamas Top Picks
Calshot beach
A lovely sandy and shingle beach which is dog-friendly year-round. With wonderful views of the Isle of Wight and Calshot Castle and offers a range of water sports including windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Barton-on-Sea
Is a shingle and rock beach which is backed by cliffs and allows dogs year-round. There are beautiful coastal views, water meadows, clifftop walks and a delightfully dog-friendly Beachcomber cafe with stunning views of the Solent.
Milford-on-Sea
Is a stony beach with wonderful views of the Isle of Wight. There are lovely colourful huts, a charming beachside cafe and a great walk along the Hurst spit to dog-friendly Hurst Castle.
Dog-Friendly Days Out in Hampshire
We know that Hampshire is a dog walker’s delight with a myriad of woodlands and forest walks, pretty beaches backed with pastel-coloured huts and coastal paths to traverse, but Hampshire has much more to offer you and your canine companion besides walking.
No need to leave your hound at home – they can enjoy a fun-filled day out in Hampshire with you and the family where they will be as welcome as you are. You’ll be amazed at just how many top attractions in Hampshire have thrown open their doors to our four-legged friends, from museums, castles, farms, gardens as well as dog-friendly ferries for days out in the Isle of Wight.
Some of the top attractions include Hurst Castle – a Tudor fortress, where you can walk the one and a half miles from the car park at dog-friendly Milford-on-Sea, Butser Ancient Farm, which is in a lovely corner of the South Downs where you can visit stone age houses; dogs are welcome to take part in a family canoeing session at the Beaulieu River Nature Reserve or visit the grounds and gardens of Beaulieu National Motor Museum or enjoy a ferry trip to explore the lovely Bembridge beach on the Isle of Wight.
PetsPyjamas Top Picks
The Watercress Line Railway
Your dog will love travelling on the dog-friendly Watercress steam train with fabulous views of the South Downs National Park. There are four heritage stations and beautiful towns to explore – it makes a great dog-friendly day out!
Hurst Castle
A National Trust-run 1000-year-old ruined castle about a 10-minute drive from Lulworth Cove. Your dog will enjoy the wonderful woodland walks including the Purbeck ridgeway walk towards Old Harry Rocks.
Beaulieu River Nature Reserve
If you fancy a change from dog walking why not invite your best furry friend to join you here for a family canoeing session with a 90-minute guided tour of the Beaulieu River.
