Top Rainy Day Activities for your Dog-Friendly Holidays

Let’s be honest, the UK isn’t known for its sunshine. But that doesn’t mean amazing dog-friendly holidays can’t be had within the UK. If you have a four-legged friend who doesn’t like the rain or getting their paws wet, you have come to the right place. Within this article, we share our top rainy day dog-friendly activities with you that will set tails wagging.

Explore a Dog-Friendly Castle

Furry friends can feel like the kings and queens they are during a visit to a dog-friendly castle. Plenty of castles of all shapes and sizes await exploration around the UK. However, they are not all fully dog welcoming.

On a rainy day, you’ll be hoping to bring your canine companion inside with you to explore the castle. So, we have sniffed out the best dog-friendly castles with no restrictions (apart from keeping your pup on a lead in certain areas.)

• Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire: Super dog-friendly where your four-legged friend is welcome throughout the castle. There is also a ‘Dogs-Off-Leads Area’ too! Learn all about Eastnor from experienced guides, and explore the beautiful grounds that surround the castle.
• Ludlow Castle, Shropshire: A historic relic and a centre for Ludlow’s major festivals and live music. Visitors can bring dogs on leads throughout the area and enjoy the dog-friendly tearoom on-site too.
• Powderham Castle, Devon: A stunning family home with centuries of history to explore with your furry friends. Take a guided tour around the interior with your canine companion by your side. If you have children with you, stop by the Secret Garden Play Area and Pets Corner where you can spot animals like a donkey, pigs, goats, and sheep.
• Skipton Castle, North Yorkshire: 900 year old Skipton Castle is still standing strong following a 3 year siege during the Civil War. Not to worry though, the castle is very peaceful now and is perfect for wanderings with your dog around the grand banquet hall, kitchen, bed chamber and privy!
• Pembroke Castle, Wales: A magnificent castle that stands tall against a stunning backdrop. The castle’s history is celebrated with exciting exhibits and fascinating tours. During the guided tours, you will visit circular rooms and a nearly 80-foot keep! Make sure to keep an eye out on their events which include family-fun days and performances.

Discover Dog-Friendly Museums

Are you someone who loves to explore a museum during your dog-friendly holiday? Well, these museums welcome furry friends in so you don’t have to leave them outside. Some of our favourite dog-friendly museums for a rainy day include:

Cotswold Motoring Museum, Bourton-on-the-Water

Learn all about 20th century motoring with your dog by your side. Within this delightful museum, you’ll discover rare vehicles and classic memorabilia that car enthusiasts will love. Plays and exhibitions also take place here, so you may want to time your visit right! Following a stroll around the museum, make sure to wander around Bourton-on-the-Water which is incredibly picturesque and dog-friendly.

Where to Stay: Spinners Cottage, Gloucestershire

Tudor World, Stratford-upon-Avon

Ready to embark on a witch trial with your furry canine? Dogs are welcomed into this history museum where the 16th century is brought to life! Force someone into the stocks, take part in the witch trials, and write in the school room. Both you and your dog will feel truly immersed into the Tudor World throughout this fun activity.

Where to Stay: The Arden Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon

Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey, Cambridge

A museum with fascinating interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that gives you a glimpse into 850 years of farm life. At the Farmland Museum and Denny Abbey, you can visit the gardens and buildings with your dog. This includes workshops, lodges, and 14th-17th century stone barns. With lots to see and do here including a gallery, village shop, workshops, and gardens, it’s the perfect day out for the whole family.

Re-Opening: 27th March 2025

Where to Stay: Haycock Manor Hotel, Wansford

Explore Underground Caves and Mines

Escape the rain and take cover in one of the UK’s underground caves. One of the best has to be the National Showcaves Centre. Located in Swansea, explore one of the UK’s finest natural wonders, a 10-mile underground cave!

Discover awe-inspiring passageways in Dan-Yr-Ogof, Mother Nature’s finest work in Cathedral Cave, and learn why 42 human skeletons were buried within the Bone Cave! Thrilling stuff. You should not miss this one during your dog-friendly holidays in Wales.

Another brilliant one to visit in Wales is the Great Ormes Mines, Llandudno– the largest prehistoric mine in the world. Get ready to tunnel into the history of the 4,000 year-old Great Orme Copper Mines with your adventurous canine! This one is definitely an adventure neither of you will be forgetting anytime soon.

Where to Stay: Ty Arth, Conwy

All Aboard on a Dog-Friendly Steam Train

If you don’t fancy a walk in the rain, a steam train is an excellent way to experience spectacular views without hurting your feet (and paws!) One of our favourites is the Dean Forest Railway, Gloucestershire. A 90 minute train ride where dogs are welcome to join you for just £2! Journey through Lydney Junction and north to Parkend before returning to Norchard Station. The train will stop for 20 minutes at both ends, so this is the pawfect time for a photo opp!

If you fancy, you can order an Afternoon Tea, cream tea, or a hot drink to take with you on your travels.

Dog-Friendly Pub Hopping

Many pubs are dog-friendly in the UK and will be absolutely delighted to welcome you both in for delicious food and tasty drinks. They can also be a great choice for a dog-friendly accommodation as they are close to countryside walks and friendly villages and towns. Plus, you won’t have to venture far to find a dog-friendly place to eat and drink!

At PetsPyjamas, we have a variety of dog-friendly pubs with rooms in top locations throughout the UK. Whether it be the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales, expect open fires and cosy armchairs to sink into. Some of our pubs, like The Lamb Inn in Oxfordshire, will have books and papers to read. They will also have board games to play together- ideal for those rainy days during your pet-friendly holiday!

Savour a Dog-Friendly Afternoon Tea

If a dog-friendly pub isn’t really your thing, perhaps you would rather savour a tasty afternoon tea during your dog-friendly holidays! A large variety of our luxury dog-friendly hotels offer delicious afternoon teas for you both to enjoy. Your furry friend can even indulge in a doggy afternoon tea chosen from their own menu! Check out our recent dog-friendly afternoon teas article to see our top recommended spots.

Visit Dog-Friendly Activity Centres

A fun activity for when it’s raining is to head to a dog-friendly activity centre. It’s not just the kiddies that can enjoy soft play! That’s right, some Activity Centres even have a ball pit for dogs. The Big Barn in East Sussex offers both indoor and outdoor play for dogs.

A great way for your four-legged friend to get their daily exercise on a rainy day, your active canine will love running around all the obstacles. Similar places like this are coming about for dogs. So always keep an eye out during your dog-friendly holidays when it’s raining!

Where to Stay: Port Hotel, Eastbourne

Dog-Friendly Holidays with PetsPyjamas

The UK may be rainy at times, but luckily there is plenty to do with your four-legged friend when it’s raining. If you’re looking for pet-friendly hotels or dog-friendly cottages for your getaway, then you’re in the right place. At PetsPyjamas, we have a large variety of dog-friendly properties.

Some of which include exclusive offers you won’t find anywhere else! This includes afternoon teas, complimentary drinks on arrival, dog beds, treats and other delights. We know it’s the little extras that can make your dog-friendly UK holiday super special.