Dog-Friendly Holidays Isle of Wight

Westgate Cottage is a charming 17th-century stone built holiday cottage located in the picturesque village of St Lawrence, at the southernmost tip of the island. This delightful detached home, awarded four stars by Visit Britain, nestles in a peaceful location within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, making it ideal for those wishing to explore the countryside and many coastal walks. The garden is fully enclosed and houses a table and chairs, recliners, BBQ and table tennis table. There is also the option to rent a hot tub via a local supplier at a favourable rate. Originally the local coach house with stables and accommodation for visitors, there are still remnants of a bygone age, with lashing points for the horses and cobbled pathways. The secure gated walled garden provides an ideal area for children and pets. The village has a local post office and store, and popular unspoilt Steephill Cove, cricket club and splendid Botanical Gardens are all close by. The Victorian seaside resort of Ventnor has an esplanade where freshly caught fish, crab and lobster can be purchased. Other places of interest include Isle of Wight Glass, St. Boniface Down, or further afield The Needles, Carisbrook Castle and Osborne House. For the outdoor enthusiast, golf, scenic walks within miles of stunning coastline, riding, cycling, hang-gliding and sailing can all be found nearby. Shop 0.5 miles, pub and restaurant 1.5 miles.

This lovely, bright and airy, semi-detached holiday cottage, with lovely sea views from many of the rooms, nestles just moments away from the coastal path and is set adjacent to the owner’s home, in the peace and tranquillity of this southern part of the island, with its own micro-climate of good weather. Guests have further access to tiered terraces and sitting-out areas with far reaching sea views, by arrangement with the owner. Although a super bolthole away from any hustle and bustle, this property is a 5-minute drive from the cosmopolitan town of Ventnor, with its popular shingle and sandy beach, where freshly caught fish of the day can be purchased at the marina. Blackgang Chine is nearby, the oldest themed attraction in the UK, and also within easy reach are the Needles and Alum Bay. Other attractions include Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Isle of Wight Pearl, Dinosaur Isle, a donkey sanctuary and Calbourne Water Mill, which has a 17th-century working watermill. Osborne House and Gardens (Queen Victoria’s holiday residence), and Carisbrooke Castle are a short distance away. The sailing towns of Yarmouth and Cowes, and the popular resorts and Shanklin and Sandown are nearby. The island can be explored from the open-top buses that stop regularly at various collection points. Beach 300 yards. Shop 500 yards, pub and restaurant 2 miles.

Kingates Farm nestles between the beautiful villages of Whitwell and Niton, on the southern point of the Isle of Wight. This wonderful holiday cottage includes many facilities to enable you to explore, unwind and indulge yourself in stunning surroundings. Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the location offers guests amazing panoramic views of rolling hills, nearby white cliffs and the coastline. This self catering holiday property have been converted from original farm buildings and offer spacious accommodation, enclosed gardens and paddocks with direct access to foot and cycle paths.
The Stables is a perfect romantic break for two. This detached, single-storey property has vaulted ceilings, a well-equipped kitchen and a cosy wood burner. You can enjoy a peaceful nights’ sleep in the super kingsize bed, and the en-suite boasts a roll-top bath and large walk-in shower. Step out of the large patio doors to a private seating area with a barbecue and enclosed garden with far-reaching views to watch the abundant wildlife.
A welcome hamper will be waiting for you on arrival with fresh milk, butter, eggs, homemade bread and local produce (extra supplies and/or dietary alternatives available on request). All produce is locally sourced where possible and you are welcome to seasonal fruit or vegetables from the main garden.
Friendly, sociable adult dogs (over 12 months old) are welcome on holiday too but NOT left alone unless totally happy/settled in and agreed with owner in advance, while making use of the pool. They have their very own pet hamper with a microfibre mattress, towels, natural shampoo, toys, treats and pet ID tag.
There are further gardens, walking paddocks and a central outside hot and cold water hose for muddy dogs, boots or bikes. The owners, who live on-site along with their dogs and animals, are available should you need any help. You are welcome to join them for a walk or cycle to the nearby St Catherine’s Oratory or ‘Pepperpot’, as its known locally, with many options to venture further afield should you wish.
Outdoor pursuits on the island are well catered for and include horse riding, fishing, cycling, paragliding, water sports and golf. There are numerous attractions to discover for all ages. Pay a visit to Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday residence, Osborne House and its gardens, Blackgang Chine, the oldest themed attraction in the UK, the famous Needles, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Tapnell Farm Park, Carisbrooke Castle or the sailing towns of Yarmouth and Cowes. There is plenty to discover and keep you entertained. There are local takeaway options if you fancy dining alfresco and making the most of the wide valley sunset glow. Beach 4 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.
The Stables can be booked together with Farm Cottage (ref UK11246) to accommodate up to 6 guests.

"Hadfield Cottage lies within the grounds of Winterborne House built in 1839 and is noted as a former residence of Charles Dickens, who rented the property in the summer of 1849. Adjacent to the owner’s home, where Charles Dickens wrote five chapters of his novel, ‘David Copperfield’. Dickens, considered to be one of the greatest English novelists of the Victorian period, enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime and continues to remain popular, having been responsible for some of English literature’s most iconic novels and characters. 2024 is the 75th anniversary of his residence in Bonchurch.
Hadfield Cottage can comfortably accommodate up to six people, is dog-friendly and is ideal for extended families. The property’s unusual layout works fantastically with two of the property’s bedrooms and a shower room located on the ground floor. The cottage comes with off-road parking for two vehicles and has a courtyard garden to the front with a small patio area. The beautiful village of Bonchurch lies close to the seafront to the east of Ventnor. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Isle of Wight, right in the heart of the famous Undercliff, much of which is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Bonchurch is renowned for its literary connections; writers and poets such as the aforementioned Dickens, as well as Stackpole and Swinburne, who all resided here for a time during the village’s Victorian heyday in the 1840s. The cottage’s location is only a short walk to Bonchurch and Ventnor’s beaches and its fishermen’s cottages.
The cottage is a short walk to the coastal path, and beach and a scenic one-mile walk to the town of Ventnor with its pubs, restaurants and shops. Ventnor, a traditional Victorian seaside town, is only short a distance away with a great variety of local shops, restaurants and public houses serving locally caught fresh fish and locally brewed ales. Sheltered from the north by St Boniface Downs (owned by the National Trust), Ventnor benefits from its micro-climate, providing an ideal haven for a variety of flora and fauna.
Outdoor pursuits on the island include horse riding, fishing, cycling, paragliding, water sports and golf. There are numerous attractions for all ages across the island including The Needles, with its chairlift, amusement park, boat rides, lighthouse and coloured sands of Alum Bay. You can also visit Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday residence, Osborne House, and its gardens, as well as Blackgang Chine (the oldest themed attraction in the UK), Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Tapnell Farm Park, Carisbrooke Castle or the sailing towns of Yarmouth and Cowes. Beach 1 mile. Shop, pub and restaurant 1 mile."

Woodpecker’s Rest is a spacious, detached bungalow which is able to comfortably accommodate up to six guests. It is situated within the charming rural village of Whitwell, towards the southern side of the Isle of Wight, approximately 3 miles north west of the seaside town of Ventnor. The area is a firm favourite with cyclists, walkers and ramblers due to its close proximity to the southern most tip of the island, with an ever-changing coastal landscape boasting breathtaking panoramic views and a wealth of wildlife.
The open plan living and dining space means you can cook up those home-cooked recipes and then gather the family for an evening in front of the 50" Smart TV. There is plenty of seating with a table and six chairs, a four-seater sofa and a two-seater sofa. The master bedroom has a kingsize bed, the second bedroom has a standard double bed and the third bedroom is perfect for children, with a set of bunk beds.
Within the village you will find the oldest pub on the island, dating back from the 15th century. If you enjoy a bit of fishing then you should most certainly take advantage of the local fishing lakes; three lakes covering 1½ acres where the waters are well stocked with carp, roach and tench.
The popular seaside resort of Ventnor is just a short drive away offering a number of lovely seaside tea shops, pubs and restaurants dotted along the Esplanade. There are also some quirky and bespoke shops, a park and a children’s paddling pool. The town, which for the most part is built on the steep hill leading to the beach, retains its original seaside charm and makes a great day out for all the family.
Further afield local points of interest include St Catherine’s Lighthouse, where you can explore the area where Marconi made some of his early experiments in radio, St Catherines Oratory, a medieval lighthouse on top of St Catherine’s Down, and Castle Cove (also known as Castlehaven or Reeth Bay), where there is a little open-air beach café (seasonal opening).
The pretty neighbouring villages of Niton and Godshill are only a short drive away. At Niton there is a range of amenities, including good places to eat and drink. In Godshill, the winding main street is lined with a number of pretty thatched cottages, fantastic village pubs and tea rooms serving the best local ales and delicious cream scones and jam.
Outdoor pursuits on the island are well catered for and include horse riding, fishing, cycling, paragliding, water sports and golf. There are numerous attractions to discover for all ages. Pay a visit to Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday residence, Osborne House and Gardens, Blackgang Chine, the oldest themed attraction in the UK, the famous Needles, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Tapnell Farm Park, Carisbrooke Castle or the sailing towns of Yarmouth and Cowes. There is plenty to discover and keep you entertained.

Located less than 10 minutes away from the picturesque coastline, this delightful, detached barn is great for couples - whether it be for a full week’s holiday or a short break. Badgers Sett Brook is also dog friendly, making it the perfect base to explore all that the south-western side of the Isle of Wight has to offer with your four-legged friend.
Brook Bay can be found moments away on the unspoiled south west coast of the island. The beach is made up of golden sands, and is great for many activities, from cricket on the beach, to kite and wind-surfing for the more adventurous. One of the beach’s more unique features is the fossilised forest of huge trees which appears from beneath the waves at Hanover Point at low tide, it’s definitely worthwhile booking a tour on the beach to see the dinosaur footprints in the sandstone ledge.
The island has become a real hot spot for cycling enthusiasts with a choice of challenging off road bridleways, peaceful byways and level purpose-made tracks running along its former railway lines. Cycle to the famous Needles landmark or take on the full round the island route, which is 66 miles long and is used for the annual Isle of Wight Randonnee. You can also travel along the route at a more leisurely pace and along the way you will find numerous restaurants, pubs and cafés amongst the quaint villages and towns serving tasty local produce. Beach ½ mile. Shop and restaurant 2½ miles, pub ¾ mile.

Offering extensive views across the countryside over the downs to Newport, the island’s capital, this attractive holiday barn has been thoughtfully converted. There is access to Newport and Arreton via bridle paths and the rest of the Isle of Wight should you wish to walk or cycle it, while buses into Newport and Ryde (the two main bus stations) are about 5 minutes away to take you anywhere you want to go on the Island. Discover many attractions nearby including Arreton Barns, The Garlic Farm and Robin Hill Adventure Park. Also within easy driving distance are Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, museums, vineyards and wildlife centres. Centrally located on the Isle of Wight, Fair Isle House is a great base to explore the famous Needles, Alum Bay and Black Gang Chine, which are all within a short drive away. Nearby are the attractions of Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens and Arreton Barns, the Isle of Wight’s hub for artisans and craftspeople, as well as Brading Down, a local nature reserve with outstanding natural beauty. Buses into Newport and Ryde (the two main bus stations) are about 5 minutes away to take you anywhere you want to go on the Island. Fishing nearby. Beach 7 miles. Shop and restaurant 1 mile. Pub within 1 mile.

This beautifully appointed, two-bedroom holiday cottage, which is part of a former lifeboat station and Grade II listed, is located right on the waterfront looking out across to West Cowes and the Solent. It combines the heritage of the coastguard’s boat house (where the life boats were stored) with modern architectural design, offering a bright and airy space, with exposed beams and high vaulted ceilings.
The property is 20 yards from a public slipway, so if guests had a small boat, this could be stored at the property and launched via the slipway straight out into the Medina Estuary and then onto the Solent.
The Boathouse accommodation is on the ground floor and there are lovely walks along the esplanade just outside the property. There is a large, beamed open-plan living space with two sets of patio doors leading out onto the enclosed lawned garden with waterside views. The first cosy bedroom has a kingsize bed an en-suite bathroom, whilst the second bedroom has twin beds.
There is a park nearby with a children’s play area and The Needles, its with chair lift, amusement park, boat rides, lighthouse and coloured sands of Alum Bay, is also within easy reach. Blackgang Chine, the oldest themed attraction in the UK, is nearby, and other attractions include Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Isle of Wight Pearl, Dinosaur Isle, a donkey sanctuary and Calbourne Water Mill, which has a 17th-century working watermill. Osborne House and Gardens (Queen Victoria’s holiday residence), Carisbrooke Castle and the sailing town of Yarmouth are worthy of a visit.
Cowes in the north west of the island is renowned for its sailing. Also within easy reach are vineyards and quaint villages, some with thatched roofs, such as Godshill, Old Shanklin and Brighstone. Outdoor pursuits include scenic walking, horse riding, fishing, cycling, water sports and golf. The island can be explored from the open-top buses that stop regularly at various collection points.

This attractive, end of row holiday home offers stylish accommodation, peacefully located within a residential development close to the scenic marina where ever-changing nautical scenery can be enjoyed. It is only a 2-minute drive to East Cowes with the chain ferry to lively West Cowes, which has sailing events, pubs, boutiques and restaurants. Most popular seaside resorts can be reached within 25 minutes’ drive, including Ryde, Sandown and Shanklin. Shop ¼ mile, supermarket in East Cowes, pub and restaurant 500 yards.

This quaint holiday home, as its name suggests, was the former blacksmiths shop which resides beside the village green. The green is a lovely place to sit, relax, take a breath and admire the beautiful surroundings of the unspoilt village of Shorwell (pronounced ’shorrel’ by many resident islanders), which was named after the local spring - The Shor Well. This was one of Queen Victoria’s favourite places to visit when she was on the island holidaying at her residence Osborne House. The village is centred around its historic church, St Peters, which dates back to the 12th century.

The surrounding parish is also home to a trio of impressive manor houses - Northcourt, Westcourt and Wolverton Manor. Today, the village stands in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is at the centre of a network of footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes to explore and enjoy. The routes are scattered with lovely thatched cottages, and the village also has an 18th-century country pub and a small local shop and post office.

There are plenty of activities to keep you busy on the island, including walking, cycling and swimming at any of the glorious beaches are plentiful. You can even try your hand at paragliding if you are feeling adventurous! There are numerous attractions to discover for all ages, including The Needles with its amusement park, boat rides, lighthouse and famous chairlift down to the coloured sands of Alum Bay. Blackgang Chine, the oldest themed attraction in the UK, Ventnor Botanical Gardens, Tapnell Farm Park and Carisbrooke Castle are all worth a visit. Alternatively, why not visit Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday residence, Osborne House and its gardens, or the sailing towns of Yarmouth and Cowes? Shop and pub ¼ mile.