Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance, has revealed the most beloved dog-friendly destinations across the UK — and the northern city of Carlisle takes the top spot on its list1.

There are 12 million pet dogs in the UK2 and businesses up and down the country are doing their bit to help pet owners enjoy more time out and about with their pets.

As part of its new Barks and Recreation campaign, Sainsbury’s Bank analysed1 the most dog-friendly restaurants, pubs, hotels, rooms for rent and walking routes in each city.

Top Dog-Friendly Destinations

Nearly a third of British households own a dog3 and many families want their four-legged family member to accompany them on days out and staycations. So how do UK cities measure up when it comes to accommodating our furry friends?

Carlisle, North West
Carlisle took the top position as the number one destination with the most dog-friendly locations in the research. The city had the most dog-friendly hotels overall, with the Halston Hotel ranked as the highest-rated pet-friendly hotel in this location.

There is an abundance of natural beauty in the local area of Carlisle for pooches to enjoy, with the Solway Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), North Pennines AONB, and Lake District National Park all just a stone’s throw away.

Durham, North East
Another northern location, the city of Durham in the North East, was chosen as the second most dog-friendly spot.

Durham has a lot to offer its canine visitors, with plenty of parks in the city centre and a short 30-minute drive to the coast. It’s also located close to the North Pennines AONB and has the most dog-friendly rooms for rent, according to Spare Room1.

Plymouth, South West
Turning attention down south, Plymouth came third place in the rankings, and its coastal location is sure to benefit dog owners. Dog-friendly beaches are in huge demand, with 12,000 searches1 for “dog-friendly beaches near me” every month.

Its beaches are perfect for dogs who love swimming and playing in the sand. Saltram, Bovisland and Jennycliff are just a few of the beaches in Plymouth that welcome dogs.

Portsmouth, South East
Another contender from the south coast, Portsmouth also secured a place in the top five. This city was found to have the most dog-friendly restaurants according to Tripadvisor1, making Portsmouth a perfect destination for foodie dog owners.

Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland’s capital city also ranked highly, with Edinburgh found to have the most dog-friendly pubs according to Tripadvisor1. Visitors’ favourites include The Balerno Inn, The Piper’s Rest and Roseleaf Bar Café.

Jason King, Chief Customer Officer at Sainsbury’s Bank, said: “Our customers tell us that their dogs are one of the family and so it’s great that our analysis shows that public spaces and hospitality owners are creating dog-friendly environments so that the whole family can get together for holidays and days out.”

For more information about the Barks and Recreation campaign and top tips for finding the best trips out with your dog, visit the Sainsbury’s Bank website here: https://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/pet-insurance/guides/uk-dog-friendly-cities-index

Sainsbury’s Bank Pet Insurance provided by Pinnacle Insurance plc offers a wide range of options so pet owners can select the right cover at a price they can afford, including lifetime insurance.4 It also provides multi-pet cover and cover in the case of pet theft.

Top 10 Dog-Friendly Destinations1
Carlisle
Durham
Plymouth
Portsmouth
Edinburgh
Birmingham
Gloucester
London
Aberdeen
Manchester