We recently had a wonderful trip to the Isle of Wight and I couldn’t believe how dog friendly the island was. We worked with PetsPyjamas during our trip who are dog friendly travel experts with a website full of hotels and self catering properties that welcome dogs making it so easy to book a getaway.
I only took Wyn as it was easier with just one dog as a solo traveller in a hotel room. When we arrived on the island we stayed at the dog friendly Luccombe Manor Country House Hotel located in Shanklin and over looking Sandown Bay. The staff at the hotel were so welcoming and friendly and as soon as we arrived they remembered Wyn’s name and greeted her every time we returned or popped out to let her go to the toilet.
The hotel provided Wyn with some goodies in our room overlooking the sea. Toys & poo bags for us to takeaway as well as bowls and a dog bed provided in the room which saves the packing when travelling with a dog! Not only that but when booking through PetsPyjamas you receive a welcome box with dog treats, gifts, food and a voucher to put towards a future holiday.
A feature I was so impressed with was that the hotel had a special food prep room downstairs for their guests staying with dogs. This had bowls, a fridge/freezer and weighing scales for you to use welcoming raw feeders and making it super easy to keep everything fresh and clean at dog meal times.
After a day of travelling we were ready for our evening meal which was just next door at their sister hotel Luccombe Hall. Again Wyn was made very welcome, enjoying treats at reception before being shown to our table. Whilst I enjoyed my starter and main Wyn slept at my feet in the dining room with other guests happily enjoying their evening meal with their dogs nearby too.
Dogs also joined you at breakfast each morning. Whilst you choose your breakfast from the menu the dogs are offered a sausage which of course Wyn gratefully accepted!
We visited in November which meant that a lot of attractions on the island were closed because it was out of season. Although the silver lining was that the dog ban was also lifted so we could enjoy all of the beaches with no time or date restrictions during our beach walks. We were only there for three days so packed a lot of excitement in! You can find a diary of beaches and videos of spots we visited on our Instagram highlight, but here are some of our favourite spots:
Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary
I couldn’t believe that this was dog friendly, I was so excited to visit! Free to visitors this sanctuary invites you to walk around their fields and barns full of rescue donkeys. With dogs on the leads you stick to the paths so all animals are happy and at a safe distance. With free entry you can make a donation for the upkeep and care of the animals which the volunteers kindly look after all year round. Plus there’s a cafe and gift shop on site where I treated Wyn to her own toy donkey to take home!
Isle of Wight Pearl
Another experience I didn’t expect to be dog friendly – shopping for Pearl Jewellery. A family business creating beautiful pearl accessories where you can browse their showroom with your dogs by your side. Another lovely cafe on site and the staff kindly directed me to the footpath to walk down to the beach from their car park.
The Garlic Farm
A very specific farmshop filled with absolutely anything you can think of but garlic flavoured. Dogs were allowed in the farmshop and restaurant on site. There was also a circular route around the farm which you could do with dogs on lead, learning about how they grow the garlic plants as you walk.
On our second day we returned from our exploring to relax with an afternoon tea next door at Luccombe Hall. I had a traditional afternoon tea for myself and Wyn couldn’t believe her luck that she was booked in for the Doggy Afternoon Tea. She was delivered 3 tiers of dog safe food on a mat and she was in heaven – what an experience!
For a final stretch of our legs before dark we were shown a quick route down the hill from the hotel. 15 minutes and we had reached Sandown Bay where Wyn could run all her energy out on the sand! So convenient to walk to and from the hotel.
After walks there was an outdoor dog shower with warm water to hose down your dog’s legs. Then the entrance to the hotel had a section of towels so you could go up to your room with clean and dry dogs!
Of course we couldn’t get to the island without a ride on the dog friendly Red Funnel ferry which you can read more about our journey here.
Thank you to PetsPyjamas for inviting us along on this trip and to all the staff at Luccombe Manor for looking after us during our stay.
Book your stay at Luccombe Manor or another dog friendly holiday across the UK through PetsPyjamas here.
Thanks for reading,
Megan, Woody, Wilma & Wyn x
The Cotswold Spaniels 