Dogs are just as much a part of the family as anyone (sometimes more so) and looking for dog friendly days out on the Isle of Wight are at the top of many lists when you’re visiting.
If you’re in the west Wight and looking for a bite to eat, head to Off The Rails. A hugely popular restaurant with dog owners. Pooches are welcome in the restaurant and they offer an extensive menu dedicated to doggy diets, including a range of dry meals, treats and even dog friendly ice cream to keep them cool during these (hopefully) warm Isle of Wight summer months.
If you’re visiting the south side of the Island, pop into Shanklin Chine, one of the Island’s greatest natural wonders. This tree-lined gorge welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads and has plenty of shady spots. Stroll along the esplanade and stop off at Toppings, where they serve a wide variety of ice cream flavours, shakes and more – plus ice cream for dogs, too.
Many of the Isle of Wight’s attractions are recognising the increase in people bringing their pets with them too. The Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary is not the first place you’d think to embrace this trend, but they allow well-behaved dogs on leads. They are very welcome and are allowed in each area of the site, including the barns, shop, and the café. The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is more than happy for you to bring your pooch. They can go everywhere you go and they’ll love the feeling of the wind blowing through their fur on the train journey (just keep inside the windows).
With over 57 miles of coastal walks and even more winding walkways through the countryside, there’s nothing quite like a pub lunch at the end to refuel and rest weary feet (and pads). The Bargeman’s Rest on Newport Quay is a few metres from the end of the Newport to Cowes cycle track walk. A traditional inn serving proper pub-grub where you can sit inside or outside (with umbrellas for shade), it’s perfect for the whole family. If you’re walking the undulating bridle and walkways around Hulverstone (not far from the iconic drive that is the Military Road) stop off at The Sun Inn. With exceptional countryside views it’s a welcome oasis in a sea of greenery. There are local ales to quench your thirst and dog bowls of cool fresh water for the dogs.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sand between your toes and the sea lapping around your ankles when on holiday and many pups love a dip beneath the waves too. A number of the Isle of Wight’s beaches are closed to dogs through to 30 September. However, if you have a salty sea dog; Brook Beach, Colwell Bay and Freshwater Bay allow four legs all year round (leave nothing behind but paw prints).
If you have left Fido at home this time round but after reading this thinking of bringing them on your next visit, there are a whole host of accommodation providers that welcome dogs, from holiday parks such as The Orchards Holiday Park, Parkdean (Thorness Bay, Landguard, Lower Hyde, Nodes Point) and Away Resorts (Whitecliff Bay, The Lakes Rookley, The Bay Colwell, St Helens) to self-catering countryside abodes including Nettlecombe Farm in Whitwell and Farringford Cottages in the West Wight.
REMEMBER: Keep dogs cool, hydrated and out of the sun during peak hours.
