Paws & Stay claims to be the UK’s only dog-first travel website
A new website has launched that will give dog-owning holidaymakers-in-waiting paws for thought.
It’s called Paws & Stay and claims to be the UK’s only dog-first travel website. The website’s goal? To find ‘perfect places to stay for dogs and their humans’.
The site comes from the teams behind the much-lauded human-focused Sawday’s and Canopy & Stars portfolios.
While the former is a collection of self-catering accommodation, hotels, B&Bs and inns, and the latter a one-stop-shop for creative glamping stays, Paws & Stays is a curated collection of places to stay in the UK where dogs are loved, not simply tolerated.
The site told MailOnline Travel: ‘Anyone who’s travelled with a dog knows that “dog-friendly” can mean many things, from a frown and a set of rules longer than your arm, to a scratch behind the ears and welcome treats. That’s why the teams behind Sawday’s and Canopy & Stars have created Paws & Stay.
‘As always, we’re working only with independent owners and we’ll still be inspecting every place in the collection, only this time we’re on the lookout for baskets and biscuits, as well as character and personality.’
Scroll down to see a glimpse of some accommodation on this site where dogs are welcome and celebrated.
Peacocks Barn, Holne, Devon
You will feel instantly at home at Peacocks Barn, pictured, says Paws & Stay
How do you plan your day? You can explore miles of forests and moors. After washing your feet at an outdoor tap, you can relax on the couch and start the wood burner.
‘It might have been a tractor shed long ago, but now it’s a crafted conversion, wearing its style with a casual air that makes you feel instantly at home,’ says Paws & Stay of Peacocks Barn.
It continues: ‘There’s a dedicated field next door for dogs to play safely. Explore miles of woods and moors, wash off boots and paws at the outdoor tap, then slump into the sofa and light the wood burner, or run the outdoor bath and finish the night in a daze of pleasant exhaustion.’
From £178 per night, sleeps two humans and one dog – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/peacocks-barn.
Kalmynsi. Gweek. Cornwall
It’s not often dogs feel at home somewhere so stylishly designed, but this cool curved treehouse really takes the biscuit. That’s Paws & Stay’s verdict on Kalmynsi, above
Paws & Stay describes the interior of Kalmynsi as having a ‘simple elegance’
Paws & Stay says: ‘It’s not often dogs feel at home somewhere so stylishly designed, but this cool curved treehouse really takes the biscuit. There’s something instantly soothing about the graceful curve of the walls and the simple elegance of the interior.
‘Take off for lunch or dinner at the dog-friendly Black Swan, five minutes’ walk away, hikes and wild swimming along the Helford River, or walk over to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary which is in the same village and is famously dog-friendly.’
From £260 per night, sleeps two humans and two dogs – www.pawsansstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/kalmynsi.
Oriana Bromyard, Herefordshire
Oriana ‘is simply styled to let you connect with nature, but you’ll love the touches of luxury’
Oriana can be found four miles away from Bishop’s Frome’s Green Dragon pub.
A visit here ‘feels like stepping out of the world for a while’, says Paws & Stay.
It continues: ‘The 70 acres of woodland make for plenty of good walking and there are longer routes through the hills as well, including a beautiful four-mile hike to the dog-friendly Green Dragon [in Bishop’s Frome]. Oriana is simply styled to let you connect with nature, but you’ll love the touches of luxury like the big double-ended bath for humans and the cosy wood burner for dogs.’
From £170 per night, sleeps two humans and four dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/oriana.
Top Lodge Cottage, Longtown Cumbria
Stay here and you and your four-legged friend can spend days on long walks without seeing another soul, says Paws & Stay
Top Lodge Cottage has a roll-top bath (pictured) and an area for your dogs to run in.
‘This is a relaxing place, where you and your four-legged friend can spend days on long walks without seeing another soul, and humans will spend evenings deciding between the indoor roll top bath and the outdoor one,’ reveals Paws & Stay. ‘There’s a garden for the dog to roam, as well as many paths through the estate and Hadrian’s Wall nearby.’
From £105 per night, sleeps two humans and two dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/top-lodge-cottage.
Lakeside Retreat Cleobury Mortimer Shropshire
Ruff life: Paws & Stay says dogs love splashing in and out of the lake at the Lakeside Retreat
It is bright, spacious, and well-appointed so that you can enjoy the best of modern life with the nostalgic feel of summers past.
‘While there’s a throwback simplicity to spending time here – picnicking, hiking, rowing on the lake, dozing on the jetty – the cabin is bright, spacious and well-appointed, so you get the best of the modern world mixed with the nostalgia of summers past,’ says Paws & Stay.
“Dogs enjoy splashing in the lake, the nearby great walks like the climb to Clee Hill and the Mawley Circular, and there’s a lovely pub that’s dog-friendly close by.
From £120 per night, sleeps three humans and one dog – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/lakeside-retreat.
Ashurst (Sussex), Beneath the Branches
Beneath the Branches ‘has a fairytale feel’, says Paws & Stay – ‘and you’ll be smiling from the moment you arrive’
Dogs are spoilt with towels, dog bowls and treats on arrival – and will love a trip to the nearby dog-friendly Fountain Inn
‘The multi-level design, waterside location and surrounding trees hung with lanterns give this cabin a fairytale feel,’ says Paws & Stay, ‘and you’ll be smiling from the moment you arrive.
‘Dogs are spoilt with towels, dog bowls and treats on arrival, and will love a trip to the dog-friendly Fountain Inn a mile and a half away, but if they’ve been really good then head into Steyning and take them to Paws for Tea, a genuine dog café!’
From £200 per night, sleeps two humans and two dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/beneath-the-branches.
Locke’s Cottage Ceredigion in Wales
Locke’s Cottage is a combination of a cabin and a barn conversion, featuring an oak tree ‘growing’ in the middle.
‘You’ll be welcome at almost every café and pub you find as you head out from Locke’s Cottage,’ enthuses Paws & Stay
‘It sometimes feels like everyone has a dog in this part of Wales, so you’ll be welcome at almost every café and pub you find as you head out from Locke’s Cottage,’ enthuses Paws & Stay.
The terrain is very hilly but there are beautiful views within walking distance of the house. Inside, the cottage is a mix of barn conversion and cabin, with an oak tree “growing” through the centre.’
From £103 per night, sleeps five humans and two dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/locke’s-cottage.
Hare Field Cabin Sudbury Suffolk
Hare Field Cabin provides a wonderful little getaway from the bustle of city life, and offers all of the tranquility of gentle Suffolk country.
Dogs and people can enjoy the surrounding footpaths and fields.
Paws & Stay is very taken with this gem. It says: ‘Hare Field Cabin is a fantastic little break from the sound of the city, bringing you all the peace and freedom of the gentle Suffolk countryside. Dogs and people can enjoy free roaming in the surrounding fields and on footpaths.
‘There’s canoeing and kayaking on the River Stour if you and your dog are water lovers and charming medieval villages to explore, plus the simple joy of getting some local food, firing up the BBQ and watching the sun set over the fields.’
From £159 per night, sleeps two humans and one dog – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/harefieldcabin.
Brownber House, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
Brownber House was lovingly renovated. This makes Brownber House ideal for sharing meals and cooking, as the dogs get underfoot. Conversations flow between rooms.
There are great local walks and both The Dales and The Lakes are within reach of Brownber House
‘This spacious house has undergone a loving renovation that makes it perfect for sociable cooking and dining, with the dogs getting underfoot and the conversation flowing between rooms,’ says Paws & Stay.
‘If you don’t feel like cooking then you can order superb home-cooked [food] from the owners’ commercial kitchen or head out to one of the many dog-friendly pubs in the area. There are great local walks and both The Dales and The Lakes are within reach, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to getting outdoors and earning that afternoon nap by the fire.’
From £218 per night, sleeps eight humans and two dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/brownberhouse.
Aberdeenshire, Scotland: The Dairy at Denend
There’s a real joy to the way the dairy history has been woven into this space, says Paws & Stay
The dog gets a sleeping over pack with blankets and gravy bones.
‘There’s a real joy to the way the dairy history has been woven into this space, with milk churns and collection jars forming everything from seating to lighting,’ says Paws & Stay. ‘Even touches like the cocktail bar and the record player have been incorporated with style and the hot tub, hammock and pizza oven outside make this the perfect place for a few days of relaxing indoor/outdoor life.
‘Dogs are treated to a sleepover pack, with gravy bones, blankets and everything they need to feel right at home.’
From £190 per night, sleeps four humans (two adults, two children) and three dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/the-dairy-at-denend.
The Blue Cottage, Argyll & Bute, Scotland
At The Blue Cottage there’s ‘a bountiful welcome hamper and honesty bar for humans, and dogs are not forgotten with goodies to discover in the pantry’
The Blue Cottage costs from £145 per night and sleeps four humans and two dogs
‘There’s almost too much to love at Blue Cottage, and you’ll ache from smiling as you discover one thoughtful touch after another,’ declares Paws & Stay.
‘There’s a bountiful welcome hamper and honesty bar for humans, and dogs are not forgotten with goodies to discover in the pantry. Then there’s the beautiful space itself, the curated bookshelves and the Fun Shed with bikes and even a canoe if your dog has good sea legs.’
From £145 per night, sleeps four humans and two dogs – www.pawsandstay.co.uk/dog-friendly/holidays/the-blue-cottage.