Fetch Your Perfect Getaway: The New Forest Dog Holiday Guide!
The festival, where dogs are the real V.I.P’s, Dogstival is a day out dedicated to our tail wagging friends. Packed full of canine approved entertainment, with amazing arena displays and heaps of ‘have a go’ activities for your own pooch, live music and treats for everyone, owners included.
With so many dogs and owners visiting the area for the festival, we’ve put together our favourite places to enjoy with your dog in the New Forest.
Dog Friendly Attractions & Activities
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway – 22 miles of beautifully manicured gardens to explore, well behaved dogs can also hop on board the miniature steam railway!
Hurst Castle – Explore the English Heritage site with your pooch and take in the views across the Solent and across to the Isle of Wight from this magnificent fortress by the sea.
New Forest Reptile Centre – Learn all about the New Forest’s native reptiles. Dogs are welcome in the centre provided they are friendly and are kept on leads, so the reptiles aren’t disturbed.
Canoeing with New Forest Activities - At New Forest Activities, it might surprise you to learn that dogs can enjoy a guided Canoeing tour with you. Sat in the stable canoe, your dog can sit and relax whilst you paddle them about exploring this stunning river.
Cycling with Cyclexperience Brockenhurst – Hire a bike to get out and really explore amongst the ancient trees of the New Forest and bring the dog along for the journey. With dog trailers available to rent, it’s easy to include your furry friend in the adventure.
Forest Walkies with Wallace and Gromit – Head to Moors Valley Country Park and join Wallace and Gromit for the ultimate forest walkies. Bond with your pooch on this special dog trail, taking on challenges together. The interactive dog-focused trail features a variety of games and challenges for you and your happy hound to complete.
Our Top Walkies
Whether you're hiking through the ancient New Forest, or exploring the Scenic South Coast, our Top Dog Walks section is here to guide you and your furry friend to the best spots for your daily adventure. Each walk is handpicked to offer a mix of fun and plenty of sniff-worthy stops for your pup.
Keyhaven Marshes - Walk via the Solent Way through this amazing nature reserve rich in wildlife, with views across to the Isle of Wight and the needles, with dog friendly pubs at either end of this walk.
Beaulieu to Bucklers Hard – This two-mile route is one of the most beautiful in the New Forest, follow along the Beaulieu River, rich in wildlife and finish at Bucklers Hard, where Lord Nelson’s favourite ship, Agamemnon was built in 1781.
Bolderwood Radnor Trail – Follow this trail to experience the ancient trees of the New Forest in all their wonder. Towards the end of this trail you will find a purpose-built deer viewing platform, this inclosure is home to a large herd of fallow deer. The deer gather in the meadow for their daily feed between noon and 3pm, from April to September.
Brockenhurst Village – This picturesque village in the middle of the New Forest is surrounded by some of the best Forest landscapes. This varied walk takes you across grazed lawns and through riverside woodlands before skirting around the edge of the village to take in some great heathland views. Return through the village where you’ll find an excellent array of independent shops.
Dog Friendly Pubs
What better way to end a walk in the New Forest than with a pub lunch where both you and your canine can relax? There are plenty of dog-friendly pubs in the New Forest that offer a friendly reception to dog walkers and their faithful friends. Here are just a few.
- The Drift Inn, Beaulieu
- The Trusty Servant, Minstead
- The New Forest Inn, Emery Down
- The Old Mill Pub & Dining
- The Beach House, Milford-on-Sea
Unleash the Fun: Dog-Friendly Holidays at Shorefield!
We are well versed in the great British doggy holiday, having been offering pet-friendly getaways for over sixty years, we completely understand the importance of bringing the whole family, including your four-legged friends, why should they miss out on all the fun?
Make a real weekend of it and enjoy everything Dogstival has to offer while staying in our range of pet-friendly accommodation.
We offer pet-friendly options across all our self-catering accommodation and dogs are welcome on all of our camping and touring parks. We even have speciality dog lodges, our Superior+ Hot Tub Lodges are perfect for muddy paws, equipped with special features created with your furry friends in mind, these lodges include an enclosed pet garden, a doggy shower area and a plush dog bed.
There are dedicated dog areas in our main complexes at both Shorefield Country Park and Oakdene Forest Park, so you can bring the dog with you when you enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. In The Beachcomber complex dogs take priority with their own space 'Pooch Corner' in our bar & restaurant and new pooch menu.
Our holiday parks are in some of the most spectacular locations in Hampshire and Dorset, with some of the best dog walking spots right on your doorstep. There's so much to discover with miles and miles of beautiful New Forest and coastline to explore.
